11

Springmill’s

2

Cover PhotoOn June 25, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea.By mid-September USS Missouri was underway off the coast of Korea,armed and ready to support U.N. forces in the "Police Action" that wouldbecome known as the Korean War.

USS Missouri conducted shore bombardment operations in adiversionary move coordinated with the Inchon landings.

USS Missouri arrived off Inchon on September 19,1950 and by mid-October was conducting shore bombardment missions along the coast.By December 23, USS Missouri had arrived off Hungnam to providegunfire support for UN forces ashore. She remained on station until thelast U.N. troops were evacuated on Christmas Eve, 1950.

USS Missouri continued shore bombardments off the east coast of Koreauntil late March 1951 when she was relieved of duty in the KoreanCombat Zone.

USS Missouri returned for her second tour of duty in Korea in lateOctober, 1952 continuing gunfire support for UN forces ashore withshore bombardments of enemy targets until January 1953. After resupplyin Japan, USS Missouri resumed “Cobra” patrol with shore bombardmentof enemy supply routes along the eastern coast.

USS Missouri successfully completed her last bombardment mission onMarch 25, 1953 and returned to Sasebo, Japan. Tragically, hercommanding officer, Captain Warner R. Edsall, suffered a fatal heartattack as USS Missouri arrived safely in port at Sasebo.

About this Tribute BookletThis tribute to Springmill’s Korean War veterans wasproduced by the Communications Committee which is alsoresponsible for the Springmill Sentinel, the Annual Directoryand other special publications. Special thanks to JuneStemmle who wrote the stories with the help of the veterans.Thanks to Joe DiGiacinto, Dick Rausch, Jerry Ryan, Mary JoStarrett and others whose valuable assistance helped makethis project a reality.

3

About this Tribute Booklet Page 2Cover Photo Page 2Introduction Page 4Korean War Remembered (Poem) Page 5Clarence (Ed) Bailey Page 6John Billé Page 7Gregory Gaden Page 8Don Gilbert Page 9Ken Howe Page 10Cecilia S. Kish Page 11Steven A. Kolbay Page 12Bill Leutner Page 13Andrew Lucas Page 13Bill Mehinick Page 15Gordon Mills Page 16John Mitchell Page 17Eugene Olson Page 18In Memoriam Page 18Don Pries Page 19Harold (Don) Roegge Page 19Bill Sapp Page 21Korean War Memorial Back cover

4

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when about75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Armymoved across the 38th parallel, the boundary betweenthe Soviet-backed Democratic People’s Republic ofKorea to the north and the pro-Western Republic ofKorea to the south. This invasion was the first militaryaction of the Cold War.

By July, American troops had entered the war on SouthKorea’s behalf, feeling it was a war against the forces ofinternational communism itself. There was a lot of back-and-forth before the fighting stalled, with nothing to showfor it, while casualties mounted. American officialsworked anxiously to fashion some sort of armistice withthe North Koreans, fearing the alternative would be awider war with Russia and China, or even some warned,World War III.

In July of 1953, the Korean War came to an end. In allsome 5 million soldiers and civilians lost their lives duringthe war. The Korean peninsula is still divided today.*

While there may not have been a solution to this on-going Korean problem, we would like to salute those ofyou who played your part in history by serving duringthose tumultuous years. We thank you for sharing yourmemories and for your part of the war effort.

June Stemmle

*Korean War - Facts & Summary - HISTORY.com. N.P.,n.d. Wed.8 Oct.2015

www.history.com%2Ftopics%2Fkorean-war

5

The year was 1950 and with a fragrant summer’s balm,Troops from North Korea

Invaded the “Land of the Morning Calm.”Sixty years have now come and gone,Since that fateful June summer day,

When American forces were thrust into the fray.For all those men who fought there,

It was a long and bitter war,As we lost too many of our brothers,

They were all warriors within our corps.Yet the President and the punditsCalled Korea the “Forgotten War,”

But for those who died and shed their blood,It meant so much more.

We saved a budding nation from tyranny and strife,And breathed hope in South Korea,That they would have their freedom,

And renewed their hopes of life.South Koreans have no doubt,

That “freedom is not free.”They are thankful for those who paid the price,

For their families and liberty.So let us now remember the sacrifice they bore,

These men…these warriors of our beloved corps.The “Forgotten War” is now remembered,

At least by those who trod the valleys and the hills,The stifling sweat of summer,

And the bitter, freezing winter chills.Hopefully one day the two Koreas will reunite,

Once again sharing and caring for their“Land of the Morning Calm.”

6

Ed Bailey, of 338 Daylilly Way, was born and grew up on a farm in Maryland.When Ed’s father decided to give up farming, Ed realized that having graduatedfrom high school; he wouldn’t be exempt from the draft. He didn’t want to end upon the “front lines,” so at 18 he decided to enlist in the Air Force. At the time hewas living in Wilmington, but he visited the recruiter in Maryland.

He remembers that when the time came to leave, his mother andgrandmother drove him to the train stationin Philadelphia, because his mother wasgoing to keep his car for him during hisenlistment. After saying good-bye to both ofthem, he took his duffle and got on the trainwith the other enlistees. The trainproceeded to make a lot of stops, pickingup soldiers along the route.

