Special Edition Korean War Article KOREAN WAR
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1950-1953 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION TIGARD, OREGON
Dreann'Ong of hand real
By Carol McAndrew
When you ask Tigard resident, Bill Tibbetts, what he wanted most when he
came home, he said," a glass of honest to goodness real milk!"
After a year in Korea and nothing but powdered milk, that was really
something to look forward to when he got home. Bill said, "It actually tasted
spoiled. It took me a month to get used to again."
Bill Tibbetts was drafted into the Army in the spring of 1951, where he
joined the 45th Infantry Division out of Oklahoma. When they arrived in Korea
after just 6 weeks of training, his company was deployed to the Iron Triangle,
north of the 38th Parallel in Korea.
Bill would become mess sergeant for the company, which made him
responsible for feeding 180 to 220 personnel twice daily, every single day. Bill
said, When I came home, I made stuffed cabbage for my dad, and we had
enough to last a month!" He is willing to share the recipe for famous Arany SOS
now, since he figures it has probably been declassified.
Bill's outfit was near where the North Koreans and Chinese had dug into Pork Chop Hill and T-bone Hill. There was
fierce fighting over those positions. Bill said, "I remember rebuilding the mess area at least three different times during
that battle, as artillery rounds would overshoot the hill and land in our area."
Bill Tibbetts has a 16-year-old grandson now. His grandson told Bill if he were needed, he would enlist right away.
When I asked Bill how he felt about that, he said, "It's the proper thing to do. I wouldn't like it during a war, but it's the
right thing to do for freedom."
. S . S .
Gregorytakes the _ 3
Co X-Au"LiLlUnists to task
By Carol McAndrew
Tigard resident, Douglas Murray was They did. Douglas would train in San Diego
aboard the destroyer, USS Gregory, during as an Engineman for the Destroyer USS
the last two years of the Korean War, Gregory, starting in the boiler rooms and
when it was vital that we maintain air and advancing to ENDR2. (That stands for ��.' �
sea supremacy in the theatre of Engineman/Diesel/Refrigeration 2nd Class)
operations. Our ships in the area kept the Douglas tells us, "I took advantage of every
Chinese Communist Forces from landing interim school the Navy offered while there.
any troops or using any Chinese or I had two reasons. One was to learn diesel
Russian air support. The USS Gregory DD and refrigeration mechanics, but also, just to . :
was part of Task Force 95 supporting the get off the ship and on land for a while. Two
Essex carrier group. He said, "We spent a weeks at school in Pearl Harbor, or at the
lot of time patrolling the coastlines and Base at Midway, was heaven."
shelling strategic targets on shore. We had The USS Gregory completed three full
four destroyers in the battle group and tours during that time and played an
spent many nights pounding the enemy or important support role inside her group. Douglas Murray performed a very
inserting Special Forces for search and important function on the Gregory, including his part in the ships "On Time
destroy missions." Award". This honor was given to the Captain and his ship for their exemplary
Douglas was in Minnesota when he record for never being late, in great part, thanks to her engines running full
enlisted in the Navy in November of 152. speed ahead, into harms way whenever needed.
With a background in construction, he Douglas Murray is proud of doing his duty in the Navy. He said, "Duty is a
hoped to join the Navy CB's. As any patriotic calling to do the right thing for our country and to protect our way of
serviceman will tell you, that usually life. Apparently, because of our democratic society, we have taken on the
means they'll send you somewhere else. peacekeeping mission in the world. We continue to look after those
repressed by dictatorship and those who need help when threatened."
INSIDE Interviews WEATHER
GI Scrapbook � �.KOREA50.MIL
Copyright 2003 p Low clouds,
City of Tigard
Vol. X, Issue 5 Korean War Memorial For additional copies, please contact the then sun I
4 pages City of Tigard Volunteer Coordinator at High: 72 Low: 44
Memorial Day Event 503-639-4171 ext. 2402
1950-1953 KOREAN WAR 50th ANNIVERSARY EDI'I"ION TIGARD, OREGON Page 2
Joi* n the a see the w
By Carol McAndrew
Charles Porcelli liked to travel and liked the sea. He recalls that, "Our squadrons made continuous
He definitely got plenty of both during his time in the runs, dropping those payloads on airfields and rail yards
Navy. He was attending Portland State University in in the heart of North Korea near Pyongyang. We also
1951, when the war broke out, but he knew he would made contact with two enemy submarines, but they
have to put that on the backbumer till he got back. As decided not to take on the power of the Seventh Fleet."
soon as he turned 19 in February, he enlisted in the The formidable air and sea power of the USA is
Navy so he could see the world. "It sounded great to attributed to keeping the Communist troops from
me. I was young and adventurous and ready for receiving aid from the Chinese/Russian Navies and Air
anything", said Porcelli. That 'adventure'began with Force.
