My grandfather

Few even sots mend the lives of humans as war. The unify States found itself in m both wars during the twentieth century, in e genuinely corner of the world. The common trait through with(predicate)out both these wars was that they were fought by youthful men, many an(prenominal) a(prenominal) of whom had little political education or any radical why they were fighting. My grandpa, Francisco Martin, was one of these teen men, as he fought in the Korean War. Through the violence and the confusion, he survived to create a family and life- measure of peace, though the memories of the war always stayed with him.My grandfather was born in Puerto Rico in 1930, and was still a young man when the Korean War broke out. As a twenty-year-old college school-age child at the University of Puerto Rico, Francisco k tonic very little about Korea, save for what he in condition(p) in memoir class. by and by World War II, in a 1945 agreement reached by the allies at the Potsdam Conferen ce, Korea was dissever along the 38th Parallel into jointure and South Korea. It was an early on indicator of what would become the Cold War, as the communistic Soviet Union would occupy northmost Korea and South Korea would be work by the democratic U.S. forces.However, nonwithstanding five short eld later, on June 25, 1950, North Korean communist forces launched a massive surprise set upon on South Korea quickly overrunning the capital. U.S. Intervention was dedicateed on June 27 by President Harry S. Truman on the same day conviction the U.N. invoked multitude sanctions against North Korea.1 As a citizen of Puerto Rico, my grandfather was withal a citizen of the United States, and his dual citizenship in each country would prove desir able to the arm forces, as well as his college experience. Less than a year later, young Francisco would put his studies on the shelf when his country called.As a student at the University of Puerto Rico, my grandfather had whatsoever experience in the R.O.T.C., and he could also speak Spanish and English, so his qualifications for the legions were more than adequate for what the armed forces needed and he was inducted on October 5, 1951. For young Pvt. Martin, adjusting to life in the military was no easy task It was difficult. The transition from creation a University student, to being a trainee preparing to go to war was not easy. It was a drastic form in mentality and attitudes.After all, it was sort of brain storming in order to prepare the soldier to go to possible beleaguer areas as was called.2 After four months of basic training in San Juan and Salinas, Puerto Rico, Pvt. Martin found out that he would be going to South Korea, which came as no big surprise. However, at long last hearing about his destination filled him with fear and trepidation, and he brainsick about what would come next. composition his commanding come to chalkrs repeated that it was their duty to exercise and go to Korea, th is did little to quell his fears.My grandfathers unit left over(p) Puerto Rico in April of 1952 at the time he was twenty-one age old and celebrated his twenty-second birthday on the way past tense Honolulu, hullo. He describes the long journey by boat to South Korea as being difficult, un comfortable, and lacking enough fresh piss for the soldiery. We showered with salt water It was awful We spent approximately one month on board.We passed Hawaii and reached japan it was civilization at last3 The experience of Japan afterwards(prenominal) the long journey was a receive relief. In particular, capital of Japan turn up to be an eye-opening experience for the young Puerto Rican American soldier, and made life off the ship that much more enjoyable Nice food, big urban center No more rotten eggs for breakfast as in the ship.No more seawater for bathing. No more nasty odors and long-winded hours.4 After being initially assigned by to be a translator because of his ability to spe ak Spanish and English, he was slowly ascendant to adjust to life in the military, of course helped by being in the big, fast city of capital of Japan. However, before too long, he and his unit were in conclusion shipped to South Korea to continue their duty and fight the communists of the North.My grandfather left Tokyo by train, leaving behind the many creature comforts of life in the big city, such as hot food and comfortable beds. Back on the old, uncomfortable train he was forced to stillness on the floor with the rest of the men, or on the hard, wooden seats. The only food they had for the excite was canned rations of spaghetti and meatballs, and once again life in the military seemed harsh and flat. After the long train ride and a short ferry ride, they were finally on the mainland of Asia and in South Korea.When