Paulino Lucino, Jr.
Bio
Paulino Lucino, Jr. was born on February 20, 1931, in Laredo, Texas, during the Great Depression. His family maintained a ranch and worked as farmers. In seventh grade, Paulino had to drop out of school to help his family with the ranch work. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1953 and served in Korea until 1954, as the Korean War was winding down after the Armistice was signed. Paulino was immensely grateful for his service in the military, as it provided him with significant opportunities later in life. During his time in the military, he learned English and used the GI Bill to return to school, earning his GED diploma in 1956. Paulino Lucino, Jr. retired in 1988 after a fulfilling career with HEB Grocery Company.
Video Clips
Growing Up in Boot Camp
Paulino Lucino, Jr. explains that his sense of responsibility was developed through his service in the United States Army. He recalls the challenges he faced during boot camp at Fort Hood. He believes that this difficult training helped him achieve his goals by instilling a strong sense of perseverance.
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Destination Unknown
Paulino Lucino, Jr. states that he was never certain of his exact location while fighting in Korea. He explains that he was frequently transported on the backs of trucks or trains, leaving him unaware of their next destination. He emphasizes that this uncertainty was the most challenging aspect of his time in Korea.
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Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Paulino Lucino, Jr. discusses his role as an 81-millimeter mortar operator during the Korean War. He recalls remembering all the details he learned in boot camp, including the weights of the plates, barrels, and stakes he used. He notes that it was very challenging to transport the 81-millimeter mortars across the mountainous terrain of the Korean Peninsula.
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The Korean War Armistice and Ceasefire
Paulino Lucino, Jr. recalls the experience of being in Korea when the ceasefire was announced. He mentions that he continued to fight until the very last moments of the war. He states that during his time in Korea until 1954, he experienced the significant changes in the country a year after the war.
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Video Transcript