Kenneth Borchers
Bio
Kenneth Borchers was born in Battle Creek, Nebraska. Later, while farming in Ida Grove, Iowa, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1951. He completed his basic and advanced training at Fort Riley, Kansas. During his service, he first arrived in Yokohama, Japan, and then moved on to the front lines in Korea, where he served as an SFC with Fox Company, 8th Corps (1st Corps Division). He had the privilege of serving with Colonel James Stone, a Medal of Honor recipient. While serving in Korea, he earned a Purple Heart. After returning home from his deployment, Borchers continued his military work by serving in Special Service supply at Fort Riley, Kansas. When he was discharged in 1954, he returned to farming, continuing the work he had started before entering the service. Today, he remains active in the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) Chapter 270.
Video Clips
A Farmer's New Invention
Kenneth Borchers reminisced about the arrival of new technology during the Great Depression. He and his brother were hired by a farmer who, unlike them, already had electricity. Because they had never seen it before, the experience amazed them. Kenneth remembered his brother repeatedly turning the light on and off, fascinated by this remarkable new invention.
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The Enemy Talked To Us
Kenneth Borchers recalls a night when dying soldiers lay on the battlefield just below the hill his unit defended. Throughout the darkness, he heard their agonized sounds as they struggled to survive. Death surrounded them, and the constant moaning of wounded men echoed across the field, leaving a lasting impression on everyone stationed there.
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A Breakfast Surprise
Kenneth Borchers recalls a morning when his platoon was enjoying a rare pancake breakfast on the front line. Suddenly, enemy soldiers sprinted straight through their camp. Caught completely off guard, the Americans reacted too slowly to fire. Within moments, the enemy had raced past them and disappeared down the hill, leaving the platoon stunned.
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Attack By the Chinese and the Rats
After several nights observing the hill his unit defended, Kenneth Borchers recalls repeatedly reporting to Lt. Stone that people were moving up the road, but no one believed him. Although the area seemed secure with barbed wire, everything changed around 9 p.m. when rats suddenly scattered. Realizing this signaled danger, Borchers knew the Chinese were attacking, using swift, acrobatic movements to climb over the barbed-wire defenses.
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Soldiers Insane with Thirst
Kenneth Borchers was stationed at an outpost on a scorching August day when a young soldier ignored orders to fill his canteen. Later, Borchers saw him sprint back down the hill and drop to his hands and knees to drink from the rice fields. Knowing this would make him dangerously sick, the commanding officer aimed a gun at the soldier’s shoulder and warned that if he drank, he would stop him immediately.
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