6/6/46 - 8/8/50

Unit Operations

Inchon, Yalu Jan-Mar 51, ADL June 51

Military Awards/Decorations/Badges: 2 Purple Hearts

Most memorable moment while serving in the USMC:

Leaving the USA and returning to the USA

Awards/Badges

PURPLE HEART (2ND AWARD)

Any comments or anecdotes you’d like to add

Most Memorable Moment

I have little memory about Korea. There was little there that I wanted to remember, so I guess my mind just blotted the thing out. When I'm around others who relate tales of battles or other Marines...I can recall stuff, but with the exception of Sudong, and an incident here and there, I draw a blank. But I'll offer some thoughts that may be usable.

          It has been said, and I agree, that next to God, a Marine rifle company commander is the most powerful 'force' on this Earth. This captain has at his disposal 250 trained killers plus immediate access to FO teams from naval guns, air, artillery, mortars and even specific teams such as AT's, heavy machine gun, snipers, etc when needed. An enemy, when it approaches or is approached by, a company of US Marines better dig in deep.

          First joined the Corp in June 46 and got out in Jan 48. When Korea started, I thought it was the beginning of WWIII, so I volunteered in order to select my 'duty branch'. My first tour told me I wanted nothing to do with infantry, therefore I selected 'Aviation Duty'. And of course, three days later, I was aboard the USS Bayfield with a mortar baseplate strapped to my butt.

          After Inchon/Seoul, I was assigned to the FO Team and when we went ashore at Wonsan, I was with Fox Company and stayed with them thru Sudong and up the hill to Hagaru. I was brought back to the mortar platoon at that point and was in 'rest' as we went up to the Chosin.

          My memory of the Korea deal is so weak, just bits and pieces until someone reminds me of an incident. I know that I served with all three Rifle companies, but I can't recall any campaigns and only a handful of names. I found a letter dated 17 Apr 51 in which I start by saying "Well, I'm back whith Easy Company...", but without that letter, I would never know I was there and even now I don't know where we were, etc... I recall some rough stuff during Feb/Apr throughout central Korea, but no details.

          I cannot recall serving with Easy, but I know I did from my SR and from letters I wrote home. I am not sure but I think I was with Easy when I picked up my second Purple Heart somewhere in the area of Wonju. I do recall when we entered Yudamni that I saw the two hills on which Dog and Easy company were located and more particularly, I saw the road (and I use that term very loosely) between the two. It became known as Easy Alley. From history, I know that had not Dog and Easy held those hills and that alley, those of us at Yudamni would have been in much more serious trouble. I'm sure the same could be said about other rifle companies up there, but I know the value of that entrance into the valley floor of Yudamni and the gooks would have wiped us out if they could have broken thru Easy Alley.

          My other thoughts of those days was after two days at Yudamni, I was told I would be assigned to Dog Company, but when the time came, there was not enough left of Dog and Easy to even make up a platoon, so they rounded up cooks, drivers and other rear echelon Marines and we formed what was titled "Damnation Battalion" and we came off the hill with that designation.

          Anyway, I returned May 9, 1951 and was finally assigned Aviation at Cherry Point NC. I spent the rest of my time going thru Army/Navy/AirForce intelligence schools. I got out in 1954.

          I belong to the Dog/Easy/Fox Groups as well as the Few, but when it comes to the company groups, I realize that I am an honored guest. I don't think that any of us that were not actual members of a rifle company deserve the honor of being anything other than an 'Invited Guests'. I spent a lot of time with you grunts, but I would never have the audacity to call myself a 'Grunt'. A Grunt is a very special person and one that holds and deserves an honored position. I have watched in awe as you "Magnificient Bastards" moved out to attack and dug in to defend a position and it is a sight to behold. As the ole saying goes, "You are a better man than I am, Gunga Din"

Career After USMC

Became a citizen

Current Affiliations

Chosin Few, Fox, Easy, Dog Org., Purple Heart Association

Family Information

Wife, 4 daughters, 9 grandkids

Hobbies

Traveling, Golf, Fishing, Shrimping

Degrees/Schools

 Piedmont College

Current Address