Marshall W. Ritchey
Bio
Originally from Oklahoma, Marshall W. Ritchey’s family moved to Kansas City, Missouri for a brief period of time before eventually moving to Los Angeles, California where he attended elementary and high school. After enlisting in the Army in the fall of ’51, he attended basics as an Infantry Rifleman at Fort Ord, California. Assigned to the 45th Infantry Division, 180th Regiment, Fox Company, his unit saw a lot of action and spent many nights on recon patrols, blocking, and clearing minefields that had been repositioned by the enemy. Marshall W. Ritchey took the right approach to survival during the Korean War by staying warm and keeping his head down. He shared fond stories of his comrades and daily life that was unique to both his experience and of his unit. After his discharge in ’55, he continued his military service as an Honor Guard and took a variety of jobs until he retired.
Video Clips
Keep Your Head Down
Mitchell W. Ritchey describes the 3 most important things to making it home: stay warm, keep your head down (always wear your helmet), and doing everything you could to stay alive. He recalls the year he was there was marked by one of the coldest winters ('52) and says they had "Hoochies" that they made while on the front lines where they would dig a hole into the side of a mountain and put sands bags into the hill (in case of incoming mail-grenade drop) and 3-4 bunks at one time. Most of the men slept in sleeping bags and Mitchell said he never took his boots off.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhGpjt-V3qU&start=346&end=426
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/marshall-w-ritchey#clip-1
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C-Rations and a P38
Marshall W. Ritchey describe what he had to eat while on the front lines. He described his C-Rations usually had scrambled (powedered) egg w/meat mixed in it, OD crackers, 4 cigarettes (Lucky Strikes or Chesterfields) and a horrible tasting candy Chuckles. He said you at whatever you had and felt luck to have it. He also recalls making ice cream using the cream provided and some sugar that you mixed with the snow. Stay away from the yellow snow he said (shared story about that too!)
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhGpjt-V3qU&start=710&end=824
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/marshall-w-ritchey#clip-2
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Photos
Tank, Trees, and Hills
Tank, Trees, and Hills, taken by Marshall Ritchey
House 142
Said was the living quarters of General Mark Clark, who he highly respected.
Rear View of House 142
A picture showing the rear view of General Mark Clark's place of residence in Tokyo, Japan. Taken in June 1954.
Troops
Troops
Repatriation of Major Dean
Major General William Dean, General Mark Clark, General Otto Weylander, Admiral B. Hall Hanlon, Lieutenant General William Harrison, Major General Ernest Moore, and Major General Carter
A picture of Major William Dean, former CG, 24th Infantry Division, who was captured by the Communists in Korea and repatriated under the terms of the POW Exchange, also known as the "Big Switch," being honored in a farewell ceremony at Perishing Heights, Tokyo, Japan. Taken in 21 September 1953
Badges
A picture of Marshall's badges
Generals JK Cannon Mark Clark and John Hull
A picture of General J.K. Cannon, USAF, General Mark Clark, CinC and General John E. Hull, newly designated CinC. The picture was with the Tri-Service Honor Guard Troops during a ceremony in honor of General Cannon at Perishing Heights in Tokyo, Japan.
Generals Salute
Generals Salute
Boat to Incheon
A picture of a boat headed to Incheon.
Enemy Line Bombing
A picture of a bomb exploding at the enemy line.
Marshall W Ritchey's Time In Korea
Marshall Ritchey's memoir on his service in Korea.
We Are The Veterans of the Korean War
Marshall Ritchey's memoir on his service in Korea.
Marshall Ritchey and Friends
A picture of Marshall W. Ritchey and his friends by a bunker.
