Robert Steven Duffy
Bio
Robert Duffy was born in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. He worked as a dry cleaner in Syracuse, New York before enlisting in the military in 1949. His military service lasted through November 1952. During his service period, Duffy went to Inchon, Korea, where he was stationed from September 1950 to October 1951. He served in the 1st Air Delivery and in the F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines as a Private First Class, transitioning to Corporal before his military discharge. He was a cargo handler in the 1st Air Delivery and a squad leader. He participated in the Inchon Seoul Campaign, Hongnam Chosin Campaign, and South Central Campaign. For his commitments during the war, Duffy received 1 Air Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with 1 star, Korean Service Medal with 4 stars, and UN Ribbon. After returning to the United States, he served in a Guard unit at Barstow Supply Depot in California. He did factory work, was a presser at a dry cleaners, went to funeral director school, and became the owner of a dry cleaning shop.
Video Clips
We Made a Difference
Robert Duffy revisited Korea and was awed by the change. He talks about how the United States' sacrifices in the Korean War made a difference in the Korea of today. He shares that Korea has made such a huge change in such a short period of time.
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Marines or Probation?
Robert Duffy talks about his choice of joining the Marine Corps or staying on probation. He explains how the military offered his more opportunities as well as the discipline that he needed. His probation officer was in absolutely in agreement with his decision.
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Right Place, Right Time
Robert Duffy remembers a moment of fear. He talks about being a part of a charge to take a hill and the courage of a certain Lieutenant. He was in the "right place at the right time" to avoid getting shot.
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Rotating Home
Robert Duffy describes the story about when he was called to rotate back home because of the help of a friend.
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Video Transcript
0:00
justice no what this
0:04
with his project means are you purchase a vid
0:08
yes it’s important to the that
0:13
to the point where 1.high goal and we’re all
0:16
going in order reproaching that age where we can go
0:20
anytime that the memories that I have
0:26
and the memorabilia that I hear will probably be
0:30
trashed and nobody will remember
0:35
he’ll you’ll have past five this way
0:39
and nobody will know what you did so
0:45
you is a very is project is opportunity I
0:49
you know I’m a to revisit trip to Korea last november
0:55
and I was bought by and when I came back home
0:58
I suggest I think I did make a difference and now
1:03
and
1:06
I think everybody that was over there made a difference
1:10
so house I’ll I think
1:13
I think South Korea was born
1:16
the south koreans had a country and they were born like we had our country a
1:22
revolution
1:23
a July 4th Independence Day
1:27
I think that’s when they and they’ve done so much over there
1:30
it’s a I’m totally amazed at
1:33
how far they’ve gone in such a short period of time
1:37
when I was there I think there was one bridge over the Han River now they have
1:42
27
1:43
and they’re not making much rage is a light him up at night they’re proud of
1:48
them and I can see why
1:49
and so you feel that the american presence
1:53
all I I ideal I think I think that’s one country that was
1:57
really help sell yes and so you
2:00
you’re able to see firsthand our country is changed
2:04
if you could maybe let us know
2:07
where your questions were like when you Sol Correa all your
2:11
over there previously and then returns was a difference
2:16
different I I think we had a secular state
2:23
Mitchell said it’s the wrong you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time
2:27
and I thought that that country was there right place
2:31
to have the showdown with the chinese are
2:34
are whateverrr because there was nothing there
2:39
in north korea there’s nothing there it’s all mountains
2:42
crying out loud I what’s
2:45
what they had in the south was there was nothing
2:50
they become so far in such a short time
2:54
it’s unreal incident
2:58
me is it was amazing and in the end when I saw
3:02
soul I you know we talk about
3:06
camelot on the hill the shining city on the hill
3:09
that’s it when I took that city it’s either
3:12
as Wow did you get a chance soul for
3:15
II know I was I was station probably
3:20
by six miles I
3:23
out uva not was being in FR
3:28
out of the convo airfield at inchon I
3:32
because we’ve through that was my mission fly and
3:37
air cargo drops and
3:42
I was probably about six miles from soul
3:45
never got in there to see it acts of pictures other day after they
3:49
took it and it was nothing but a Michael
3:52
that issues that’s as scare voters
3:55
single-story building slut it’s a bit and and now I see
4:00
20 million people live in Seoul some real here
4:03
looking at pictures this is so I
4:07
and nothing was the same Campo temple was just a little tiny airstrip
4:12
I’ll and I was totally
4:16
blown away by decisively the
4:19
the airport care as you get a chance to interact with trains while you’re over
4:23
there
4:24
to talk about I we talked to one
4:27
I at the Crean
4:31
for museum that they have their
4:34
and I was standing in the
4:38
they had a hall and they had these brands
4:42
