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Object description
American NCO served with 1st Tank Bn, 1st Marine Div in Korea, 1951-1954
Content description
REEL 1 Background to training in United States Marine Corps in USA, 1950: nature of basic training; tank crew training; close combat school. Voyage from USA via Japan to Korea aboard General Miggs. Recollections of operations with 1st Marine Div, in Korea: arrival in Pusan, 7/1951; joining Able Coy, 1st Tank Bn; reaction to posting to dozer tank; terrain on eastern side of Korea; story of throwing DDT pesticide canister towards Korean labourers; opinion of Koreans; opinion of North Korean and Chinese troops; move into reserve, 9/1951; story of marine being burnt with white phosporus; move to commanding officer's Patton tank.
REEL 2 Continues: winter conditions and rations; Marine Corps birthday, 10/11/1951; story of joining 1st Marine Div Association; machine gun outpost duties in tank battalion reserve; gunnery training in reserve; move to western side of Korea, 3/1951; night duties; story of nervous comrade; reading of extract from short story, 'Don't Shoot the Ox'.
Reel 3 Continues: weather conditions, 6/1952; story of bathing in well; incident of experiencing fear on front-line outpost; attacks on Bunker Hill position; opinion of support units; story of being mistaken for newly arrived recruit. Aspects of second tour of duty in Korea, 9/1953-11/1954: positions in Samichong valley, 7/1953; story of swimming in Imjin river.
REEL 4 Continues: visit to brothel during leave in Seoul; further visit to Korean brothel.