J. “Fred” Ragusa
Bio
J. Fred Ragusa was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1930 and grew up during the Great Depression. Despite the hardships, he attended Louisiana State University, earning an accounting degree and joining ROTC, which was mandatory for all male students for two years at the time. He stayed in ROTC to complete his degree and avoid the draft. After receiving artillery training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was deployed to Korea in late December 1952 with the 981st Field Artillery Battalion, Charlie Battery of the 40th Division. In Korea, he witnessed several pivotal moments, including a fellow soldier risking his life to restore communications and a misfiring that nearly cost him his own life. He later returned to the U.S. and became an active member of his local Korean War Veterans Association.
Video Clips
Training to Become an Artillery Officer
J. Fred Ragusa describes his Army ROTC training to become an artillery officer, focusing on artillery structure at the battalion level. During his second stint at Fort Sill, he recalls observing Korean officers also receiving training at the base. These experiences shaped his understanding of military operations and international collaboration.
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Artillery Training Alongside Koreans at Fort Sill, Oklahoma
J. Fred Ragusa recalls his artillery training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he trained alongside a class of Korean soldiers. He notes that the same captain who taught his class also instructed the Korean group, emphasizing extreme discipline in their training. Despite the tough approach, Ragusa admired how the captain managed to bring both classes to the top.
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"I'll Tell You What You Can Do with Those Poles"
J. Fred Ragusa recalls a time when his troop came under intense fire from both sides and lost communication. In response, a fellow soldier risked his life by grabbing a spool of wire and running up a hill to restore the connection. Though initially reprimanded for his bold action, the sergeant’s bravery was later recognized as crucial to the mission’s success.
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"We Were Glad to be Alive"
J. Fred Ragusa recalls one of his scariest moments in Korea during a mission to bring in jets. The smoke round malfunctioned, splitting in two due to incorrect density, and as Ragusa ran toward the unit, the smoke cleared just as jets with napalm approached. Luckily, the jets didn’t fully engage, and the troops were simply relieved to be alive.
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