Korean War Legacy Project

Herbert Neale

Bio

Herbert Neal was drafted in 1945 during his junior year of high school to fight in World War II. In 1951, despite being in the inactive reserves, he was called back to serve in the Korean War. He joined the Marine Corps artillery, participated in several campaigns, and spent 271 consecutive days on the front lines. After returning from Korea, Neal resumed his work at Interstate Power and continued there until his retirement. In retirement, he traveled across the U.S. installing weather systems at airports. He also remained actively involved in the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.

Video Clips

Close Call on the Front Lines

Herbert Neale recalls a close call with incoming artillery fire on the front lines. After waking up from a concussion, he found himself lying over the artillery. He then heard a friend call out, saying he had been hit, and Neale describes the severity of the wound and the effort to get him to an evacuation site. Although his friend eventually healed after losing a lung, Neale reflects that, despite physical recovery, no one truly escapes the lasting scars of war.

Tags: Chinese,Fear,Front lines,Weapons

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War Dead

Herbert Neale describes witnessing the overwhelming number of Chinese casualties in Korea, where the fast pace of war left little time to properly dispose of bodies. He recalls the haunting sight of bodies lining the roads and floating in the river, which they later used for drinking water. These gruesome images brought to mind a childhood memory, starkly contrasting the innocence of his past with the brutal realities of war.

Tags: Chinese,Food,Physical destruction

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How to Deal with the Memories

Herbert Neale explains how he copes with the memories of war by blocking out the disturbing visuals, as dwelling on them, he says, would drive anyone crazy. Despite this, he admits that even decades after the war, images of dead Chinese soldiers still haunt his dreams. Occasionally, these vivid memories even wake him up in the middle of the night.

Tags: Chinese,Fear,Front lines

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Called to Serve and Sent to Korea

Herbert Neale explains how, despite being fully discharged from the Marine Corps after World War II, he was called back to serve in Korea. Upon arriving, he was quickly sent to the front lines to fill gaps left by casualties. While stationed there, he used the 155mm howitzer, a powerful weapon in their arsenal.

Tags: Basic training,Chinese,Front lines,Weapons

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Paris Island for Boot Camp

After receiving his draft notice, Herbert Neale eagerly volunteered for the Marine Corps. He was swiftly sent to Parris Island for boot camp, where his initial excitement quickly turned to disappointment. Boot camp, he realized, was nothing like what he had expected.

Tags: Basic training,Home front,Weapons

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