arriving in Pusan in the summer of 1952, it became immediately conduct to all the soldiers that they were in a war zone On our arrival to Pusan, we could here the guns from utmost out-of-door.5 in that respect was no mistaking that there lives were now at stake, and the uncomfortable boats and the trip to South Korea did not look so bad.My grandfather remembers vividly his early days in South Korea I was assigned to the Second Division. This army division arrived to Korea in 1950. In 1951, the 9th Infantry control played an meaning(a) role in the offense and defense in Korea. I was there.6 He recalls the large military presence and the continuous movement of trucks, tanks, and troops approaching and going.He also remembers the differences in the attitudes of the soldiers, which depended highly on which direction they were headspring Soldiers were leaving Korea and heading to Tokyo in their way moxie dental plate (from U.S.A Puerto Rico, Colombia, and other countries in South America). We (the incoming troops) were sad. save they (the ones leaving) were very, very keen it is understandable that after fourteen months in the comb at zone.7 Pvt. Martin prepared himself for the idea of spending the next fourteen in the combat zone, but failed to take in at first that the main tinctureings would be of alienation.After going through the long journey to return to South Korea, my grandfather found himself duncish in a learning experience upon arrival, with little companionship from any fellow Spanish-speaking soldiers I went through a learning point. Everything was new for me nobody spoke Spanish.It was a harsh process of adaptation because everything was uncertain.8 In addition to the hard adjustment of life in a combat zone, he was also met with repeated stories of the violence that took place not far from his post, which filled him with even more anxiety I was fearful after listening to all the stories of the battles, the misery, and violence. Everybody around me was very pessimistic. I was sure that I was not going to make it.9The young soldier would hear stories of the biggest battles age in South Korea , including Bloody Ridge, which was the name given to the twelve-day siege waged by the men of the 9th Infantry regiment against a communist held hill in the fall of 1952. Because of security reasons, the military publication Stars and Stripes would not allow the exact location of the bloody battle, and soldiers in my grandfathers regiment were left to wonder just how far away the violence raged.He would even hear stories about his fellow Puerto Rican soldiers fighting and dying in the battle of Kelly Hill, which also occurred in the fall of 1952, making him realizing the deadly speak to of the war The Puerto Rican regiment (the 65th infantry regiment) participated in Kelly Hill participation that happened in the fall of 1952. Half of the 743 Puerto Rican soldiers that died in the war, died in this battle.10 But, as with so many soldiers and civilians caught in combat zones, it was only the religion in his deity that gave him the strength to ignore his fear and do his duty. My g randfather credits this for returning home and proclaims, My credit was the only thing that kept me alive.11As a soldier, Pvt. Martin served in the 9th Infantry regiment for around a year, moving to and from many different locations throughout South Korea. Despite his close proximity to the frontlines, he was fortunate enough to avoid all major combat events. though he knew that his fellow soldiers were fighting and dying, he did his duty as assigned, not matter how fearful he was or how dangerous the duty seemed I did not fight a person-to-person combat or patrols. But I stood for guard many times. I remember guarding from 1200am until 400am in a wet, cold and scary dangerous forest.Nights were horrible. There were eonian bombings but we had to get used to them and pray for our lives. 12 One time on guard duty, he suffered the lowest moment of his time in Korea While supervising guards and moving the soldiers to different posts, one of my legs suffered frostbite. I was hospitali zed for a period of time and received treatment. Once I was cured, I was sent back to the frontlines. In that period, I was serving in a technical capacity. I was part of a special unit called I.R.I. That unit was in press down on of distributing tools and explosives to those soldiers assigned to difficult missions as mine finding.13 Once again, it was his religious faith that helped get him through the most difficult times of the war.Though my grandfather did not experience any serious combat while in South Korea, the threat of combat was always present. When coupled with the often monotonous life of being a soldier, and the exceedingly hot and wet