TY to FGraver GrammieK for the transfer of Jim's page - it is greatly appreciated!
Jim's story of searching for and being reunited with a specific nurse, who would treat him after critical injuries sustained under fire in Vietnam, was featured in an episode of the original run of the television series UNSOLVED MYSTERIES with Robert Stack. Below is an excerpt from the episode detail:
Jim was drafted in December 1967 and after boot camp, he was sent for advanced training to Fort Polk, Louisiana. When he learned he was to be shipped to Vietnam, he placed a late-night call to Dolores, his high school sweetheart, whom he had been dating for five years. He says he waited in line in the rain for over four hours to make the call. When he finally talked to her, he told her he was going to Vietnam. He then asked her to marry him.
At the time, Jim was nineteen, and Dolores was eighteen. She had turned him down the first two times. But when she learned that he was going to leave and go to Vietnam, she decided to say yes. They got married on April 28, 1968, shortly before he left. She says that she only knew that Jim was supposed to be gone for a year, and she just hoped the year would go by quickly.
Jim was shipped off to Vietnam only a week after the wedding. He was a specialist four in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He says that when they landed there, they were all scared. They were entering the unknown, and he had no idea what they were getting into. But he quickly found out.
Within three months, Jim was wounded twice – once in the jaw and once in the leg. On August 29, 1968, four months after the wedding and just two days before he was to be reunited with Dolores in Hawaii, his platoon was attacked by a group of North Vietnamese. He says the North Vietnamese blew him and his platoon "to smithereens." They did not even have a chance to fight back. There were sixty in his platoon and somewhere between 250 and 300 in the North Vietnamese group. They wiped out his whole company.
During the attack, Jim was operating the radio for a lieutenant because they were side-by-side. The lieutenant was killed almost immediately. Jim remembers that as he reached for a weapon, he flew through the air and landed thirty feet down a hill. He picked up his right leg, which was blown off, and crawled back up the hill.
A telegram was sent to Dolores' parents, addressed to her. It stated, "James P. Baczkowski was wounded in Vietnam as the result of hostile action. He received traumatic amputation of the right leg when engaged by hostile force in a firefight. You will be kept informed of any significant changes in his condition."
Dolores says she cried as she read the message. She could not believe that Jim had been injured. She says, "You hear about these things happening to everyone else but not to your own family." She tried to look at it as if it would go away, but it did not. She says it stayed there, and she had to learn to live with it.
After the attack, Jim was rushed by helicopter to the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Quy Nhon. His prognosis was grim. His fever hovered at 105 degrees, and his wound was badly infected. He had also left six pints of blood behind in the jungle. He says his first conscious memory was looking up and seeing a blonde lady in fatigues – Linda – looking over him and helping him. She kept telling him that he was going to be fine. At the same time, he heard other people say he would not make it. But all he focused on was Linda as she worked on him. He says she gave him the encouragement to live.
Because of the severe infection, what was left of Jim's leg was amputated at the hip. This was followed by frigid baths to lower his high body temperature. At this time, he became more aware of Linda's constant attention. She would often joke with him to lighten his spirits, saying things like, "Going for a little swim?" when he was in the bathtub.
Jim says Linda was phenomenal. Whenever he opened his eyes, she would be there, looking down at him. One day, while he was getting one of his baths, she promised him that if he got his temperature down and got into bed, she would wheel him outside and get him a couple of beers.
Over a period of six days, Linda was always there for Jim. And he slowly began to heal. With her help, he regained his former spirit, confidence, and will to live. Late one night, two days before he was scheduled to leave, she kept her word. She wheeled him and his bed outside and gave him a beer.
Jim remembers that the stars were out, and it was a beautiful night. Linda brought out two cans of beer, opened them up, sat on the edge of his bed, and smiled. She asked him if he was going to write Dolores about his leg. He told her that he did not know how. She told him to write it one word at a time. He said he did not know what to say to Dolores.
Jim says they were not allowed to leave the MASH unit until they wrote a letter to their wife and/or family. He says he did not have the courage to write one. He was afraid that his injury would prevent Dolores from realizing her dreams for the couple. He told Linda that he would not be able to write the letter. But she forced him to do it. At the time, he did not know that she had also sent a letter and a picture to Dolores, telling her what to expect.
