Oral history interview with John S. Marita, 2002.

ArchivalResource

Marita, John S., 1929-. Oral history interview with John S. Marita, 2002.

Oral history interview with John S. Marita, 2002.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/56908879

John S. Marita, a High Bridge, Wisconsin native, discusses his Korean War service as a member of Company A, 13th Engineering Combat Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Drafted into the Army while in college, Marita talks about basic training at Fort Jackson (South Carolina) and the racism he witnessed there. He speaks of stopping in Cuba and Columbia to pick up additional troops, passing through the Panama Canal, and leaving behind some comrades in Hawaii when they didn't get back to the ship in time. Marita addresses being shipped by train to central Korea and reflects on men from his training unit who were killed. He discusses his work laying mines and constructing bridges and helicopter landing pads. Marita touches upon the dangers of military construction, including almost being fired upon by friendly troops, learning not to lay his rifle aside in the field, and some close calls with washed-out bridges. He describes the "seesaw battle" with the Chinese along the 38th parallel, rebuilding bunkers at "Pork Chop Hill," the accuracy of Chinese mortar rounds, and getting careless near the end of his time on the front lines. He comments on R&R in Japan, smoking while in Korea, the close friendships formed between soldiers, and the Chinese's use of mines. Marita tells of working with Korean Augmentation Troops to the United States Army and giving away his rosary beads during combat. He details seeing a man in his unit find marijuana growing on the side of the road. Marita touches upon being put in the inactive Reserves, his homecoming, his parents' attitude towards his service, and calling home from Tokyo. He addresses the gambling that went on in his unit and hearing about hemorrhagic fever and small pox in Korea. Marita speaks of completing his schooling on the GI Bill, his career in teaching, and his activities with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ozaukee County Military Historians Club. He comments on easily readapting to civilian life except for speeding while driving.

Sound recording : 2 sound cassettes (ca. 65 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Videorecording : 1 videocassette (ca. 65 min.) ; sd., col. ; 1/2 in.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 65 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 29 p.Military papers : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center