James T. Markley
Bio
James Thomas Markley was born on January 10, 1933, in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Altoona High School in June of 1950, the same month the Korean War began. He was always interested in history and geography, and he kept a map of Korea in his bedroom as he was eager to stay current with the war efforts. After a visit to a Naval base in Pensacola, Florida where he discussed enlistment with Navy officers and personnel, he decided to join the Navy in May of 1952. He received his basic training in San Diego and was excited to see the world. Though he never landed on Korean soil during the war, his job was important to the war effort. He was assigned to the USS Sagacity, a minesweeper. They used various mechanisms to counter the threat posed by naval mines, ensuring that the waterways were cleared for safe passage. After his service, he used the GI Bill to go to college. He became an educator, teaching history and geography at the college level. He was gratified with the remarkable recovery and economic prosperity of South Korea following the war and noted the stark difference between North Korea, wishing that one day all Koreans could reunite.
Video Clips
Swimming with Torpedoes
James Markley explains how the Navy and Air Force worked together after the war. He describes an exercise of dropping homing torpedoes, and his job was to swim out to the torpedo, hook a line to it, and sit on the torpedo while the sailors pulled the torpedo into the ship. He jokingly recalls having to jump off the torpedo should it take off.
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My Job as a Minesweeper
James Markley describes the jobs he had on the USS Sagacity. He discusses being a senior life-saving yeoman and having administrative duties. He recalls his ship as having four officers and thirty-seven crew members.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTcf0JZvlcg&start=491&end=713
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-t-markley#clip-2
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Message to the Younger Generation
James Markley relays a message for younger generations about the achievements of the Korean people. He recalls how the Korean people have set a great example of resilience and determination for the entire world following the devastation of the Korean War. He discusses the importance of gathering as much information as possible from Korean War veterans while they are living.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTcf0JZvlcg&start=2250&end=2343
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-t-markley#clip-3
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