First Case

The first U.S. "basket case"* of World War II was home last week. Master Sergeant Frederic Hensel, 26, of Corbin, Ky., got his crippling wounds from a mine on Okinawa. He was walking ahead of his companion to protect him from mines when he stepped on one himself. The explosion blew off both legs above the knee, his left arm above the elbow, mangled his right hand so badly that it had to be removed on the ship home.

Eventually Sergeant Hensel will be far from helpless. After operations on all four stumps, he will get artificial limbs and be able to walk again. Last week, still suffering from shock and slightly deaf from concussion, he was thinking of starting a little chicken farm when he is discharged. He told reporters: "This sure changes things a lot . . .I'd make an excellent propaganda photo to end all wars." His dark-haired wife, at the hospital to greet him, said: "We'll get along fine."

Alan with all four limbs amputated. One other Army man, a pilot, has lost parts of four limbs but not as a result of wounds: he froze both hands & feet after a plane crash in New England.

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