Harold A. Hoelzer
Bio
Harold Hoelzer was drafted into the U.S. Army in late 1952. When he landed in Pusan, he was eventually attached to the 8th Army Signal Corps. He spent his time in the service as an auto mechanic in charge of maintaining scout vehicles. Arriving late in the war (1952), his experience reflects a late-stage Korean War, with lines along the 38th parallel. He was serving in Korea when the armistice was signed on his birthday. He humbly believes he was just a small cog on a much bigger wheel because he never served on the front lines in Korea.
Video Clips
Experiencing a Whole New World
Harold Hoelzer speaks about his initial experiences with Korea during the war. He offers stark details contrasting what he saw in Korea with the world he was familiar with back in the United States. Coming from a world of cities, roads, and factories, he remembers how "crude" Korea seemed to him at the time.
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Finding a Way to Gave Fun in Korea
Harold Hoelzer recounts seeking a little fun while serving in Korea. In this atypical war story, he describes how he adopted a hunting dog only to have it disappear during his time in Japan on Rest and Relaxation. He shares he found out the KATUSAs stationed with his unit likely used the dog as a source of food. Upon returning from Japan, he remembers the comedic scene when he convinced a Korean detachment to take him hunting and act as a flush for pheasants.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB6kCmhcKZs&start=1414&end=1556
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harold-h-hoelzer#clip-2
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All Hands on Deck!
Harold Hoelzer recalls arriving in Korea and being offered the opportunity to take his first shower since leaving the US. He recounts how his ordinary shower experience took an unexpected and hectic turn when an air-raid siren sent soldiers scrambling from the shower depot. He merrily recalls the mass of laughter that ensued after the shower had been evacuated and the half-naked troops looked up to see a single, dinky surveillance airplane putter past.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB6kCmhcKZs&start=903&end=992
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harold-h-hoelzer#clip-3
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