John (Alan) Matson: Carpenter, Pipe Fitter, Electrician and Tinsmith – At Forty Below
MicheleZander2018-07-09T19:18:18-05:00Carpenter, Pipe Fitter, Electrician and Tinsmith - At Forty Below
Erwin (Erv) A. Hankes: Vital Communications and 15 Months of Smelly Rice Paddies
MicheleZander2018-07-01T19:32:01-05:00Vital Communications and 15 Months of Smelly Rice Paddies
Elmer (John) Gebel: Forty B-24 Combat Missions Begin with the Palau Islands
MicheleZander2018-06-28T20:03:34-05:00Forty B-24 Combat Missions Begin with the Palau Islands
Roger G. Liddicoatt: I Never Give Up!
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:13:20-05:00Roger readily admits he was “scared as hell” when he was taken. The Chinese soldiers wrapped a tourniquet around his leg to stop the bleeding, and slapped something mysterious on his wounds. Then, he was held in a 4’ x 6’ cell with a low ceiling, where he survived on a diet of raw fish and rice, and an occasional helping of green, spicy kimchi.
Maj. General Clifton C. Capp: When Duty Calls A Leader Answers
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:13:31-05:00General Capp retired from the military in 1983 after almost 36 years of service in the Illinois National Guard, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve. During his military career he was highly decorated, earning the Distinguished Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters; the United Nations Service Medal; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices (denoting 20+ years of service); the National Defense Service Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; and the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, presented to an outstanding individual who has rendered significant service or support to an element of the Engineer Regiment.
William (Bill) Haggerty: His Uniform Was A Bathing Suit And Helped Save Many Lives
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:14:03-05:00Bill’s ticket home came in the form of the 1956 Olympic trials. U.S. servicemen in Japan were qualifying for swimming and diving, and Bill won platform diving for the Armed Services in the Far East.
Arnold R. Painter, Jr.: Military Service – A Family Tradition With Surprising Twists
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:14:14-05:00By the summer of 1953, Arnie was promoted to 1st Sergeant. During the fierce battle around Pork Chop Hill, 1st Sergeant (E7) Arnold R. Painter Jr., was wounded when he took a bayonet to his midsection ... His next recollection was waking up on a hospital ship, recovering from his injuries. As fate would have it, in the bed next to him was none other than Arnold R. Painter, Arnie's father, who was recovering from his fourth eye operation. As soon as Arnie Sr. was able to focus, he recognized his son, and stated, “Arnie, (expletives deleted !) what are you doing here? ” The 1st Sergeant immediately notified the Army that his son, Arnie Jr. was only 16, and had lied on his enlistment papers.
Lowell “Greg” McDonnell: A tank commander … finally
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:28:02-05:00Armistice talks were already underway, but it would be a few months before the fighting came to an end. For those few months, McDonnell found himself on the front lines at White Horse Mountain as a Tank Platoon Leader.
Robert J. “Bob” Dahms: Surveying, a critical responsibility in combat
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:30:11-05:00“The winters were very, very cold. Thank God for insulated boots.” Bob and his tent mates took in a young Korean boy who they named “Peanuts.” He would do odd jobs for them and keep their tent clean.
Dale P. Buhl: His voice led to an Armed Forces Network assignment
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:30:25-05:00Dale went to Nuremberg, Germany with the 371st Armored Infantry Division. His new world of 201 files and Morning Reports did not really satisfy his creative mind. A buddy suggested that, with his voice and experience, Dale should look into the Armed Forces Network (AFN).
Edvins T. Budenieks: It was a long road from Latvia to Incheon
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:36:44-05:00We kept moving forward, and by June we crossed the 38th parallel. We were attacking all the time, and there was a few close calls.
William T. DeCicco: Trained as an artist and with heavy weapons
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:30:57-05:00Sergeant DeCicco “distinguished himself . . . serving as a Section Leader in a machine gun platoon, inspired his men through his distinguished leadership and courage while detailed on the outpost line of resistance in support of infantry operations.
Donald E. Bennett: “Atomic Annie” was one big gun
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:31:27-05:00After preparing the weapon to be fired, they were ordered into a trench and told to close their eyes and cover their faces with their forearms ... Even though they had their eyes closed and forearms over them, Don says the blast was so bright that you could see it right through your arm.
Charles A. Griffea: A common cause
MicheleZander2021-01-25T13:29:41-06:00If 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.”
Edward Kadlec: Paperwork in a war zone
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:31:50-05:00With 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!”
Terry S. Hensley: A family of Purple Heart recipients
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:32:12-05:00Having been raised on a farm taught teamwork from an early age.
John Martin: From gunner to driver
marc.zarefsky2018-04-08T21:49:02-05:00John 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.
Eugene Bylina: Diesel locomotive driver
marc.zarefsky2018-04-08T21:31:17-05:00Gene’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.
William Howland: A World War II POW
marc.zarefsky2018-04-11T22:32:39-05:00Bill 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: Enlisting for a friend
marc.zarefsky2018-04-05T07:26:33-05:00Jerome 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.