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.
John V. Frega: Achieving a goal to become Captain
MicheleZander2018-05-08T08:31:14-05:00John’s ship was on the water during two dangerous hurricanes. The first, Hurricane Hazel, a Category 4, was the deadliest and costliest hurricane of that year.
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.
Jim Carroll: Suffering hard times
marc.zarefsky2018-04-03T21:40:18-05:00Jim 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.
William Adams: Youthful work pays off
marc.zarefsky2018-04-03T10:42:50-05:00When 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 Crandall: Answering the call
marc.zarefsky2018-04-03T08:54:27-05:00Gerald 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.
Donald Arseneau: A change in cap
marc.zarefsky2018-04-20T13:49:10-05:00Don 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.
Lillian Strezishar: Helping the Cadet Nurse Corps.
marc.zarefsky2018-03-28T21:25:45-05:00During 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.
Lawrence Facchinello: A sense of duty
marc.zarefsky2017-08-04T14:59:29-05:00Lawrence served as a heavy equipment operator in Korea. He helped rebuild the Han River waterway and worked with Korean contractors who spoke no English.
Andy Dziagwa: Trumpeter of the band
marc.zarefsky2017-08-03T14:42:07-05:00Andy was in combat operations code-named Killer and May Massacre, received the Purple Heart, and is in the International Polka Association Hall of Fame.
Pascal A. ‘Pat’ Gerard: Keeping a secret
marc.zarefsky2017-07-19T09:42:18-05:00Can you keep a secret? For many years Pat Gerard wasn’t allowed to talk about what he did during his time in service. But today, he can speak freely.
Walter Piekosz: Learning to swim
marc.zarefsky2017-07-10T19:55:14-05:00Walter Piekosz was born in Chicago in 1925, one of nine children. At age 17, he decided to join the Navy. He joined even though he didn’t know how to swim.
Roy Stanek: From engineer to photographer
marc.zarefsky2017-07-10T15:16:15-05:00Roy Stanek thought he would be an engineer during the Korean War, but quickly found himself taking enemy fire during 18 missions as an aerial photographer.