Ed said he’d never forget his first few daysin the service. He had barely arrived atLackland Air Force Base in Texas for hisbasic training; he was actually still on the truck, when he heard his namecalled. He remembered that it was a rainy day. An officer took him asideand told him his mother had passed away…he had only been gone fromhome three days. He was given his uniform and a 30-day pass to go home.He was told to wait at home until the next group of enlistees went out. Hesaid no one ever contacted him, and if he hadn’t kept checking with therecruiter, he didn’t know if he’d ever have started basic training. As it was, heonly received four weeks of training before being assigned to California.Ed’s first job assignment was in supply. Then, one day, the officer in chargeof Roads and Grounds had him transferred to that office to handle andorganize the files. He said he always had enough supplies.Eventually, Ed was assigned to the Far East…he didn’t even know wherethe Far East was…turned out for him, it was Japan. At that time, the KoreanWar was winding down. He spent thirty months in Japan, again workingprimarily in the supply area. As part of that job, he ordered everythingneeded by the Air Force, including weapons.

Ed said the food was excellent. The only thing he didn’t like was the milk;they didn’t have fresh, only powdered milk. He stated, “At least I never hadK-P. We had American chefs, but Japanese men and women did the otherjobs in the mess hall, including serving and cleaning up.” Ed recalled oneday when he was told it was “reenlistment chow day.” Filet mignon steakswere lined up and you could choose the one you wanted. (I guess the AirForce thought the way to a man’s reenlistment is through his stomach.)During free time, the airmen would go drinking, though sometimes sportsteams visited the camp and provided entertainment. The Japanese didn’tknow how to play baseball; they learned from the Americans. On occasion,

7

the visiting team would play the Japanese team, which proved to be veryentertaining. Ed said he made lots of friends and took lots of pictures. Hestill has an album somewhere, but doesn’t know where it is.

Ed stayed in touch with family through letters. A cute story involved Ed and hiswife, Margaret, who met via the postal service, while he was overseas. It seemsMargaret’s aunt had recently married Ed’s uncle. She suggested that Margaretshould write to him, which she did, during the time he was stationed in Japan.

Ed was discharged on Christmas Day in 1953. He boarded a ship to come home.He didn’t call ahead to let anyone know he would be arriving. Once back in thestates, he called his aunt…she was the only one in the family with a phone. Hethen stopped in Maryland to see his aunt and uncle. It was also the first time heand Margaret met face to face…you can guess the rest. They dated for a bit, andwere married within a year. If there’s one thing I learned researching our veterans,it’s that when they return to civilian life, they jump into life and love with noreservations. Once discharged, Ed spent his civilian life as a constructionelectrician (Local 313), working on a number of big projects in Delaware.

Ed said that he was “satisfied with his experience in the Air Force, but hewas homesick while he was away.”

John (Jack) Billé was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He enlisted inthe United States Marine Corps on March 17, 1953, during the Korean era.He did his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and was thenstationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, where his primary job was inthe Headquarters and Service Section, processing deployment ordersand pay records.

Jack was not sent overseas and so was never involved in combat. However,being a marine is no “walk in the park;” hesustained a dislocated shoulder during maneuvers.Jack kept in touch with family through the mail, andappreciated getting care packages from home,even though Marine food was good. He also hadsufficient supplies during his time in the service.

During any free time, Jack took advantage ofbeing in a new place, and took trips around NorthCarolina. He also enjoyed going to the movies.

Jack didn’t keep a journal or take pictures while in the service. And while he madefriends, he is no longer in touch with any of them. Jack received a MarksmanMedal and a National Defense Ribbon during his tour.

8

Upon being discharged on December 31, 1954, Jack went back to work atMasland Company as an inventory clerk and then attended LaSalle University.Before retirement, Jack had a career as a contract manager for an aerospacecompany. He negotiated contracts and managed internal operations.

Jack didn’t join a veteran’s organization until he moved to Delaware when hebecame active in the American Legion. He left when health problems madeit difficult to actively participate.

To this day, Jack enjoys reading military stories, spy or international mysteriesand thrillers are his favorites. And he’s still proud of the tradition of the USMC.

Gregory Garland Gaden served in the United States Air Force fromJanuary 21, 1953 until January 20, 1957. He enlisted, during the Koreanconflict, for the MATS mission; providing strategic mobility of personnel,cargo and combat aircraft for the armed forces.

At the time of his enlistment, he had been livingon110th Street in Manhattan, NY and wasindoctrinated at Whitehall St., NYC. From therehe was bussed to Sampson Air Force Base inSeneca, NY and spent 12 weeks in zero degreeweather for basic training. Following training, hewas flown to Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls,Texas with 100 degree temps for six months.While there, he attended technical school foraircraft mechanic training; he worked on the flightline on real aircraft. “Thank goodness it was heldin an air conditioned school.” After that he was sent to Dover Air Force Basein Delaware, where he spent the rest of his commission.

At DAFB, he was assigned to the 1st Air Transport Squadron, whichreceived the new C-124’s. “It was the largest aircraft I had ever seen!”