plaques in the head there they were all
4:45
and head of state over the Tappan may look that we stand by New York and hit
4:49
all the dead
4:50
up military American
4:55
American I think that that day and a grant me the
4:58
they did that because a lot of times
5:01
countries will just focus on their own soul
5:04
that’s right yeah if they want it was amazing
5:08
for gives you an idea of how much it
5:12
it was and their I i noticed the they’re they’re sold for
5:17
they acknowledge sure that when they once a they know that you’re in the
5:20
military over there
5:21
knowledge on there there
5:24
and and and that
5:28
that’s all I needed you know to see people
5:32
thanking us for something usually pick people and go home
5:35
Americans okay knowledge always impressed
5:40
and is you witness that
5:47
on this thing Americans also earth
5:51
Korean the Korean thing it’s a green the nice thing about beyond
5:56
so or no bowing
5:59
think the you know
6:03
and I it was kinda embarrassing because
6:07
that in when I look back I only
6:10
I only did what it was train for item listed I was in a great
6:14
the analyst min
6:20
I just did well we’re supposed to do
6:23
so this is the last why wedge issue what were you doing
6:26
I was going to a place I realize my family didn’t have the money to send to
6:31
college and I
6:32
taken a college intrinsic yeah
6:35
course more was it going to take me and I could have gone in the factory but I
6:40
really did like factory worker was kinda
6:43
on drug I did on the victory for all that night
6:46
soon as I hit a layoff I never went back to sell more want that stuff
6:51
but to I enlisted
6:55
why I
6:59
because a lot of us were doing that after high school
7:02
in fact that I joined the Marine Corps was because my
7:05
dad was a marine I is probably one of the
7:13
oldest guys other than the officers
7:17
and use only a pfc i think is 36 years old lady or GM
7:23
from most the people were my age you know 18 19 20
7:30
and I didn’t even think of the army or the Navy
7:34
neighborhood did I think I was an warships
7:37
them not a navy personnel I was an
7:41
seven ships in my charen Marine Corps night
7:45
disliked every one of them II I just don’t like the water that much
7:50
you know your your kinda captive out there everyday at come up and I can look
7:54
for lamp
7:55
snapped their to go back down
7:58
the next time humid
8:01
so this year father her ginger no no no no
8:05
no I came home one day and and told them
8:09
I I had gotten into trouble %uh put it on the line to get in trouble I was on
8:14
probation for three years
8:16
okay and I’m kinda want to get offer there because I have restrictions
8:20
today don’t have restrictions had to be home by a certain time
8:24
I couldn’t do this it couldn’t do that so far so
8:27
I i kno was gonna get in trouble late didn’t do something
8:31
so I first thing I did I told my probation officer
8:35
I said mister murphy how would it be if I join the
8:39
the Marines him he was happier in the senate it would be a good idea about
8:44
I doesn’t disappoint
8:47
I think so yeah love you I was giving him a hard time anyways I’ll
8:52
had to show up every Friday a certain time
8:56
in I had missed about three army he was
9:00
he was hit he was not happy he was kinda angry when he said
9:04
you’re lucky you came in it was going to put out a warrant for you
9:07
okay so net so I said how would it be a major
9:10
join the military and you have been thinking about it for evil
9:15
I L because a friend of mine that I got in trouble with he went into the
9:21
army and eventually went into the
9:24
airborne and he himself
9:29
couldn’t wait to help because they held the airborne back and he didn’t
9:33
go over there to be held back in he
9:37
yes for transfer into a rifle platoon
9:42
so what was it like when you actually listening
9:46
word II book camp
9:49
pardon the expression is expression I thought it was hell on earth
9:54
the train you hun have to train you I can’t help but
9:58
it’s an ungodly hour in the morning you get up and
10:02
and you’re so tired all the online you got you so used to being
10:06
I take a break they say take a break you
10:10
you’d fallen we call it the deck okay and I’m
10:14
and try to get a couple snows is im
10:17
and you Ike I can lay back now and because the that their
10:21
and in and fall asleep up it and
10:25
the one year in Korea won some sometime soon some of those night patrols when
10:30
they’re trying to figure out where you’re going I
10:33
had falsely in Julie tell me
10:36
move I’ll you’re trained
10:39
you click net quick nap yeah get again when you can
10:44
so when is you actually learn you’re gonna be
10:48
dispatched to career through okay a
10:51
I was and I a week and it was a Saturday or Sunday and I come into the squad Bay
10:57
and I heard cheer go up mission what the heck’s going on since world war with
11:02
Korea
11:04
you US teams before there’s right
11:07
you know so now now this was good because
11:10
peacetime for the military is boring
11:14
okay very morning and the cells were happy that they were gonna
11:18
do what they were trained for with something to do
11:21
you know a needless to say I saw
11:25
people that Wednesday
11:29
got the taste awarded new they were
11:33
wish they weren’t there I myself
11:36
wished I wasn’t there United I would have given up
11:39
here’s my life to get outta there certain stages
11:42
because it was so bad and cold
11:46
nobody knows what cold is except somebody that’s been there
11:51
further from from there is of
11:55
him walking for
11:58
it gives feel good prospered
12:01
fingers mmm-hmm and I did
