David Simon
Bio
David Simon enlisted in the United States Army in 1950. Possessing some knowledge of the printing profession, he was sent for additional training in the printing field in Virginia. He as in the middle of this training when the war broke out and recalls being sent to Japan. Upon arrival in Japan, he recalls being informed that he would not be going to Korea but instead would be assigned to the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion in Tokyo, which produced maps for soldiers in the field. Following a printing accident, he remembers being reassigned to the 72nd Engineer Survey Detachment, based in the Forestry Building in Tokyo, where he was placed in charge of a large map library.
Video Clips
Assigned to the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion
David Simon shares that prior to enlisting in the U.S. Army, he had learned the printing trade from his uncle. Shortly after enlisting he recalls being sent to a printing school in Virginia. He learned of the outbreak of war while in Virginia. He recollects being sent to Korea on the troop ship the Breckinridge. He details his duties during his assignment to the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion and the 72nd Engineer Survey Detachment in Tokyo.
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In Charge of the Map Library
David Simon describes his assignment to the 72nd Engineer Surveying Detachment in Tokyo where he supervised the map library. As a corporal, he was the highest-ranking soldier in the map library, so by default, he became its supervisor. He explains the roles of both the 72nd and his prior unit, the 64th Engineer Topographic Battalion, in creating maps that were used by soldiers in the field in Korea.
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I Feel Very Fortunate
David Simon recalls his service in units which focusing on mapmaking and distribution of these maps during the Korean War. He briefly shares how fortunate he was to serve as he did during the Korean War. He recalls that many of those who were onboard the Breckinridge were shipped to Pusan. He counts himself lucky that he had a background in printing that kept him from the dangers of the front lines.
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I Don't Think the North Koreans Want to Give up Their Little Empire
David Simon shares his thoughts on the transformation of Korea into an economic power. He focuses on current events related to the possibility of unifying the peninsula but expresses doubt that this will happen under the current North Korean regime. He closes by noting that he does not really consider himself a Korean War Veteran, but a veteran who was in the service at the time of the Korean War.
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