Pete Monfore Redux

By Dick Martin

In a previous military biography published in the Sunday Feature section on this site, we briefly told the story of a courageous young army junior officer from Springfield, Pete Momfore.  We based our story on what we already knew about Lieutenant Monfore and the glowing comments garnered from junior and senior officers aware of Pete's character and his courageous exploits in the Korean war.   However, we didn't know the specifics of Pete's time in Korea.  For example, Pete was seriously wounded in 1950 and  evacuated to Japan.   After recovering from his wounds, Monfore could have returned home to a safe assignment with a training unit.  Knowing of the quality of this junior officer, he was asked by General Ridgway to be his aide-de-camp, a very pretigious honor.  Because he wanted to be with his frontline troops, he politely declined.  If you have not read the previous biography of Pete Monfore, we suggest you do so before reading the below piece  "New Officers Embody Long Legacy of Bravery" by Lt. Gen. Daniel Bolge found in the September issue of the Army magazine.  After reading the two pieces, you should have a good idea of a young man whose qualities every young officer should aspire to emulate.   By Dick Martin