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GOING HOME Felix Byrd Cpl. 1st Marine Division I was a marine reservist called up in July 1950, and assigned to Hq. 4-11, which was part of the first Marine Division. In late November or early December I don’t remember the exact date. It was some time in June or July 1951. Anyway I was assigned to a Marine Unit as a forward observer. Forward observers call in artillery on the enemy when they attack. We were on a high mountain about a mile and a half from my unit. Just before dark I got the word I was on the rotation list and was going home. I ran down that mountain as fast as I could. As dark approached I began hollering, don’t shoot I'm going home! After we got to Hamhung and we were evacuated by ship back to South Korea and we were put in the field again. (Probably around April 1951 or later.) I was sent out to repair some communication wires. When I got back I couldn’t get any food. So when no one was looking (I thought) I was busted from Corporal for stealing chow. I had to make Cpl. Twice. The way I got caught stealing food was. I was in the chow tent and was caught by Lt. Weir who stuck a 45 in my butt. It was dark and I found out later the big-shot NCOs were eating chow in their tent and had to clear their food before they could bring me into their tent. When I began processing to return back to the land of the round eyes, the medics found out that I had worms. I, and a number of others had to take a three-day round of pills to get rid of them before we could go home. Because I didn’t want to take the chance to delay for another three days, I got a stool from someone that didn’t have worms. I heard later that they were giving the pills out on the ship going home. |