Richard E. Fordyce
Bio
Richard E. Fordyce was a high school junior when the Korean War began. At just seventeen, he left school and enlisted in the U.S. military. After completing eighteen weeks of infantry training, he was deployed to Korea and assigned to the 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, as a machine gunner. He was soon promoted to machine gun squad leader, and after being wounded and returning to combat, he rose to rifle squad leader. Following 11 months of service, he returned to the U.S. and was stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama, where he trained troops as a Platoon Sergeant. There, he also completed the Unit CBR Defense Officer and Noncommissioned Officer School. After his discharge, he earned an economics degree from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. He later became President of the Incentive Travel Division at Carlson Companies in Minneapolis.
Video Clips
Becoming a Soldier at 17
Richard E. Fordyce recalls enlisting in the U.S. Army at 17, driven by a fear of missing out on the action. He describes his basic and advanced training in detail, emphasizing the challenges and lessons learned. Ultimately, he explains that his decision was fueled by a desire for adventure and a deep sense of duty to serve his country.
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Only Cried Twice
Richard E. Fordyce admits he cried only twice during his time in Korea-- first, after witnessing his unit’s first casualties, including a forward observer he had served with. The second time came as he headed home, overwhelmed by the belief that they should have stayed to finish the job. These moments, he reflects, marked the emotional weight of both loss and unfinished duty.
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South Korean and Turkish Soldiers
Richard E. Fordyce shares his experiences serving alongside South Korean and Turkish soldiers during the war. He explains that the South Korean forces lacked proper training at the time, which made integrating them into U.S. units challenging. In contrast, he recalls working closely with a Turkish unit that replaced his on the front lines, highlighting the differences in coordination and capability.
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Battle for Triangle Hill
Richard E. Fordyce describes the difficulty of battling an enemy entrenched on higher ground, as his unit experienced during the Battle of Triangle Hill. After finally seizing the hill, he vividly recalls the surreal sight of looking down at jets flying beneath them as they dropped napalm and bombs.
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Photos
Fordyce memorabilia
Christmas Card
