Korean War Legacy Project

Carl Hissman

Bio

Carl Leroy Hissman was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on March 21, 1929. He attended Manitou Springs High School and later earned a GED. At age sixteen, during World War II, he and some friends tried to enlist in the United States Army but were denied. He later enlisted in the US Army in 1949 and attended basic training and leadership school at Fort Ord, California. He remembers flying via TWA to Japan and then to Korea in 1950. He landed in North Korea ahead of the Chinese invasion. He drove jeeps in the 4th Infantry Division, 3rd Battalion’s Heavy Mortar Company. He left Korea in early 1952.

Video Clips

Evacuating Heungnam, Off to Busan

Carl Hissman describes his experience at the evacuation of Heungnam. He remembers being the last one off of the beach. He recalls seeing many North Korean refugees and remembers the roads were so full of people. He shares they were able to save some but not all. He remembers seeing a blown-up village and two civilians frozen dead. After Heungnam, his unit went down to Busan and began pushing back up north towards Seoul.

Tags: 1950 Hamheung Evacuation, 12/10-12/24,Busan,Heungnam,Incheon,Seoul,Chinese,Civilians,Cold winters,Depression,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,North Koreans,Physical destruction,Poverty,South Koreans,Women

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Service Role in Korea

Carl Hissman describes his experience in Korea. His shares how his job was to find new positions where the company could set up its guns. He recalls once bailing out of his jeep with his rifle because he saw some Chinese soldiers. He remembers shots being fired from both sides, but neither side was hit. He remembers seeing the Chinese soldiers use cocaine. At the closest, he remembers being about 100 yards away from the Chinese soldiers. He recalls having two KATUSA (Korean Augmentation to the United States Army) soldiers with him.

Tags: Chinese,Front lines,KATUSA,Physical destruction

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Protecting Himself from the Chinese

Carl Hissman describes his sleeping arrangements. He remembers trying to find foxholes that were already dug out by the Chinese. He shares that the Chinese were better at digging foxholes than they were. He recalls it being cold but adds that he did not realize it was sometimes colder than sixty degrees below zero. He recounts how his mom sent him an additional gun so he could defend himself if the Chinese tried to take him as a prisoner while he was sleeping. He remembers the Chinese soldiers being very quiet and notes that it was an advantage seeing as they did not have the equipment the Americans had.

Tags: Chinese,Cold winters,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,Weapons

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Photos

Basic Training 4th INF. DIV. Fort Ord. Calif.

Basic Training 4th INF. DIV. Fort Ord. Calif.

Leadership Training Class

Leadership Training Class

Leadership Training Class - Names

Leadership Training Class - Names

Victorville Calif. (Pre-Army)

I rented a room from the only woman who owned a pool in Victorville. I was working in a cement plant working a week each - days, swing, and graveyard. The temperature was 100 to 115 degrees average. This is why I enlisted. Due to being colorblind, the Air Force, Marines, and Navy would not take me.

Victorville Calif. (Pre-Army)

Post Chapel and Red Cross Building - Fort Ord

Post Chapel and Red Cross Building - Fort Ord

Station Hospital - Fort Ord

Station Hospital - Fort Ord

Carl Hissman

Carl Hissman

Gerald Grubbs

Gerald Grubbs

Bivouac Area - Fort Ord

Bivouac Area - Fort Ord

Physical Training Area - Fort Ord

Physical Training Area - Fort Ord

Monterey Bay

Monterey Bay

Lovers Point - Monterey Calif.

Lovers Point - Monterey Calif.

Inspection

Inspection

Lovers Point - Monterey Calif.

Lovers Point - Monterey Calif.

My Chrysler - 1st Car 1950

My Chrysler - 1st Car 1950

On the Way

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

On the Way

Wake Island

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Wake Island

Wake

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Wake

Wake TWA DC-4

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Wake TWA DC-4

T.W.A.

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

T.W.A.

