Monthly Archives: April 2014
Going Home
Before we head into WWII once again, I wanted to show some of the more recent readers one of the many reasons why I write this web site…
Gradually, the men of the 11th Airborne Division would earn their points to be shipped back home and they would allow the fresh, green G.I.’s to take their place in the occupation of Japan.
Click on any photo to enlarge.
Everett (Smitty) Smith would return to Broad Channel, New York to restart his civilian life in February 1946. He gradually got to know Lillian Barrow during his morning rides on the bus, going to his job and he would chuckle whenever he related that story. Despite my mother’s protests, he would relate that he knew why Lillian was always on the same bus with him, but she was being coy. “I was just going to work myself,” my mother argued. Smitty would reply, “Then how do you explain that your job was in the opposite direction than the bus was going? You didn’t know that I was aware of that…
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Intermission Stories (15)
Earl Hufford in Korea
Private First Class, Earl R. Hufford
11th Evacuation Hospital, Medical Corps, Korea
Earl R. Hufford hailed from Perrysburg, Ohio. He went to Bowling Green State University and received his preacher’s license for the Methodist church after high school and then found himself drafted into the U.S. Army destined for Korea. The following article is condensed from an interview he gave the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project.
At one point, he was sent to a MASH unit: “If you ever watch M*A*S*H* on television, that’s the way it is.” Earl’s aptitude for things medical landed him in a series of courses and even learned how to do autopsies. We even had a Klinger.” Earl R. Hufford was a medic.
Earl Hufford w/ the 11th Evac hospital
It took several days to get to Korea aboard ship. He had a tendency to become so seasick, he buddies would bring him fruit to eat. He would then have to be tied in to stand his guard or he’d fall overboard. At first, he was sent to Inchon, but the army still wasn’t quite certain what to do with him; they made him a chaplain’s assistant and he started a newspaper for the 11th Evac. hospital.
After Inchon, he was sent to Wonju along with the rest of the 11th and even ran the first dialysis machine invented (the other one was in Germany). “I felt bad for the — real bad for the wounded and I felt bad for their families. But I just did my job and I thought I did it pretty good. You have to move on to the next person…there’s no time for sentiment…I always said a prayer for them.”
Hufford (on right) w/ friend at the the 11th
The 11th Evacuation hospital also went North and took care of the North Korean wounded because they had no facilities, the wounded were left to die. They even built them a hospital, but they didn’t return the favor. Hufford spoke of having to remove their Red Cross sign because it made them too much of a target for the enemy.
There were a lot of hemorrhagic fever patients to take care of too. (the fever, caused by rats, makes a person bleed internally). “I felt very fortunate on saving those boy’s lives. We had a lot of rats.
a later photo of Earl Hufford
After 15 months, Earl Hufford returned home. “And it was wonderful to see the Golden Gate Bridge. But, I’m not sorry that I was there, because I’d do it all over again.
The final line of his interview stated, “I dedicate this tape to all the veterans and servicemen and women in service today and may God bless them all.
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Farewell Salutes –
A Farewell Salute
Clarence Anderson – Ogden, Iowa; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Lt. Col. (Ret.)
Maurice Archer – Greenbay, VA; US Army, WWII
John Debalek, Jr. – Chicago, IL; US Army, WWII, ETO, 745th Tank Battalion/1st Infantry Division
Larry DeCelles – Kansas City & Phoenix, AZ; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Dennis Gavin – Wanganui, NZ; RNZ Navy # C/SSX16068, WWII, ETO
John Hogel – Sultan, WA; USMC, WWII, PTO
Fred Moss – Holiday Island, AR; USMC, WWII
Dante Romano – Sun City W., AZ; US Army Air Corps, WWII
John Spinella – W.Palm Beach, FL; US Army, Vietnam
John Towers – Oak Brook, IL; US Air Force, Korea
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ANZAC Day
In honor of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have fought in numerous wars for their freedoms and the rights of others; 25 April is the designated date for memorial ceremonies and tributes. My apologies for being a day late in this post.
