Clifford Bradley Dawson
Bio
Clifford Bradley Dawson was drafted into the United States Army in 1952 during the Korean War. In 1953, he began his basic training and was eventually trained to maintain wires in the Signal Corps. During his training, he was a part of the 10th Infantry Division, a training division, and experienced being a part of an integrated training unit, even though there were still separate all-Black and all-White regiments within the 10th Infantry Division. At the time, he was aware of the war in Korea due to having a brother already serving there. His primary job in Korea was to ensure all parts of the artillery unit he was a part of were in communication. He spent his time south of the Han River in Korea and experienced the Armistice in July 1953. He recalls not trusting the Chinese and North Koreans and being on guard, even though combat was supposed to be over. After the war, he decided to reenlist and returned to Korea in the 1960s, serving in the Vietnam War and retiring from the United States Military in 1976.
Video Clips
Basic Training and Integration of the Military
Clifford Bradley Dawson shares his experience of being drafted into the United States Army right after completing high school. He recalls attending basic training at Ft. Riley, where the 10th Infantry Division comprised three regiments: one all-Black, one all-White, and one integrated. He served in the integrated unit and remembers working alongside fellow soldiers from different parts of the United States.
Basic Training and Advanced Training
Clifford Bradley Dawson discusses his eight weeks of infantry training where he learned to use various weapons such as the M1 rifle, the .30 caliber machine gun, and rocket launchers. He recalls being assigned to signal training, where he learned how to climb poles and string communication wires. He describes their equipment, which included lineman gear such as spikes on his boots. He recalls how he was assigned to an artillery unit when he arrived in Korea, and his job was to ensure that the communication wires between different units were functioning properly.
Maintaining Communications in Korea
Clifford Bradley Dawson recounts how he was assigned to B Company as a replacement in Korea. He describes his crucial responsibility of maintaining communication between the artillery batteries, headquarters, and the fire direction center. He explains how he operated a switchboard by connecting multiple switches together, ensuring that everyone was connected. He recalls that in Korea, wired communication was more commonly used than radio.
Cease Fire and Christmas in Korea
Clifford Bradley Dawson shares his experience of the cease-fire being called in July 1953. He describes watching across the Han River and seeing the final rounds going off that night. Despite the cease-fire, he remembers there being no celebrations and how he felt suspicious of the Chinese and North Koreans. He remembers celebrating Christmas in Korea even though they had no tree. He shares how, to pass the time, they played cards.