Thought you may be interested in these items; Ka-bar from 1950s, Korean era; Springfield Armory 1911A1 w/USMC grips; lower pistol Remington 1911R1 (actually a CO2 powered BB automatic, fires full magazine of 18 BBs as fast as you can pull the trigger).
Category: Korea
War Souvenirs
We all save some remnants of our service whether War Souvenir's or pictures of Past Duty we are Proud of. Because I served for 27 years I have lots of Remnants (souvenirs) and have been trying to put it all together on one wall in our home office.
Life At War
One of the best times of being a Ordnance Man is when you take ordnance material back from the front lines to a rear Area where it will be repaired. In Korea, at the Punch Bowl, we took some tanks back to Masan, Korea where 1st Combat Service Group was. I was appointed one of the Train Guards and got to ride the train all the way back. Now as there were Guerrillas about we sometimes rode inside the tanks (mostly just for something to do) but when the train stopped to refuel coal and water we had the luxury of using the steam let off pipe to warm our "C's". We put them in an empty water expeditionary can and pulled the can up over the steam let off pipe. Then the engineer turned on the steam and heated our rations so hot we had to wait to open them. I took advantage of being a Train Guard by having my picture taken with the engineer (of course, he didn't want anything to do with it and sat on top). Korea was the first time, as I recall, it was legal to carry a camera, you weren't supposed to in WWII but guys did any way. I can still remember the bullets zinging off after hitting the Tank. How easy it was to enjoy the little things in life at War!
In Re: Korean Dog Tags
Just Thought I would send in a picture of my Dog Tags, issued in July 1951. When I went to Korea in Sept 52 they went with me. I was not issued different Tags in Korea. As you can see they are different in appearance than the ones GunnyRousseau showed in the last Newsletter. I guess Gunny being in the Old Corps, his would not be the same as a Boot like me. Thanks for your service to our Country and the great stories you submit to this Newsletter Gunny. SEMPER FI
Dog Tag Of The Korean War
In a recent letter, one lad asked about Dog Tags. But in the old, old days one of the Sergeants or Officers went back over the battle field to identify the Dead, or the Dead were just buried without concern for the identity. During the "Cold Harbor Battle" of the Civil War, men on both sides sewed their name and address on their coats so they could be identified and the family informed of their Death. I'm sure it happened more often than not.
Theodore S. Williams
He was a great hitter for Boston Red Soxs. He was also a Marine Aviator in WWII and Korea… Ted Williams.
1953 Dodge M37
This is a frame-off restoration of my 1953 Dodge M37 that took 2-1/2 years. All components of the vehicle have been restored and overhauled to new Mil Spec or better condition. All old paint and trust was removed down to bare metal and repainted. The hard top was removed and converted to the current soft top now in place. In addition specific depot installed items found on USMC vehicles were fabricated and installed. With the exception of some welding and the machine work on the engine, all work was done in my garage. Just shows what a stubborn old Marine and some wrenches can do.
Camp Hauge
The town of Chibana was the first town outside the gate at Hauge. It was only a few bars surrounded by rice patties. Anyone serving in the 4th Battalion 12th in the time period of the late 50's and mid 60's should reconize the Marine on the far left.
Early Days Of Korean War
This letter tells what the early days were like in Korea from 1950 to 1951.
Sgt. Ben Gabijan Gunner of Baker 33 and Tank Commander of Baker 31
Gunny OD
I've read many stories about the death a Marine and recounting how they had influenced thier troops by thier examples, deeds etc. At those times I've often thought how much better it might be to let them know how much they are respected while they are still with us. My older brother, Master Gunnery Sgt. Thomas F. O'Donnell ( aka " OD ") is one of those Marines. OD enlisted in the Corps in 1950 and served in the Korean War. He served in many posts and I served under him when he was the Chief Instuctor at radio school Camp Lejuene, and I was a brand new Marine serving with 2ND Tnk Bn. He later served several tours in Nam and during that conflict he became a victim of Agent Orange. He's developed many of the illnesses associated with that chemical. OD is legally blind, suffers from diabetes, heart problems and was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer of the lungs and liver. I know he'd love to hear from any of his old buddies and would be glad to exchange old war stories. He can be contacted at tel.# 252-727-5090. Call him up and make the Gunny's last days a little more enjoyable.