Korean War Legacy Project

Peter Ruland

Bio

Peter Ruland served in the US Navy as a Korean War era veteran. He was born on November 23, 1931 and raised in Tomah, Wisconsin. He lost his mom at the age of eight years old. When he graduated from high school in 1948, he enlisted in the Navy and served for three years in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and other areas in the Mediterranean. When enlisting, his training took him to Memphis, Tennessee to become a weatherman for the United States Navy. Upon, discharge, Peter Ruland became a farmer, married his wife and had three children.

Video Clips

Being a Weatherman at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Peter Ruland describes going to military training in Norfolk, VA to become a weatherman. He later describes being stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the weather and things to do. Peter Ruland's service at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba was prior to the revolution led by Fidel Castro.

Tags: Home front,Living conditions

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You Do What The Navy Tells You, sometimes

Peter Ruland was married and wanted to be a civilian. He was not that interested in serving in the Navy. Upon return from his last deployment aboard the USS Albany (CA-123), he decided not to re-enlist and go to the Korean War. He wanted to get on with his life and after serving three years he did just that.

Tags: Basic training,Home front

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Reflection on the Korean War

Peter Ruland describes his opinion of the Korean War, although he did not actually participate in the Korean War. Korea today is separated, and he ponders what the US actually gained from the Korean War. He feels sorry for the families of the soldiers, of which, 37,000 United States men and women were killed during the war and approximately two million civilians.

Tags: Basic training,Prior knowledge of Korea

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Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_Q8vsXsKZc&start=867&end=1145

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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/peter-ruland#clip-3

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