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Wake

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Wake

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Japanese Plane - Wake

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Japanese Plane - Wake

B-27

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

B-27

Hawaii or Midway

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Hawaii or Midway

Train to Beppu

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Train to Beppu

On the Way to Korea

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

On the Way to Korea

Mount Fuji

Most of the pictures were taken with a Minute 16 camera that fit in my cartridge belt. Great little camera. When they stripped the O.C.S. schools for cannon fodder, we were lucky to be flown over on private airlines. There were four of us on this flight. The pilots and crew were terrific. They rotated us and let us sit in the co-pilot's seat. What a trip. We landed in Hawaii around midnight. 3 hour refueling stop.

Mount Fuji

Around Beppu

Around Beppu

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

Cutting Standstone to Make Grinding Wheels

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

Cutting Standstone to Make Grinding Wheels

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

Picking Meat From Barnacles to Eat

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

Picking Meat From Barnacles to Eat

Done

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

Done

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

New Boat

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

New Boat

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

Wild Monkey Mt./Mt. Takafaki or Yutu

When I was in Beppu, I would climb the cliff behind some trees (as everyone knew where it was) and hike down to the shore. I watched women on the rocks with a little bucket. They were using a little pick pulling the meat from barnacles from their dinner. I went on down and watched some men cutting round discs from the sandstone for grinding wheels. I also saw some men building a fishing boat. It was all mortis and pegged. No nails or bolts. I took pictures if I can find them.

Wild Monkey Mt./Mt. Takafaki or Yutu

Camp Chickaumroa, Above Beppu, Japan

Camp Chickaumroa, Above Beppu, Japan

Erich Batchler - Metzler

Erich Batchler - Metzler

Metzler - Last Heard from Him - CIA in So. America

Metzler - Last Heard from Him - CIA in So. America

My Dog

My Dog

U.S.O. Show

U.S.O. Show

Waiting for Inspection

Waiting for Inspection

I Got Best in the Company

I Got Best in the Company

Kim - Korean Soldier

Kim - Korean Soldier

Thanksgiving 1950

Thanksgiving 1950: These little girls were watching a dog chewing on a bone, and when the dog was done, one of the girls went over and stared chewing on the bone. They ate well that day and as long as we were in that area.

Thanksgiving 1950

Wounded being evacuated that were too badly hurt to go by truck.

We had a reserve 2nd Louie as Co. Commander for a short time. He made us wash the vehicles for inspection. We called him "Rabbit". He was a sad case. He lasted a week. Too long!

I was taught how to drive a jeep when we drove up to this walled city (Suwon?). We were driving up this mule trail, and I stopped when I came to a rock shelf 18" - 24" high. The Capt. asked why I stopped. I thought we would tip over. He said get out, and he drove back down the hill, got a run, and when the front wheels hit the rock, it went up in the air. He had enough speed that when the back wheels hit it slammed the front down. He just said "get in". He drove the rest of that trip. The walled city covers two mountain ranges. The King of Korea lived here a 100 years ago.

105 MM Self Propelled

105 MM Self Propelled

4.2" Mortar

4.2

MED Tank Assigned to Our Outfit

MED Tank Assigned to Our Outfit

Twin 40's of the 3AA

Twin 40's of the 3AA

155 Long Toms Arkansas National Guard Unit

155 Long Toms Arkansas National Guard Unit

Korea

Korea

Ordinary Korean Woman

Ordinary Korean Woman

Battery of 105 Self-Propelled

Battery of 105 Self-Propelled

LOLA Marie

The hook on the front of the jeep was put on by Capt. Aylward. During WWII the Germans would string cable across the road to decapitate the soldiers. He said some hooks were made to stout and would flip the jeep. He had seen men decapitated.

LOLA Marie

The hook on the front of the jeep was put on by Capt. Aylward. During WWII the Germans would string cable across the road to decapitate the soldiers. He said some hooks were made to stout and would flip the jeep. He had seen men decapitated.