summers and extremely frigid winters, the days and nights could drag on and become terribly unaccompanied and fearful times. The only things that usually made this go away were the letter and news from back home Receiving letters was very important.Receiving mail from the family and helpmate brought me happiness and strength. This w as especially true of the letters from his young wife Anas letters were well received and expected. She was very consistent in paternity and that helped me a lot. In addition to letters from loved ones, the soldiers were sometimes offered breaks from uniform life on the frontlines.Trips to Japan for rest and recuperation offered soldiers a welcome break from soldier life, and according to my grandfather I spent a week in a city called Sasebo Kokura. It was nice, good food, movies, and trips to the city, dancing in the fort, rest, and sleep. But after a period of relaxation and distraction I was sent back to Korea, but this time by plane.14Even away from the war zone, terrible things can occur, and the plane ride back from Japan would stay with my grandfather for the rest of his life The flight was dangerous, the plane had no seats. I was standing strapped to the wall. It was a horrible and traumatic experience. Today I suffered of flight fear syndrome. I still have flashbacks of t hat moment.15 However, with his strong faith and fortune to avoid serious combat while there, he avoided many of the pitfalls that claimed other soldiers such as depression, alcoholism, and mental illness.There were also some good times in South Korea, which my grandfather recalled fondly, especially Christmas of 1952. The soldiers threw a large Christmas party complete with treats and Christmas dinner There was ice cream, turkey, fruitcake, juice, and candy It felt like home. I went to mass, we received letters, and I even received food from home I still remember that day we had a Christmas tree and everything that goes with it. 16 What made the holiday even better for the young soldier is that it would not be long that he would be able to leave South Korea. He recalled By that time, there were three or four more moths to go we were ready to rotateother troops would replace us.17However, he still had a few more months to go and realized that anything could happen, as the stories of battles and casualties continued to pour in. But, he could not get around the fact that he was so close to the end of his time in South Korea. Around March of 1953, Pvt. Martin received news that his time in Korea was up. As he lived in a bunker at the time and news was delivered by a messenger, he remembers when a messenger came to his quarters and stated You, F. Martin, are leaving Korea.You are heading to Tokyo (back to Seoul and the Tokyo). A modern ship will take you back to the U.S specifically to Seattle, Washington.18 And, after fourteen months in the combat zone, his time was up and he could leave with the satisfaction that he served his country and did his duty. He transferred to the U.S. soldiery Reserve on June 23, 1953, and finally finished his military service with an salutary discharge on October 6, 1959, after a full eight years in service.After his experience in Korea, my grandfather took with him many lessons learned about life and war. His view of the war is that there were no clear winners. Tens of thousands of Americans died, along with countless more Koreans, Chinese, and Russians. However, he cannot help but feel that some progress was made concerning the state of South Korea South Korea ostensibly gained Today it is a prosperous, well-developed nation, technologically advances and democratic.19But, he also acknowledges that the conflict itself failed to chase in its greater goals On the other hand, that place is a divided nation North and South are divided Families separated North Korea today is in bad shape hunger, famine, no democracy at all.20 Though my grandfather did his duty, he does not claim to be a politician or have answers to the most complex political questions go about humanity.He prefers to be a kind, decent man that loves his family and tries to impart his childlike wisdom whenever possible. Though many memories of Korea stay with him, he considers himself fortunate to be able to share his wisdom and experiences with his children and grandchildren, and is proud to be both Puerto Rican, and a citizen of the United States.BibliographyMartin, Francisco. query by author. Written notes.Location, date month year.1 Francisco Martin. Interview by author. Written notes.Location, date month year.2 ib. 3 ibid. 4 ib. 5 Ibid. 6 Ibid. 7 Ibid. 8 Ibid. 9 Ibid. 10 Ibid. 11 Ibid. 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. 14 Ibid. 15 Ibid. 16 Ibid. 17 Ibid. 18 Ibid. 19 Ibid. 20 Ibid.