12:04
you know so if you could
12:08
talk about the difficulties first
12:12
you know the reason why we kinda from before to drug dealers
12:15
that which I get an impression of how
12:19
what you’re thinking you know sure love
12:23
here is like when you learning rhea
12:26
love means is that are slated to start playing that there must be some
12:30
hear that you actually good
12:34
missus yeah
12:39
I
12:42
fear there is fear if you can’t get ahold to your cell
12:47
I said I saw one fellow that was the my own
12:51
the Joker the platoon I am
12:55
is always happy-go-lucky telling jokes you know i mean
12:59
and and I saw camp resort to so they started shooting
13:05
in the head to head somebody government had taken way in
13:09
actually saudi and did not come down because he was just standing up
13:12
throws in saudi which could move
13:16
and and and you know but no
13:20
I I was also in line come its rightful
13:23
company and and
13:28
I hear
13:31
old are sergeant with my squad leader from syracuse he came in
13:37
and I had another young fellow’s name was Smith I don’t even know
13:41
his less his first name
13:46
says it was a youngster I think you couldn’t have been any more than
13:49
eighteen
13:49
morning you even look younger than me
13:53
and and I was bleeding him up the hill nice is
13:57
just stay behind me just let me know it you’re there
14:00
it’s only and he plotted along
14:05
soaring I was a corporal
14:09
I made corporal over there and most most that the
14:13
the people in the company my company
14:17
which was box family that I crap to
14:22
work articles and they were squad leaders
14:26
I don’t remember seeing many sergeants over there
14:29
all head her
14:33
and yeah we’re all corporals
14:36
and as I guess it was because we went in and 49-48
14:41
and that and we were regulars that they’d
14:44
that we were it seniority in corpus and we automatically became squad leaders
14:49
which
14:50
I really didn’t want the job because I was an air delivery man I always use a
14:53
cargo
14:54
pushing cargo Ottawa c47 okay
14:58
and then when I went online company I total taxes
15:01
faces ices II can’t handle its widest while
15:06
told more people ices three people I can handle
15:11
manana for out tomorrow uses of how PR
15:15
much as I can and he did
15:19
and he made me early then
15:23
he made me Reince freezing up
15:27
or the fact that a lot of needed that extra push
15:30
leadership you they do when I became squad leader yes
15:35
a I think your your you
15:39
you look back in somebody there’s is this they’re hangin back a little bit in
15:43
you
15:43
captaincy thats goal its goal
15:46
you’re yelling let’s goal it
15:49
in the quicker the EU you get some plays i
15:52
I think we I saved a myself and
15:56
five other guys lives because we mated to a point where we were safe
16:02
people underestimate inspector right get it from a clinton
16:07
you know and it was it was nothing to do
16:10
I’ll with might mentality of getting there
16:14
I just figured well and you talk about fear
16:18
their was fear okay
16:22
II sauna 42 guys go down so fast and then they called
16:29
we were I was in a reserve for position at that time then they called
16:34
3rd platoon the six send a squad up there to help Mom that was
16:37
mysqli nation got I’m gonna die and as hell I see how far
16:43
I can get no how far can I get before I get hit while I didn’t get here
16:48
and I suspect I survived that when there and I’m
16:51
and why do you think you can get I don’t know
16:55
in the right place at the right time all the time okay
17:00
it is because you yeah I guess you lead a chain
17:05
and you in I don’t know I don’t think it was a wrong no I don’t
17:10
is a little bit a lot of I think so
17:14
I think so so wat time week found the safe area in the lieutenant send
17:18
somebody over on their bellies
17:20
say moved to the right and pick up with us
17:23
minutes what we did and
17:29
this to lieutenant who is like I said
17:32
twenty-years-old time led the charge
17:36
over Hill we scale that hill
17:40
and we took my six guys
17:43
me in five other guys mean he had about
17:47
did brought up about six people so we scaled it
17:51
and soon as we made it after the hill they started running
17:55
they couldn’t believe it you know so
17:58
and he charged over there without a weapon that was working to reduce your
18:02
carbon it didn’t work
18:04
it gets jammed right so he says give me a grenade
18:07
in someone we only had about five grenades we
18:11
went over that hill salty was going to send the Grenadiers
18:14
up for the Canadian we’re gonna charge over
18:17
and he became one other the Grenadiers but
18:21
be charged over with the rifle guys but
18:24
to do everything I say they said that man she get a Silver Star for taken at
18:28
hell
18:29
because it without him we wouldn’t have taken it he was the
18:32
do with the push did to have us do it
18:35
and when you see actions like that it makes everyone else
18:39
rise yes it did he did he did and he got a silver star for
18:43
to later II I was able to
18:47
all I ran into his brother who was went to Rochester Institute of Technology
18:52
married a local girl they were from Long Island
18:55
okay and and he come in my store and get a dry cleaning store on Fairmount
19:01
messages you look familiar and and I look at is taking it was apartment I
19:06
seven a service where the fuck me says Robert
19:09
I suggest is that was my brother with small world it surely is well as my man
19:14
they had come up in it
19:15
is dad was a printer down there in here and one in these cards are you getting