Han River

Han River

Type of Home the Richer People of Korea Own

Type of Home the Richer People of Korea Own

The statue is what's left of a Temple. The people gather for religious ceremonies.

Corporal Hank Manderville at the Temple

Corporal Hank Manderville at the Temple

A Boy and Girl Making Rope out of Straw

A Boy and Girl Making Rope out of Straw

CPL. Eric Batcher

Corporal Eric Batcher on a grave. The Koreans bury their dead above ground.

CPL. Eric Batcher

A boy about 10 years old. The load is larger than it looks.

Two R.O.K.s

Left - Spelling? Stirey, Stirry, Stiny. I called him Kim.
Right - Pak. Studied to be a veterinarian.

Two R.O.K.s

Gun #4 position at the Temple below the Han River.

The house in the left rear was made like an American house.

Korean civilians cleaning my jeep before an inspection. Notice the tire chains.

The Koreans built their homes in this manner. The walls are packed with mud.

Two children fighting. They were getting to move close for safety.

When they had food left from chow, they gave it to the Korean children. They took it and shared it with the rest of the family. Made sure some was left over.

This amazing mad could play good music on this can. It was music we could understand.

One of the "many" orphaned children.

Many refugees heading south.

A small girl we called "Speed" watched us while we built a road into our positions below the Han River.

Pat Holland and "Speed"

Pat Holland and

Corporal Selman

Corporal Selman

One of the 81mm mortars of the 7th Regt, 1st Battalion

Another Tank of Our Outfit

Another Tank of Our Outfit

Another Tank of Our Outfit - Wording

Another Tank of Our Outfit - Wording

Handlebar Mustache

Handlebar Mustache

This is where we took bath's. It was not deep enough to swim. There was another place to swim.

This is where we took bath's. It was not deep enough to swim. There was another place to swim.

Paul Loiselley

Paul Loiselley

Basio: In charge of tank position. Being rotated home.

Chrome plate 45 with wood grips. Inlaid Dragons made out of seashells. Made in Japan. Too bad I couldn't bring it home.

No Windshield Dirty Jeep

No Windshield Dirty Jeep

Weapons Carrier

Weapons Carrier

4.2" Mortar

4.2

"Great" A Fire

Tex and I

Tex and I

Tex

Tex

Tex

Tex

Paul

Paul

Buck

Buck

Basio

Basio

1st tank I got to drive. Lot of fun.

Pheasant hunting, no luck

Doing laundry

Johnny Allred and I

Johnny Allred and I

Paul, Basio, Tex, Buck

Houseboys Kept Everything Clean

Houseboys Kept Everything Clean

Houseboys Kept Everything Clean

Houseboys Kept Everything Clean

Temple Kenchoji Kamakura

Photographer must have given me the picture of the Temple. I did not take it, and the name was printed on the back.

Temple Kenchoji Kamakura

Houseboys enjoying a swim with our mattresses.

Houseboys enjoying a swim with our mattresses.

Our mess table. Flowers no less!

Handlebar Mustache

Handlebar Mustache

Always first in chow line!

I'm on left with fork.

Korean Work Crew

Korean Work Crew

M.R.5.H

M.R.5.H

Paul on Tank

Paul on Tank

Me on Tank

Me on Tank

Massacre Valley 2.5 Ton Truck

Massacre Valley 2.5 Ton Truck

Mortar and Turret from Tank

Mortar and Turret from Tank

Equip. destroyed during the April Chinese push

2.5 Ton Truck

Massacre Valley

Massacre Valley

105mm Howitzer

105mm Howitzer

2.5 Ton Tank

Last Tank Hit at Top of Pass

Honor Guard MTN and Cold Weather Training Command Fort Carson, Colo Springs, Colo. 3rd from Right 53 GT.

Honor Guard MTN Wording

Honor Guard MTN Wording