Linda wrote: "Dear Mrs. Baczkowski, I'm the head nurse on the ward where Jim is now. It truly is not possible for me, a poor letter writer, to tell you how very much Jim loves you. When he talks about you, his lovely blue eyes sparkle, and he gets a wide grin on his face. In spite of his missing leg, he is probably the most cheerful and optimistic patient I have ever had the pleasure of caring for. His spirit and determination are marvelous. And with your hard work and help – not pity – he'll make rapid progress."
Linda continued: "However, both of you have a long, difficult road ahead. There will be days where Jim will be discouraged. But don't you or any of your families ever feel sorry for him. He needs understanding, love, and help – not pity. A missing limb doesn't make Jim less of a person. And it certainly doesn't lessen his love for you. Jim leaves tomorrow for Japan, and then home. We shall all miss him. God bless you both. Sincerely, Captain Linda Sharp."
Much more can be found online regarding this successful reunion of Jim and Captain Linda Sharp; they would remain in touch until Jim's death in 1999.
Jim's story of searching for and being reunited with a specific nurse, who would treat him after critical injuries sustained under fire in Vietnam, was featured in an episode of the original run of the television series UNSOLVED MYSTERIES with Robert Stack. Below is an excerpt from the episode detail:
Jim was drafted in December 1967 and after boot camp, he was sent for advanced training to Fort Polk, Louisiana. When he learned he was to be shipped to Vietnam, he placed a late-night call to Dolores, his high school sweetheart, whom he had been dating for five years. He says he waited in line in the rain for over four hours to make the call. When he finally talked to her, he told her he was going to Vietnam. He then asked her to marry him.
At the time, Jim was nineteen, and Dolores was eighteen. She had turned him down the first two times. But when she learned that he was going to leave and go to Vietnam, she decided to say yes. They got married on April 28, 1968, shortly before he left. She says that she only knew that Jim was supposed to be gone for a year, and she just hoped the year would go by quickly.
Jim was shipped off to Vietnam only a week after the wedding. He was a specialist four in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He says that when they landed there, they were all scared. They were entering the unknown, and he had no idea what they were getting into. But he quickly found out.
Within three months, Jim was wounded twice – once in the jaw and once in the leg. On August 29, 1968, four months after the wedding and just two days before he was to be reunited with Dolores in Hawaii, his platoon was attacked by a group of North Vietnamese. He says the North Vietnamese blew him and his platoon "to smithereens." They did not even have a chance to fight back. There were sixty in his platoon and somewhere between 250 and 300 in the North Vietnamese group. They wiped out his whole company.
During the attack, Jim was operating the radio for a lieutenant because they were side-by-side. The lieutenant was killed almost immediately. Jim remembers that as he reached for a weapon, he flew through the air and landed thirty feet down a hill. He picked up his right leg, which was blown off, and crawled back up the hill.
A telegram was sent to Dolores' parents, addressed to her. It stated, "James P. Baczkowski was wounded in Vietnam as the result of hostile action. He received traumatic amputation of the right leg when engaged by hostile force in a firefight. You will be kept informed of any significant changes in his condition."
Dolores says she cried as she read the message. She could not believe that Jim had been injured. She says, "You hear about these things happening to everyone else but not to your own family." She tried to look at it as if it would go away, but it did not. She says it stayed there, and she had to learn to live with it.
After the attack, Jim was rushed by helicopter to the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Quy Nhon. His prognosis was grim. His fever hovered at 105 degrees, and his wound was badly infected. He had also left six pints of blood behind in the jungle. He says his first conscious memory was looking up and seeing a blonde lady in fatigues – Linda – looking over him and helping him. She kept telling him that he was going to be fine. At the same time, he heard other people say he would not make it. But all he focused on was Linda as she worked on him. He says she gave him the encouragement to live.
Because of the severe infection, what was left of Jim's leg was amputated at the hip. This was followed by frigid baths to lower his high body temperature. At this time, he became more aware of Linda's constant attention. She would often joke with him to lighten his spirits, saying things like, "Going for a little swim?" when he was in the bathtub.