19:20
income
19:21
a war cards and it was his son getting
19:26
is for Silver Star he said he had to pick it up
19:29
and to proof it never want to say he didn’t even know is bringing his son
19:33
and that’s what you think superstar yes it
19:37
I for all these years you thought that you deserve it
19:40
right and with what he said 20 when he led his troops out a arab girl
19:45
patrol the last time we before he got killed it
19:49
you get a second source them you know
19:53
use he was actually he was a great guy
19:56
is always there always there giving ours you know that back giving orders and
20:01
per se you know me he was
20:05
he was just there to for his people in position
20:09
and he would be in position with them that’s what happened he was
20:14
he was in the midst the very thing and his she always always telling them the
20:18
gift was always telling is
20:20
have much to be the point man
20:23
but he here he thought he should be there because they don’t know if he
20:27
could see what was going on and that he could do things
20:30
is that label you have yourself
20:33
based on the responsibility have over other people’s lives of so much is your
20:36
own
20:38
all absolutely have a change is changes
20:41
it changed me when I became squad leader it changed me immediately
20:46
okay I a for one thing I was more interested in
20:50
the people and making sure that they weren’t nervous and so forth and so on
20:55
I would walkway I think just keep moving shizz
20:58
people don’t stand still is key keep moving up to when they were sniping at
21:02
us before we moved up the hill
21:05
and I know you should tell them I said fahey it this long range
21:09
not gonna kill you anyway and it made me
21:13
it made me a a easier
21:17
okay
21:20
first fire fight ever got him
21:24
I I think I urinated my pants I really didn’t wanna when that
21:27
when I could feel those rounds coming close to me
21:32
netzer I was running a crest when those rays carries over there
21:36
have that there was that was my first encounter
21:40
channel it nets that’s a fearful
21:44
you know United iight I felt like I was running in slow motion
21:49
in rice paddies let there’s no cover
21:53
I was trying to get the system cover real fast and it felt like slow-motion
21:57
all the time so
22:00
as the movie progresses you that your
22:03
com confident less fearful know there was a time there just before I got
22:08
rotated on the basis that
22:10
they can send you to prison for twenty years just give me outta here
22:15
but its it because I was starting to get very antsy after a while you
22:19
you do you get fancy wonderful is all yeah
22:22
you know so what did you think thousands the are wars after a while just
22:26
building often taxes
22:30
I think some I think some you know
22:33
cousin we we were constantly out there facing the enemy from January a 51
22:41
chill I left and they were still up there I run into the some the guys that
22:45
were there
22:46
I system with we are even an online for 38 days
22:49
take your child to eating nothing but C rations
22:53
and and ice is how long were you back up there
22:57
we can come back for another 42 days that’s eighty Days facing weapons every
23:02
day
23:05
that’s a lot you know and they had a tough time after I left the
23:10
the they hand quite a tough time
23:14
so what’s your status that companies because your time
23:18
was up I rotated out with our Correa
23:21
I came home I’d had my nine months and
23:25
in it seem like 10 years
23:31
I can’t even imagine you know were
23:34
you have an opportunity to fight with with
23:38
create soldiers or other I’ll we hear I think at one time
23:43
for a few days we had some are okays
23:46
tight in like this
23:51
but we were always we never stay down hill
23:56
them on
23:59
was that time we went up the hill came down next morning when up another you
24:04
know
24:05
you never really were fighting no and we’ve
24:09
we were we’re tied at the and their we were tight and then
24:13
in May a 51 we tied in with some Dutchman
24:16
and love those guys they were
24:20
they were older than we were and I would say they were on mid-twenties
24:23
in seem to be professionals cocaine they’d love to go out at night
24:29
with it that the I see coordinate all you want I’ll sleep good
24:34
I guess they did something is that the line are they were good at what they did
24:37
you know they liked it
24:39
you know you get a chance to
24:42
spent some down time there are no knows just
24:45
not like they say were Michael
24:48
crowd was to mysqli basically
24:51
in you know ago
24:55
when you are just really fighting you get a chance to interact with
24:59
Korean civilians hurry here’s
25:02
is village only on
25:05
oh no no no only it may sound I’ll when we
25:09
we came down from the the I get I gotta see if I can pronounces change in
25:14
reservoir they like
25:15
change and I guess that’s a Korean for chosen I think chosen chosen as the
25:21
a Chinese word for the reservoir right
25:25
said all that when they don’t they don’t like to use their
25:30
a they called the changing reservoir now
25:34
you know for Korea
25:37
you know so we believe I tried
25:40
page say advertised I’m used to chosen
25:44
chos I am but
25:49
we came back out into other the north country we had to regroup because we
25:52
were decimated
25:53
I mean we were totally decimated and we came down to Mason
25:58
and we set up there until we were supposed to get
26:03
reserves him
26:07
and now then allowed latter
26:11
people that were in supply and support
26:14
