Usns Troopships To Korea

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Marine Corps Messages posted to this BBS:

Entry Name	Last Message
DONALD COLLINS	March 27, 2020
JILL SIMPSON	January 16, 2019
ROBERT S. (BOB) SMITH	March 14, 2017
DELBERT RAY HOULETTE	February 5, 2014
GERALD F MERNA	January 29, 2014
TOM HUTCHINSON	April 25, 2010
ERNIE NEEDHAM..USMC RET.	March 9, 2009
RICH KUYKENDALL	March 5, 2009
PIERRE PETERSON	January 24, 2009
RICHARD FURGISON	January 24, 2009
C. OGREN	January 6, 2009
DON COLLINS USMC	July 21, 2008
DON COLLINS	July 20, 2008
S/SGT PIERRE PETERSON	March 11, 2008
JIM FRAZIER	March 9, 2008
SGT ALEXANDER (ZAN) BRYANT	November 21, 2007
SSGT JAMES D. MCWILLIAMS	May 11, 2006
GREG HUTCHINSON	May 7, 2006
JR BOYER (CC)	April 19, 2006
CHARLIE KOSTER	August 13, 2005
LYNN D.WOODS	January 12, 2005
CPL A NORMAN HOPKINS	December 25, 2003
TED BARKER	December 2, 2003
LARRY MCDONOUGH	November 28, 2003
CHARLIE WONSEWITZ (P.F.C.)	September 15, 2003
C.R. GOSS	October 2, 2002
LARRY BARICKMAN	September 9, 2002
RICHARD A. SUAREZ	March 18, 2002

Entry: 9601

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

DONALD COLLINS wrote on March 27, 2020

St Charles

Comments:

I served in Combat Engineer Bn
S2 from 1952 to 1953 went to Korea on
the USNS Walker and Returned on
The Miggs with first 400 US returned
Prisoners discharged Jan 54 from Cherry Point, NC Marine Corps Air Bass. I
should have remained in
The Marines for 20 years

Entry: 9479

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

JILL SIMPSON wrote on January 16, 2019

Farmington AR

Comments:

My father was a Marine, 1st Division, 1st Motor Transport Division. He
boarded the USS General Meigs August 17, 1950. I have the letters he wrote my
mom. He describes narrowly missing a typhoon and arriving a few days late.
Disembarkment - Kobe.

Entry: 9315

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

ROBERT S. (BOB) SMITH wrote on March 14, 2017

Brookfield WI

Comments:

Went on the Meigs in late August 1951. After an overnight
stop in Japan landed in Korea early September as part of
3/5 Ist Marine division Assigned to Item Company of 3/5
until about March of 1952 .........assigned to Easy Med
until November and headed home. Hello anybody

Entry: 9051

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

DELBERT RAY HOULETTE wrote on February 5, 2014

Las Vegas NV

Comments:

I arrived in Pusan, Korea on Aug. 2nd 1950 aboard the USS
Henrico,after a short stop in San Francisco for repairs. I
was assigned to H&S Batt. 1st Bn. 11th Mar. Regt. and
attached to B-1-5 as part of a Forward Observer team. and
remained there untill I returned to the States April 1951. I
was the only original member of the FO team to survive. I
retired from the Corps Jan. 31, 1967 as a GYSGT E-7. I am
100% medically retired due to my service at the Chosin Res.
I am a member of the ChosinFew. If you were there I would
love to here from you. Not many of us left. SF Marines

Entry: 9050

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

GERALD F MERNA wrote on January 29, 2014

Arlington VA

Comments:

