William MacSwain
Bio
William “Billy” McCoy MacSwain was born on November 7, 1930 in Oklahoma. He graduated high school in 1948 and joined the National Guard while enrolled in junior college to become a diesel mechanic. By 1950, he was already promoted to a Buck Sergeant in the National Guard, and he was shipped off to war in 1951. William MacSwain trained at Camp Keefer as a chemical, radiological, and bacteriological warfare specialist (CBR) non-commissioned officer. He was a Section Leader with Baker company in the 4th platoon. A feeling of true amazement comes through his mind each time he returns to Korea due to the political and economic transformation.
Video Clips
Horrors of War
William MacSwain describes some of the horrors of war experiences. He portrays a vivid image of scenes of war that illustrate the hardships Korean War soldiers faced. These first-hand accounts show the fear in every soldiers' mind.
Tricking the US Government to Join the National Guard
In 1945, William MacSwain lied to recruiters at the age of 15 when he told them that he was 17 so that he could join the National Guard with friends. Due to the low number of military divisions, recruiters signed him without a second thought. In 1949, he was put to work in Oklahoma to protect businesses after a tornado tore through the state.
Military Leadership Training
In September 1950, William MacSwain reported to a military leadership school that was led by WWII veterans. Since he was already trained on a variety of weapons, William MacSwain felt that psychological warfare treatment was important lessons that he learned. Once he returned to Fort Polk, he was in charge of 4th platoon (an infantry division) who were all older than him.
Training for War in Japan
In May 1951, William MacSwain was sent to Japan to train with his platoon on terrain that was similar to Korea. General Ridgway said that the US National Guard should not be sent to Korea because they were not trained well enough. After watching William MacSwain's platoon in Japan practicing a maneuver, he was impressed with what he saw, so the National Guard was free to fight in the Korean War.
Photos
Railroad
R & R
Baldy
Stan Bakula
Al Winnie
Hachiman Shrine in Kamakura
The trade port of Kobe
Mt. Fuji and Lake Shoji
G. Bouilet and O.C. Gray
W. Macswain
Day before bivwar. Ethel has the one the day after, the one with big feet
Chitose
Stan
An old grass mat to slide down the spillway provides entertainment. One trip was usually enough!
Tambson
Camp Polk
Pier of Yokohama Harbour
Stan
Shopping Center at Hakata
Dave Ferris 7/1951
158th Field Artllery attached to 179th Inf. Reg.
Taken at beach at Atomic City
Denton, Weatherbie, Toone, Boratsky
Panama
Jack Bond, B Co 1st Sgt. (took Sedmiss's place)
Sapporo Union Station
Joe Greco
Joe Greco, Rochester, NY
Carl E. Barr, Detroit
Lawrence S. Armstrong, Norwich, Connecticut
Otaru Bay
Bird Hunting; Feb. 53
Slick Frates is sure proud of these birds. Walked 20 miles to hunt.
Gavin, Maquoketa, Iowa
He rode his bicycle through the chow line for slice of bread and strawberry jam. In Japan as elsewhere they always look hungry.
Construction: scaffolding made of poles bound together with rope braided from straw
Land of Rising Sun
Shiktotsu-Toya National Park
Pride of Ogdea, Oakie, and import from Puerto Rico
Mt. Ezo Fuji at Hokkaido, Japan
Lake Ashi at Hakone
Russell Watkins, Citron, Toone, Dueha, Zwahl
Otaru
This is Whitney on K.P. peeling spuds. Al Winnie
The Famous Fall Kegon at Nikko
The Famous Fall Kegon at Nikko
Curfew 2100 Hours
Picture of girls
Here's a cute one fo ya, mom. They were all dressed up in their Sunday best one night in Chitose...bout as big as buttons. See the baby on the guy's back behind them. He's popa to all of 'em...aug 51 in Chitose.
Picture of Girls
Here's a cute one fo ya, mom. They were all dressed up in their Sunday best one night in Chitose...bout as big as buttons. See the baby on the guy's back behind them. He's popa to all of 'em...aug 51 in Chitose.
The excursion boat at Shikotu Lake - mountain with volcano right behind - too fogg tho, to get it. Sept. 51 Conrady
The excursion boat at Shikotu Lake - mountain with volcano right behind - too fogg tho, to get it. Sept. 51 Conrady
Port of Sasebo
Rice paddy
Ginza Street, Tokyo
Ginza Street, Tokyo
Camp Crawford Chapel
Camp Crawford Chapel
Bakula, Henderson, Toone, Short, Armstong, Greco, Kennedy, Lynch, Maseda
Beer party, Yokohama
Himes, Bakula, Gavin, Connollly, Curoe, Dueha, Nauman
Himes, Bakula, Gavin, Connollly, Curoe, Dueha, Nauman
Hydroelectric
Yokohama
Aug 51 Japan
"These are two Jap houseboys that sometimes come around shine boots, sweep up, etc. for a few yen."
"These are two Jap houseboys that sometimes come around shine boots, sweep up, etc. for a few yen."
Stan Bakula
Headquarters Camp Chitose
May 1951: Stop during hike
Navy Port at Sasebo
Matsushima Island
Kiyomizu Temple, Stands on a Cliff at Kyoto
Radio guys: Sept. 51
The Osaka Castle
Sasebo P.X.
Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashi at Hakone
Enlisted Men's Club, Yokosuka
Apartment House
Aug 51: Camp in Hokkaido, Japan
Lt. Clark, a former P-38 flyer
April 51: Streetenberger and Evans
The Desutude of Hiroshima destroyed by Atomic Bomb
Ohori Park at Hatara
Ohori Park at Hatara
Japanese family, sells beer, does our laundry
GHQ Building at Tokyo
The Shopping Center at Yokosuka
Claude Green
Backyard Chitose
Akan National Park at Hokkaido
Helping
This is me scraping the dirt from Hartman after he came in from the field. How dya like the lip fuzz?
This is me scraping the dirt from Hartman after he came in from the field. How dya like the lip fuzz?
Shikotsu - Toya National Park
First view of Hokkaido
Hokkaido
Crowding the rail for a good look. Hokkaido - The Port of Otaru
U.S. Headquarter of Sendai
Japanese temple and grounds
Pedro Miguel: Panama Canal
Shoe repair
Entrance to the Imperial Palace: Tokyo
Mount Fuji from Hakone
Volcano
Mt. Tarume - South of Lake Shikotusu - active volcano 1023 meters high. Center dome formed in 1909. The rise of fall of this dome is subject of scientific interest. This is the one I am going to climb.
Lake and Volcano
Mt. Tarume - South of Lake Shikotusu - active volcano 1023 meters high. Center dome formed in 1909. The rise of fall of this dome is subject of scientific interest. This is the one I am going to climb.
Everybody goes in.
The Nagoya Castle
Women Building
These Japanese women work as carpenters constructing pre-fab quonsets
Archery
Instructor of archery at park in Sapporo. It took him 5 minutes to assume position and usually held as is for one or two.
Chitose: The only paved street.
Putting Out At Sand Trap!
Putting Out At Sand Trap!
The Shopping Center at Yokosuka
Great Buddha at Nara
Sapporo
Shinsaibashi St., Shopping Center of Osaka
Explosives demonstration during training exercise
The Harbour at Kure
Me and Big Nose, who is from Michigan, in rear of tents.
He's a radio man, carries the big 300 on his during patrols.
Me and Big Nose, who is from Michigan, in rear of tents.
He's a radio man, carries the big 300 on his during patrols.
This is a command inspection they pulled on us one Saturday...this is a HQ Section Capt. Hyde has his back to cam
May 51 - Back After A Long Walk
Taken at Mukuna waiting to make our amphibious landing 11-51. Braddock Reading Book.
Benny Cavatio
Chico, Shigi
Chico
Chitose
Tobira Department Store: Downtown Sapporo
The Imperial Palace, Tokyo
Fishing boat, Otaru Bay
Panama
Chitose Air Base
Sapporo Union Station
The Main St. of Hirokoji at Nagoya
Diesel motor for LST aboard USS Bexar
Gillard Cut - Panama Canal
Mt. Fuji and Cherry Blossom
Ronald Harper
Sapporo
Japan 1951
There's the mountain and front of Nick's and my room.
Arashiyama Park, River, and Hill, is a very nice view
Aug. 21 Conrady
Supply room door by our desk.
Hirosaki Castle
To Korea: February 1951
1st Row: Left to Right: Whitney, Podochiak - Binghamton, NY
Kelly - Brooklyn, NY, Fox - Binghamton, NY
2nd Row: Czajkowski - Connecticut
West - Detroit
Colette - Connecticut
Al Winnie
1951
Al Winnie
Pilot parachuted and was escorted to rear. Chajo who carried parachute got his .38 caliber as souvenir
Four hour train trip gets tiring
My old CO, Capt. Jack Isler, now 52, takes one of our deluxe showers.
Shopping Center at Sasebo
Entrance to Maruyama Park, Sapporo
Golden Nugget Gambling Hall
Laundry and Day Cleaning - Chitose
The Roman Catholic Church at Uragami (Nagasaki)
1951
GHQ 45th Division Football
Muroran City, Hokkaido
Nimble fingered natives clean eels with deftness born of long experience. Kept fresh in tubs of water, placed in basket at left table, cleaned, placed on wire and broiled over charcoal
Friends
Sandstone quarry
The Kintai-Bashi, funny round bridge
The Yomeimon at Nikko, one of the world's most beautiful Gates.
Ammo Dump with effect of American strafing during last war
Shinkyo (Sacred Bridge) at Nikko
Ernie Pyle theatre in Tokyo
Sgt. Schmisseur
Garden
Atomic Bomb Center - Nagasaki
Lake Shikotsu
August 1951
Sgt. Schmisseur, Platoon Sgt. Gustafson and Captain Hyde look on as the inspecting officer inspects weapons during the command in.
Sgt. Schmisseur, Platoon Sgt. Gustafson and Captain Hyde look on as the inspecting officer inspects weapons during the command in.
Gene A. Lambson, Roma, New Mexico
Henderson, Baer, Wehby, Bombsberger, Harper, Graham, Antelope, Anthofer
Welcome Thunder Birds
Seoul
Young cracked a good joke
Hudson and myself. He was our messenger now truck driver.
