Voices from the Korean War - Douglas Rice [79]
Just north of Freedom Village we stopped at the release point and our guards jumped from the trucks, and tried to shake our hands; we told them to go to hell. Soon, our own troops arrived, opened the gates, and said, “Welcome Home.”
As we headed to the exchange point, we began removing our prison clothing. An American MP informed us there were women present, so we were told to keep our pants on. They loaded us into ambulances for the remainder of our trip to Freedom Village. As soon as the Village came into sight, we all got a lump in our throats and tears in our eyes. We were met by a chaplain, who led us in prayer.
I was met by an American Lt. Colonel whose first words were, “Here comes the reactionaries.” He then asked me what I would like to have.
I replied, “A dish of ice cream.”
They took us to the Red Cross for refreshments, which consisted of ice cream, milk, coffee and cigars. This was all we could have, because we weren’t used to rich food; they told us a meal would be waiting.
We then were allowed to shower after which we were sprayed with DDT, given clean pajamas, and time to relax. Later, I looked at my first decent meal in thirty-three months—roast beef, peas, mashed potatoes, and a lettuce salad. After eating we had the opportunity to meet with newspapermen; however, it was strictly up to us if we wanted to meet with them.
After meeting with the press they issued us clean clothes and new boots. Having worn tennis shoes for about two years, it was comical walking in hard sole shoes. So, we had to learn to walk all over again. We were then taken to a helicopter pad and flown to Inchon. Landing at Inchon we were warmly greeted, fed a good supper, and assigned a clean bunk for the night. The following day we were given some back pay and allowed to shop at the Post Exchange.
On the morning of August 21st, we loaded onto buses and were taken to the pier. Here we boarded a ship for our voyage home.
* * * * * *
Upon our arrival at San Francisco, I hadn’t figured on anyone being there to meet me. As I disembarked—in my Class A uniform—and began to board the bus for Camp Stoneman, I heard my name called over the load speaker. The voice on the speaker said I had visitors. I was surprised—who would be meeting me? As I walked into the visitors area, I was shocked to see my youngest uncle and his wife, and a small child standing there crying, and my great aunt. My uncle and I hugged. For how long—I don’t know. He was crying, and I had tears in my eyes as well.
After my authorized leave was over, I reported to my new duty post—Fort Sill, Oklahoma—on October 9, 1953. At our new post, there was not one person who gave a damn about us; we were treated like outcasts. A week after our arrival, we were given our discharge papers.
* * * * * *
Fourteen months later I tried to re-enlist, but the Army turned me down—I failed their physical. However, I was accepted into the Air Force, and after fifteen and a half years I retired.[3]
~~Twenty-Two~~
Rex Raymond
USS Haven – AH-12
U.S. Navy
Less than five years after the end of the Second World War, the Korean War broke out. With not too many men left to go to war, the government asked high school kids to go sign up. At the age of seventeen I was eager to go to war, but what does a seventeen year old know?
Having always being interested in the water, and ships, I joined the U.S. Navy during my junior year of high school. Not having ever been away from home before, I went to San Diego for my basic training. From there I was transferred to Tongue Point, Astoria, Oregon, but didn’t know why until later. Here I received training on LCM’s (Landing Craft Machinery). These were the ones whose bows opened up.
After my training was over, I was transferred to the USS Haven—a hospital ship. She was to replace the USS Benevolence, who had sunk under the Golden Gate Bridge after being rammed—during a heavy fog in August 1950—by a freighter.
The Haven was docked in San Diego when I went aboard. She was beautiful;