If the dirt roads and mountainous terrain of North Korea weren’t difficult enough for moving men, equipment and supplies in the warm months, when winter set in, they quickly learned that surviving mud, snow, ice and -30 degree temperatures was “the real challenge.”
With only one clip Ed asked “What do I do if I run out of Ammo?” The sarge said “Jump off the train and run like hell!”
Having been raised on a farm taught teamwork from an early age.
John Martin was a driver for a battalion commander and platoon leader during the Korean War. His brother served in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge.
Gene’s job in South Korea was to drive diesel locomotives hauling train cars of ammunition, food, K rations and other supplies. The U.S. Army used the Korean rail system, but the train engines were diesel locomotives brought over from the United States.
Bill Howland was a POW during World War II. He estimates there were approximately 300 POWs in his group. About two weeks before the war ended, Bill escaped in part by hiding in a barn in a pile of hay.
Jerome Adler enlisted in the Army, much to the chagrin of his parents. Jerry remarked that his enlistment was motivated in part by the battlefield death of a childhood friend in Korea during the first year of that war.
Jim enlisted in September, 1946 with four buddies from his neighborhood gang, the “Parkside Maulers.” They all had the idea of using the GI Bill after their service.
When the Marine Corps asked for soldiers to volunteer to fight in Korea, Bill stepped forward. He and approximately 5,000 other Marines boarded a Merchant Marine vessel and headed to Korea.
Gerald comes from a family deeply rooted in “answering the call for military duty.” Gerald’s father and uncles all fought in France during World War I and his older brother fought in Europe during WWII.
Don Arseneau was born in the small town of Beaverville, Illinois (pop. 368), near the beginning of the Depression. He was a Plane Captain and Parachute Rigger.
During World War II, Lillian Strezishar was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps, which served an important part of the United States’ response to entering the war.
Carl Streng served from 1943-1946 as a cook aboard the USS Kadashan Bay (escort carrier) in the Pacific. He worked as a cook and a 40-mm gun loader.
Amos Reinhart did 26 months of duty aboard the USS North Hampton. He traveled the world, from Norway to the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle.
George Owen received a Purple Heart for his service in the Korean War, which included his involvement in combat battles at Pork Chop Hill and Triangle Hill.
Ed Murray served in the Navy during World War II as well as the Korean War. He received nine medals for his service, including one from the people of Korea.
Louis Megleo served more than two years in the World War II and was based near Bari, Italy. He was involved in 20 combat missions.
Paul Loeffler spent the Korean War as a clerk, was assigned to the famous 2nd Infantry Division and was involved in battle at Heartbreak Ridge.
Korean War veteran Dale Kavanagh went to Fort Benning in Georgia for jump school in part because he was on a quest for higher pay and a sharp uniform
Death, destruction, and total devastation is how 98-year-old WWII veteran Jerry Juliano describes his impression of landing on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.