Don R. Childers
Bio
Don R. Childers was born on June 10, 1930, in Oklahoma, and he grew up with eight siblings. His father, who was part Cherokee Indian, worked for the railroad and a steel manufacturing company. At the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. When the Korean War broke out, he was assigned to the Weapons Company and the Eighty-One Mortar Patrol, where he served as an ammunition carrier before volunteering to become a forward observer responsible for identifying target locations. In 1952, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps and began a career as a bank manager. Later in life, he was selected to participate in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C., where he and other veterans received a special honor for their service.
Video Clips
Going From the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to Active Duty
Don R. Childers enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves in Oklahoma City when he was eighteen years old. He recalls the policy of President Harry S. Truman's administration, in 1948, that anyone who enlisted in the U.S. Reserves would not be drafted. During his time in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, he trained periodically at Camp Pendleton. After spending two years in the Reserves, he received advanced combat training when the Korean War started in 1950 and reported for active duty.
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Arriving in Korea
Don R. Childers recalls his journey to Japan and Korea by ship, where some of the men suffered from severe seasickness. After landing in Korea, his company was loaded onto trucks and taken to a small, remote town called Wonju. There, they set up camp in a dry river bed and were immediately told to "dig in." It was only later, when someone yelled "incoming mail" - referring to enemy artillery shells - that he realized the importance of this command. He was then assigned to the Weapons Company and the Eighty-one Mortar Patrol, starting as an ammunition carrier and eventually volunteering to be a forward observer, responsible for identifying target locations.
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Forward Observer
Don R. Childers recalls the distressing experience of seeing the remains of enemy soldiers. He notes that the United States military retrieve the bodies of their fallen soldiers to bring them back home. He discusses his role as a forward observer, responsible for locating targets and requesting ammunition as required.
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Honor Flight
Don R. Childers explains how he was selected for an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. He becomes emotional while describing the standing applause he and the other Honor Flight veterans received as they walked through the airport in Washington D.C. He shares how serving in the United States Marine Corps taught him the importance of being dependable.
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