John McBroom
Bio
John McBroom enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 1, 1952, after just one year at the University of Tennessee. He attended boot camp training and sonar school in San Diego, California. He left for Sasebo, Japan, in the spring of 1953, and boarded the U.S.S. Symbol (AM-123) for Wonsan, Korea. During the war, heworked at night on a mine-sweeping ship.
Video Clips
Enlisting in the U.S. Navy
John McBroom recalls his short experience at the University of Tennessee where he studied electrical engineering and was part of the ROTC program. He notes that after just one year of college, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was sent to boot camp and sonar school in San Diego, California. He recalls leaving for Sasebo, Japan, in the spring of 1953 and sailing to Wonsan, Korea, from there.
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The U.S.S. Symbol
John McBroom speaks about his experience aboard the U.S.S. Symbol, the oldest minesweeper ship in the United States fleet that was built out of steel in 1941. He recalls how large the ship was, capable of holding one hundred men, and describes how it was reinforced in the front so it could safely smash into submarines. Minesweeping, he explains, was mostly a middle-of-the-night type of work and shares how they avoided daytime sweeps at all possible. He recalls a close encounter with what they believe was the Battleship New Jersey on one of these middle-of-the-night sweeps.
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Several Incidents on Board
John McBroom recalls several incidents on board the U.S.S. Symbol while in the Hamhueng area. He remembers North Koreans firing at the ship from the beach. He recalls gunfire from both the North Koreans and another the USS Wiltsie (DD-716) that was posted nearby for protection.
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Life Onboard
John McBroom shares life as a mine-sweeping Navy sailor was both grueling and enjoyable. He remembers how close the sleeping arrangements were and how he had to strap himself into bed because the ship was small and would move up and down with the waves. He expands on how minesweepers worked the regular minesweeping time, usually at night, as well as took watch shifts during the day. He recalls enjoying the Navy's food, such as baked beans and cornbread and notes how sailors would even have steaks and pork chops on special occasions. He fondly remembers coffee always brewing on board and helping the cook clean in exchange for extra fresh bread and butter. He adds showers were also regularly available but very short.
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Minesweeping
John McBroom offers details on the basics of how mines worked in the Korean War. He explains his duties as a sonar man as well as those of the USS Symbol. He notes they probably found about a dozen mines during his time in Korea.
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