A local Army hero’s letters are being published in a new book, “I Am Now Back Across the 38th Parallel Line: Letters from a 5th Regimental Combat Team Soldier.”
The book features a series of letters to and from John Mullenax, a former Franklin resident, written while serving in the Korean War. The letters are primarily between Mullenax and Edith Zinkhan, whom he had met just before the Korean War began.
Mullenax was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. He received both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart in each conflict.
In 1946 after World War II, Mullenax was discharged and returned to his home in Blue Grass, Virginia. He was born there in 1922 when it was still known as Crabbottom, Virginia. He was the youngest of 11 children born to the late Henry and Mamie Mullenax.
During his time between wars, Mullenax bought his brothers’ interest in the family sawmill and joined the Army Reserve, where he was able to retain his active-duty rank of staff sergeant.
In May of 1950, he met Zinkhan. Her husband had been killed in World War II, leaving her behind with a five-year-old son, Benjamin. A month after meeting, the Korean War began.
By September, he was being activated to serve once again.
The letters featured in the book begin around this time, following his journey as the conflict in Korea unfolded, until he was eventually discharged. There are 175 letters published in the book.
On Aug. 7, 1953, Mullenax and Zinkhan eventually married.
The Bronze Star he received during the Korean War came from his actions when the first and second battalions of the 555th Field Artillery Battalion were ambushed. Mullenax led his platoon and other survivors out of the trap. Every member of his platoon survived the ambush even as the rest of the 5th RCT took heavy casualties.
He wrote to his wife the next day. “Last night we fought all night and was surrounded, but got out. I am now back across the 38th Parallel Line… I led the Company out last night with my platoon. Hon, I got to get some rest tonight. I didn’t get any last night.”
The book is compiled and edited by Mullenaxs’ daughter, Julie Mullenax VanMeter. Non-archival photography was done by Mullenax’s grandson, Dustin Eye. The book is designed and published through Indie Appalachia, LLC, an imprint owned by Mike Mallow, Mullenax’s great-nephew.
The book is available online or by contacting VanMeter at 304-668-4733.
