# Major Frank Burns : Immigrant? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 10, 2017, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107 "2017-12-10T15:08:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/21 "2017-12-10T18:09:17Z")
On HawkEye, Klinger and WW2/Korea/draft etc. One of the reasons the Korean “Police Action” was so unpopular was that to fight the war the US had to rebuild its Army and this meant recalling hundreds of thousands of WW2 veterans to active service. This was especially true in the first 12-18 months. These guys were often recalled to do less glamorous but necessary duties. Like reactivate support bases which had been closed for years and train new soldiers. Many also got a spell in Korea in addition. (I think the novel mentions some people). Richard Winters, of _Band of Brothers_ fame was one such person recalled. He spent several months in an ultimately successful effort to avoid being sent to Korea. Always felt the writers could have explored this. Richard Hornberger would have been old enough to have served in WW2, actually prime draft age. No idea if he did. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/22 "2017-12-10T18:10:40Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It’s possible that when Hawkeye said he was a “kid” during WWII, he was taking a little poetic license. It’s not uncommon to refer to 18 and 19 year olds fighting a war as “kids”. So Hawkeye, from the perspective of his mid-twenties in Korea, might look back on himself in WWII and regard himself as a kid back then. Possibly, but Hawkeye is talking about the songs of WWII (as if they were the distant past), and mentions “I remember lying on the rug, listening to them sing that on the radio.” which really sounds like he was a little kid at the time. > [@ftg](#): > > The officers of the 4077th couldn’t remember squat about their family. > > Hawkeye did or did not have a sister. And Hawkeye’s mother was either alive during the war, or died years earlier. Fortunately, Hawkeye did remember his bully of an older cousin and the kids he sledded with. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/23 "2017-12-10T20:12:48Z")
Getting back to the OP’s initial question, I found this [M_A_S\*H fan wiki](http://mash.wikia.com/wiki/Major_Frank_Burns) which states Frank Burns was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana (though no indication of when). While this isn’t necessarily the definitive word, it’s a pretty good indication that no other birthplace was ever mentioned. I also recall (though it’s been some time since I watched the show) that Burns was uber-patriotic, rather bigoted, and ignorant of other cultures. Not qualities you might associate with an immigrant. My guess is the line was simply a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/24 "2017-12-10T22:26:58Z")
> [@madsircool](#): > > Frank Burns will always be Robert Duvall yo me. No way. He doesn’t have the face of a ferret, nor does he eat worms. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/25 "2017-12-10T22:59:35Z")
In one of the early Xmas episodes, Hawkeye makes reference to his father celebrating Christmas in Vermont. and not Crabapple Cove, Maine. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/26 "2017-12-10T23:03:16Z")
burpo the wonder mutt: > [@](#): > > You mean like Radar quoting a John Wayne movie from 1963? [Or reading an Avengers comic from 1968?](https://nostalgiazone.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/anachronism_comic01.jpg?w=300&h=225) ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2017, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/27 "2017-12-10T23:21:05Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > While this isn’t necessarily the definitive word, it’s a pretty good indication that no other birthplace was ever mentioned. I also recall (though it’s been some time since I watched the show) that Burns was uber-patriotic, rather bigoted, and ignorant of other cultures. Not qualities you might associate with an immigrant. The uber-patriotism is consistent with “the passion of the convert” - the ignorance I can’t explain. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/28 "2017-12-11T00:03:44Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > burpo the wonder mutt: > > [Or reading an Avengers comic from 1968?](https://nostalgiazone.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/anachronism_comic01.jpg?w=300&h=225) Damn, he’s good! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/29 "2017-12-11T00:16:00Z")
Heck, at least twice, Hawkeye made sarcastic references to the 1957 murder of Albert Anastasia. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/30 "2017-12-11T00:22:00Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > Speaking of cast members’ ages: Jamie Farr actually served in Korea. Doing the math says that Klinger was far too old to be drafted. Farr was stationed in Korea but he wasn’t a Korean War veteran. He served (in the Army) from 1957 to 1959. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/31 "2017-12-11T00:22:40Z")
