Nathan Stovall
Bio
Nathan Stovall was born on October 3, 1928, in Dallas, Texas. After dropping out of high school, he attempted to join the United States military in 1945 while working at Dallas Power and Light. However, because his older brother was still serving in the Pacific with the U.S. Marines, their father asked Nathan to wait to enlist until after his brother returned home. In January 1946, Nathan joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and was assigned to the 103rd Construction Battalion Unit, where he worked in Guam. During the Korean War, he served as an electrician in the engine room of the destroyer USS Blue (DD-744), which was deployed in the East Sea near Wonson. Although the USS Blue did not land in Korea, it patrolled the waters north of Busan, searching for submarines and mines. Occasionally, the ship also transported North Korean prisoners of war to South Korea. In 1951, after receiving word that his father had passed away, Nathan returned home and was discharged from the U.S. Navy. He went on to have a fulfilling thirty-year career at General Motors. Nathan always took pride in his service and admired the resilience and gratitude of the Korean people.
Video Clips
Aboard the USS Blue
Nathan Stovall shares his experience of returning to active duty aboard the destroyer USS Blue (DD-744), which was brought out of mothballs to sail to Korea. He explains that once the ship was prepared, the crew underwent training to search for submarines. Before departing for Korea in 1951, he enjoyed a brief leave to spend time with his father. He describes the journey as challenging, noting that a heavy storm caused damage to the nets and whale boats during the leg of the trip to Japan.
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Planes Sinking into the Sea
Nathan Stovall recalls working as an electrician in the engine room of the USS Blue. He describes the night he opened the hatch to watch planes launch from the nearby aircraft carrier. He remembers witnessing a Corsair propeller plane take off, only to drop straight into the sea. He reflects that the pilot likely did not survive, and that moment made him realize they were in a definite war.
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Never Set Foot on Korean Soil
Nathan Stovall recalls patrolling the East Sea near Wonsan during the summer of 1951. He mentions that although he never set foot on Korean soil, the USS Blue did engage in firefights along the coast. He remembers how his unit provided cover fire for the Republic of Korea (ROK) as the ROK worked to escape a difficult situation.
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Rescuing Downed Pilots and Handling POWs
Nathan Stovall explains how his ship contributed to the war effort by rescuing pilots who had been shot down. He emphasizes that the weather conditions were extremely cold and dangerous, making it difficult for the pilots to survive in the water for long. He mentions that the ship was responsible for transporting North Korean prisoners of war (POWs) to the South for interrogation. He describes the POWs as looking scared and starved and notes that they were fed the same food as the ship's crew.
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Death of a Parent
Nathan Stovall reflects on the passing of his father while his ship was on patrol near Korea. He describes the complicated and lengthy journey home as he mourned his loss. During this time, he recalls that his ship shot down an enemy plane and rescued the ejected pilot. He remembers being taken aboard an ammunition ship and then escorted to Japan, where he boarded a plane to return home.
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Video Transcript