George Zimmerman
Bio
George Zimmerman was born and raised on a farm in Le Center, Minnesota. Following his older brother being drafted and what seemed like everyone else joining the military, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1958. He wanted to get his service to his country over with. During his service in Korea, he was attached to the Headquarters Company 17th Transportation 7th Division at Camp Casey. He served in Korea for 18 months, working in a large transportation outfit where he drove vehicles and served as the company’s welder. One of his projects included building a larger mess hall for the soldiers. He credits his service with helping him grow up resulting in a great deal of experience that money could not buy.
Video Clips
Working as a welder for transportation company
George Zimmerman worked at the Transportation Headquarters at Camp Casey. He recalls his experience welding in FFA in high school led him to volunteer to serve as the company's welder. He details 'going to the field,' and using his welding skills to repair damaged vehicles. During these forays, KATUSA soldiers accompanied him for training. He notes they traveled to areas near the DMZ and to Seoul, wherever troops needed their services.
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Mess Halls and Lawn Mowers
George Zimmerman recounts how he and a fellow soldier "Downey" built a lawnmower for cutting brush in the compound. Their creation earned them an article in the military magazine "Stars and Stripes." He shares another welding job which included building a mess hall. George Zimmerman greatly respects everyone involved in the war, particularly the hardworking Korean people. He credits his military service for helping him grow up and giving him valuable experiences.
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Well Worth It
George Zimmerman describes the landscape of Korea as "something else." Winters were especially cold near the DMZ and the Chosin Reservoir. At one point, he had permission to take R and R in Japan, but he felt too committed to his work in Korea and turned it down. He recounts his return trip to the states following his service in Korea. George Zimmerman reminds students of today that Korea was important, with terrible loss of life for an important cause.
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Path to Service in Korea
George W. Zimmerman explains the months leading up to his deployment in Korea as part of the Headquarters Company 17th Transportation 7th Division. His basic training took him to Ft. Benning and Ft. Huachuca for about six months. He shares the adventure of a chartered flight home prior to leaving for Korea.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/george-zimmerman#clip-4
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