6 January 1951: VMF-214 SAYS GOODBYE TO SICILY
The First Marine Division and First Marine Aircraft Wing are ashore in southern Korea.
VMF-214 joined them at K1 air base near Pusan after a short time at Bofu, Japan.
January 1951:
One morning soon after we arrived at K1 John Scanlan and I
rescued a young Korean boy from Army MP's. The MP's found the boy
picking garbage from cans outside the mess hall. Their orders are to
keep civilians off the base. John and I talked to the PMO and he
registered Kim Ha Kee as our employee. We are responsible for him when
he is on the base.
We took Kim to our tent and he became our "house boy." Five of us sleep
in the tent. With all our gear and the potbelly stove it is crowded. Kim
takes good care of us. It's a treat having him around. He is nine years
old, has a mother and two younger sisters. His dad was killed early in
the invasion.
We fed Kim and told him what we expected of him. He had to stay at our
tent, no lookie lookie around base, no go by mess hall, no catchee extra
job. When it's time for him to go home one of us walk him outside the
perimeter to see him off safe. I'll never forget how he looks back and
waves then trudges off into the snowdrifts. Such a little guy with such
a heavy load on his young shoulders.
We gathered up extra clothing and gave them to Kim. His Mom made things
for herself and the girls. Every morning Kim told us how much happy we
make his Mom and little sisters. He often tells how lucky he is having
Marine friends. "Marines much better friend," he says to us. We loved to
hear him say that.
Kim brought a photo of his father and family. We made a fuss over the
picture telling him how beautiful his mother and sisters are and what a
fine looking soldier his dad was. Right away he jumped on that, he stood
up straight and let us know in no uncertain terms his dad was a Marine.
John pinned the picture on the center tent pole so we could all admire
it often and Kim was as proud as he could be.
A day came when a list was posted naming a group of officers and ten
enlisted men to be transfered to MCAS, El Toro, California. My name was
on that list
MSgt. R.J. Mossman (NAP)
MSgt. H.L. Sartin, Jr. (Line Chief)
TSgt. W.A. Diemert (Asst. Ordnance Chief)
TSgt. C.F. Kennedy (Asst. Ordnance Chief)
TSgt. J.B. Pierce (Check Crew Leader)
SSgt. R.L. Whidby (Check Crew Leader)
SSgt. A.C. Henderson (Plane Captain)
SSgt. T.L. Henneman (Ordnance Crew Leader)
SSgt. F.P. Stocks (Plane Captain)
SSgt. T.L. Willis (Check Crew Leader)
I couldn't believe I was going home in a few days. I was one happy
Marine but I was also very disappointed. Only ten, why can't we all go
home? It just don't seem right. "More next month," the Adjutant said.
Of course I was happy. I was on the list but that didn't ease the
feelings I had about leaving my buddies. And there was Kim. You would
have thought I was his big brother or something. I told him I was
leaving early the next morning. I gave him about everything I didn't
have to take with me and some money. I walked with him that last time
through the perimeter and told him goodbye.
"Kim," I told him, "I want you to go to school and finish college and
someday I will see your name in a Korean newspaper telling all the world
what a good and important man you are. You are the man in your family
and you must work hard so your mom and sisters will have some good time
in their lives. I know how rough the road ahead will be for you. That's
all the more reason why you must dedicate your life to the future. You
and your sisters have had little in this life but pain, make sure you
all do have a future. Good-bye Kim."
The next morning I was getting my gear together when in pops Kim. With
his usual bright smile he said to me, "Here from Mama. You take present
from Mama and sisters and me. All say happy time for you." He was
holding out a tin can filled with rice husks. In the husks was a half
dozen eggs. I looked at the guys, we knew what six eggs meant to Kim's
mom.
Once again I said good-bye to Kim Ha Kee. Holding the eggs so he could
see how proud I was of the gift I headed for the plane to begin my
journey home. When Kim couldn't see I gave the eggs to John and wished
him good luck.
Many times I have wondered how life treated Kim, what his destiny
became. I hope with all my heart he and his family did find good time.
SSgt. RV Franklin & JH Scanlan by VMF-214 sign at K1.
Scanlan, Stocks, and Franklin waiting for planes
to return, K1, Korea, February 1951.
GOING HOME
There is no feeling like the joy of going home. I thought of that as I
said good-bye to my friends. It's tough leaving good friends behind.
About all one can do is be thankful for his own good fortune and wish
them all a lot of good luck.
As the plane taxied away I waved a final salute to the officers and men
of VMF-214. I said a silent prayer, "In the name of our beloved Corps
and Country, for the sake of everything good, please bring them home
safely soon."
I'm on my way home. I am no longer a Blacksheep.
February 1951.
Departed K1 Korea. I am on my way home. I waved good-bye
to the officers and men of VMF-214 wishing all were going home.
As the plane climbed for altitude I looked down at that frozen land
below. Events of the past months crowded my thoughts. It's hard to
imagine all that has happened. So much I will never forget. So much I
don't understand. Why were so many sacrificed? How many more will be
sacrificed?
We were sent to Korea to fight an aggressive deadly enemy. There was no
question about it being a war. Our forces, meager forces, were
dispatched without delay and they engaged the enemy straight on. Reserve
units were activated, planes and ships were taken out of mothballs, all
rushed to reinforce our strength. Families and careers were disrupted,
lives were lost. Why did we lose?
When the Second World War ended our military was the most powerful force
to ever exist in the world. Just five years later we have been run out
of Korea like sheep before a pack of jackals.
Why did they shrink our forces beyond reason? I don't believe it was
something that happened from necessity. Still it's hard to believe it
was done deliberately. Leaving America without the strength to protect
its interests should be criminal. Is it? How could those same people
then commit to war the military they had so crippled? How could those
few blindly sacrifice so many?
Victory was snatched from us. Denied us by political blunders, not by a
superior enemy. No matter how great the sacrifice we were committed to
lose. And America did lose. We lost our pride, we lost our self-respect,
and we lost too many comrades. What greater shame could we suffer?
HEADS UP MARINE! DON'T LOOK BACK. FACE THE FUTURE WITH RENEWED SPIRIT
AND DETERMINATION. DO YOUR DUTY, REMAIN LOYAL, BE THE BEST MARINE YOU
CAN BE.
6 March 1951.
San Francisco. I was among the first Marines to return to
the States from the Korean War. When we arrived at San Francisco aboard
the USS General J.C. Breckenridge the city turned out to welcome us.
Thousands of people crowded the pier and lined the streets. The Mayor
declared a city holiday. He welcomed us, made a speech, and gave us the
key to the city. I rode in an open sedan in the motorcade.
This was my first time to come home to a welcoming celebration. I was
impressed. The thrill was even greater than I had imagined. The press
boarded the ship from picket boats before we passed under the Golden
Gate bridge. We had a load of heroes aboard, Marines from the Brigade
and pilots from two Marine squadrons. The press had a field day.
At dockside we disembarked. First down the gangway was the Troops
Commander escorting the litter cases. Then came the walking wounded.
Next the officers. Without question the biggest thrill in my life was
hearing the applause from the people when the litter cases and walking
wounded came down the gangway.
When it was my turn to go down the gangway I was so nervous I stumbled
on the first step. It was a thrilling moment for me. It was a special
event on a special day that I will never forget.
Joan and Peter were there to greet me. It was good to be home.
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