Jim says Linda was phenomenal. Whenever he opened his eyes, she would be there, looking down at him. One day, while he was getting one of his baths, she promised him that if he got his temperature down and got into bed, she would wheel him outside and get him a couple of beers.
Over a period of six days, Linda was always there for Jim. And he slowly began to heal. With her help, he regained his former spirit, confidence, and will to live. Late one night, two days before he was scheduled to leave, she kept her word. She wheeled him and his bed outside and gave him a beer.
Jim remembers that the stars were out, and it was a beautiful night. Linda brought out two cans of beer, opened them up, sat on the edge of his bed, and smiled. She asked him if he was going to write Dolores about his leg. He told her that he did not know how. She told him to write it one word at a time. He said he did not know what to say to Dolores.
Jim says they were not allowed to leave the MASH unit until they wrote a letter to their wife and/or family. He says he did not have the courage to write one. He was afraid that his injury would prevent Dolores from realizing her dreams for the couple. He told Linda that he would not be able to write the letter. But she forced him to do it. At the time, he did not know that she had also sent a letter and a picture to Dolores, telling her what to expect.
Linda wrote: "Dear Mrs. Baczkowski, I'm the head nurse on the ward where Jim is now. It truly is not possible for me, a poor letter writer, to tell you how very much Jim loves you. When he talks about you, his lovely blue eyes sparkle, and he gets a wide grin on his face. In spite of his missing leg, he is probably the most cheerful and optimistic patient I have ever had the pleasure of caring for. His spirit and determination are marvelous. And with your hard work and help – not pity – he'll make rapid progress."
Linda continued: "However, both of you have a long, difficult road ahead. There will be days where Jim will be discouraged. But don't you or any of your families ever feel sorry for him. He needs understanding, love, and help – not pity. A missing limb doesn't make Jim less of a person. And it certainly doesn't lessen his love for you. Jim leaves tomorrow for Japan, and then home. We shall all miss him. God bless you both. Sincerely, Captain Linda Sharp."
Much more can be found online regarding this successful reunion of Jim and Captain Linda Sharp; they would remain in touch until Jim's death in 1999.
TY to FGraver GrammieK for the transfer of Jim's page - it is greatly appreciated!
Jim's story of searching for and being reunited with a specific nurse, who would treat him after critical injuries sustained under fire in Vietnam, was featured in an episode of the original run of the television series UNSOLVED MYSTERIES with Robert Stack. Below is an excerpt from the episode detail:
Jim was drafted in December 1967 and after boot camp, he was sent for advanced training to Fort Polk, Louisiana. When he learned he was to be shipped to Vietnam, he placed a late-night call to Dolores, his high school sweetheart, whom he had been dating for five years. He says he waited in line in the rain for over four hours to make the call. When he finally talked to her, he told her he was going to Vietnam. He then asked her to marry him.
At the time, Jim was nineteen, and Dolores was eighteen. She had turned him down the first two times. But when she learned that he was going to leave and go to Vietnam, she decided to say yes. They got married on April 28, 1968, shortly before he left. She says that she only knew that Jim was supposed to be gone for a year, and she just hoped the year would go by quickly.
Jim was shipped off to Vietnam only a week after the wedding. He was a specialist four in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He says that when they landed there, they were all scared. They were entering the unknown, and he had no idea what they were getting into. But he quickly found out.
Within three months, Jim was wounded twice – once in the jaw and once in the leg. On August 29, 1968, four months after the wedding and just two days before he was to be reunited with Dolores in Hawaii, his platoon was attacked by a group of North Vietnamese. He says the North Vietnamese blew him and his platoon "to smithereens." They did not even have a chance to fight back. There were sixty in his platoon and somewhere between 250 and 300 in the North Vietnamese group. They wiped out his whole company.
During the attack, Jim was operating the radio for a lieutenant because they were side-by-side. The lieutenant was killed almost immediately. Jim remembers that as he reached for a weapon, he flew through the air and landed thirty feet down a hill. He picked up his right leg, which was blown off, and crawled back up the hill.
A telegram was sent to Dolores' parents, addressed to her. It stated, "James P. Baczkowski was wounded in Vietnam as the result of hostile action. He received traumatic amputation of the right leg when engaged by hostile force in a firefight. You will be kept informed of any significant changes in his condition."
