Ronald P. Richoux
Bio
Ronald P. Richoux was born on November 11, 1932 in the town of Larose, Louisiana. A Veterans Day baby, he dreamed of joining the Marine Corps so that he could become like the heroes he heard so much about from World War Two as he would sit with his father and listen to the radio news. He was one of eleven siblings and when hard times fell upon the family, he quit high school to find work. After briefly working with an uncle on tug boats, he made that dream come true and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age eighteen, leaving behind his sweetheart Becky. He shipped out on the USS Henrico and upon arriving in Korea, he joined the Dog Company, 7th Motor Transport Battalion, 1st Marines Division as a truck driver, although his training had been in infantry. Throughout his deployment, he witnessed many hardships that war brought upon the people of Korea and saw enough combat that it left him experiencing a certain degree of PTSD. Upon returning home, he and Becky were married and he was able to complete his education with the G.I. Bill. Together, they revisited Korea, astounded by the progress and determination of its people.
Video Clips
Following Orders
Ronald Richoux remembers being transferred against his wishes from infantry to a transport unit and being quickly put in his place upon questioning it. He recalls feeling unprepared and overwhelmed at the thought of driving a truck, but knew he was to follow orders and must somehow learn. He got one lesson on how to drive the truck and the rest he had to figure out just by doing for there was no one else to do the job.
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C-rations For the Starving Children
Ronald Richoux describes sharing C-rations with starving children that would run after them. He shares the turmoil and inner conflict of duty verses humanity when having to guard cargo that he knew the Koreans needed as well. He recalls how Marines had a code to never harm or abuse a civilian, so he was told to just fire a shot in the air and hope they would leave, though it was an incredibly difficult thing to do.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ronald-p-richoux#clip-2
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PTSD
Ronald Richoux transports himself back to a moment on the front lines where incoming rounds wreaked havoc and destruction, wounding himself and a fellow soldier. He describes the fear and trauma of that moment that remain with him to this day. His wound subsequently leads to him coming home and being stationed stateside.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgrTHu7fp_U&start=1830&end=2178
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ronald-p-richoux#clip-3
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