Tom A. Bezouska
Bio
Tom Bezouska was born seventeen minutes after his twin brother, Tony, on December 13, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois. While growing up in the suburbs, he excelled in athletics during high school. In 1951, he enlisted in the United States Army. He completed basic training at Camp Breckenridge and earned his wings from jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was first assigned as a rifleman to L Company of the 187th Airborne Division (aka Rakkasan) and sent to Korea. After eleven months as an infantry rifleman, he and his brother requested a transfer to train as medics. Along with his brother, he shares compelling stories about life as a medic on the battlefield. Many experiences as a combat medic left him with lasting memories. He elaborates on living with PTSD and challenges he faced transitioning back to civilian life.
Video Clips
We Were Losing Our Friends (Graphic)
Tom Bazouska remembers returning to the front lines as a part of the medical company. After transferring from infantry to medical company, he thought they would be stationed further back from the front lines. Since the fighting was intensifying, the two brothers went back to their original unit. He elaborates on the fact that as a medic your work begins when the shelling starts and you experience your friends dying in your arms.
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Fear of Losing a Brother (Graphic)
Tom Bazouska shares the unique experience serving in the same company as his twin brother. He recalls his side of the control panel receiving heavy shelling; blowing three men, including himself, over the hill to their assumed death. After regaining consciousness, he shares that he immediately tried to help the men around him. While tending to the others, all of a sudden his brother appears. During the struggle to help the other men, his brother,Tony, is wounded. Even though now they were both wounded, they continued to help the others to safety.
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Meaning Behind Rakkasan
Tom Bazouska reminisces about the trip he took with his brother to the dedication of the Korean War memorial in Washington D.C.. He recalls seeing many veterans with the name Rakkasan on their shirts at the dedication and elaborate on its meaning. Rakkasan translates to "man fall with umbrella (or) parachute" and was originally given to the first American troops who landed on Japanese soil. He outlines the history of the name's association with the 187th Airborne Division and the specific connection to the unit during the Korean War.
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Returning Home
Tom Bazouska recalls the strange experience he shared with his brother when returning home. After their father picked them up from the airport, he remembers stopping at the hangout where they often meet their buddies. He recalls walking in with his brother and many of their buddies simply asking where they had been. He shares how few people knew about the war. The brothers admit that their friends treated them differently and nothing felt the same. They explain the impressive show of gratitude they experience when interacting with the Korean people.
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No Regrets Joining Airborne Division
Tom Bazouska describes jumping experiences with the airborne division. He provides an overview of what happens when a jump is called off due to dangerous conditions. He elaborates on the sight of seeing the chutes all in the air and snapping pictures of each other during practice jumps. Even though the airborne division was dangerous and challenging, the camaraderie he gained was worth the risk.
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