The episode features an injured Ethiopian soldier. The Ethiopian Kagnew Battalions were three successive battalions drawn from the 1st Division Imperial Bodyguard sent by Emperor Haile Selassie I between June 1951 and April 1954 as part of the United Nations forces in the Korean War. The Kagnews fought principally alongside the 7th Infantry Division suffering 121 dead and 536 wounded during the course of the conflict while having the distinction of never having a soldier surrender or be captured by the North.
The date for this episode can be determined because over the camp P.A. there is an announcement about Gen. Douglas MacArthur's ticker tape parade in New York City, that event occurred on Apr 20, 1951.
One of several MASH episodes to not use a laugh track
Gene Reynolds was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series" for this episode.
When they run out of surgical silk for stitches, Margaret complains about them having to use regular sewing thread. Henry asks what she would suggest using, his office stapler? It has become common practice to use staples to close the skin after surgery.