I volunteered to go into rifle companies because they were asked to
26:18
and that’s when I went into box company
26:22
which is a rifle company I left the air delivery
26:25
and I’m so proud of their delivery what they did
26:29
on they drop tons and tons a
26:32
small-arms ammunition and
26:35
in gas is that in a way that
26:39
that the that’s right you they could not get supplies up at the reservoir
26:44
any other way the roads were blocked the chinese have blocked the road
26:50
so that’s how they got it and
26:54
and then you took a you took weapons and
26:59
and small arms of the
27:02
that Chinese after
27:06
the winner you know
27:11
was that his for being over there
27:14
the happiest are his mood
27:17
I I gotta believe
27:23
I rotated home them call me of vintage
27:28
says I’m the you
27:31
and my my guy the one in
27:35
fax to me with me and it’s a story in itself
27:40
now keen
27:44
are going to be rotated home
27:47
okay at such-and-such a time you to go down the bottom of the hill reverse
27:51
slope there’ll be a six by
27:52
there that’s a big truck in I’ll take you back to a small airstrip for you be
27:56
flown
27:57
count ’em Mason and no
28:02
he says we’re going out on patrol soul
28:06
we want you don’t have to go you stay back
28:10
yeah that I was happy about that you know and
28:16
what we were doing something one thing I feel bad about was I didn’t get sick
28:21
goodbye to anybody because all the sudden they went out on patrol
28:25
they were gone went down the hill service they are very sweet separate yes
28:29
it was
28:30
yes it was I was there
28:34
you then
28:37
and their you know you know darn well that there’s some people there that
28:41
should have been rotated home to
28:43
it wasn’t for alkene I wouldn’t I don’t know what I would’ve gotten rotated home
28:47
because
28:48
he’s claims that we should have been gone out to their two rotations ago
28:53
okay and he finally went to the captain it said that
28:57
gave him the story at we were the the oldest troops there
29:03
in that we were supposed to get rotated on it so I compile
29:08
I guess United in be grateful to them
29:11
now I we talk regularly I dealers in Arizona today he lived in Montana
29:18
and near Billings
29:21
and I lost contact with him because he got I
29:24
we both came along at Station a bar stool in the desert where was a hundred
29:28
degrees at eight o’clock in the morning
29:30
all that was terrible yeah and and
29:34
ices why do you live in montana ices one big rock
29:38
he says you have it is beautiful Anna fallen in the spring you know when
29:42
everything
29:43
turn scholars Sol I try to get a hold of I wrote him a letter and got no answer
29:48
and I
29:49
tried to find them before computers
29:53
and i couldnt so then I had my neighbor who was
29:57
retired US SSI are sick
30:02
some so he was on his computer out that I see if you can find sky
30:05
when he found his brothers I called the brother
30:08
he says they’ll move to Seattle so I called him up
30:12
I said which moved to Seattle for he says a tree
30:15
this is after the first winner I realize I couldn’t a good many Park
30:18
I so and now he lives in
30:21
just outside a Tucson Arizona I
30:25
difference from montana yeah yeah
30:28
you know and and and he is just the reverse have me
30:32
my hands aren’t too bad I have no I can their
30:35
I can feel because frost yet but they don’t hurt me that much I said
30:39
really put something cold in my hand
30:43
and his his arm like relatives disease okay
30:48
vessels constrict im he gets real pain mind
30:51
my feet and but anyways
30:55
to
30:58
we picked up on each other now and I i don’t know whether
31:02
peco people could visualize described as quiet as a temp that holds
31:07
13 guys maybe maybe twenty it sometime
31:11
but we had the whole company in there when we mustard in there to
31:14
report the facts come with the whole company was there
31:18
people 30 oh no no
31:21
put on as 40 to the street the chance to work
31:25
to accompany sister people that’s a lot of people
31:29
and we’re sleeping on the ground I don’t think we’re made to sleep on the ground
31:33
even the koreans
31:34
a have a great engineering thing they he
31:38
two floors care house murder time
31:42
that’s how the statements right to sleep on the floor
31:46
I thought that was kinda yeah
31:49
agree great idea surprise
31:53
yes incorporate we didn’t have buildings
31:56
I we did have we have no buildings I’ll
32:00
we we stopped in polls are then we could
32:03
and a lot of cases there were something we just leveled how
32:07
no we r we didn’t take a fax all that was deep deep deep
32:12
because we’re never going to be there that long and you couldn’t dig in those
32:15
those mountains and image I remember one time I just wrap myself around a little
32:20
sapling tree
32:22
so i win all rolled down the hill
32:26
first sorrows some retaining
32:31
review is chars when you got home now
32:35
no I which station at again
32:40
her they give you these little yellow carriage choice
32:43
duty station okay you miss ice is OK
32:47
is the place up here by schenectady that a ring
32:50
car has ammo depot I said I’d like to go there
32:54
so I put down I think calls caution New York
32:57
and I know I won’t get there you never go slices nobody wants to go to 2nd
33:02
Marine Division and the June
33:03
going months ago there some her
33:06
because now you’re back in Division or whatever
33:09
what any anyways if you’re gonna
33:12
come back you wanna go to Washington you wanna go to if your gonna go to Division
33:17
maybe
33:17
go to panel then I’ll I’m
33:21
