Philip Linsley
Bio
Philip Linsley was born on January 31, 1933, just two months after his father passed away. His mother juggled raising her two sons and a career as a lawyer for the Interstate Commerce Division. Since he lacked a specific vocation, at the age of seventeen his mother signed the paperwork for him to enlist in the United States Air Force. Following basic training, he was assigned to the 502nd Tactical Control Group, 606th Air Control and Warning Squadron. Shortly after, he headed to Korea. During his eighteen-month deployment, he worked with radar groups which did not allow for much contact with the Korean people. Once he returned from Korea, he utilized the education benefits from the GI Bill. After college, his path led him to a career in law enforcement, including service in the United States Secret Service’s forgeries and counterfeiting division.
Video Clips
The Extent of Their Equipment
Philip Linsley recalls his outfit lacked combat experience and had limited weapons. Because of their attachment to different groups, he shares how his unit was completely mobile. He describes the position on a mountaintop and finally receiving a .50 caliber machine gun for armament during his last assignment.
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Encounters with the Korean People
Philip Linsley explains that because of his role with radar, he did not have a lot of contact with the Korean people. He recounts one interaction with a Korean family and the generous hospitality the family provided them. During another experience, he remembers the Korean army protecting their station and never interacting with any of them.
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Fortunate to Make it
Philip Linsley shares his experience during extreme cold and rumors of the Chinese surrounding them. He shares how the men were only able to work on connecting coaxial cables for a minute at a time due to the extreme cold. He elaborates on the stressful experience of completing guard duty in complete darkness and his concern that he only had a little gun to fend off the enemy. As rumors began to spread, he recalls his outfit suddenly being told to pack up everything they could and evacuate the area. He explains that since the enemy crossed the Yalu River, they headed south. He emphasizes they were fortunate to make it to Seoul because other outfits were attacked along the way.
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