Korean War Legacy Project

Ralph O’Bryant

Bio

Ralph O’Bryant was drafted on November 13, 1952. He received engineering training and attended plumbing school while at Camp Stewart, Camp Gordon, and Ft. Belvoir. After sixteen weeks of basic training at Ft. Belvoir, he was sent to join the 822 Airbourne Division first in Taigu and later to Seoul. Most of the fighting during the time he was stationed in Seoul was occurring near the 38th Parallel. He recalls assisting in building airstrips for the Air Force. He returned to the U.S. on November 13, 1953, and served in the reserves for eight more years before being discharged in 1961. He received job training to become a machinist which allowed him to work in a machine shop until he retired.

Video Clips

Heading to Korea

Ralph Leon O'Bryant recalls serving with the 822nd Airborne Division in Korea. He remembers how after spending sixteen weeks in basic training at Ft. Belvoir, VA, he was shipped to Taegu and ultimately assigned to A Company in Busan. He recounts how he stayed there for a few months before being sent to Seoul for the remainder of his time in Korea. He communicates how, while in Seoul, he looked after the tool room as there was little need for his specialty--plumbing--in Korea.

Tags: Busan,Seoul,Basic training,Living conditions

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Recollections of Korea

Ralph O'Bryant shares is recollections of the Korean people during his time stationed in Taegu, Busan, and Seoul. He notes that he was not very close to most of the fighting as he was stationed largely in Seoul. He states unit spent most of its time building airstrips for the U.S. Air Force.

Tags: Busan,Seoul,Civilians,Food,Impressions of Korea,South Koreans

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