Jimmy A. Garcia
Bio
Jimmy A. Garcia is a veteran who served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was born in California on July 25, 1932, and left high school to assist his family with farming. He had a strong desire to join the U.S. Marine Corps when the war broke out in 1950 but was drafted into the Army in 1952 after his family insisted he not enlist. He completed sixteen weeks of basic training in Camp Roberts, California, before being sent to Korea by ship. He recalls his journey to the front lines, which involved disembarking in Incheon and taking trucks to reach their designated deployment areas. During the 1953 Sieges of Outpost Harry, his company played a crucial role in holding the hill against Chinese forces. Despite experiencing a high number of casualties while defending the outpost, he is proud to be considered one of the survivors of Outpost Harry.
Video Clips
Leaving California for the Front Lines
Jimmy A. Garcia reflects on his desire to join the United States Marine Corps when the Korean War broke out in 1950. He shares that in 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army after his family insisted he not enlist. He recalls how, after completing sixteen weeks of basic training in Camp Roberts, California, he was sent to Korea by ship. He describes his journey to the front lines, which involved disembarking in Incheon and taking trucks to reach their designated destination. He explains how he was assigned to the Third Division, Fifteenth Regiment, Second Battalion, George Company, and was entrusted with the responsibility of holding the line at Outpost Harry.
Conditions on the Front Lines
Jimmy A. Garcia recounts his experience of serving in Korea and the food he ate during his time there. He notes that while South Korean civilians occasionally brought hot meals to his unit, he mostly relied on C-Rations--canned wet foods that were already prepared. He discusses the challenges of maintaining personal hygiene while serving on the front lines, including taking weekly showers and sponge baths using their t-shirts. He provides an overview of the North Korean military campaign against South Korea and the role played by the United Nations and the United States during the war.
An Outpost Harry Survivor
Jimmy A. Garcia shares his experience of patrolling for Chinese activity at night. He recalls a time when he was ordered to patrol alone, which was a perilous and nerve-racking task. He provides an overview of the sieges of Outpost Harry that took place in June 1953. He speaks of the casualties his company suffered as they defended the hill and expresses pride in being called a survivor of Outpost Harry.
The Last Days of Service
Jimmy A. Garcia pays tribute to two of his closest comrades who lost their lives during the Korean War. He acknowledges they all experienced moments of fear but did their best to conceal their emotions. He narrates two incidents where some soldiers he knew had trouble coping with the uncertainty and horror of war. He shares how he found solace and happiness by joining the regimental choir during his last days of service in Korea which brought joy to those who heard the performances.