Dolores says she cried as she read the message. She could not believe that Jim had been injured. She says, "You hear about these things happening to everyone else but not to your own family." She tried to look at it as if it would go away, but it did not. She says it stayed there, and she had to learn to live with it.
After the attack, Jim was rushed by helicopter to the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Quy Nhon. His prognosis was grim. His fever hovered at 105 degrees, and his wound was badly infected. He had also left six pints of blood behind in the jungle. He says his first conscious memory was looking up and seeing a blonde lady in fatigues – Linda – looking over him and helping him. She kept telling him that he was going to be fine. At the same time, he heard other people say he would not make it. But all he focused on was Linda as she worked on him. He says she gave him the encouragement to live.
Because of the severe infection, what was left of Jim's leg was amputated at the hip. This was followed by frigid baths to lower his high body temperature. At this time, he became more aware of Linda's constant attention. She would often joke with him to lighten his spirits, saying things like, "Going for a little swim?" when he was in the bathtub.
Jim says Linda was phenomenal. Whenever he opened his eyes, she would be there, looking down at him. One day, while he was getting one of his baths, she promised him that if he got his temperature down and got into bed, she would wheel him outside and get him a couple of beers.
Over a period of six days, Linda was always there for Jim. And he slowly began to heal. With her help, he regained his former spirit, confidence, and will to live. Late one night, two days before he was scheduled to leave, she kept her word. She wheeled him and his bed outside and gave him a beer.
Jim remembers that the stars were out, and it was a beautiful night. Linda brought out two cans of beer, opened them up, sat on the edge of his bed, and smiled. She asked him if he was going to write Dolores about his leg. He told her that he did not know how. She told him to write it one word at a time. He said he did not know what to say to Dolores.
Jim says they were not allowed to leave the MASH unit until they wrote a letter to their wife and/or family. He says he did not have the courage to write one. He was afraid that his injury would prevent Dolores from realizing her dreams for the couple. He told Linda that he would not be able to write the letter. But she forced him to do it. At the time, he did not know that she had also sent a letter and a picture to Dolores, telling her what to expect.
Linda wrote: "Dear Mrs. Baczkowski, I'm the head nurse on the ward where Jim is now. It truly is not possible for me, a poor letter writer, to tell you how very much Jim loves you. When he talks about you, his lovely blue eyes sparkle, and he gets a wide grin on his face. In spite of his missing leg, he is probably the most cheerful and optimistic patient I have ever had the pleasure of caring for. His spirit and determination are marvelous. And with your hard work and help – not pity – he'll make rapid progress."
Linda continued: "However, both of you have a long, difficult road ahead. There will be days where Jim will be discouraged. But don't you or any of your families ever feel sorry for him. He needs understanding, love, and help – not pity. A missing limb doesn't make Jim less of a person. And it certainly doesn't lessen his love for you. Jim leaves tomorrow for Japan, and then home. We shall all miss him. God bless you both. Sincerely, Captain Linda Sharp."
Much more can be found online regarding this successful reunion of Jim and Captain Linda Sharp; they would remain in touch until Jim's death in 1999.
Jim's story of searching for and being reunited with a specific nurse, who would treat him after critical injuries sustained under fire in Vietnam, was featured in an episode of the original run of the television series UNSOLVED MYSTERIES with Robert Stack. Below is an excerpt from the episode detail:
Jim was drafted in December 1967 and after boot camp, he was sent for advanced training to Fort Polk, Louisiana. When he learned he was to be shipped to Vietnam, he placed a late-night call to Dolores, his high school sweetheart, whom he had been dating for five years. He says he waited in line in the rain for over four hours to make the call. When he finally talked to her, he told her he was going to Vietnam. He then asked her to marry him.
At the time, Jim was nineteen, and Dolores was eighteen. She had turned him down the first two times. But when she learned that he was going to leave and go to Vietnam, she decided to say yes. They got married on April 28, 1968, shortly before he left. She says that she only knew that Jim was supposed to be gone for a year, and she just hoped the year would go by quickly.
