Nick Cortese
Bio
When Nick Cortese heard about the bombing at Pearl Harbor, he felt the need to serve his country even at a young age. When he turned 17, he enlisted in the Army. He served a tour overseas, but was called back to the reserves when the Korean War broke out. As a member of the 24th Infantry Division his unit worked on laying mines, a very dangerous responsibility. He recalls two instances when he lost members of his unit- a comrade and his commander. Nick Cortese describes how he was horrified because he never knew what would happen next. His unit, with the help of the 187th Airborne Division was apart of a construction team to widen roads and to capture the enemy during the Seoul Recapture. Nick Cortese is very proud of his service and thankful that he was able to serve his country.
Video Clips
Losing Men Who Were Doing Their Job (GRAPHIC)
Nick Cortese recalls the terrible moments of clearing and laying the mines. He remembers one of his peers who died after making a fatal mistake- he describes in graphic details what happened. He states this that is one of the dangers of that particular job.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=281S0-mLH2Y&start=525&end=588
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/nick-cortese#clip-1
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Bouncing Betty Mine
Nick Cortese describes what happened when the 19th Infantry was moving north and came across a "Bouncing Betty Mine." . As the Chinese were dropping artillery his company commander jumped to get out of the way and set off the mine that detonated, killing the commander. It was later that Nick Cortese found out that this occurred in the Iron Triangle area.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=281S0-mLH2Y&start=629&end=714
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/nick-cortese#clip-2
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Not Knowing What Could Happen Next
Nick Cortese explains that he was horrified watching his friends dying. He often worried that he might be the next one. He explains that he was very religious, and he always carried his Bible and rosary. He again mentions how his company commander died unexpectedly.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=281S0-mLH2Y&start=947&end=1005
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Photos
Sgt. Nickols and Nick Cortese on Dozier Tank: Spring 1951
![Sgt. Nickols and Nick Cortese on Dozier Tank: Spring 1951](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0001.jpg)
Nick Cortese
![Nick Cortese](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_01.jpg)
Guam, Saipan, 24 Infantry Division, UN Flag, Korean Flag Patches
![Guam, Saipan, 24 Infantry Division, UN Flag, Korean Flag Patches](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0002.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_02.jpg)
Nick Cortese Orders to come home from Korea
![Nick Cortese Orders to come home from Korea](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0003.jpg)
Nick Cortese
![Nick Cortese](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_03.jpg)
Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States
![Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0004.jpg)
Nick Cortese
![Nick Cortese](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_04.jpg)
Orders for Extended Active Duty
![Orders for Extended Active Duty](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0005.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_05.jpg)
Map of Korean War 1950-1953
![Map of Korean War 1950-1953](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0006.jpg)
Safe Conduct Pass
![Safe Conduct Pass](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_06.jpg)
Major U.S. Combat Casualties in Korea
![Major U.S. Combat Casualties in Korea](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0007.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_07.jpg)
A Deadly Reconnaissance Patrol: Page 1
Nick Cortese's Battalion before he arrived
![A Deadly Reconnaissance Patrol: Page 1](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0008.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_08.jpg)
A Deadly Reconnaissance Patrol: Page 2
![A Deadly Reconnaissance Patrol: Page 2](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0009.jpg)
LTOR SGT Funk, SGT. Ellison, SGT. Brady
![LTOR SGT Funk, SGT. Ellison, SGT. Brady](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_09.jpg)
A Deadly Reconnaissance Patrol: Page 3
![A Deadly Reconnaissance Patrol: Page 3](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0010.jpg)
Brother Tony, Friend in the Middle, Me (Nick Cortese)
![Brother Tony, Friend in the Middle, Me (Nick Cortese)](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_10.jpg)
Laying Mines When We Were Attacked
![Laying Mines When We Were Attacked](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0011.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_11.jpg)
Bob and I Went to School and Joined the Army Together
![Bob and I Went to School and Joined the Army Together](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0012.jpg)
Arriving in Seattle, Washington: July 31, 1951
![Arriving in Seattle, Washington: July 31, 1951](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_12.jpg)
Roman Yewchen on Guam and Nick Cortese on Saipan
![Roman Yewchen on Guam and Nick Cortese on Saipan](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0013.jpg)
Hyzers Tygerz
![Hyzers Tygerz](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0014.jpg)
Souvenir from the Alley Cat: Seattle
![Souvenir from the Alley Cat: Seattle](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0015.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0016.jpg)
Korea Veterans Return
![Korea Veterans Return](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0017.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0018.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0019.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0020.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0021.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0022.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0023.jpg)
North Korean and Chinese Drop Propaganda
![North Korean and Chinese Drop Propaganda](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0024.jpg)
North Korean and Chinese Drop Propaganda: Page 2
![North Korean and Chinese Drop Propaganda: Page 2](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0025.jpg)
North Korean and Chinese Drop Propaganda
![North Korean and Chinese Drop Propaganda](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0026.jpg)
Total U.S. Deaths Worldwide during the Korean War Era
![Total U.S. Deaths Worldwide during the Korean War Era](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0027.jpg)
Postcard from PFC Ken Draper
One of first soldiers that landed at Pusan. His brother was killed in action while with the 19th Infantry.
![Postcard from PFC Ken Draper](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0028.jpg)
Pictures
ROK Soldier
Me (Nick Cortese) and Brammer
Tubes for draining culverts
![Pictures](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0029.jpg)
Pictures
Prisoners and Children Nick gave candy to
![Pictures](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0030.jpg)
Hyzer's Tiger Tank and Pontoon Bridging
![Hyzer's Tiger Tank and Pontoon Bridging](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0031.jpg)
![](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0032.jpg)
From Active Duty to Reserves
![From Active Duty to Reserves](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0033.jpg)
Eating Bananas
![Eating Bananas](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0034.jpg)
Important Facts About Volunteering for the Draft
![Important Facts About Volunteering for the Draft](https://koreanwarleg.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/NCortese_0035.jpg)