William McLenahan
Bio
William McLenahan was born January 9, 1931, in Freeport, Illinois. He was one of five siblings from a middle-class working family. Upon graduating from Freeport High School in 1949, he enlisted in the United States Navy in order to avoid the draft as well as take advantage of the GI Bill. Having scored well on an aptitude test, he was assigned to electronics which eventually landed him in submarine school. When his poor vision disqualified him from serving aboard a submarine, he was assigned to a position aboard an ASR 13, a rescue submarine, and was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, with the Atlantic Fleet. Upon returning home, he enrolled in the University of Illinois using the GI Bill and successfully completed his education as an electronic engineer. Considered a Korean War Era veteran, he has always held Korean War veterans in high regards and has been appreciative of all they sacrificed.
Video Clips
Torpedo Practice
William McLenahan recounts the uneasy feeling that accompanied him during torpedo practices. He shares that in order to prepare for battle, the submarines would practice firing on each other with dummy torpedos. Despite knowing they were dummies, he recalls the fear of seeing that torpedo coming at him in the water, knowing the damage that could be done should it hit the ship.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOMITR-nQME&start=1367&end=1436
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/william-mclenahan#clip-1
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Korean War Era Veteran
William McLenahan describes the difference between being a Korean War veteran and a Korean War Era veteran. He expresses great sympathy for those who suffered through the war and is thankful for the opportunity he had to do a small part. Despite having served there, he still feels he knows little about the Korean War and is in awe that there has yet to be a peace treaty.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOMITR-nQME&start=1832&end=1973
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/william-mclenahan#clip-2
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