George Van Hoomissen
Bio
George Van Hoomissen arrived in Korea in 1952 as part of the 1st Marine Division, 1st Regiment. His early service in Korea was as a platoon leader of forty to forty-five Marines. During the summer of 1952, he transitioned to be an intelligence officer at Marine Division Headquarters. His duties involved directing air strikes and artillery fired on the Chinese lines from the back seat of observation aircraft. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for “directing a highly successful air strike against enemy positions and, despite persistent and intense enemy anti-aircraft fire, courageously remained in the area to adjust the bomb drops by the striking aircraft”. After returning to the United States in 1953, he made use of the GI Bill by attending Georgetown University Law School which led to service as a Marine Corps judge, District Attorney of Multnomah County, Circuit Court Judge, Court of Appeals Judge, and Oregon Supreme Court Justice. He remained in the Marine Corps Reserves for thirty-four years.
Video Clips
Arriving in Korea
George Van Hoomissen shares he was activated as a Marine during the summer of 1951 destined for Korea. He recalls leaving Camp Pendleton for Korea arriving in the spring of 1952. He explains he was stationed near Panmunjeom initially and remembers the Chinese to the the north occupying a high mountain. He notes there were no severe battles near where he was initially stationed but remembers constant artillery air strikes occurring.
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Becoming Part of the VMO-6
George Van Hoomissen shares that by June of 1952 he was transferred to division headquarters in the G-2 section as an intelligence offers. He recollects one of his classmates recommend he fly planes just like the classmate was in the Air Force. He shares how difficult of a task this was since he was part of the Marine Corps. He remembers reaching out to the commander of a squadron of Marine observers near division headquarters expressing interest in joining the squadron which he was eventually able to do. He shares he, in late 1952, was assigned to the VMO-6, the Heavier than Air (V), Marine (M), Observation (O) unit.
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Duties as a Member of VMO-6
George Van Hoomissen explains he served as part of the Marine Corps's VMO-6 unit from late 1952 until he returned from Korean in 1953. He offers details of what his job was as an observer. He recalls always being in danger because they were constantly flying about 3000 feet over the Chinese lines.
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Impact of His Service in Korean War
George Van Hoomissen shares he is a proud veteran of the Korean War. He believes the United States did the right thing. He explains that, following the war, he used the GI Bill to pursue a law degree at Georgetown University Law School. He recounts how this degree led him to holding posts as a Marine Corps judge, a practicing lawyer, a district attorney, a circuit court judge, and an Oregon Supreme Court justice.
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Remembering Devastation
George Van Hoomissen remembers Seoul being absolutely demolished. He notes that the capitol was a shambles. He shares his thoughts on the Korea of today, especially as related to the successful economy of the country.
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