Edward Greer
Bio
Edward Greer was born in Gary, West Virginia, in 1924. He graduated from high school and enrolled in college, which had an ROTC field artillery unit. After a year in college, World War II broke out, and Edward and his entire college class enlisted and were put on active duty in 1943. In 1944, he was sent to Europe to catch up to the front lines, and saw his first combat in Belgium. After the war ended, he was discharged, and he utilized the GI Bill by returning to his college studies. He had simultaneously gone through the ROTC program and upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He was sent to Japan, and from there to Korea during the Korean War, where he saw a heavy amount of combat as a part of his field artillery battalion. After Korea, he spent time in Europe, then returned stateside until 1970, when he was stationed in Vietnam. In 1976, he retired as a Major General and moved to El Paso, Texas with his wife.
Video Clips
Arrival to World War II in Europe
After about a year of training, Edward Greer was shipped to Europe during World War II. After being in England for about two weeks, he and his comrades, all part of an artillery unit, boarded LSTs and landed in France. By this time, the combat had moved ahead, but his unit would be catching up to the war. Edward saw his first bit of combat in Belgium. In this clip, he further explains the support that his unit provided during World War II.
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Moving Ranks and Combat in Korea
Edward shares the trajectory of his military service by describing moving up in rank and describes some of the officer training he received. After finishing a basic course, in January of 1950, he was sent to Japan with a field artillery unit and was there when the war in Korea began in June of 1950. In December of 1950, he was promoted to an officer position, and he wrapped up that portion of his tour in December of 1951. Edward also describes the supply system during the Korean War and compares it to that of World War II.
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Casualties and Injuries in Korea
Edward Greer recounts a time in Korea where his unit was involved in an infantry attack during their time in Korea. As a result of this action, he was awarded the Silver Star. He describes witnessing people being wounded and killed, and he himself had narrowly missed being shot, but also received minor injuries from fragments of mortars.
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Becoming a Major General
Edward Greer describes the aftermath of taking an advanced course, which upon completion, he and was sent to Washington, DC, where he spent three years working in the Department of Personnel. He describes where he served at his different ranks, one of which includes Vietnam as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970. He returned stateside, and eventually reached the rank of Major General. Edward retired at that rank in December of 1976.
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