'On Killing in Combat' stirs reactions

VFW Magazine, Oct, 2003

"Hidden Wounds: On Killing in Combat" (August) by David Grossman was so very good it prompted me, for the first time, to communicate my views to the editor. I only hope that you continue to publish compelling articles such as this one.

Robert H. Hartman, Jr., Oakland, Mich.

The author exaggerates the problem. As one who killed enemy soldiers, I experienced no such trauma and don't know of any others who did. It was all part of the job, and it was kill or be killed. Contrary to his contention, officers often killed the enemy.

The real trauma is seeing your friends and comrades killed. Perhaps David Grossman confuses the two. In any event, he makes a mountain out of a molehill.

Jack Allen

Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Excluded from this article were religious beliefs. The Judeo-Christian tradition of sending men off to battle is quite strong. In the biblical Book of Numbers, Chapter 1: 2-3, God commanded Moses to "take a census of all men 20 or older who are able to go to war" (The Living Bible, 1981).

Sgt. Alvin York of WWI fame is a perfect example. He was a devoutly religious man; and to the best of my knowledge he never suffered a nightmare or a flashback.

Dr. James L. Spinelli, Chief of Psychiatry, Moncrief Army Hospital

Here is some interesting data. An analysis of Marines serving in the Vietnam DMZ found that only 20% did the killing during any given firefight. VFW is to be commended for publishing "Hidden Wounds."

Bennett M. Guthrie

Nacogdoches, Texas