John McBroom
Bio
John McBroom was born on November 17, 1933, in Asheville, North Carolina. He enlisted in the United States Navy on July 1, 1952, after completing just one year at the University of Tennessee. Following his enlistment, he underwent boot camp training and further developed his skills at sonar school in San Diego, California. In the spring of 1953, he received deployment orders to Sasebo, Japan. Upon arrival, he boarded the U.S.S. Symbol (AM-123), a minesweeper responsible for ensuring safe naval passage in the waters of Wonsan, Korea. During the Korean War, he served diligently on this minesweeping ship, working nights to clear dangerous mines that posed threats to both military and civilian vessels.
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Enlisting in the U.S. Navy
John McBroom reflects on his brief time at the University of Tennessee, where he pursued a degree in electrical engineering and participated in the ROTC program. After completing just one year of college, he enlisted in the United States Navy and attended boot camp and sonar school in San Diego, California. He recalls leaving for Sasebo, Japan, in the spring of 1953 and subsequently sailing to Wonsan, Korea, from there.
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The U.S.S. Symbol
John McBroom shares his experiences aboard the U.S.S. Symbol, the oldest minesweeper in the United States fleet, which was built of steel in 1941. He describes the ship's impressive size, noting that it could accommodate up to one hundred crew members. He explains that minesweeping primarily took place at night, as they typically avoided daytime operations whenever possible. He recalls a close encounter during one of these nocturnal sweeps, where they believe they came near the Battleship New Jersey.
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Several Incidents on Board
John McBroom recounts several incidents that occurred on board the U.S.S. Symbol while in the Hamheung area. He remembers North Koreans firing at the ship from the beach. He recalls gunfire exchanged between the North Koreans and the USS Wiltsie (DD-716), which was stationed nearby for protection.
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Life Onboard
John McBroom describes his time as a minesweeping Navy sailor as both challenging and enjoyable. He recalls the cramped sleeping arrangements, where he had to strap himself into bed because the ship rocked with the waves. He remembers meals like baked beans, cornbread, and occasional treats, such as steaks and pork chops. He notes that coffee was always brewing on board, and he would assist the cook with cleaning in exchange for extra bread and butter.
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Minesweeping
John McBroom provides insights into the fundamentals of mine operations during the Korean War. He describes his responsibilities as a sonar operator, along with the roles of the USS Symbol. He mentions that they likely discovered around a dozen mines during his time in Korea.
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