As a Staff Sergeant I was a member of L Co., 20th
Replacement Draft, Staging Regiment, Camp Pendleton, CA from
Feb. 13th to April 4th, 1952. We boarded the USNS General
John Pope on April 5th with our draft consisting of 168
Officers and 2,780 Enlisted men. We arrived in Kobe, Japan
on May 1st for a brief liberty before proceeding to the Port
of Inchon, arriving on May 5th when we were shuttled forward
by railroad in serials to the 1st Marine Division rail-head
at Munsan-Ni. There we were received and boarded trucks to
our assigned units. I was assigned to Weapons Company, First
Battalion, Fifth Marines (ATA-1stBn-5thMar-1stMarDiv) where
I was one of the three Anti-Tank Assault Section Leaders--
First Section. The first section was in support of A Co,
1/5; the second section (TSgt Don Lupo) supported B Co, 1/5
and the 3d Section (TSgt Corbett) supported C Co, 1/5. Don
Lupo and I were promoted to Technical Sergeant while serving
in this assignment. Unfortunately Don was killed in action
in January 1953. I would serve with three other units before
I finished my 13-month Korea tour, including Easy Co, 2ndBn,
5thMarines. My Brother Jim, a Sgt., arrived on the 21st
draft in June 52 and initially went to another Unit but very
shortly thereafter we arranged to have him join me in the
1stBn, 5thMar. Years later I would become a Master Gunnery
Sergeant before being appointed a commissioned officer on my
way to Vietnam.
Gerald F. Merna, 1stLt, USMC Ret. (Mustang)
gfmerna-usmc@verizon.net

Entry: 8666

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

TOM HUTCHINSON wrote on April 25, 2010

Comments:

Went over on the 11th draft in 1951,was in South & Centeral conflits. With G-3-11,would like to hear from anyone in the unit.

Entry: 8616

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

ERNIE NEEDHAM..USMC RET. wrote on March 9, 2009

Comments:

21st replacement draft San Diego to Yokohama, aboard the USNS General Miegs. May 1952.

Entry: 8598

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

RICH KUYKENDALL wrote on March 5, 2009

Comments:

To: Leo Arruza: I was aboard the USNS General Walker in Dec1953, landing at Kobe on Christmas Eve night. Justin Bates (I don't recall his rank) was on the same ship. I was the Lieutenant who led the singing of Christmas Carol, and I played the piano. We were in the hold of the ship.

Do I have the right ship? Semper Fi, Rich Kuykendall

Entry: 8553

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

PIERRE PETERSON wrote on January 24, 2009

Comments:

More 22nd Draft on the M.C. Meigs: Anyone remember the storm we hit on
the way over? An email from Ernie Needham, also on the Meigs, about my
earlier response to this thread reminded me of that storm. I was a
commercial fisherman (though not a deep-water one) for many years, but
never saw anything like that. There were waves higher than the ship. Also,
like Sgt Reilly I got SP duty in Yokohama, but I was a flop as a cop and the
night was a bummer. One last memory: As the Meigs pulled away from the
dock at Yokohama, a taxi came screaming around the dock building and two
awol Marines piled out, waving and yelling. The pilot boat brought them to
the Meigs, and I understand they spent the rest of the trip to Inchon in the
brig. I later saw that exact scene in the movie "Bridges at Toko-ri," except it
was a couple of deck apes.

Entry: 8552

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

RICHARD FURGISON wrote on January 24, 2009

Comments:

Looking for Marine who shipped to Korea, winter of 52-53, on the USS Washington, landed at Inchon, joined 1st Batalion,5th Marine 1st Marine Division Weapons Company.

Entry: 8534

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

C. OGREN wrote on January 6, 2009

Comments:

The navy ships the henrico and the noble ...anybody remember. 11th replacement draft

Entry: 8457

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

DON COLLINS USMC wrote on July 21, 2008

Comments:

Total Recall..
Hospital Ships in Inchon Harbor July 1952 - August 1953
As I remember there were 2 Anchored in the Harbor for
quite some time, The Repose and The Hope. The Hope was
Anchored just on the north side of the USNS Walker that
I was on waiting to depart for the United States in August 1953. They held the departure of the Walker over 7 days for 400 exchanged prisoners to sail with approx
2000 Marines.
Don Collins email doncollins@ameritech.net

Entry: 8456

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

DON COLLINS wrote on July 20, 2008

Comments:

After 56 years I am writing this.. I am thankfull to
Ted.. August 52 I departed SanDiego on the USNS AW Brewster. Had it not been for additional mess duty
@ Tent Camp I wud hv bn on the Meigs w/Sgt Peterson above. One nite in Kobe & on to Inchon into a train to
Munsan. Small arms rifle fire on the train but no
one hit. Asgnd to Hdqtrs Co 1st Engr Bn. Orders cut in
July 53 for August Rotation onboard USNS Brewster.. After
process in Ascom City held aboard ship for the fist 400
exchanged prinsoners. Arvd Treasure Island. Looking for Sgt Poulsen and Sgt OD Hall both vol for offensive
blocking position & never saw them again. Also Cpl
Bill Ferguson Hdqtrs Co 1st Tank Bn. Sgt Bryant, the
Hospital Ship in Inchon Harbor was "The Repose".. visited a couple of times. Thx for allowing me to write, Don Collins Phone 630 7629963 St Charles, IL

Entry: 8394

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

S/SGT PIERRE PETERSON wrote on March 11, 2008

Comments:

22nd draft arrived at Inchon July 4 (I think) 1952 on the General M.C. Meigs
and returned to Frisco in June '53 on the same ship. Two weeks of waiting in
chow lines is all I remember. Got to the north bank of the Imjin-gang (5th
Marines) that night to be greeted by a Chinese artillery Fourth of July
celebration before we even got out of the trucks. I don't think there were any
casualties, but it was a hell of a greeting.
The Meigs broke apart and sank while being towed off the Oregon coast
years later. Not knowing of that evil omen, I named my commercial fishing
boat General MC Meigs in 1976. It seemed funny at the time. My Meigs
survived, however, and is still fishing, though not by me.

Entry: 8393

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

JIM FRAZIER wrote on March 9, 2008

Comments:

my brother was there,(william Roy Frazier). He was
kia dec.6 1952..H-3-5.do you know him?

Entry: 8367

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

SGT ALEXANDER (ZAN) BRYANT wrote on November 21, 2007

Comments:

I too was on that ship,you have a great memory.I believe It was Easter Sunday the day we made Inchon. There was a
hospital ship there in the harbour. It turns out one of my buddies ( Jack Kiley) was evacuated to it that very day.He survived his wounds but just passed away last year.I remember the rickshaws very well.I also remember tripping over the railroad tracks down on the pier.We were slightly impaired.

Entry: 7746

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

SSGT JAMES D. MCWILLIAMS wrote on May 11, 2006

Comments:

I was part of 500 aviation and 4500 grunt Marines that rode the Weigel to Kobe, Japan. I believe we were the second draft. Left San Diego August 16, 1950 and 12 days later made Kobe. Being an aviation type we loaded up on a train and went to Itami AFB. The infantry types went to Korea. I remained in rear echelon with the squadron gear while my squadron, VMF-312 (Checkerboards)went to Korea in mid September during the Inchon landing. I did not rejoin the squadron until late October at Wonson and 3 weeks later we moved north to Yong-po to cover the withdrawal from the Chosin area. In mid December we returned to Itami AFB and spent about a month rebuilding the squadron aircraft and flew some strikes against Korean targets from Itami, but was quite long and stressful for the pilots, but the flights were badly needed. In mid January 51, the squadron moved again up to Korea to K-1, about 10 miles north of Pusun. In March we went aboard the light carrier, USS Bataan, CVL-29 in Pusun Harbor. We operated in the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea for about 3 months and left the ship in Kobe and returned to Itami AFB in June. From there back to K-1 in Korea for 3-4 months and then up to K-14. It was there in late October I received my orders to return to the states. Flew back to Itami AFB and 2 weeks later boarded the USNS Brewster in Yokohoma and 23 days later slid under the Golden Gate Bridge and docked at Fort Mason and home. Three months later was released from active duty at El Toro and returned home to Northern California. Remained in the reserves until May 62 and left as a E6 in Avionics. Semper Fi

Entry: 7706

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

GREG HUTCHINSON wrote on May 7, 2006

Comments:

Greetings,

I'm putting together an appreciation display box for my father. He was Army 1st Lt. Herbert A. Hutchinson, 8th U.S. Army, 20th Engineer Combat Battalion, from May 1954 to April 1955. He went to Korea on USNS Weigel. I'm trying to hook him up with some old buddies. Please contact me if you knew my father or know of any other engineers who might have known him. Thank you.