I’ll Toro you know you go where the liberty is great let me put it that way
33:25
every while this was close to home and I’d been way too long and i won
33:30
I didn’t want I didn’t want their anymore Sol
33:35
I got eat neither one of them they sent me to Barstow
33:38
and I didn’t wanna be a bar stool either
33:41
it’s a it was a year obviated
33:45
railroad yard for you trains pass through there in a switch
33:50
switchin they probably do latter repairs there
33:53
big rail your was like a often he’s got no
33:57
we stay here would appear in our search years and they took care of the home
34:01
yes burst in activity
34:04
and I
34:08
II I I was so disappointed I went to the captain laces
34:14
wanna go back to Korea a
34:17
presented now know he he is a big man he was a a
34:22
us and captain and he in band
34:25
a prisoner or the second world wars captured on one of the islands
34:31
and he was an imposing figure when he stood up and pounded the desk and said
34:36
you’re all like
34:38
a you can’t stand he can’t stand
34:41
States a duty okay and I guess he was right
34:46
we had a whole it’s a whole different perspective when you’re out in the field
34:51
much people and so forth you’re interacting with your
34:54
your people and yet there was a whole different thing
34:59
was the are things that you had to do
35:03
when your adjustments
35:06
I realized
35:08
now they asked me when I go the VA mile
35:11
post-traumatic stress disorder I says yes I did
35:14
I think they headed and
35:18
when I look back have my life okay
35:23
and ices it’s too late for any fixing now and I’m
35:27
as I don’t think you can really fix and I don’t think you can fix it past
35:31
talking about it
35:32
hi it while the
35:36
you can you know you can’t you you can only talk with somebody that can
35:43
identify and I never joined anything to it was in my sixties
35:47
and I joined Iran run into
35:50
way alright name a friend has always in a bearish
35:54
happen right after this guy was a marine he was in korea ratio yeah
35:58
but I’ll pitney told me huge so I
36:01
we could identify okay and we would talk and so forth and so on
36:07
is my journey cream or Veterans Association so I did
36:11
and I’m Iran and the people in it I think you can only talk with people
36:17
that can identify their I can talk I could not talk with my father
36:23
okay he never inert only my religion
36:26
using still he had only identify with the people AB which a month now I had a
36:35
grandfather was in Spanish American War and he’s
36:37
I staff to see him one time when I solomon for choices
36:41
how we doing today and so forth and so when I thought he was old
36:45
you course he was younger than i have now
36:48
and after we said those
36:51
little how are you and we’re good and so forth it was quiet he says
36:56
RG how’d you get your supplies up the hill and I
37:00
he took me back now I said well like magic not when the selectmen I want to
37:06
be flipped they were there every morning and we get rations and
37:09
am on top for but they conscripted
37:12
people there the locals to bring ’em up then they would
37:15
they would pay him and he says we use mules
37:19
okay wow and
37:23
he was with teddy roosevelt and
37:29
I’m sorry that I didn’t pick his brain many many years before that
37:33
he was a step grandfather and I’ll
37:38
I don’t think we treated him right as a blood
37:41
relative you know what I mean and I know his
37:45
stepdaughters didn’t read them well and I talked to him he was telling me about
37:50
when he was down
37:51
Coney Island is a busboy down there and the singing waiter was
37:55
Jimmy Durani I’ll
37:59
I can I could do something that you’ll ever 16 years old with the new york
38:02
concern
38:03
pearl bailey she was just starting out
38:06
she was it in between movies okay these to bring a big man down
38:11
beyond Bojangles Robinson that’s all she would answer their
38:15
he was all that I
38:19
down 42nd Street where that musicians is to start out on
38:23
we’ve got an afternoon a gig there
38:26
and was dizzy gillespie just starting up
38:30
yeah a
38:34
now I remember and so I’m I’m getting all I’ve I’ve
38:37
I’ve arrived at their their point but he had so much to tell that
38:41
their old man and guy had a
38:45
II just we should talk to me for so do you
38:49
use that experience
38:53
Europe I
38:56
company might my son is in haha because he’s gone to several
39:00
reunions okay and he’s in problem we get together early
39:05
a you know I him into 1st Marine Division reunion islands
39:10
in San Diego he lives in San Diego I said how would you like to go the bank
39:14
which two ish is good
39:16
yes yes well he said there had a great time talking with the troops okay
39:20
I he said I liked and then we had a general speaking
39:24
and he was impressed with the general I i think they’re run-of-the-mill people
39:30
don’t know the military there well okay on
39:34
the military that I saw im and Correa
39:38
on Rio okay they are
39:41
soul got it together its at
39:45
I’m so proud of him I can’t say enough and
39:50
went when you when you go and you look at all these old man
39:56
were once 18 19 years old I’ll
40:00
and their this the ones that have survived so many
40:04
didn’t think at four
40:10
okay messages
40:14
wish picture his mind
40:18
more and thanks a lot of
40:21
grandchildren and children
40:24
they want to know about their their father mothers
40:28
did his a lot of pitches
40:31
talking with veterans on II got I got 120
40:35
from migrant grandson
40:38
okay he says he said did you
40:42
did you work shoot anybody
40:46
first question and
40:50
