The bullying of Frank Burns in M*A*S*H

[Skywatcher]

@urbanredneck2

I wonder if this episode was suggested by a veteran who might have done something similar.

I wouldn’t be surprised. AFAIK, the majority of plots originated with some veteran(s). Here’s an old post on the subject:

@Skywatcher

Much of the series and some of the book were inspired by the memories of Lt. Dale Drake and his wife Cathy (née McDonough). The two met while at the 8055th with Hornberger. Cathy was a nurse and Dale an anesthesiologist, and the inspiration for “Ugly John” Black.

According to Drake, Trapper John was based on Jim Dickson, a surgeon with a penchant for wearing a parka and nursing a beer when not on duty. Head Nurse Ruth Dixon at least partly inspired “Hot Lips”.

Max Klinger may have spawned from one of the stories the pair related to co-creator Gene Reynolds, that of an otherwise shy and straight-laced doctor named Hall who dressed up one Halloween as Marilyn Monroe.