Entry: 7378

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

JR BOYER (CC) wrote on April 19, 2006

Comments:

Left San Diego in July 1952 for Yokohama Japan.
Sailed on the General Pope, does anyone remember
the replacement draft no.?
Went to Itami from Yokohama by train and flew to
K-6 from Itami.
Stationed K-6 bomb dump for 13 months came home
on the USNS Mann.
Semper Fi, Carry on

Entry: 2546

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

CHARLIE KOSTER wrote on August 13, 2005

Comments:

I shipped out from Camp Stoneman, California, in Oct. 1952. We boarded a ship in San Francisco headed for Korea but I can't recall the name of the ship. I'd appreciate any help. Hope someone has a better memory than I do. Thanks in advance.

Entry: 2127

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

LYNN D.WOODS wrote on January 12, 2005

Comments:

I LEFT SAN DIEGO ,JULY,AUG,,1950 0FIRST MARINE REP.FROM HOUSTON,TEXAS ,THINK WE SAILED ON THE ANDREW JACKSON ,16 DAYS TO KOBE ,JAPAN .THEN TO PUSON ,AND NORTH TO WONSAN,HUNGNAM,CHOSIN ,12 NOV.50/DEC 50,LATER IN SSOUTH & CENTRAL KOREA ,LATER HIT SPENT DAYS IN NAVY HOSPITAL TOKYO ,JAPAN ,,FIRST CALLED 14 TH.INFBN., USMCR/O/THEN BACK TO PORK CHOP HILL LATER /FIRST TIME ON E MAIL .LAST SAW J.R. DAVIS FROM MANSFIELD ,LA.,LEFT NICE FAMILY ,SHALL STAY IN CONTACT WITH MORE GOOD DOPE /CROSSED THE 38 SEVERAL TIMES , NOW RETIRED FROM OLD S/P R/R, LIVING IN SPRING ,TEXAS ,CLOSE TO BUSH ,LOVE TO HEAR /

Entry: 1924

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

CPL A NORMAN HOPKINS wrote on December 25, 2003

Comments:

I was a member of the 3rd Replacement Draft.
It was Thursday November 16, 1950. 1200 Marines, the 3rd Replacement Draft, were transported to a waiting troop ship, the USNS "General E T COLLINS", in San Diego Harbor. The transports were semi-trailers that were built to carry troops. We called them cattle cars because there was a close resemblance. Each Marine had stored all his personal and extra gear in his seabag. It was quite a sight to see companies of Marines, dressed in dungarees with full field packs, standing in formation waiting to board ship. There were crowds of people at the dock to see their loved ones leave for Korea. Each company would walk up the gangway single file. Troop ships are great huge steel vessels. The ship's deck was towering above us. It was exciting to be part of this giant operation.

   The USNS GENERAL E T COLLINS was built by Kaiser Ship Yard in Richmond, California and commissioned in 1944. She was 523 feet long, displaced 17,300 tons and had speeds up to 17.5 knots. She had twin screws and a round bottom and tended to roll when the seas were rough. During WWII she was equipped to carry 3,000 troops. The ship was named after Brigadier General Edgar Thomas Collins. He served in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He also fought in the Philippines and later with the American Expeditionary Force in France during WWI.

   Dog Company was assigned to compartment 2E. The two referred to the second hole from the bow (that's the front) of the ship. And the E referred to the deck. The A and B decks were above the main deck so we were only two decks below the main deck. Our bunks were stacked five high. They were made of heavy pipe frames with a piece of canvas lashed to the frame. Everyone stowed their gear and then went on deck to watch the loading operation.

   It was about 1910 before the ship pulled away from the pier at the foot of Broadway in San Diego. The Band was playing and people were waving goodbye as we left. The Marines were in small groups on the main deck, talking and watching the lights of San Diego fade on the horizon. Some had illegally brought bottles of hard liquor on board. They proceeded to get drunk. The Officers and NCO's looked the other way. These men seemed to think that they could escape by using alcohol. In the morning they would find that there is no escape only the consequences. It was dark on the horizon and nearly midnight before I returned to compartment 2E.

