Joseph Byrne

Segment Synopsis: Byrne was born in 1932 in Columbus, Ohio, the youngest of six children. His father, Peter Byrne, was a plasterer.
His father was stationed at Camp Sherman in WWI and died of tuberculosis when Joseph was young. He discusses his marriage, his many kids and grandkids, and his mother's role in the family after his father died.

Keywords: Camp Sherman (Ohio); Plastering; Tuberculosis; United States.Army

Subjects: Family; Family's military heritage; Youth

Segment Synopsis: Byrne was drafted at 17. He and his friend, Tom Anthony, went to the draft center together, but Tom was sent back because he was too short. Byrne felt fortunate that he wasn't married, because he felt it was harder for men who had a family at home to worry about. After 18 weeks of basic training at Camp Breckenridge he was sent to Korea. He talks about what he understood about the war up to this point.

Keywords: California; Camp Breckinridge (Ky.); Draft; Korean War, 1950-1953

Subjects: Boot Camp; Draft

Segment Synopsis: Byrne talks about arriving in Korea at the 38th parallel and how he was out almost two years later. After returning from the war, he worked in the plastering trade for almost two years before founding Murphy's Popcorn Co. He recalls two of their slogans, "Blow your horn for Murphy's Corn" and "Shake your hips for Murphy's chips."

Keywords: Korea (North); Korea (South); Plastering; Popcorn; United States. Army. Field Artillery, 7th.

Subjects: After Korea; In and Out of Korea

Segment Synopsis: Byrne was part of the 7th Division mortar platoon while in Korea. He discusses how you accumulated points every month based on how close you were to the front line. Being on the front line he received the highest points and was able to finish his military service quickly. Afterward he returned to the States and was stationed at Fort Carson for his final six months. Byrne tells of going AWOL to attend his brother Murdith's wedding. Luckily he didn't get into trouble and wasn't demoted from Staff Sergeant.

Keywords: Absence without leave; Fort Carson (Colo.); Koreans; Mortars

Subjects: AWOL; Advanced Service Rating Score; Writing Home

Segment Synopsis: Byrne talks a little more about the points system to determine the length of service. Byrne said the the firing was close and continuous, "I'll take the continuos and you take the close." They fired anytime there were men in the open, but most of the firing was during the day. Byrne attributed the ease of fighting to the United States air advantage. He also talked about regularly capturing North Korean soldiers who were trying to get out of the war.

Keywords: Artillery; Bunkers (Fortification); Mortars; Prisoner of war

Subjects: Advanced Service Rating System; Taking prisoners

Segment Synopsis: Byrne talks about making friends with guys from the midwest. He worked with some Ethiopian soldiers who had been sent to Korea by Haile Selassie. Byrne said the South Koreans learned english very quickly and usually talked about their interest in coming to America. He shares stories about fixing communication cables in the open; it was the only time anyone was exposed to small arms fire. He also explains about firing mortars.

Keywords: Ethiopians; Koreans; Middle West

Subjects: Comrades; Fixing cables

Segment Synopsis: Byrne always looks at the bright side, even in war. Looking back he says he was fortunate to never have been overrun, that they had good weather, that only 7 men in his company were injured, and that his children were never drafted. He also discusses letters from home and why he felt lucky to be an American.

Keywords: Korea (South); Korean War, 1950-1953

Subjects: Korean War

Segment Synopsis: Byrne never became involved in veteran organizations, but knew a few people in Columbus who had served in Korea. He discusses contacting the families of soldiers and some questions he would get about other soldiers. He talks about men who would send wives home from Korea and how his brother Murt (Murdith) wanted to send a Korean child home. Byrne received the Combat Infantryman Badge for being under fire for 90 days and how some highly decorated soldiers didn't have that badge. He reflects on what happened to captured North Koreans.

Keywords: Immigration; Koreans; Veterans organizations

Subjects: Bringing Koreans home; Veterans organizations

Segment Synopsis: Byrne discusses shower points on the front line and how they got changes of clothes. He also talks about the meals they were served and how the only candy was Jujyfruits.

Keywords: Candy; Fort Campbell (Ky. and Tenn.); Military hygiene; Military uniforms

Subjects: Hygiene in Korea; Mobile kitchen food

Segment Synopsis: Byrne concludes by talking about the landscape of Korea along the 38th parallel, which he describes as looking like sand dunes. He discusses Pork Chop Hill and Old Baldy, two of the most recognizable places of the Korean War. He also talks about their worries of China becoming more involved.

Keywords: Chʻŏrwŏn-gun (Korea); Korean War, 1950-1953; Landscapes

Subjects: Landscape of Korea