Greg lived on base for a while, driving his beloved 1940 Ford. He wasintroduced by a fellow airman to a girl from Long Island. She became his wifein February, 1955. He and Helen have been married for 60 years. They hadtheir first daughter at the end of that year at Dover AFB and had their seconddaughter, Patricia, at Mitchell AFB in Long Island, two days before he wasdischarged. “Both military births cost us $7.00 each. How’s that for a bargain.”

Greg only went overseas for two weeks, spending that time in Iceland, Scotland,Germany, and the Azores. He was never injured in any combat activities.

Greg and Helen still see friends they made…one couple lives in

9

Massachusetts. Two of his Air Force friends were part of the Gaden’swedding party. Greg belongs to aircraft related organizations such as WAM(Westchester Aircraft Maintenance, PAMA (Professional Aircraft MaintenanceAssoc.), and also the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus.

Greg is proud to have two sons and a grandson who are also certifiedaircraft mechanics, one working for DuPont in Delaware, for a heritage offour. Greg feels his “time in the service was a great experience in a verycontrolled and honest business.”

Don Gilbert, of 358 Daylilly Way, was living in Wilmington when he decidedto enlist in 1952. Don was 19 years old at the time. He confided that heenlisted in the United States Air Force because the Korean War was aboutto begin, and he didn’t want to be drafted into the Army. Asked why he chosethe Air Force and not another branch of the service, he recalled that a friendwho was in the Marines, Leroy Shannon, was thefirst person to die in Korea…even before waractually started. Don also said that he didn’t think hecould handle the rigors of the Marine Corps, and ashe walked down the hall to enlist, the Air Forceoffice was the first one saw.

Don’s basic training was at Sampson Air ForceBase in Geneva, New York. The one thing heremembers is that it was very cold, and they werestaying in old barracks, so they felt every bit ofweather. His next stop was in Mississippi to attendAir Control Operator School where he learned how to guide airplanes asthey took off and landed. He was just happy to be in a warmer climate. Hisprimary job was as an air control operator for the duration of his service. Hewas surprised to get this job because he had no previous experience withairplanes. He had only been asked what he might like to do. His wife Dorisadded, “He also has a good voice…that’s why I fell in love with him.”

For his first assignment he was sent overseas to French Morocco. Right afterthe Korean War started, three Air Force Bases were built to accommodate B-29’s and B-50’s in French Morocco. Americans were assigned there becauseFrance was an ally. After that, he was sent to England and then Germany.Germany was divided into three zones; French, English, and American. Hewent to the French occupied section outside the city of Kaiser….

Don was never involved in combat and never injured during his timeoverseas. He stayed in touch with family through mail and a few phone callswhen he was in the states, but phone calls were a luxury. He also wiredhome for money on occasion. He remembers being in France with no money

10

Ken HoweAt age 17, plus 2 days, in 1951, Ken Howe enlisted in the U.S Marines to servein Korea. At the time he was living in Chester,Pennsylvania. In his words, the first few days inthe service were “living hell.” He did go overseasin 1951, and while he did see combat, he was notinjured.He said his most important jobs while in the servicewere as a combat engineer; a specialty whereyou build bridges, clear landmines, and destroyobstacles, and being a mine man. Mines were laidon the ground, so that they would blow up if youstepped on them or tripped a wire. Mines were aproblem of particular concern to foot soldiers. In 1950, North Korea stopped7,000 troops of Marines and Army soldiers with less than 2,000 mines. Mostly,they blew off arms and legs, maiming, but not killing the soldiers.

Ken’s job was to blow things up. “We blew the shell, so that it could notexplode. I would also lay mines and take mines out that were put in by NorthKorea and the United States. The young love the things of war.”

and waiting around for a half day until his father finally sent some. Other thanthe money, he never really got “care packages” from home. Doris added, “Iwasn’t his girlfriend then, or I would have sent him something.” Since therewere no treats from home, I guess it was a good thing that Don was contentwith the food in the Air Force. He said, “My mother always made me eat whatwas served, so while others complained about the food, I always ate what wasput in front of me.” Occasionally, he went off the base to eat with friends, butmostly, especially in Germany, they went out to drink.

Don got to travel to other countries when he was stationed in Germany. Healso had a few “girlfriends” while in the service. One person that made animpression was a waitress in London who spoke three languages and hadbeen in WWII in Africa under Rommel’s command. He couldn’t understandwith her skills why she was waitressing.

When it was time to go home, he spent his last tour of duty in Tucson, AZ.During that time he bought a new car, and when discharged, he drove cross-country back to Wilmington. He said it was the longest trip he had evertaken. He didn’t really sightsee…just wanted to get home.Don made lots of friends and took lots of pictures during his time in the AirForce. He didn’t join a veteran’s organization on his return, but remembershis service as being a “great time.” He felt it was a four-year adventure; helearned a lot and got to see many different places.After the service, he went to work for a contractor as a brick layer andeventually spent the next twenty-eight years at the DuPont ExperimentalStation doing masonry work.

11

Ken was able to stay in touch with family using regular mail and was able toget treats from home the same way. A good thing, because most of the foodhe ate was “out of cans.” Again, being young, it didn’t seem that bad. Hewasn’t happy at the lack of enough equipment and supplies.Most of his time off was spent “drinking beer and talking about girls.” Whilehe made friends, he didn’t keep a journal or take pictures. He wasn’t able tostay in touch with his buddies because they all died. He did receive aBronze Star along with a Combat “V” for valor, which designated that hehad been in a combat area.

