My Time in Korea - Bert Aschenbeck 

I spent all of my young life hearing about the war from 1941 till it ended in 1945. In 1948 when I was fifteen years old I joined the National Guard, the next summer along with the summer of 1950 I spent training at Fort Hood. During that time I learned how to load, fire, clean and repair the big 105 howitzers.  Had an opportunity to go to Fort Benning to attend NCO school after I moved to San Angles Texas.  I was then joined the 142 Infantry regiment, 36^th Infantry. 

I wanted to join the regular Army nut they would not take me because I was in the National Guard.  My brother talked me into joining the Marines. The marines did not care if I was in the National Guard but did tell me not to tell them until was within 3 or 4 months of getting out.

When I did tell my 1^st Sgt. He almost busted a gut laughing, I told him he had to get me a discharge from the National Guard or they would put me in jail for being AWOL. He said no way in hell is a guy going to jail because he joined the Marine Corps. 

He got me my discharge also longevity pay which, for a few months, made me the highest paid Corporal in the company.  I enlisted on June 7, 1951 was 17 years old turning 18 on September 13, 1951. Went to Camp Pendleton and got to Korea December 4, 1951. Was on line January 1, 1952 in a valley between hill 888 and 901.  I had to go back and lead Baker Company up to the line; I was the only country boy who could trace his path back over an area where he had been a day or night before. 

I volunteered to be a sniper for the second platoon; there were four of us, Sgt. Grimm was in the 1^st platoon I cannot remember the other guys.  They were better than me but I hit every target I shot at. Private Alvin Joyner of Newport News was my spotter, Jerry Hansen was the BAR man. I never put them at much risk I worked it so that we, as much as possible, were always in always in control.  This worked until I got blew up on hill 104 while on a recon patrol this was on the 16^th of May 1952.  I was trying to help some guy get himself killed or captured when both of our rifles jammed, then two gooks rolling into the hole with us.  I shot them both with .38 that I had bought from Capt. Thompson. 

 I got the guy out of that jam then a grenade fell between my legs, there was no need for both of us to die so I curled up in a ball, it went off but when I checked my legs were still there, we rallied and where in the enemies trench when I found a S/Sgt. Wounded in the upper right arm, real bad, he was in shock and had almost bled to death. I used all three of my aid packs and got him fixed up OK. Our rifles were useless and I only had two rounds left in my .38. 

I thought the guy was a mine detector guy but Sgt McCord said no he that guy had been an earlier KIA. Lt. Dayhuff said the Sgt. was a section leader and he was going to recommend me for a medal. Sgt. McCord said I should get at least the Navy Cross. Lt. Huff sent it on to Headquarters but never got an answer let alone a medal. 

Some Colonel did write me and told me if I could find the two men there was no time limit on these two medals. I did not get blow up for a medal just happened to be there at the right time and thought I could help the two men and get them back. (I still have shrapnel in my legs; in fact I go to the doctor tomorrow. Think some are moving around.) 

I left the aid station the next day, came back on line getting ready for the assault on hill104.  Almost made it to the top when Lt. Ken Seal got shot in the hip so I stopped and dug a hole for him. Then there was an airburst from a short 105 round (I can remember and could tell the difference the way it sounded, nothing like it when you are under it).  I spent three months blind with some ear ringing still am not 100%. 

Before that short round I had been sniping on the hill with Pvt. Joyner, my spotter.  I took a huge guy off at 800 yards, which was later confirmed. I do have some pictures of those times. I recall one morning when our two interpreters where found on the barbed wire. 

When I later returned to Camp Lejuene some of the men who had been with me in Korea were also with me in G-3-8. I had gone to a lot of trouble to get to Korea wish I had gone to South America when I had the chance to. 

Overall I am satisfied how everything thing turned out.  Had the respect of the men I was with and was a Marine could not ask for anything more. Col. Homeqeds (sp) our Regimental Commander had our pictures taken together and said the medals would catch up to me but they never did. 

One day I put on all my medals and went out to feed the goats, they were not impressed so put them back in the box and will let the Grandkids have them. Have some Great Grand kids now. I am the last one of my family left alive. My brother was an F4 Phantom pilot till 954 and then flew multi engine aircraft as a Major.  He dies this past year and I got to give his eulogy. He was all marine gung How type guy, 27 years and three wars and was 80 years old .—Bert Aschenback

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