This just occurred to me: “M_A_S\*H” exists in an alternate universe–like “The Simpsons.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/32 "2017-12-11T01:52:54Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Farr was stationed in Korea but he wasn’t a Korean War veteran. He served (in the Army) from 1957 to 1959. Interesting. He was the pilot (or co-pilot) of the B-25 in _ **No Time for Sergeants** _, which was filmed in 1958. > **[No Time for Sergeants (1958) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052005/fullcredits)** > > No Time for Sergeants (1958) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/33 "2017-12-11T01:55:05Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Interesting. He was the pilot (or co-pilot) of the B-25 in _ **No Time for Sergeants** _, which was filmed in 1958. > > [No Time for Sergeants (1958) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052005/fullcredits) He was a recurring character in the Dick Van Dyke Show. A deli deliveryman for at least 4 episodes. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/34 "2017-12-11T03:52:28Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > This just occurred to me: “M_A_S\*H” exists in an alternate universe Hell, every season exists in a self-contained universe. [Sometimes even just a single episode.](http://mash.wikia.com/wiki/A_War_for_All_Seasons_(TV_series_episode)) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/35 "2017-12-11T05:29:53Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Interesting. He was the pilot (or co-pilot) of the B-25 in _ **No Time for Sergeants** _, which was filmed in 1958. > > [No Time for Sergeants (1958) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052005/fullcredits) He was a working actor before he was drafted. Although the numbers were much lower there was still a draft during peacetime. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/36 "2017-12-11T05:33:12Z")
And remember the fictional Captain Jonathan S. Tuttle, who got his medical degree from Berlinisches Polytechnikum, right after he graduated from Adolf Hitler High. How old would he have been when Hawkeye and Trapper introduced him to the 4077th? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2017, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/37 "2017-12-11T05:37:37Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I also recall (though it’s been some time since I watched the show) that Burns was uber-patriotic, rather bigoted, and ignorant of other cultures. Not qualities you might associate with an immigrant. Actually, yes. There’s a type of immigrant who wants to be “more Catholic than the Pope”. They’re very gung-ho, they’re more likely to rant against current immigrants than people who’ve had nationality for generations (the Idiot Boyfriend was ranting to immigrant-me against immigration one week after his own swearing-in); if they’re from a place which speaks a different language from the one where they’ve moved, they only teach their language to their children inadvertently (most immigrants never learn to swear or cook in the new language). ---
**Author:** ![Arizona\_Mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Arizona\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arizona_Mike)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2017, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/38 "2017-12-21T00:18:57Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Getting back to the OP’s initial question, I found this [M_A_S\*H fan wiki](http://mash.wikia.com/wiki/Major_Frank_Burns) which states Frank Burns was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana (though no indication of when). > > While this isn’t necessarily the definitive word, it’s a pretty good indication that no other birthplace was ever mentioned. I also recall (though it’s been some time since I watched the show) that Burns was uber-patriotic, rather bigoted, and ignorant of other cultures. Not qualities you might associate with an immigrant. > > My guess is the line was simply a mistake. Or Frank simply perjured himself. ---
**Author:** ![Arizona\_Mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Arizona\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arizona_Mike)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/39 "2017-12-21T00:26:08Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > On HawkEye, Klinger and WW2/Korea/draft etc. One of the reasons the Korean “Police Action” was so unpopular was that to fight the war the US had to rebuild its Army and this meant recalling hundreds of thousands of WW2 veterans to active service. This was especially true in the first 12-18 months. These guys were often recalled to do less glamorous but necessary duties. Like reactivate support bases which had been closed for years and train new soldiers. Many also got a spell in Korea in addition. (I think the novel mentions some people). > > Richard Winters, of _Band of Brothers_ fame was one such person recalled. He spent several months in an ultimately successful effort to avoid being sent to Korea. > > Always felt the writers could have explored this. Richard Hornberger would have been old enough to have served in WW2, actually prime draft age. No idea if he did. My dad was one of those guys. There was a regulation that if you didn’t serve a full 365 days in combat in WWII and were a member of the inactive reserve, you were subject to recall to fight in Korea. Charles Schulz mentioned he almost had to go back as well under this rule. My father served something like 10 months in the Navy before the war ended, and when Korea started, he got recalled. He didn’t want to go back on a ship in the Navy (which he had hated), so he ran downtown and enlisted in the Air Force before they could stick him back in the Navy. He owned a photography studio in 1950 and thought he could get a job as a staff photographer or journalist in the Air Force, instead they made him an aerial photographer and he had to fly over enemy-held territory to take surveillance photos and the planes he was in got shot down twice. He narrowly escaped being captured and held as a POW. ---
**Author:** ![Arizona\_Mike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7cd45c/32.png) [@Arizona\_Mike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arizona_Mike)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107/40 "2017-12-21T00:49:50Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > He was a working actor before he was drafted. Although the numbers were much lower there was still a draft during peacetime. Alan Alda actually did serve as an Army officer in Korea, but it was much later, after the cessation of military action. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-frank-burns-immigrant/804107.md?page=3)