Collaborator's Reward

Harold M. Dunn was a Depression baby, born in rural New York in 1930. When he was twelve his father died; when he was 13 he ran away from home for the first time. At 16 he quit school (he had just finished the ninth grade), worked his way to Louisiana, where he joined a road gang. A month after his 17th birthday, Dunn lied about his age, signed up for the peacetime Army. He was sent to Korea when war broke out, and during the winter of 1950 was wounded, left behind by retreating U.S. forces, and captured. In 33 months as a prisoner of war Dunn earned the nickname "Dirty," became a "progressive" and was rewarded with the soft job of librarian. Although a fellow prisoner said he "had trouble signing his name on the payroll," he signed whatever propaganda letters and statements the Communists asked him to, even made a propaganda broadcast to the "Moms and Dads" of the United States.

Although his record was well known, Dunn came home to a hero's welcome, ruled as King of the New York State Fair in September 1953. But last week he stood before an Army court-martial at Governors Island, N.Y. and pleaded guilty to giving aid and comfort to the enemy, and collaboration. He was the sixth returned P.W. to be tried by the Army, the first to admit his guilt. While his pregnant wife sobbed, Dunn heard his sentence--eight years at hard labor, dishonorable discharge, loss of all pay and allowances. Corporal Dunn turned pale, then gave the court a snappy salute

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