ANZAC’s hard at work
There are ceremonies for the ANZAC’s and there are poems, but I believe this says it all…
Ode of Remembrance
They shall grow not old, as we are left grow old;
Age will not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Gone but not forgotten
The Spirit of ANZAC
Remembrance
Click on images to enlarge.
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Farewell Salutes –
Douglas Belsham – Whakatane, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 78699
The Missing Man formation
Glen Constantine – Lake Worth, FL; 101st Air Calvary Division, Vietnam
Stephen Fookes – Auckland, NZ; RNZ Air Force # S92108, F/S ACFT Technician
Tresham Gregg – Cape Town, So. Afr.; 3 Royal Tank Reg., Colonel, WWII, ETO
Willie Johnson – Green Forest, AR; US Navy, WWII, ETO, USS Kassan Bay
George Kortas – Antioch, IL; US Army, WWII, 60th Regiment/9th Infantry Div., Bronze Star & 3 Purple Hearts
Les Langdon – Tasmania, AU; RAAF, WWII, PTO & ETO
Donald Martyn – Toronto, Can; WWII, ETO, HMCS Kootenay, navigator’s yeoman
Jerald Nine, Sr. – Dale City, VA; US Army, Korea, medic
George Richardson – Palmerston, North, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 71261, WWII, LAC No. 14 (F) Squadron
Damian Roche – Sydney, AU; RAR, Brigadier (Ret. 35 years)
Vincent Schindler – Iona, MN; US Navy, Korea, USS Eversole
Alfred Watt – Darwin, AU; RA Artillery, Colonel, WWII; Korea w/ the 163rd NZ Field Battery
Frank Watts – Renton, WA; US Navy, WWII
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Comrades – Ken Moore
New Zealand troops fire a 25-pounder at Kapyong, Korea
My own ANZAC Day post is scheduled for tomorrow, but once I read this…..
On ANZAC day, I thought it was fitting to re-post this poem. It felt a little strange, almost uncommfortable to be removing the airmen from the Roll of Honour to present a purely RNZAF and RAAF list for my previous ANZAC day post, so perhaps to make amends and remind us that the boys flew and died together, irrespective of their nationalities I represent ‘Comrades‘, by Ken Moore.
New Zealand gave a Squadron of Planes
When Britain’s need was dire
Both countries sons made up the crews
And they flew through hell and fire.
To the Pommy lads the Kiwi’s made
A gesture that was grand
They gave them honorary citizenship
Of their own beloved land.
Under New Zealand’s flag, they proudly flew
Comrades of the air
They lived and died, as side by side
Fate’s lot they chose to share.
In Wellingtons, Stirlings, then Lancasters
To the…
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Intermission Stories (14)
(Top): Lt. Lewis Wood on right in Korea
(Bottom): A Korean valet assigned to Baker Co.
W. Lewis Wood, Jr.
Baker Company/179th Infantry Regiment/45th Division
This story is from the “I Was There” series in the History Channel magazine, January/February 2012 issue. It is not condensed or edited in any way.
Pullin’ a Hank Snow: ‘I’m Moving On’
During the winter of 1951-1952, I served as platoon leader with Baker Company of the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division on the front in Korea. One of the most popular ballads of the day was entitled, “I’m Moving On” by country music star Hank Snow. Since many of the men of Baker Company, including myself, called Tennessee home, we had adopted the theme “Hank Snow” to use in radio communications.
In order to maintain radio silence we could use phrases such as “I’m pulling a Hank Snow” or “The enemy is using a Hank Snow to the rear” or “You better get your Hank Snow going.” These phrases were used to indicate movement of one kind or another, and although the Chinese could hear our radio messages, “Hank Snow” was a code word they could never decipher.
(Left): Soldiers take a break at company HQ in Korea
(Right): A pair of disabled M-17 tanks in a valley below the platoon’s defenses.
Another code word was “Hank Williams,” who was famous for many country music songs, but was especially noted for his ballad “On Top of Old Smokey.” So, any time one of our units wished to indicate their position, they could signal the code word “Hank Williams” which meant they had occupied the crest of a hill. We also used other country music stars that were famous for lyrics such as “Down in the Valley” or “St. James Infirmary.”