Korea, where he served aboard the aircraft carrier After the war in Korea, the Valley Forge returned to
USS Valley Forge. Charles did, eventually, see other her Pacific home in San Diego, California. Charles had a
ports around the world. choice of staying on the west coast, or going with the
The Valley Forge was a CV Class carrier and part of ship as it was reassigned to the East Pacific Fleet out of
the Seventh Fleet called into action by President Norfolk, Virginia. Of course, he went with the Valley
Truman to secure the coastlines of Korea against the Forge. After all, he wanted to see the world. And he did
North Koreans as well as the Communist Chinese and get to see Ireland, Barcelona, Panama, the Rock of
the Russians. Charles was assigned to aviation Gibraltar and more.
ordinance on the ship.They were responsible for Charles Porcelli and the 3,000 others on the US
safely securing the munitions below deck and then to carrier, Valley Forge, performed their duties well during
make sure the ordinance needed for every aircraft this time in history. He says, "America is always there to
launching from the decks was on hand when needed. help. We are a powerful peacekeeper that just wants
peace in the world."
vieew overt e top
By Carol McAndrew
From high atop a mountain in Korea,John Kain had a view of the war from both sides. "One side would shoot 16
inch artillery shells one direction and the other would lob one right back. You could actually see these things. It was
like they were lobbing Volkswagens over your head,"John told me.
John Kain enlisted in the Air Force when the war broke out. He had just turned 19 and knew he was going to be
drafted soon.John says, "I didn't want to dig any holes, so I enlisted before the Army got me." His tour of duty took
him with the 5"'Air Division near Pyongyang, inside the Iron Triangle, in 1951. Airman 2°d Class Kain was up on that
mountain, with a 6-man unit, as a forward observer. One of the people with him as an interpreter was a professor
from the University of Seoul. He spoke 12 languages and dialects. The University football field was now the Air Force
base.They gathered information and then would relay positions back to com-headquarters by radio. Those would be
passed on to the Army artillery positions, as well as to our ships off shore. Then the air strikes and shelling would
begin.
It got bitter cold during the time he was stationed there. According to John, "I had spent two years in Alaska and it
couldn't touch the bitter cold[in Korea]. They were moving heavy Chinese tanks and artillery across the frozen rivers."
Thermometers were frozen solid for 12 days during the winter of'51.
When he came home,John went back to Pendleton and worked as a policeman for several years. He then moved
to the Tigard area and pursued a 34-year career in the carpentry industry. But he was glad to serve and stands proud
in his American Legion coat and military cover. Pinned to his coat is the new 50"' Commemorative Korean service
ribbon he has recently received.John Kain believes that, "Duty to your country is something where everybody's got to
do their part. You got to take care of what you got. It starts at home...that's#1, but then branches out to help take
care of others."
Couldgone ei*ther way
By Carol McAndrew
When Tigard resident Sam Scott knew he was attaches in each country in Central America.Those
going to be called to serve in Korea, he knew he planes delivered supplies, troops and sometimes arms
wanted to be in the aviation field. So, in November of to strategic areas such as Guatemala and other places
1952, he enlisted in the Air Force.He began training as that were unstable at that time.
an aviation mechanic and just about the time he was Sam remembers, "The time the Mighty Mo(USS
finishing his training back in Illinois, Sam's commander Missouri)came through the Panama Canal. It was
asked for a couple of volunteers for a job. Sam's future really a sight.There were only inches of space left in
was about to take a new turn. He says, "I know they the locks and it took hours to get her through. I went
tell you never to volunteer for anything but a buddy to Bremerton when she was brought up the coast
from North Carolina and I decided to check in to the recently and she is still an amazing sight."
particulars on these jobs. It was duty in Panama. I Aviation was not to be a lifetime pursuit for Sam.
remember thinking of the image I had of Panama from He returned to Oregon in 1955 and took advantage of
geography class.Tropical disease, high humidity and the GI Bill to get his college degree and become a
lots of mosquitoes were what I thought. But, my Sarge teacher. He taught school first and later would become
told me this was a good duty station. So, off we went. a principal in Beaverton. He has often suggested _
It could have gone either way." military service to young people looking for a future.
