John Tobia
Bio
John Tobia was born on February 20, 1931, in Manhattan, New York. He graduated from the High School of Commerce in Hell’s Kitchen in 1949. In 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and completed boot camp at Camp Chaffee in Arkansas. Soon after, he received orders assigning him to the Far East Command. By 1952, he had arrived in Yokohama, Japan. There, he collected his military supplies before boarding a ship to Incheon, South Korea. Once deployed, he served across the Korean Peninsula with the 3rd Infantry Division, operating 105mm howitzer cannons. After months of active duty, he was honorably discharged in the spring of 1953 and returned home.
Video Clips
Realities of War Set In
John Tobia recalls being dropped off by truck to join his company. As he arrived, two helicopters swooped down, carrying the dead and wounded—his first glimpse of war. That moment, he says, was a real eye-opener. He later contrasts the devastation of Seoul during the war with its recovery afterward. He also vividly describes encountering a Korean "honeypot," a basic but unforgettable sanitation method.
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You Can't Take That With You
In 1953, John Tobia received his discharge papers and prepared to return home. He remembers collecting weapons from Russian and Chinese soldiers, but his commanding officer warned him not to keep any as souvenirs—or risk prison. As he departed, he noticed South Koreans already hard at work rebuilding Seoul, a striking sign of recovery and resilience amid the war’s destruction.
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Memories of Korean Friends from the War
John Tobia grows emotional recalling a young boy his company found while clearing buildings; the child lived with them for about a month. He also remembers a young Korean interpreter who became like a brother. He often gave him cigarettes, which the interpreter traded for food to help support his family during the harsh conditions of war.
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Battle Experience
John Tobia recalls intense nighttime battles, followed by grim mornings spent counting the dead on the front lines. He describes the brutal cold of winter, when his company relied on heaters and stoves to stay warm—often sharing their bunkers with rats seeking heat. He also highlights a surprising lesson from war: always keep toilet paper in your helmet, as it quickly became an essential item.
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War Experience and Its Side Effects
John Tobia shares the harsh reality of war, often doubting he’d survive. He remembers brave troops from Puerto Rico, Canada, and beyond. Struggling with battlefield fatigue, he recognized his declining mental health. When his commanding officer offered him a promotion, he declined—choosing instead to go home and begin recovering from the physical and emotional toll of combat.
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