I I didn’t know how to answer that and then finally a
40:53
I looked at my smile nice as I hope so
40:59
but other than that they left it alone okay
41:04
I tried to get to
41:10
my daughter joining the airforce she’s at her worst decision
41:14
was when she get out to get married she wishes
41:18
state and my other daughter
41:21
would have nothing to do with wish you would have nothing to even
41:25
I asker boys she had
41:28
to to think about a military career
41:32
no way okay she’s one of those people
41:38
so on it’s a
41:42
it’s a whole different thing channels everyone top
41:45
experienced Res
41:49
I am I probably should have but I didn’t know
41:53
no good II day being a Johns they weren’t so for that they couldn’t
41:58
understand
41:59
II
42:03
what do you do alright flew over the mountains and wrap
42:07
ammunition think this
42:11
you can’t today exactly what people
42:16
as I have no idea what
42:19
the images that you pay
42:23
agree think it’s important that people do understand
42:27
well had Austin left to
42:31
New York State it right after school and they won
42:35
I got one and San Diego
42:38
on in Idaho and Montana Colorado
42:41
she understand because
42:44
one in Colorado cuz she was in the Air Force it’s not a bad life not a bad
42:52
career
42:52
and you get out when you’re might might my brother spent 20 years in the Marine
42:57
Corps is never in harm’s way
42:58
he was in food service and he learned a lot
43:02
they sent him to to Chicago and learn how to grade me
43:05
went out to the canning factories to see how it was
43:08
done there went to
43:12
he was in Vietnam in when they blew up the
43:15
are about the staff love with that name where he
43:19
worked he was in saigon going to bartender school
43:25
something like be left out there any that’s the only
43:28
time it was ever in harm’s way it was when he was in vietnam
43:31
I for all you do is premier watch now unknowns
43:35
there was a but to he had a great chat
43:39
the grade education and he was his
43:43
last job was the Saints on school system
43:46
be procured all the food for yeah
43:50
graycheck with his learn what did I learn
43:54
a not very much and it took me a long time to
44:02
to realize that I did do something it was helpful
44:05
not till later years really
44:09
but to I think we’re
44:13
I think most military who
44:16
who have been in harm’s way here
44:20
a psychological disorder they don’t
44:23
their I saw
44:29
I Sarkar I the bigger ship that we had air ship was she won nineteen
44:34
and I saw they had it on Nam stay
44:38
with frozen dead bodies
44:42
I mean suspect there was a huge ship at the time
44:45
and ice that never leaves me
44:49
there are a lot of things and never leave me like
44:56
but said I can’t help myself from not thinking about it
45:00
that probably not couple days ago
45:04
don’t go by so something since set off for a talk with a
45:07
military guy and I remember I do a lot of the
45:12
I’m in dry cleaning and I do lose for the burial detail set
45:16
that they have and yeah I
45:20
and I’m happy to have them that
45:24
exchange with they are young they are smart
45:28
not smart they’re least intelligent
45:31
my but they’re they’re good troops
45:34
we have some good troops and the army’s
45:38
same way handsome good troops if you’re there
45:42
the response there’s even a calm
45:49
rethink the difference I don’t think they get any response
45:52
I’ll when we came home we didn’t there was there was nothing we landed in a
45:56
and Treasure Island
46:00
they had to some other wounded in wheelchairs and so forth from the VA
46:06
a little ban for worse than it was a
46:09
no fanfare I really and 11 anyways
46:15
I got a big in
46:19
I got a big man dies in korea is is an real
46:22
Andrea listeners went up to one based there
46:26
actually it was at the base that the president was a surprise speaker he came
46:30
in
46:30
he was over there and he came in in a and talked
46:35
and those those that those
46:39
those troops there they gave us a
46:42
the line this sidewalk is we departed the buses and they were right there
46:46
to high-fives you know you
46:51
their presence there’s lead
46:54
being able to this with her years
46:57
your friends over there is are responsible
47:01
existed
47:04
all I don’t know and I i don’t say that
47:09
and I say I we have a lot of troops over there
47:13
yeah so
47:20
your perspective changeable
47:22
feel which outlook on life
47:26
mine a
47:35
I feel kinda sorry the way after the country’s going
47:39
our country and I hope we get back on track
47:42
I hope the people can be all
47:45
idoney I don’t miss say too much but I think there’d
47:49
too self-centered I’m American yeah
47:52
they are
47:55
noxious drivers stars i’m concerned. let me put it this way
48:04
when I was in korea if I was younger
48:08
I might move over there II I really thought about that
48:15
I see opportunities over there especially in my line people were
48:18
actually
48:19
wearing close over there okay like the the girls were dressed stunningly
48:25
and they needed a dry-cleaner
48:30
business to do something her the business you have
48:34
yeah because I we don’t we don’t have nothin’ I had
48:37
I I was talking to a fellow the other day
48:40
he says yeah I’m says the farmers dress better than the people now
48:45
you know II that’s it
48:48
that’s a good way to put it because I same the people are getting ready to go
48:51
into the Viron
48:52
effing the tickets that’s the way they they a dress that we have no class
48:56
anymore
48:57
yeah if you look at the the TV shows the talk shows like
49:03