After he returned home, he worked in a retail store and “hated it.” He didn’tjoin a veteran’s organization, because at the time they didn’t accept KoreanWar vets. As far as his experience overall; being young, he loved it. And hemet the best friend in his life. Now that he’s older, he thinks he must have“been out of his mind” to enlist at such a young age.

We need to mention that Cecilia Kish, of 565 Whispering Trail, is the onlywoman in Springmill to have served in the military.

“Because the country was involved in the KoreanWar, it was a time of concern for everyone.” At thetime, Cecilia Kish was living in Bethlehem,Pennsylvania. Joining the military at age 21 was achallenge for her. She thought the U.S. Air Force wasa good choice, and so she enlisted in April 1952.

Cecilia’s basic training was in San Antonio, Texas. Shethen went to Tech School in Cheyenne, Wyoming tolearn the “military way” of doing administrative work.Her primary assignment was as a Morning Report Clerk. She typed theMorning Report each day to schedule daily events. When asked if she waswilling to serve overseas, she answered, “Yes.” Time passed quickly, andbefore she knew it, she was flying to England to work with the Air PoliceSquadron Office. She stayed in touch with her family through letters, andappreciated getting care packages from home.

One memorable experience was when Cecilia was asked if she wanted to experiencefiring a 30mm machine gun. Not one to back down from trying something new…shedid, along with two other WAFs (Women Air Force). On the other end of the spectrum,the only thing she didn’t like about the military was K.P. duty.

Cecilia finished her three-year enlistment in England. On her return, shewent back to work at the Bethlehem Steel Plant as a key punch operator.She kept in touch with friends for a while, but not anymore. She said, “Myenlistment was a great adventure for me…the best!”

12

Steven Kolbay, of 581 Whispering Trail, graduated from high school in hishometown of Norwalk, Connecticut in 1953. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy inFebruary of 1954. He proceeded to do his basic training in Bainbridge, Maryland,after which he was assigned to Class A Radioman’s School in Bainbridge.

On completion of his courses, Steven traveled to San Diego, California toserve as a radioman aboard the USS Wright, CVL-49, an aircraft carrier named after the Wrightbrothers. He spent about a year on the Wright,which was operating in the Pacific Ocean. Duringthat time, the Wright, along with 30 other ships,participated in “Operation Wigwam.” It was anunderwater nuclear test about 500 miles off thecoast of San Diego at a depth of 16,000 feet. Duringthe test, all 10,000 personnel wore film badges tomeasure their radiation exposure. Two ships, theUSS George Eastman and the USS Granville S. Hall, were equipped withheavy shielding and were stationed 5 miles downwind. All the ships werecontaminated by the base surge, but once the badges were processed only3 personnel were measured as having does exceeding 0.5 rems, well withinthe dose limit of 3.9 rems. Steve was in the radio shack during the test andreceived very little exposure compared to those on deck.

After departing the Wright, Steve attended a teletype repair school in SanDiego, CA and crypto repair school in Vallejo, CA. In order to attend thecrypto school, he had to have top secret clearance, as the cryptographicmachine encrypted and decrypted secret government messages. Steve’sfamily, teachers, and neighbors were all interviewed by the State Departmentbefore he received his clearance. Following school, he was transferred tothe U.S. Naval Base at Sangley Point, Manila, Philippines. From there, hetraveled to various embassies and consulates in Hong Kong, Bangkok andother places in the Far East to repair their crypto machines. On these trips,he was required to wear civilian clothes, carry his top secret machine parts ina small tool box handcuffed to his wrist, and carry a 45 automatic pistol.Steve said, “I thoroughly enjoyed this tour of duty, both the work and theexciting travel experiences.”

Steve felt the food was very good throughout his tour of duty. He even gotsteak and eggs on Sunday mornings at Sangley Point. He took manypictures, especially with a movie camera he bought in Hong Kong. Heshared, “The photos bring back great memories.”

After Steve was honorably discharged, he returned to his home in Norwalk,Ct. He joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and taught basic electricity at theU.S. Naval Training Center in Stamford, Ct. He attended FairfieldUniversity on the GI Bill and graduated with a B.B.A. in Accounting.

13

Bill Leutner enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. At the time he was livingin Collingdale, PA. Bill said his first days were scary; after all he was an eighteen-year-old living away from home for the first time. Once his basic training was completed, hewas assigned to an overseas post from 1951 to 1953.

Bill’s rank in the service was as a Yeoman Petty Officer2nd Class and his primary job was as a radar operator;he did surface and air searches. Since he was at seamost of the time, he wasn’t involved in combat. Oneexperience he did remember happening was when hisship was anchored in France…they had a collision withanother American ship. He wasn’t injured, but I’m suresomeone got extra training on the bridge.

Staying in touch with family was important, but the U.S. Postal Service didthe job, and that included receiving care packages by return mail. Billthought the navy food was “excellent.” Besides getting enough food, he wasalso well supplied with any equipment he needed.