One of our wiremen from the communications section, Pvt. Eddie Kohl, was an excellent guitarist and country singer. He would help us come up with appropriate lyrics and the name of the singer most related to the song, whose name we could use as our code word for particular messages. Kohl was an excellent soldier. He so loved the military that he later volunteered for the U.S. Marines and served with distinction in Vietnam.
W. Lewis Wood, Jr. is from Germantown, Tenn.
Click on any image to view full size.
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Dan Blocker as Hos Cartwright
Dan Blocker’s High School Yearbook photo
In continuing to research the 179th Infantry Regiment/45th Division, I discovered a well-known and beloved actor who also served with them in Korea. As part of F Company/2nd Battalion/179th Infantry Reg, Dan Blocker, better known as Hoss Cartwright on “Bonanza”, was a Sergeant who gallantly received a Purple Heart for his wounds incurred during combat.
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Farewell Salutes –
Maria “Angie” Arreola – Mesa, AZ; USMC
John E. Benz – Palm Beach, FL; US Navy, WWII
James Cox – Chicago, IL; US Navy, WWII
John C. Fisher – Waihi, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 81913 & Royal British AF # 3528335
Walter Glanc – Toronto, Can. (born in Russia); RAF Polish Air Squadron, WWII
Ervin Dayton Hand – Fayetteville, AR; US Navy, WWII, aviator, USS Randolph
William Kaufman, Jr. – Seattle, WA; US Air Force, Colonel (Ret.)
Richard Mathieu – Annapolis, MD; US Navy, WWII, aviation ordnance
Murl Orr – W.Palm Beach, FL; US Navy, WWII, captain’s talker aboard a minesweeper, PTO
Manuel Rojas – Long Beach, CA; US Army Air Corps, 187th RCT, WWII, PTO
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Intermission Stories (13)
Conrad “Connie” Grimshaw in Korea
Conrad “Connie” Grimshaw
213th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
Conrad Grimshaw joined the National Guard in 1947 at Beaver, Utah. When he was ordered to Korea, it was with the 213th Armored Field Artillery Battalion from Cedar City, Utah in July 1950.
In his memoirs he remembered, “Kapyong [Korea] was quite a pretty place with streams of water coming out of the hills in two directions and flowing to the Han River on the south side of the valley. Our firing batteries were placed up in the canyons to the north and east. These canyons were very steep and seemed to me to be a cross between Bakers Canyon and the Big Twist in Utah, with only one road in. This made it difficult and very easy to get trapped. Next to our artillery batteries were units from the 6th ROK and the Australian infantry. We spent a lot of time in this area.
The Kapyong Valley
“On one of the ammo runs up the main road of Chunchon, we spotted a big truck down by the water’s edge. We told the motor section about it because we were always looking for truck parts to keep everything running. She looked pretty bad because it had been an old 2-boom wrecker that had been rebuilt at the Tooele Army Dept. It got the name “Old Never Run”, but before long the boys had it started and running.
“On 21 April, the CCF started the spring offensive and began to push south of the 38th parallel. We were in the middle of the push. Not long after we had set up Service Battery, our firing batteries were pulled out of Kapyong canyon and moved to an area by the Hwachon Reservoir above Chunchon. The first artillery rounds were fired by B Battery the next day. Later, they were moved back to stop the Chinese push against the Australians and ROKs.
“Around 9pm that night, W.O. Puffer came to me and said that Capt. James had ordered him to go up to HQ and find out if we were to pull back. He wanted me to drive him up there. I drove a ¾ ton weapons carrier with Roy Puffer as the only passenger. I would say that going up the canyon with all the South Korean soldiers pouring out of the hills was like driving through a herd of sheep. W.O. Puffer was given instructions to have Service Battery move back as needed to safer ground.
213th Armored Field Artillery
“We got as much as we could, but we were forced to leave behind a 105 howitzer and a half track, as well as a stack of C rations and some ammo trailers filled with ammunition. I heard later that the Australians got the C rations and the retreating firing batteries used up the ammo. They then hooked up the trailers and brought them down to us. We lost the howitzer when it slipped off the road’s edge and onto a rocky ledge…we had to leave it behind.”