and it did you ever see hannity when he’s exposes guest speakers and he’s got
49:07
jeans and he’s got his white shirt times were called
49:10
was you have
49:14
is little bit too far yeah yeah
49:17
so we think the legacy is that the green
49:21
were veterans the legacy
49:26
I I know that that we become part of the
49:30
the south koreans history
49:33
this country
49:36
I don’t think thing take care I don’t think they care that they don’t care
49:41
about their military
49:42
that should be changed
49:46
so we do have is that
49:50
we need the civilians in this country need a wake up call
49:53
they really do and I don’t know what that was going to be
49:56
did to do that okay but they they don’t like
50:00
they don’t like the military from when I
50:03
when I see I guess the question I says Joe ices
50:07
nets wanna my workers ices you don’t like the military do it he said no
50:13
as mine
50:17
opinion is that think people would do have a lot of respect
50:22
nerds military necessarily agree with
50:26
with the government doing now well hi don’t I don’t agree
50:32
Adam this is what I don’t agree I don’t agree and with the government makes the
50:37
military
50:37
do rules of engagement okay
50:41
forget when the adrenaline is flowing because somebody’s out there coming at
50:47
you with a rifle
50:48
and you’ve got a call back to get permission to fire and they say no you
50:52
wait till he points his weapon at you
50:54
this is no way to know only to go
50:58
I could I would say something off the record to you
51:03
after were were gone and and and it was a necessary thing
51:10
remind me so
51:14
section right wondering
51:17
for other sitting here people were
51:22
watch your interview on website
51:25
positive someone if you could must provide
51:29
the people the future generations a children
51:32
the researchers you provide them with the message
51:36
and that’s the message the messages to get to get
51:42
make it not
51:46
illegal okay to sing patriotic songs are the Pledge of Allegiance are
51:52
anything like that I had a Jewish teacher went and checked
51:56
are may I say her name
51:59
I is mister shapiro never forget her
52:04
fifth-graders 6 creative six great because I was gonna go to junior high
52:08
X time up which is getting us ready pledge allegiance
52:12
every morning then she had this a
52:16
go book here she’d open it up and read a passage are
52:21
that book was the old testament and its follow-up
52:27
how who house should live that’s a guide on how to live
52:32
on and then she’d give us a a year
52:35
personal hygiene tips okay if you can pressure teeth every
52:40
call Richard Martel and I’m spit it out
52:43
you know save UT it’s a teacher
52:47
we have them today I this
52:51
personal interest you for three years my daughter wouldn’t talk to me because I
52:56
asked her what seventeen percent over 100 lies
53:00
all you’re trying to invade no I’m not trying to embarrass you land issues are
53:03
fifties seven years of prison sixty
53:07
I’m just trying to prove a point so
53:12
didn’t work and I S that question to make
53:15
workers at work 17 percent over 100
53:21
a este teacher 17 percent 100%
53:25
no I went down to our parents I was and I Savannah
53:30
Savannah this right was eating breakfast before it flew back home
53:34
and here is this young fellow in a new issues busing tables he was a high
53:37
school
53:38
as what grade you when he says fourth-grade ice issues that man I wanna
53:42
see
53:43
this is not a trick question what seventeen percent over 100
53:49
you gave me some number and was wrong and
53:53
I so make it easy for you with 10 percent over 100
53:56
and he donde if I had my computer etc calculator I could do it
54:02
my this one after three years I asked this question it is
54:07
so and and we’re supposed to have are one of the better
54:11
high schools in the county question see
54:14
bring
54:18
I go to Korea and I got it a young girl that
54:22
to they assigned me a freshman
54:25
high school girl and now for the day
54:28
went up the famine John and I’m talking getting to know her and so forth and so
54:33
on
54:35
they go to school all day like the even think they start earlier than we do
54:39
and therefore E for hours a mandatory homework at night supervisory my mcdade
54:45
a it’s a little bit of a stressful okay
54:49
but they’re the they are so smart sangria
54:52
ice I said I’d like to pose this question to you if you can
54:55
I said what seventeen percent over 100 and she left her girlfriend it was on
55:00
the other side on the bus with another
55:02
friend of mine I to work what are you laughing about
55:06
if their use in their own native time or so K
55:09
and she started laughing so I look they wrestle with 17 over 100
55:14
and she’s a seventeen as your first person says
55:17
answer their question in
55:20
three years his
55:24
capital wait that long no
55:29
no so I I don’t know I’m sister
55:35
those little girls for something else
55:39
few happy up
55:44
I was nice talking to you yes great
Photos
In foxhole on Fox Hill facing rocky ridge
Reunion of Fox Company, 2003
Map of Yudam
Map of Changjin reservoir area
Closer look of Changhang-ni
Original copy of aircraft accident report
Aircraft accident report
Fox hill aerial photo
Tables of pictures of some territories during Korea War
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
1st Air Delivery Pilot and F Co. 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment Marines
Letter from a member of the 1st air delivery platoon, 1st Marine Division
Aircraft accident report
Original copy of aircraft accident report