During any free time, he watched movies and played cards on board, andenjoyed liberty when the ship was in port. He didn’t keep a journal, but didtake some pictures during the years he served. He made a lot of friends, butdidn’t really keep in touch with any of them.Bill Received the Navy Occupation Service Medal and the National DefenseMedal. He must have been a pretty good musician, because he received aninvitation to fill in for a Navy Flag Band…to replace their trombone playerwho had returned to the States. The Navy even offered to send him to NavyMusic School in Washington, DC. But he decided to reject the offer andchoose a discharge instead in November, 1954.

As a civilian, Bill joined the Catholic War Vets. He accepted employmentwith the Pennsylvania Railroad and attended night school at PMC (renamedWidener University. He also got married in 1954…lots of new beginnings.

“In 1952, during the Korean War, I was drafted into the U.S. Army. At thetime I was living in New Brunswick, New Jersey. My induction took place atCamp Kilmer. After receiving military clothing and all my inoculations, I wassent to Camp Gordon, Georgia. Today it is known as Fort Gordon.

My first few days in service were quite a surprise. For breakfast we hadpowdered eggs and SOS (chipped beef on toast). G.I.’s called it by anothername after that meal! I then realized my civilian life was over for the next

14

two years. Next, it was eight weeks of basic training and then eight weeks oftech school. When the orders for my group (company) of 30-35 men camethrough, I truly lucked out. Three of us received orders to ship to Europe orstateside. I was sent to Verdun, France, and that was my new home for thenext 18 months. Verdun, a small French town, was quite infamous for abattle fought there in WWI. There is a huge American cemetery in Verdunholding all those who died in that battle.Verdun was also the home of the 547th Signal BaseDepot. From the depot we shipped signalequipment to other American bases in France andinto nearby Germany. Because of need, I wastransferred to the motor pool. After receiving amilitary driver’s license to operate multiple militaryvehicles, I returned to the depot as a driver.

I stayed in touch with family through letters andpictures. Anne, who would later become my wife,wrote me almost daily. She sent cookies, candy andother goodies every so often. I didn’t have manycomplaints about army food…our mess had had some pretty good chefs.My free-time activities overseas consisted of softball games, bicycle riding,fishing, and Friday nights at the local beer hall. When we received three-daypasses, we’d go to Paris. On furloughs we would go to Heidelberg, Germany.

I didn’t keep a journal but did take many pictures of Europe which bring backfond memories. Of the many friends I made while serving, there was onebuddy I was closest to. We kept in touch for many years but later just lostcontact. I’ve tried to make a connection through the internet but to no avail.

My return home was so special. We docked into New York Harbor in theearly morning. There was some commotion topside, and when I arrived tosee what was happening, all I could see was many GI’s staring at LadyLiberty. It was quite a sight. Later that morning, Anne and my motherwelcomed me home at the dock.

I was discharged in July 1954. Anne and I were married in November of the sameyear. I went to work for Egan Machinery Company in Somerville, New Jersey.At Egan, one of my veteran co-workers became involved in the American Legionin Highland Park, NJ. He got a group of us from Egan interested in joining theLegion, as he was starting a Drill Team Unit. We had lots of fun times…parades,etc., and ended up becoming New Jersey State Champions.

Serving in the military was a great experience. I learned to live and work withothers and learned teamwork was very important. I enjoyed being able to seeEurope. Anne and I have been fortunate in being able to travel to Europe anumber of times. Ann was delighted on our last river cruise we were able togo to Heidelberg. Being able to serve my country was a great honor.”

15

Bill Menhinick, of 334 Daylilly Way, enlisted in the Navy in May of 1948for three years, but extended his enlistment for one more year when theKorean War began in June of 1950. He was living in New York City atthe time. Bill shares that his first few days were “hectic.”

Bill went overseas for the first time in February of 1949. His first assignmentin 1949 was to FAWTUPAC (Fleet All Weather Training) at Barber’s Point,Hawaii. He was overseas for three years and three months. His primary jobin the service was as an aviation electrician/air crewman. He was assignedto be in a Military Air Transport/Air Evac Squadron. Basically they tookcargo into Korea and then took any wounded out. Later, he transferred to aP2V Patrol Squadron, an anti-submarine patrol over the Bering Sea, offSiberia, and the Sea of Japan, off Russia and Korea.

One particular experience that Bill remembers waswhen he flew as a passenger on General DouglasMacArthur’s aircraft, “Battan,” from Tokyo to Guamthe day after Christmas in 1950. This four-engineLockheed constellation aircraft had the initials SCAP(Supreme Commander Allied Powers) painted on thefuselage. General MacArthur was not on board.The flight was made to return the body of GeneralWalton H. Walker stateside. The general had beenaccidentally killed in Korea on Dec. 23, 1950 when atruck hit his jeep. He was the highest ranking officerto die in the Korean War.

During his time overseas, Bill reported that he didn’t sustain any significantinjuries. He was glad he was able to keep in touch with family and friends bymail. Return mail brought mostly sweets and sports clippings from the NewYork Daily News.

Bill commented that the food in the Navy wasn’t bad, but the Air Forcechow was “way better.” The only other negative was that getting spareparts was a problem.