Connie Grimshaw’s story shows how each job compliments the other and each one is important. He returned home in July 1951. This story was found in the Korean War Educator Memoirs and condensed.
Click on images to enlarge.
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Farewell Salutes –
John Bartley, Jr. – Amesbury, MA; US Navy, WWII, airplane engine mechanic
Med-Evac
Leonard Cousins – Chicago, IL; US Army, WWII
Everette Frye, Sr. – Richmond, VA; US Army, Korea, MD
Katherine Jamison (92) – Washington D.C.; Intelligence Research Specialist
James Manning – Washington D.C.; US Army, Colonel (Ret.), WWII
Fritz McClory – W.Palm Beach, FL; US Air Force (20 years), Korea & Vietnam
John W. Murray – Waikato, NZ; British Merchant Seaman, WWII
Guy Robertson – Brisbane, Australia; RA Infantry, Major (Ret.) & Queens Own Rifles of Canada; Vietnam
John Trussell – Cleburne, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 127th Engineers
Francis Vogelman – Philadelphia, PA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 511th Regiment
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Easter 1950’s Style
A child’s Easter card from the ’50s
I wish ALL who pass by here to have a wonderful weekend, no matter what your religious belief – we are ALL one. I hope this site enhances your memories or knowledge of the eras I speak of and you will try to Remember. I sincerely Thank each and everyone of you for your past and hopefully future cooperation. HAPPY EASTER, FOLKS!!!
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Typical ads in the ’50s
Ready to take that Easter picture ’50s style?
Fancy baking in the ’50s!!
Have a 1950’s Doris Day kind of Easter
Observe a Passover seder.
BUT, NEVER FORGET WHAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WENT THROUGH SO THAT YOU COULD HAVE ONE TODAY!!
Captain Emil Kapaun, Chaplain, POW, Hero; Korean War
Men from many countries fought for you.
Further information on Father Kapaun can be located at my site which will lead you to Wiki.
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Farewell Salutes –
Bernie Alwill – Bullard, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, E Co/187th Reg/11th A/B, PTO
George “Bill” Bullock – Little Compton, RI & Juno, FL; US Navy, WWII, signalman
Walter “Jim” Hillyer – Christchurch, NZ; Serv.# 275956, 23rd Battalion, WWII
Lathrop Hoffman – South Bend, IN; US Army, WWII, 1stLt., Burma-China Theater
Frank Nowobilski – Tinley Park, IL; US Army, Korea
Gerry Presley – Palm Beach Gardens, FL; US Army, Vietnam
Mark Schindler – Addison, PA; US Army; Korea, Cpl.
Kenneth Toy – Montreal, Can.; Royal Canadian Army, WWII
Katherine Vorel – Downers Grove, IL; WAVES, WWII
Sir Owen (Arthur) Woodhouse – Auckland, NZ; RNZNVR
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Intermission Stories (12)
Today’s post will in no way be rewritten or condensed by me. These are short tributes found in various locations to honor the men of three different wars. Please click on each story to read, they took the time for you. Thank you.
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WWII update story_____
WWII pilot
Story from the AARP bulletin.
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Korean War update ______
Distinguished Service Cross recipient
From Home of the Heroes.com ( complete citation lists are available at this site).
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A famous Vietnam story ______
Cmdr. Jeremiah Denton, Jr.
This story was taken from the The Week magazine obituaries.
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Farewell Salutes –
Stanley Brundage – Newark, NJ & W.Palm Bch., FL; US Army, WWII< cryptologist
Thomas Coules – Hartland, WI; US Air Force, Lt., Korea
National Army (AK) Medallion, “Ryngraf”
Charles Hazen (98) – Annadale, VA; US Army, Colonel (Ret.)
Leonard Jagla – Glenview, IL; US Army, WWII
Christina Kloss – Krakow, Poland & D.C.; WWII, National Army (AK) Underground Resistance, National Army Medallion
Tony Merritt – Calgary, Canada; Canadian Forces 27 years
Jack Raleigh – Papatoetoe, NZ; RNZ Air Force, WWII, # NZ413613
Wilton Remelius – Oklahoma City, OK; US Navy, WWII, USS Hector
Alexander Schmidt – Sunnyside, FL; US Army, WWII, artillery
Patrick Tully, Jr. – Chicago, IL & Bradenton, FL; US Army, Vietnam
Louis Vella – Palos, Heights, IL; US Army, WWII
Click on images to enlarge.
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Intermission Stories (11)
Sgt. Brian Cooper & Cpl. Ron Walker on Hill 111 just after the armistice
Corporal Ron Walker enlisted in the Royal Australian Regiment at the age of 17, July 1951 in Perth, WA. Both of his brothers were veterans of the Korean War. Having fought on Hill 159, in the “Bowling Alley” and Hill 111, Walker’s vivid memories in his memoirs are the songs of the times: “Jumbalaya” -Teresa Brewer, “Moving On” – Hank Snow, “Vaia Con Dios” – Doris Day… and also the American band at Pusan playing “Waltzing Matilda.” But here we will remember the poems he wrote that express more emotion than long stories are capable of ______
Hook area, Korean War
KOREAN LAMENT
Just over the Manchurian border, Korea is the spot, We are doomed to our lifetime, in this land that God forgot. Down with the snakes and lizards, down where the men are few, Right in the middle of nowhere and a helluva way from home too. We swear, we sweat, we grumble; it’s more than we can stand, We’re not a bunch of convicts, but defenders of our land. We are soldiers of an active force drawing our monthly pay, Defending our people and country for thirty three bob a day. Living on our memories or our lovin’ waiting gals, hoping that while we’re away, they haven’t married pals. The time we spent in the Army, the good times that we missed, Boys, we hope the draft don’t get you, for God’s sake don’t enlist. Now when we get to heaven, St. Peter will surely yell: They’re REOS from Korea Lord and they’ve see enough of hell!
2RAR trench collapses after bombardment
Ron Walker continued to serve in the military after the armistice, including the Bomb Search and Disposal Squad in Brisbane. He was discharged on 1 July 1957. This story was taken from Korean War Online.com.
Click on images to enlarge.
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Farewell Salutes –
Robert Braid – Wilmington, MA; US Army WWII
Edward L. Callahan – Sherman, TX & Los Angeles, CA; US Army, WWII
Signal Corps Regimental Colors
Anne Heller – Brooklyn, NY & Santa Fe, NM; US Army Signal Corps, WWII (WAC)
Lloyd Hammel, Jr. – Oregon; US Army, WWII, PTO, Forward observer, Philippines & Korea
Raymond C. Hersey – Guelph, Can.; PPCLT Regiment, Canadian Special Force, Korea
John Krembs – Chicago, IL; US Army, Vietnam
Colin J. Meale – Whangarei, NZ; Service # 42/114919, WWII
James T. Robinson – Jupiter, FL; US Army WWII
Bernard G. Sykes – Norwood, MA, US Navy, Korea
John Wiltshier – Aukland, NZ – RNZAF, Squadron leader & RAF (Ret.)
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We Call Him Chesty
Chesty Puller
A strong name and a “man’s man” known by some and should be honored by all, is talked about by Mustang on his Fixed Bayonets site. Come join the rest of us in reading about Chesty Puller, USMC.
In my younger years, conventional parents and teachers encouraged boys and girls to read stories written about famous Americans. I recall reading about William Penn, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Kit Carson, George Custer, Ulysses Grant, and Robert E. Lee. They weren’t academically vetted manuscripts, of course —they were intended for elementary aged children, after all. It is also true that some of these stories contained as much myth as fact, but it was the reading of these stories that gave children heroes —people who were, according to pre-communist educators, worthy of emulation.
I am not alone, apparently. Another young man was exposed to these kinds of stories. His name was Lewis Burwell Puller. He was born in West Point, Virginia on 26 June 1898 —making him a little more than 8 years younger than my grandfather. He grew up reading the same kinds of…
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Pacific Paratrooper 