The PA announcement at the end of the episode is a reference to the battle of Solma-Ri, also known as "Gloucesters Hill" or the battle of the Imjin River. In this battle, the 1st Battalion of the Gloucestershire Regiment (known as "The Gloucesters"), part of the British 29th Infantry Brigade, fought a four-day battle against overwhelming Chinese forces. Although completely surrounded, hugely outnumbered and short of ammunition, the Gloucesters continued to fight, delaying the Chinese advance long enough for other UN troops to establish a new defensive line where the Chinese advance was finally halted. When finally ordered to retreat, only 46 Gloucesters out of an initial strength of around 700 men managed to reach UN lines, with the rest either dead, missing or captured. Following the battle, the "Glorious Gloucesters" (as they became known) were awarded the US Distinguished Unit Citation for "exceptionally outstanding performance of duty and extraordinary heroism in action" (to quote the wording of the citation), while the British awards included two Victoria Crosses. Mention of this battle in the PA announcement places the date this episode is set as being between April 22nd and 25th, 1951, with the high casualty figure indicating a most probable date of either the 24th or 25th of April.
Smilin' Jack is played by actor Robert Hogan, who has a connection to another war comedy series. The main character in the WWII POW camp sitcom, "Hogan's Heroes" (1965), Col. Robert Hogan, was named after him by his friend, the show's co-creator Bernard Fein. He also appeared in minor roles in two episodes of that series.
Frank states that he would do anything to earn a purple heart. However on a previous episode 1975's The Kids), he was awarded a purple heart for taking a piece of egg shell in his eye. However that purple heart was taken from him and given to a baby. And even before that, Frank applied for a Purple Heart after having injured his back while in flagrante delicto with Hot Lips. His medal went to a (too) young Marine played by Ron Howard, in Sometimes You Hear the Bullet (1973).
Colonel Potter (Harry Morgan) describes the helicopter Smilin Jack (Robert Hogan) and other Evac pilots use. During the Korean War the US Army used Bell H-13 "Sioux" helicopters. They were designed to carry three (a pilot and two passengers). The aircraft is a single engine single rotor light helicopter built by Bell Helicopter. Aircraft specifications: Length: 31 ft 7 in * Height: 9 ft 8 in * Gross weight: 2,952 lb * Powerplant: 1 × Lycoming TVO-435-A1A six-cylinder, horizontally opposed piston, 260 hp * Main rotor diameter: 37 ft 0 in * Maximum speed: 105 mph * Cruise speed: 84 mph * Range: 273 mi * Service ceiling: 16,100 ft.
Years before this episode, Robert Hogan (Smilin' Jack) succeeded Mike Farrell (B. J.) in the role of Scott Banning on the soap opera "Days Of Our Lives.