Walter Dowdy, Jr.
Bio
Walter Dowdy, Jr., enlisted in the United States Army in 1948 because he was worried that if he started college and was drafted, he would not be able to finish his studies. Even though he qualified for Officer Candidate School (OCS), he was sent to Japan in 1950 and was assigned to an all-Black unit instead. While serving in the Korean War, he suffered a shrapnel wound to his face, which resulted in the loss of vision in one eye. Due to the severity of his injury, he was discharged from military service. Following the war, he went on to have a successful career as an educational administrator.
Video Clips
Decision to Enlist
Water Dowdy, Jr., discusses his fear of being drafted, which would have interrupted his education as he pursued his dream of becoming a doctor. He shares his parents' reaction to his decision to enlist in the United States Army. He recalls going through basic training at the same camp where his father had received training during World War II. He remembers qualifying for Officer Candidate School (OCS) but was shipped to Japan in 1950 before he could begin.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/walter-dowdy-jr#clip-1
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Becoming a Forward Observer
Water Dowdy, Jr., recalls receiving orders to Officer Candidate School (OCS) just as the Korean War broke out. He describes how he was always on alert and ready to go to Korea at any moment. He remembers being told that the US Military needed soldiers and not cooks in Korea, so he was given the choice of becoming a machine gunner or radio man. He chose the radio and eventually became a forward observer.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLbt_p3JFYI&start=561&end=722
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/walter-dowdy-jr#clip-2
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First Experiences in Combat
Water Dowdy, Jr., recounts how his White officers were replaced with Black officers while preparing for shipment to Korea. He remembers being hopeful that President Truman had integrated the military. He describes the tense moment of waiting to be loaded for combat with ammunition and his radio and the fear of anticipating the combat that awaited him.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLbt_p3JFYI&start=723&end=851
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/walter-dowdy-jr#clip-3
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Crossing the International Date Line
Walter Dowdy, Jr., recalls his voyage to Japan in 1950 on a merchant marine ship that crossed the Pacific Ocean. He remembers feeling seasick throughout the fourteen-day journey. He shares his experience crossing the International Date Line and being initiated into the "Domain of the Golden Dragon." He remembers being re-assigned to cook on a US Army base in Japan.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLbt_p3JFYI&start=385&end=560
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/walter-dowdy-jr#clip-4
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