During his free time, he would catch up on sleep, play baseball, or go onliberty. Bill didn’t keep a journal while overseas, but did take a fewpictures. He didn’t get any special awards; however he appreciated the“squadron ‘Atta boys,” and did make a lot of good buddies.Bill expressed that “being 86, I don’t remember much about returninghome except that there was a lot of hugging and kissing.”

16

On his return to civilian life, he went to work for the Bendix AviationCorporation in Teterboro, New Jersey. He remained with them fortwenty years. He then took a job with the Federal AviationAdministration as an Airworthiness Safety Inspector, staying with thatorganization for twenty years.

Once back home, Bill didn’t join any veterans’ organizations, but he wasglad he enlisted to serve. It got him started on his career in aviation.

Gordon was born in Baltimore, Maryland. The family moved to ChurchHill when he was around 17. He started attending Washington College,but then couldn’t afford to go, so in 1953, at the age of 19, he visited hislocal draft board, where he found out if you enlisted you served for threeyears, but if you “volunteered,” you served for two years with an optionto reenlist. Gordon chose the two-year option and was officially in theUnited States Army.

Gordon remembers those first days of serviceas consisting of “getting clothes and boots, andgetting shots.” As it turned out, he was neversent overseas to Korea. Instead his job was tostand watch over America’s atomic stock pile asa military policeman in New Mexico at theSandia Base. Since the Army wanted to keepthe location a secret, he had to write home forcivilian clothing to wear…the only thing allowedanytime the soldiers went off the base and intotown.

Gordon said he actually had fun during his service. He had access tothe atomic weaponry museum at the AFSWTC (Armed Forces Specialweapons Training Center). Generals and officers from all over the worldwould visit. The “grunts” got to practice loading all the different devices.Guess it was sort of like playing army without the chance of getting shot.He also remembers that a good thing of being stationed at a small basewas that promotions came more easily with few available men.Being young, he appreciated being able to stay in contact with familythrough phone calls and the mail. Like most service people, he lookedforward to treats from home. During his free time, he would watch TV orgo to the base theater…tickets only 25 cents.

He recalled the day he came home it was raining. On returning hepicked up his life and went back to college. He stayed in touch with

17

those in his platoon for the first three or four years and then lost touch.Gordon also married his wife, Fran, in 1957 and settled down to marriedlife in Wilmington, where Gordon started a job with the DuPont Companyin research. He stayed with DuPont for thirty-five years before retiring.

John Mitchell enlisted to serve in 1954. At that time he was living inNortheast Philadelphia. Those first days the thing that sticks out themost is “sore feet” from all the running and marching in hew boots. Hisservice with AIC-USAF took him overseas in September of 1947. Histime in the Air Force eventually brought him to the Korean conflict in1957. Most of his enlistment was spent as a clerk with theHeadquarters Squadron. Thankfully, he was never involved in combat.

One particular experience he remembersoccurred on his 21st birthday in FrenchMorocco. To celebrate he drank a fifth ofscotch, almost burned the barracks down, andwas too drunk to get out of his cot. Firemenended up carrying him out. While he kept intouch with family and friends by mail, I’mthinking that’s one thing he didn’t share. One ofthe things from home that he was veryappreciative was winter long johns. Korea canget very cold.

John shared that he had good food whileoverseas and usually ate with the officers. He also had sufficientequipment and supplies. One thing that wasn’t great was that there wereno “breaks” for fun; his was basically a 9-5 job.

While John didn’t keep a journal or take pictures during his tour, he didreceive an award…Airman of the Year for doing a great job. He alsomade lots of friends. He was discharged in California and was backhome by May, 1958.

Upon returning home he finally met his one-month-old daughter. With aslightly enlarged family, it was a good thing his old job as a lab tech in apharmaceutical company was waiting for him.While it could be difficult at times, he wouldn’t have traded theexperience for anything.

18

Eugene (Gene) Olson was living in Garden City, Michigan, when heenlisted in the United States Navy in July of 1951. He remembers thosefirst days in the service it was a little strange living in a barracks with onehundred other men.

When he was first sent overseas it was to theMediterranean in 1952 through 1954. He alsospent time in the Caribbean in 1953 and 1954.During his service, his most important job was as agunners mate 2nd class on a 6” Gun aboardthe USS Roanoke.

Gene was never involved in combat in Korea,but does remember time spend in the middle of theAtlantic doing exercises with the sixth fleet.

As far as he was concerned, food was “not too bad; it depended on howgood the cook was.” He kept in touch with family the old-fashionedway…through letters. Gene said that he didn’t need to have things sentfrom home since the ship was like a floating city. If you wanted anything,you just went to the ship’s store. As far as entertainment, movies wereshown when they were underway. In port, they had shore leave. Duringhis enlistment, he earned the European Occupation Award for servingoverseas.

When his enlistment was complete, he got a job with the Fisher BodyPlant in Livonia, Michigan. He never joined a veteran’s organization orkept in touch with his mates after leaving the service. Though he has nodesire to reenlist, he “never regretted the time he spent in the Navy.”

In MemoriamWe would like to recognize the following Springmill KoreanWar Veterans who passed away during the preparation of

this tribute booklet.

William Bohres October 2015

Harry (Sonny) Wingate November 2015

19

Don Pries, of 605 Poets Way, was drafted into the United StatesArmy in 1952. At the time he was living in Philadelphia, PA.

