Donald Lassere
Bio
Donald Lassere was born in 1931 in Louisiana and graduated from Martin Berhman High School in 1949. Just prior to the breakout of the Korean War, he and his first cousin, Mert, enlisted in the Marine Reserves on June 7, 1950. In a matter of days, they were pulled from the Reserves and were called to action in Korea. Together, they left San Diego by ship, docked in Kobe, Japan, then flew into Pusan. Serving alongside Mert brought him comfort as they were able to share their experience together. They were both assigned to Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Division. Donald served as a machine gunner where he saw action on Hill 907, as well as the Punch Bowl, and it was there that he was wounded. During his time in Korea, he saw much devastation to the country and to its people. When it was all said and done, he was most proud of the part he played to help deter communism for a people that have shown so much ingenuity and determination in their efforts to rebuild their nation.
Video Clips
Hill 907
Donald Lassere describes his first real encounter with the enemy in the Battle of Hill 907. He recounts the struggle to climb the hill and how they were almost wiped out. He remembers the will of the North Koreans as they fought to the death for their country and how he knew they were weakening when he encountered young children behind the weapons.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc6yETVNuW0&start=384&end=668
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/donald-lassere#clip-1
Embed:
Battle Wounds
Donald Lassere describes the moment he was shot and the events that followed. He tells of how he was transported to receive medical services. Just as he was being put to sleep, he recounts hearing a gunny sergeant with a severe leg wound begging to keep his leg only waking up to find out that he passed.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc6yETVNuW0&start=836&end=1114
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/donald-lassere#clip-2
Embed:
Conquering Communism and Personal Fear
Donald Lassere shares his personal fear in going to war for a country and a people he did not know. He describes the pride he felt while helping to halt the spread of communism for these very people.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc6yETVNuW0&start=234&end=271
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/donald-lassere#clip-3
Embed:
Photos
Reserve Infantry
Barker Dendy
Johnson
Taking a Bath
This is me taking a bath, then went in for a swim, back in Inje - ha ha.
Reserve Section Inji
Setting up shelter from heat. Just got back from patrol.
Baker, Diehl, Ide, Marr
Our 60 mm section
Dan Carozza
Ed Barker
Hanson, Ed Barker
Top - Lindsey, Martin, Broadvent, Ceveno
Bottom - Dan Carozza, Vonnie Carlton, Hanson
Dan Carozza
60 MM Mortar Section
Dan Carozza, _______, Lassere, Eubanks, Joe Dark, Pin Head Chadwick Dendy, Chuck Marr, Broadbent, Hanson, Ide, Perry Diehl, Ed Barker, Dell Gage, Farsler
Ide, Barker, Broadbent, Carozza, Perry Diehl
Barker
Farzler, Chuck Marr, Del Gage, Dark, Cassler, Johnson
Dan Carozza getting ready to set up winder def.
Johnson
Standing - Mayer, Ide,
Dark, Eubanks, Lassere
Ed Barker, Farzler
Barker, Hanson, Farzler
Lt. Fisher
Platoon Mortar Sec.
Broadbent, Perry Diehl
Lassere
Chuck Marr
This is the area which we set up in reserve while in Inji.
Farzler
81 mortar section
5th Reg. form perimeter outside of Seoul.
Downtown Seoul
Winter 51
Winter 51
Inje River
Marr, Carozza, Hansen, Farzler, Dendy
Inje River
Inje River
105 Section
Lassere, Chadwick, Hansen, Ide
Valley
Army Cal - 38 Reg
Masa Valley
38 Reg
Dan Carozza
Masa Valley
Perry Deihl
Sgt. Dendy
Lt. Baker
Jim Ide
Inje Korea 7-10-51
Bottom - Barker
2nd - Casler, Laserre, Dark
Carozza, Farzler, Broadbent, Dendy
Top - Barker, Johnson?, Mayer, Linzey, Carozza, Broadbent
Mid - Diehl, Ide, Lassere, Chadwick, Gage
Bott- Carlton, Farzler, Hansen, Dark, Mortar Sereno, Dendy
Clinton Alexon
