Joseph Gruber
Bio
Joseph Gruber was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952 and sent to Ft. Lewis, Washington. He was transported to Korea via the Marine Phoenix and landed in Busan (Pusan) in the early months of 1953. During his service, he was hospitalized with what was likely infectious hepatitis for some time in an old Japanese schoolhouse. For much of his remaining time, he was assigned to deliver mail between Busan and Incheon. He returned to the United States in 1954.
Video Clips
The Bitter Cold of War
Joseph Gruber shares he was assigned to the 958 Ordinance Company. He recalls an old locomotive near their compound on which the company had guards. He notes that it, one day, disappeared. He vividly remembers the cold weather and describes how he sent a letter to his mother begging her to buy him warmer clothing.
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Daily Life in War
Joseph Gruber describes his illness during the war. He suspects that he contracted hepatitis from contaminated water. He offers details regarding a minor altercation during his hospitalization when he threw a bed pan at a higher-ranked officer for demanding that he clean the hospital.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAJss0U3Y7w&start=1643&end=1922
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/joseph-gruber#clip-2
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Most Dangerous Moment
Joseph Gruber's responsibilities during the war included delivering mail from Busan to Incheon. He recounts being shot at by enemy forces one day which resulted in two of their tires being hit. He credits a detachment of GI's following them with running off those who had shot at them and getting them back on the road with repaired tires.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAJss0U3Y7w&start=1399&end=1529
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/joseph-gruber#clip-3
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