Basic training for Don was done in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, with the 11th

Airborne. After basic training, he had temporary duty at Fort Meade,Maryland, playing the tuba in the band there.

Don was never assigned overseas, spendingmuch of his service at the Pentagon at theNational Military Command Center (NMCC),working in communications with top secretclearance. “The NMCC was “hastily set up” onJune 25, 1950, to replace the 1948 war roomwhen the Korean War began. It was moved toa “more permanent facility in early 1950. TheNMCC is a Pentagon command andcommunications center for the NationalCommand Authority (i.e., the President of theUnited States and the United States secretary of Defense) with a directtelephone line between the Pentagon and the White House. It ismaintained by the Department of the Air Force. It is responsible forgenerating “emergency action messages to launch control centers,submarines, recon aircraft, and battlefield commanders.”* www.archives.gov

Don completed his service and was discharged in 1954.

Harold (Don) Roegge, presently of 3 Springmill Drive, was drafted intothe Army and served from 1952 to 1955. He grew up in Southern Ohioand was working at a large manufacturing company in Ohio at the time hewas drafted.

Once in the military, he was required to report to Fort Campbell, KY forbasic training. Harold said, “The training was exhausting, but I was young,healthy, energetic, and excited to go fight for our country. The training wasalso enjoyable because I had hardly been out of Ohio, so it was anadventure.”

When done learning the basics, the new recruits were considered trained

20

and ready to go to war.Harold was in the 4th Division, 22ndInfantry…heavy weapons. The men were prepared to be shipped off toKorea, but their orders changed, and while some did go to Korea, otherswent to Germany. Harold was in the latter group.

They were taken over on a huge ship…Harold didn’t remember thename. The strongest impressions in Harold’s memory were the roughseas, and that nearly everyone was seasick at some point during the trip.The other thing that he remembers was passingthe White Cliffs of Dover. The movie they showedthat night was unforgettable. It was “GentlemenPrefer Blonds” with Marilyn Monroe and JaneRussell.

“In Germany, the devastation and destruction fromWWII was still visible everywhere and mind-boggling. I had listened to stories of WWII that mystep-dad and uncles told and admired theirsacrifice so much. It was hard, and shocking, tosee that Germany was still in rubble seven years later. I was assigned topatrol and guard the borders and road blocks between East and WestGermany. We faced the Russians who were guarding the other side.They were normal guys, just doing their job.”

As mentioned, Harold was involved with heavy weapons (He drove ajeep with a 30 caliber machine gun mounted on the back.) and so wasoften out on maneuvers; shooting, digging holes, and/or sleeping intents. If they were lucky enough to have a field kitchen in a tent, the foodwas pretty good. If not, they ate C-rations. They would open the tins andput them on the mufflers of the tanks to heat up. “They were dated 1945and not the best.”

The local kids followed the camps and soldiers everywhere. Theybegged for food and the C-ration kits. The kits had food but also hadcandy bars we could give the kids and cigarettes for their parents. “Wegave them everything we could possibly do without.”

Harold stayed in touch with family through letters. His mom would sendpackages of cookies and personal items. Harold’s younger brother wasdrafted a few months after he was. He remembers one day being asked toreport to the Medical Company with no explanation as to why. When hewalked in, there was his brother who had also been shipped to Germany! Hisbrother had just arrived and had been assigned to the Medical Division. “Itwas some surprise and a great reunion.”

As for recreation, Harold would go with his brother and buddies to the USO

21

Club to party and drink beer. “Much of Germany was still in rubble and wasoff-limits to the troops. I made some great friends, but have lost touch…orthey are gone.”

In 1955, Harold came home on a ship into New York City. He then took atrain from Grand Central Station to Columbus Ohio, followed by a bus toNelsonville, Ohio. “Mom made my favorite foods, and the family came tovisit.” Once he settled in he went back to the same manufacturingcompany. At that time, they kept your job for you while you wereserving, and when you returned, you started right back at the job you left,as if you had never been gone.”

Bill Sapp of 236 Patience Way responded to our inquiry as follows:

“I graduated from Wilmington High School in 1952, and I was thinkingabout joining the Navy because two of my friends in high school wereenlisting after graduation. My mother was ill at the time, so I was unableto join with them. Instead, I ended up enlisting in the Army onFebruary 2, 1953, during the Korean War, for three years. At the time Iwas living in Wilmington and enlisted there, but had to go to thePhiladelphia Navy Yard for my physical and swearing-in ceremony. Afterthe ceremony, we were bussed to Fort Meade, Maryland for a week ormore of processing before being assigned to another army base forbasic training. I took my basic training in Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky,and after completion of basic training and a short leave, I reported to FortDevens, Massachusetts for an Army Security Agency School. At theend of school, our class was assigned to be stationed in variouslocations that included Germany, Japan, Okinawa and Korea. I wasassigned to go to Korea. The graduates that were assigned to go tothe Far East were given a two-week leave before we had to report toCamp Kilmer in California to await our assignment to the troop ship thatwould carry us to Japan prior to our trip to Korea.We sailed out of Alameda, California under the Golden Gate Bridge onour way to Japan. It was a fourteen-day trip, which included crossing theInternational Date Line, before the ship arrived in Yokohama, Japan. Itwas a troop ship, so the sleeping arrangements aboard the ship werevery crowded. The bunks were three high on each side of an aisle.During the day, your duffle bag was stored on your bunk, and at night itwas on the floor. When we arrived in Yokohama, we stayed in barracksthat were once used to house Japanese soldiers. We stayed in thebarracks for a few days and were then taken to the airport to fly to Korea.