Jim was shipped off to Vietnam only a week after the wedding. He was a specialist four in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. He says that when they landed there, they were all scared. They were entering the unknown, and he had no idea what they were getting into. But he quickly found out.
Within three months, Jim was wounded twice – once in the jaw and once in the leg. On August 29, 1968, four months after the wedding and just two days before he was to be reunited with Dolores in Hawaii, his platoon was attacked by a group of North Vietnamese. He says the North Vietnamese blew him and his platoon "to smithereens." They did not even have a chance to fight back. There were sixty in his platoon and somewhere between 250 and 300 in the North Vietnamese group. They wiped out his whole company.
During the attack, Jim was operating the radio for a lieutenant because they were side-by-side. The lieutenant was killed almost immediately. Jim remembers that as he reached for a weapon, he flew through the air and landed thirty feet down a hill. He picked up his right leg, which was blown off, and crawled back up the hill.
A telegram was sent to Dolores' parents, addressed to her. It stated, "James P. Baczkowski was wounded in Vietnam as the result of hostile action. He received traumatic amputation of the right leg when engaged by hostile force in a firefight. You will be kept informed of any significant changes in his condition."
Dolores says she cried as she read the message. She could not believe that Jim had been injured. She says, "You hear about these things happening to everyone else but not to your own family." She tried to look at it as if it would go away, but it did not. She says it stayed there, and she had to learn to live with it.
After the attack, Jim was rushed by helicopter to the 67th Evacuation Hospital in Quy Nhon. His prognosis was grim. His fever hovered at 105 degrees, and his wound was badly infected. He had also left six pints of blood behind in the jungle. He says his first conscious memory was looking up and seeing a blonde lady in fatigues – Linda – looking over him and helping him. She kept telling him that he was going to be fine. At the same time, he heard other people say he would not make it. But all he focused on was Linda as she worked on him. He says she gave him the encouragement to live.
Because of the severe infection, what was left of Jim's leg was amputated at the hip. This was followed by frigid baths to lower his high body temperature. At this time, he became more aware of Linda's constant attention. She would often joke with him to lighten his spirits, saying things like, "Going for a little swim?" when he was in the bathtub.
Jim says Linda was phenomenal. Whenever he opened his eyes, she would be there, looking down at him. One day, while he was getting one of his baths, she promised him that if he got his temperature down and got into bed, she would wheel him outside and get him a couple of beers.
Over a period of six days, Linda was always there for Jim. And he slowly began to heal. With her help, he regained his former spirit, confidence, and will to live. Late one night, two days before he was scheduled to leave, she kept her word. She wheeled him and his bed outside and gave him a beer.
Jim remembers that the stars were out, and it was a beautiful night. Linda brought out two cans of beer, opened them up, sat on the edge of his bed, and smiled. She asked him if he was going to write Dolores about his leg. He told her that he did not know how. She told him to write it one word at a time. He said he did not know what to say to Dolores.
Jim says they were not allowed to leave the MASH unit until they wrote a letter to their wife and/or family. He says he did not have the courage to write one. He was afraid that his injury would prevent Dolores from realizing her dreams for the couple. He told Linda that he would not be able to write the letter. But she forced him to do it. At the time, he did not know that she had also sent a letter and a picture to Dolores, telling her what to expect.
Linda wrote: "Dear Mrs. Baczkowski, I'm the head nurse on the ward where Jim is now. It truly is not possible for me, a poor letter writer, to tell you how very much Jim loves you. When he talks about you, his lovely blue eyes sparkle, and he gets a wide grin on his face. In spite of his missing leg, he is probably the most cheerful and optimistic patient I have ever had the pleasure of caring for. His spirit and determination are marvelous. And with your hard work and help – not pity – he'll make rapid progress."
Linda continued: "However, both of you have a long, difficult road ahead. There will be days where Jim will be discouraged. But don't you or any of your families ever feel sorry for him. He needs understanding, love, and help – not pity. A missing limb doesn't make Jim less of a person. And it certainly doesn't lessen his love for you. Jim leaves tomorrow for Japan, and then home. We shall all miss him. God bless you both. Sincerely, Captain Linda Sharp."
Much more can be found online regarding this successful reunion of Jim and Captain Linda Sharp; they would remain in touch until Jim's death in 1999.
