I was drafted into the U.S. Army in May of 1953, and received my eight weeks basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, as an engineer/combat specialist.  During my basic training the Korean War had ended. 

I was then sent to Fort Lewis, Washington where we were sent on a troop ship to Kobi, Japan.  This trip took 14 days.  From Kobi I was sent to the island of Ita Jima for six weeks of demolition schooling. 

From Ita Jima I was sent to a number of different places in Korea. The last assignment was near Seoul where I operated a 10 ton wrecker. The Christmases of 1953 and 1954 were spent in Korea.

With a rank of Staff Sergeant I was discharged at Fort Carson, Colorado in April of 1955.

As a young man from Nebraska this was an experience I will never forget.