Korean 'Comfort Women' Not Prostitutes; New Caledonia, 1944

http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/12/opinion/l-korean-comfort-women-not-prostitutes-new-caledonia-1944-991792.html
Korean 'Comfort Women' Not Prostitutes; New Caledonia, 1944

Published: March 12, 1992
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To the Editor:

Rita Nakashima Brock (letter, Feb. 23) states that prostitution "has a long history in every military society, including ours."

In 1944 I was an infantry officer stationed in New Caledonia in the Pacific. As officer of the day, I was once stationed at a house of prostitution in Noumea. My duty was to see that there were no disturbances in the running of the house, that each American soldier entering had a liberty pass, paid his fee to an American G.I. and was examined by United States medical personnel.

When he came downstairs again, he had to go through prophylactic treatment. I had military police with me in case any of the Americans caused trouble or refused treatment. A few soldiers, perhaps too drunk to follow procedures, were removed by M.P.'s and sent back to barracks.

The prostitutes were mainly women imported from such countries as Malaysia and Thailand.

We should not throw stones but study our own racist and antifeminist history, as well as that of the Japanese. MORRIS BRIER Jamaica, Queens, Feb. 24, 1992