Gerald Campbell
Bio
Gerald Campbell enlisted in the Army on his seventeenth birthday and was assigned to the 424th Field Artillery Battalion as a wire crew chief. He served in Korea from September 1952 to September 1953, primarily stationed in the Iron Triangle. Initially serving as a forward observer, he was later promoted to 1st Sergeant. He left Korea about two months after the armistice. After completing his military service, he returned to the U.S. to finish his three years at Camp Atterbury in Indiana. He then pursued various careers, working at the Wonder Bread Company, in the insurance industry, and eventually as a shoe salesman. In 2008, he had the opportunity to revisit Korea, a trip that reinforced his pride in his military service.
Video Clips
Christmas 1952 USO Show
Gerald Campbell remembers a USO show just before Christmas in 1952, featuring actress Jan Sterling and other performers. He was fortunate enough to be included in the show, an experience that sparked envy among his fellow soldiers. This memorable event left a lasting impression on him.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSBS7JEuvy8&start=459&end=579
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gerald-campbell#clip-1
Embed:
Thoughts on Modern Korea
In 2008, Gerald Campbell returned to Korea and was amazed by the dramatic changes he saw, especially in Seoul. He was struck by the towering skyscrapers that now filled the skyline. During his visit, he also took time to tour the DMZ, further deepening his sense of the transformation.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSBS7JEuvy8&start=716&end=810
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gerald-campbell#clip-2
Embed:
It's Over. . . Signed the Truce Today
Gerald Campbell recalls receiving a phone call from his commanding officer announcing the war was over. After 37 months of fighting, and with many lives lost, he was eager to return home. He primarily fought the Chinese and remembers a fierce attack by Chinese forces just one month before the war ended.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSBS7JEuvy8&start=978&end=1138
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gerald-campbell#clip-3
Embed:
Meeting Audie Murphy
Gerald Campbell recalls an occasion while his unit was participating in Operation Longhorn in Texas being sent to the entry to the base to serve as sentry. While serving sentry duty, Medal of Honor recipient and the most decorated soldier from World War II Audie Murphy arrived at the base.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSBS7JEuvy8&start=277&end=456
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gerald-campbell#clip-4
Embed:
A Visit from President Eisenhower
Gerald Campbell recalls President Dwight D. Eisenhower visiting his unit around Christmas 1952. The President shared a Christmas meal with a soldier from his hometown of Abilene, Kansas. Tragically, this soldier was killed shortly after the visit.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSBS7JEuvy8&start=579&end=676
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gerald-campbell#clip-5
Embed: