Intermission Stories (15)
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.
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.”
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.
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 –
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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Posted on April 28, 2014, in Korean War, Uncategorized and tagged family history, History, Korean War, Medic, Military, Military History, nostalgia, Ohio, Tributes, veterans. Bookmark the permalink. 64 Comments.
He is a very good human being indeed. Thanks for sharing his story, gpcox.
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Certainly my pleasure, my friend.
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A great story on Earl, a lot of medics did actually have to enhance their skills whilst in the field.
Ian
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I knew you might like this one, Ian. Thank you for taking the time to read.
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wonderful, wonderful post. I enjoyed it so much, my admiration and awe go out the patriots who sacrificed so much. I recently visited the Veterans of Foreign War museum here, my second visit. It is breathtaking with items from the wars, art by Hitler (copies) uniforms of german soldiers, A very large Japanese flag, it’s bright Sun against Duck cotton or very heavy linen, not sure, it is very large, taking up a good portion of the wall. They tell us the flag is of great value to the Japanese gov’t and they are negotiation the return of it. It is fascinating and nostalgic, reliving a time of the past that must not be forgotten. Thank you gp, love t his blog.
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When you see all that at the museum, you can almost imagine them back in the day, can’t you? Thank you for stopping in today and your pleasant comments about it, Hollie.
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my pleasure as always.
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Wonderful post!
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Thanks, Elaine! Have a great day.
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Enjoyed hearing his story as it showed how his faith was shared during his service. Also liked the pictures of him during service and later in life. Sounds like a great man …and from our beautiful Ohio!
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In listening to the memoir, he was cute as he talked about MASH and having their own Klinger – he made a point to mention that Klinger was from Ohio! Glad you enjoyed the article, Bev.
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Another great tribute, thank you for doing this! Always a great read.
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Thank you for saying so, Dave. It was a humbling memoir to listen to; a modest gentleman.
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Harrowing but noble service.
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Yes, being on the front with nothing but a handgun and knowing your hospital is a target – yes, I guess harrowing is a very good description. Thanks for commenting, Allan.
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It is heartwarming to read that with all the hatred engendered by that war, enough humanity was retained on our side for the enemy troops to be looked after when they had been written off by their own.
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Yes it is. I was surprised to discover that they had no medical facilities at all. You made a good point.
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I am constantly amazed by how normal these guys/gals are. They could be my neighbor. Thanks for sharing.
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They very well could be, Jacqui. That’s why I’m always asking people to check it out. If a community has a clubhouse or the town has a civic center, nursing home, etc. put a notice on the bulletin board to interview them. Thanks for reading today.
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Beautiful post!!!
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Thank you, Granny. One of the many men who fought for us!
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I humanity of this guy really shows through !
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In the vocal history, you could tell the interviewer had to pull some things out of him. He was quite modest. Thanks, for being a friend here, Dan.
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He maybe looks a little more like Radar than Hawkeye Pearce, but there is no courage more extraordinary than that of the guy who doesn’t quite fit yet sticks to the task just the same. Especially in those conditions. I’d salute him!
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He did seem unique to me, that’s why I picked him out of so many other vocal histories. Thank you for stopping in today, Frederick.
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A beautiful tribute~
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Thank you, it was a heartbreaking account to listen to. Thanks for reading.
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Always~
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[off topic – I only just heard about the Louisiana governor supporting the right to have chicken boxing in his state. He called it a legitimate sport! Your opinion? I think I know already because I was disgusted.]
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Is this a JOKE???
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Not the way I heard it. I’m going to go on line and see if I can find any further info on it.
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If it is serious, they are truly lacking a brain, not to mention a heart.
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I did get one point wrong – he is a state senator who wants to run for governor try this –
http://jonathanturley.org/2014/04/09/chicken-boxing-louisiana-state-senator-wants-poultry-pugilists-protected/
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Pathetic! Like I said, they need a brain!
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Another dandy post. Thanks for reminding the world that there was indeed a miserable damn Korean War where milliions suffered. The verisimiltude of TV’s M*A*S*H is a real tribute.
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Yes, it is Gary. Many people just assumed that the tv show was merely another sit-com derived from a funny movie! Thanks for coming by.
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Another nice story. Thanks!
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You are very welcome, Dan – Thanks for reading!
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So MASH was real! Great post. The boys were very fortunate to have him there it seems.
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M*A*S*H* and the MASH units were all very real. The tv show was patterned off of MASH unit 8055, which I covered at:
https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/2013/08/17/korean-war-4/
Thanks for hanging in there with me.
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You’re welcome GP. I just popped over to have a read of that post. Very interesting 🙂
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Thanks for taking the time, Norma.
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You’re welcome. See you tomorrow 🙂
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A great medic story.
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Thanks, Adam. The Veteran’s Project is a great collection.
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Good to read a medic’s story. I was reading a chaplain’s story (WW1) in the paper today. Absolutely amazing story.
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The chaplains were also amazing, without weapons, they rescued men and eased their minds – only two of their many, many jobs.
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Exactly.
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They have to be remembered…
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It’s not from a lack of trying on your or my part!
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Also remembering those who sent them to fight “their” wars…
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Ohhhhh, DON’T get me started!! 😡
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That was not my intention GP.
Keep on writing.
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Oh, I’ll keep writing – I just really dislike politics!! And, THAT’S what put them there!
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Have a nice day GP. Watch that blood pressure…
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I took my pills this morning.
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You too?
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Something else we have in common!
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Maybe common ancestors?
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You never know. I had 2 great aunts move to Vancouver long before I was born and a grandfather I know absolutely nothing about!
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Someday we will find some common genes.
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I have a feeling we will.
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Great post!
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Thank you very much, Wayne.
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