22

We flew to Kimpo Airbase and then to the 501st CommunicationHeadquarters in Seoul.

I arrived in Korea in November, 1953, about four months after thetruce was signed to end the Korean War. Going from Kimpo Airbaseto the 501st Headquarters was very eeriebecause there was a lot of bomb damage tothe city from the war. Seoul was the capital ofSouth Korea, but as you rode through the cityat night, you noticed that there were very fewlights. The lights that you saw from thebuildings along the street were from Colemanlanterns. When you arrived in Japan or Korea,you had to change any US currency that youhad for military payment certificates (MPC). Itwas illegal to have any US currency whilestationed in Korea. The MPC was all papermoney…even for what we use as coins in this country. There was aKorean black market using the MPC money. The Army dealt with this byhaving a sudden change in the appearance of the MPC, so that the MPCyou had before was no longer of any value. When this occurred therewas a sudden lock down of everyone on base, so that any MPC that theKoreans or Japanese had was now worthless. The military personnel onbase just changed the old MPC for the new and so were not hurt by thechanges.

I spent two nights at the 501st Headquarters building before I was drivento the east coast of Korea to Detachment D of the 330thCommunication Reconnaissance Company. Detachment D consistedof a base site with about five eight-man tents and a bunker site on amountain along the DMZ (demilitarized zone). I was assigned to abunker site with two other men. This was our home for the winter of1953-1954. There were no real bathroom facilities at either the base siteor the bunker site. Hot water for shaving or washing was gotten byheating water in a small pan on top of the stove. We really dependedon our small stove and mummy-style sleeping bags to stay warmduring that winter. We made many trips between the bunker site andour base site that winter, and some of the time we could not get ourvehicle all the way up to the bunker site and so we had to walk. This iswhere I found out that snow shoes really do work and keep you fromsinking into the deep snow as you walked. I did receive a letter ofcommendation and a medal for my service at the bunker site.

When operation at our bunker site operations was stopped, I went backto the 330th Communication Reconnaissance Company Headquarters,

23

which was based about five miles south of Seoul. I wasn’t at this site allof the time. Part of the time I was at another Detachment with the 326thCommunication Reconnaissance Company that was north of Seoul.(Seoul is about 35 miles from the DMZ and the 326th was about 25 milesnorth of Seoul.) I spent two Thanksgivings and two Christmas Daysduring my tour of duty in Korea. The entire time that I spent in Korea, Ilived in either a bunker site or an eight-man tent. There were Quonsethuts at the company sites, but they were for the officers and oneQuonset for a clubhouse. For entertainment, it was playing cards, writingletters home, or going to the clubhouse. We did work on a seven day aweek schedule, so there was not a great deal of spare time. After acertain number of months in Korea, you were eligible for a week of R&Rin Japan. I was able to get to Japan twice during my tour.

I left Korea in March of 1955 to go back to the states. We sailed out ofInchon Harbor on a troop ship for the trip back to Seattle, Washington. Itwas another fourteen-day trip. A military band and many familiesgreeted the troop ship as it docked in the Seattle Harbor. I flew fromSeattle to Philadelphia, PA and had a thirty-day leave before I had toreport for duty at Ft. Meade, MD. I had about nine months left in mythree-year enlistment. My assignment at Ft. Meade was to work for theArmy Security Agency at the NSA building on the grounds at Ft. Meade.I was discharged from active duty in the Army on February 1, 1956, butwas still required to be part of the inactive reserve for five more years. Idid join the VFW post 7234 in Ocean View, Delaware as a lifetimemember and do enjoy getting the VFW magazine every month.

After I was discharged from the Army, I enrolled at the University ofDelaware in 1956 under the GI Bill and graduated in 1961. Aftergraduation, I worked at the Naval Air Development Center, whichbecame the Naval Air Warfare Center, for 35 years.I am always amazed when I see pictures of Seoul and other areas ofKorea as it is now compared to the time I was there. Dirt roads havebecome super highways and Coleman lanterns have been replaced byneon lights.

The medals/ribbons that were awarded to me included the NationalDefense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Korean ServiceMedal, United Nations Service Medal and the CommendationMedal.”

Thank you for your service which helped to keepAmerica the greatest country in the world.

24

The Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington,DC consists of several bronze soldiers walking

through a triangle-shaped field, and a granite wallwith the names of those who served during the

Korean War.

Let us never forgetSpringmill’s Korean War Era Veterans

And all VeteransFor the Sacrifices each made

For the sake ofjustice and freedom.

This booklet is a publication of The Springmill Communications Committee. A sincere thanks goes toJuneStemmle for taking on this project and to Joe DiGiacinto for his help. Jerry Ryan and Mary JoStarrett did the proof reading. Dick Rausch did the layout. A final thanks goes to our Korean War

veterans who cooperated in making this tribute possible. June 11, 2016