Just a reminder that military support troops and "The service gives you the training needed to stay self-
military actions are called to so many locations disciplined and gain training and confidence. Then you
worldwide everyday.While the fighting continued in are ready for college and the military can give you
Korea, Sam applied his training to maintenance of that", says Sam.
planes like the DC-3, DC-4, and B-17's assigned to our
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1950-1953 KOREAN VAR 50th ANNIVERSARY EDITION TIGARD, OREGON Page 4
Wilsonville
Korean
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Memorial
Often referred to as the "forgotten war", the Korean War claimed tens of "Sen4ce in the military uras good
thousands of American and Korean lives during its three, long, bloody years in the preparation for life."
early 1950s.Among those lost were 287 Oregonians who are honored,along with all
those lost during this conflict, by the Oregon Korean War Veterans Association - George Burgess
(KWVA) Memorial in Wilsonville, Oregon. Located just south of Portland off of
Interstate 5, numerous signs (in both directions) guide visitors to this spectacular
memorial to all those lost during the Korean War.
Once they arrive, visitors take a short walk into the park where the Memorial
stands in honor of those lost. The names of the Oregonians who gave their lives
during the war are inscribed on the 94 foot long Wall of Honor memorial centerpiece.
Carved into Carmelian granite, their names are forever remembered. In addition, a
twelve foot wide brick terrace runs the length of the Wall of Honor. Each brick
contains the name of one of the hundreds of generous donors who made this
memorial possible.
As if keeping watch over the Memorial site,five flags fly proudly 30 feet in the air.
These flags from the United States, the Republic of Korea, the United Nations, the
State of Oregon,and for MIA/POW beckon visitors to remember that no matter what
differences we encounter in each other, life is fragile and can be easily lost at the t
hands of careless individuals. --
Displaying both national and state pride, hundreds of Oregonians and Korean it When wefirst went over there, the
citizens braved the Oregon rain to attend the memorial dedication of the KWVA powers-that-be called it a police action'.
Memorial on September 30, 2000. A magnificent blend of Korean and American If that utas a police action, it was a
cultures, the Memorial encourages visitors to stop and remember those who gave mighty long beat in a dant tough
their lives in the past for the freedoms we all enjoy today. neighborhood. People call the Korean
War 'the forgotten uar' but we GIs
remember it very well."
Dorsie Olds
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F "Sometimes particular uars may seem
a unnecessary, but decisions are made by
those who have knowledge that is not
t available to the general public. I believe
in this country."
Chuck Woodard
Memorial Day Ceremony
Tigard American Legion Yost #158
On May 26, the annual Memorial Day ceremony will take place at the Crescent Grove Cemetery. The
ceremony,which is open to the public, begins at 11 a.m. and is sponsored by the Tigard American Legion
Post#158. Keynote speaker for the service will be American Legion Commander for the Department of
Oregon Toby Potter. A wreath will be presented by the American Legion Auxiliary, names of those
deceased veterans will be read and there will be a reading of the World War I "Poppy of Remembrance- In
Flanders Field". The Oregon Air National Guard will fly over during the ceremony. Veterans from as far fi
back as the Spanish-American War are buried at Crescent Grove Cemetery. * ``
The Avenue of Flags will be at the cemetery and will be in place for 3 days, May 24-26. American flags
that have at some time been draped over the casket of a veteran were donated for this display.
There will be a potluck following the service to be held at the Tigard American Legion Post#158 that will
be open to members and guests.
Crescent Grove Cemetery is located on Greenburg Road, just east of Washington Square. For additional
information, contact the Tigard American Legion Post#158 at 503-624-2332•