Robert P. Gruber
Bio
Robert Gruber grew up in Wisconsin during the Great Depression and shares how his father always found ways to make ends meet. Shortly after a buddy from high school went missing in action in Korea, he felt compelled to enlist in the United States Air Force. In January of 1953, he was assigned to the United States Fifth Air Force Headquarters in Korea. His primary role entailed decoding communications from the frontline for the officers to use when calling in airstrikes. While in Korea, his son was born, and he sent a majority of his paychecks home to his wife. After the armistice, he recalls an increase in activities to entertain the soldiers. During this time, he visited the Tiger Bomb Gardens in Hong Kong and tried out for an organized baseball team. He credits the Korean people for not giving up and congratulates them on their successful development.
Video Clips
My Buddy Went Missing
Robert Gruber shares why he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Prior to his good buddy joining the United States Army, he does not recall learning much about Korea. He reveals how his friend going missing in action in Korea led him to enlist in the United States Air Force. He notes he was stationed in Korea for six months before the war ended, and his buddy was repatriated after the armistice.
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Life in Daegu
Robert Gruber describes experiences he had while stationed at the Fifth Air Force Headquarters in Daegu. While serving at the headquarters, he explains they worked seven days a week, scheduling air support for the frontline. He recalls the streets of Daegu with streams of water running through them and people cleaning their laundry. He remembers living in quonset huts and having a house boy who would help clean.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ1bHcgbp3k&start=878&end=1011
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/robert-p-gruber#clip-2
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Close Calls
Robert Gruber describes a few instances in which he was concerned about his safety. While walking home one night, he remembers a Korean soldier all of a sudden yelling at him. He recalls fearing he would not make it home alive. Eventually, he explains the soldier understood he was a GI and he was escorted home. Even though it ended well, he shares how he never went back that way alone again. He provides an account of another close call involving bed check Charlie. He describes a bomb landing on the compound and some soldiers feeling more exposed to danger than the officers.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ1bHcgbp3k&start=1200&end=1368
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/robert-p-gruber#clip-3
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