Homer M. Garza
Bio
Homer M. Garza was born in Beeville, Texas, on May 8, 1933. He later moved to Petronila, Texas (near Corpus Christi). In November of 1948, Homer M. Garza decided to enlist in the National Guard; two weeks later he was transferred into the United States Army. His first station was in Japan, assigned to the 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp Drake. He stayed for less than two weeks before his unit was sent to Korea. His unit arrived on the East Coast of South Korea on July 18, 1950. While in Korea, he was injured twice, once on August 30, 1950, where he was hit three times in his left leg, and then again on January 14, 1951, when he was hit in the arm by a Chinese hand grenade. He said his most memorable moment during the war, was getting the word to go home. Upon returning home he remained in the Army. He married his wife Hilda in July of 1952 and began a family eventually having a daughter and three sons. After retiring from the Army as a Command Sergeant Major in 1973, he and Hilda settled near Harker Heights, Texas.
Video Clips
Arriving in Korea
Homer M. Garza talks about his first combat experience in Korea, seeing the results of the massacre at Nogeun-ri. He also describes their retreat south to set up the Pusan Perimeter.
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Account of Noguen-ri Massacre
Homer M. Garza shares his thoughts of the Noguen-ri massacre (about 100 miles Southeast of Seoul). He speaks about his units’ encounter with the North Koreans during their time near the site of the massacre.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/homer-m-garza#clip-2
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Food and Letters Home
Homer M. Garza describes the food he and his unit survived on during their first two weeks in Korea. He also talks about writing letters home.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlcV1RrWHQ&start=1152&end=1237
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/homer-m-garza#clip-3
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Crossing the Han River
Homer M. Garza speaks about his unit crossing of the Han River in their push to force the enemy back north. He also speaks about losing men from his unit.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlcV1RrWHQ&start=1297&end=1399
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/homer-m-garza#clip-4
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North Korean Brutality
Homer M. Garza describes the treatment of U.S. causalities and prisoners of war by the North Koreans.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MlcV1RrWHQ&start=1506&end=1547
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/homer-m-garza#clip-5
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