   I had selected a top bunk. There seemed to be more headroom. I went to sleep listening to men talking, several card games in progress, and the sounds of the ship underway. One thing was bothering me. The US ARMED FORCES were kicking the hell out of the North Korean troops. US troops were nearly to the Yulu River. It looked like this "police action" would be over before I could fire a round at the enemy. I felt a little disappointed that I would be serving my country in an occupation force instead of on the field of battle.

(from Autobiography "11 Months and 19 Days."
MY SERVICE TO MY COUNTRY IN KOREA BY ALFRED N. HOPKINS

Entry: 1897

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

TED BARKER wrote on December 2, 2003

Comments:

Folks,

I deleted the messages from Bob Daly. Not really interested in seeing bickering on a site that is dedicated to fostering fellowship among veterans as Chris noted in his reply to Daly.

I would appreciate hearing about any stuff that does not belong on the message groups.

As most of you know, we get so much email that it is impossible for Hal and I to monitor all of the postings.

Big Hello to Chris and Rick!

Ted

Entry: 1891

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

LARRY MCDONOUGH wrote on November 28, 2003

Comments:

I was on the 5th draft from San Diego arrived Korea 5th of February via Kobe Japan, I think USS Wegel. Ended up in wpns 2nd 7th as 81 fo radio operator.
Coming back in 3/52 I thought I would have it made as I
was a 3 strip, but lo and behold almost every one else
was the same. Typical Corps. Stayed in reserves untill
1960.

Entry: 1841

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

CHARLIE WONSEWITZ (P.F.C.) wrote on September 15, 2003

Comments:

I was in the 13th draft,do not remember the ship name, i do remember our draft was only draft at that time to get no liberty in japan.we departed ship,walked across the dock with all our gear whent up gangplank onto an A.P.A.and left for korea.if i remember correctly that ship was all 5th marine replacement as 5th marines had been hit hard.i was sent F-2-5,2nd platoon.I also whent thru the move from no. to so. korea. fox co. was set up on m.l.r. astradle the the pamunjom rd. we used to see the vehicles going to peace talks every day.I managed to not get killed,but did get wounded.spent one year there,came back to states and sent to mare island naval shipyard,m.p. detachment,was discharged from in march of 1954. c.j. wonsewitz

Entry: 1451

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

C.R. GOSS wrote on October 2, 2002

Comments:

To give you an update on ships that were active during KW and PRE-NAM........Don't know the trip number but my time on USNS GEN WALKER started @ TI and ended @ Naha Okinawa in '55 where I joined 3rd Mar Div 4 Duece Regiment as a RTO (MOS 2533). Later, during operations, spent watches onboard USS BAYFIELD APA-33, USS SALINE COUNTY LST-1101, USS PRINCETON CVA/CVS-37, USS YORKTOWN CVA/CVS-10 AND USS WHITESIDE AKA-90. All are gone now except Yorktown. (Patriots Pt.,SC) Anyone that was on these ships during '55-'56 please contact me.
SEMPER FI,
C.R. Goss

Entry: 1428

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

LARRY BARICKMAN wrote on September 9, 2002

Comments:

I was on the 39th draft and the ship was the General Pope. It was a good old ship and it made many trips to Korea and back. I know 1 Marine that went to Korea on the Gen in 1950. Anyone that was on the 39th draft, please contact me. Semper Fi, Larry

Entry: 1269

USNS TROOPSHIPS TO KOREA

RICHARD A. SUAREZ wrote on March 18, 2002

Comments:

DOING OK, HAVE A MOTHER AND FATHER DYING ON ME SO I HAVEN;T BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND ALL THE REUNIONS THAT I'D LIKE TO. MORE INVOLVE WITH THE IST MAR DIV ASSOC., OF NO CALIF, REALLY ENJOY WORKING WITH VINCE RIOS. HEALTH WISE I'M OK GOT OVER WITH THE BALLTE OF THE CANCER. ENJOY YOUR STORIES. BEST RICK SUAREZ I-3-7 KO CF 50/51

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Usns Troopships To Korea

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Dedicated To - Arthur Donald DeLacy - 1st Lieutenant - USMCR - MIA POW - 10/07/1951 - Heartbreak Ridge