Oral history interview with Richard J. McConnell, [videorecording], 2004.

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Oral history interview with Richard J. McConnell, [videorecording], 2004.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/757825657

Richard J. "Jim" McConnell, a Superior, Wisconsin native, discusses his service in the Army during the Korean War. McConnell mentions enlisting at age sixteen, serving with the 117th Cavalry in North Africa during World War II, and reenlisting after the war. He talks about occupation duty in Pusan (Korea) and his awareness at that time of conflict with China. After another reenlistment, he speaks of returning to Korea in 1950, traveling to the Manchurian border, and retreating back to Pusan. McConnell discusses being overrun by Chinese troops, witnessing heavy casualties, and covering the retreat of Marines during combat at Chosin Reservoir. He comments on aerial food drops, having inadequate clothing for the cold winter weather, methods for dealing with the cold, and continuing health problems due to frostbite. McConnell talks about his responsibilities as a master sergeant: making sure his men carried enough equipment, ensuring they stayed awake while on guard duty, and helping new replacements separate fact from rumors. He discusses the hilly terrain, traveling on foot, the sounds of being shot at, and close calls during combat. McConnell describes night fighting, use and preparation of foxholes, offensive tactics, being sent to the rear for R&R, limited air support, and the danger of friendly fire when calling for artillery support. He talks about limited correspondence with his wife through the mail, what qualities make a good officer, and feeling lucky that he was never shot. McConnell recalls Christmas dinner in Korea and his squad's weapons. He touches on his homecoming, being in charge of the machine gun committee at the infantry school at Fort Benning (Georgia), and working on a ski patrol in Colorado.

Videorecording : 2 videocassettes (ca. 51 min.); sd., col. ; 1/2 in.Transcript : 24 p.Military papers : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

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SNAC Resource ID: 8144486

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

McConnell, Richard E., 1925-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6h143jr (person)

McConnell (b.1924) had a career in the Army Reserves and served active duty during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually settled in Superior (Wisconsin). From the description of Oral history interview with Richard J. McConnell, [videorecording], 2004. (Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center). WorldCat record id: 757825657 ...

Derks, Mik.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68057zn (person)

Wisconsin Public Television

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Wisconsin Veterans Museum

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United States. Army

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6km312r (corporateBody)

The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States Armed Forces and performs land-based military operations. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States and is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution, Article 2, Section 2, Clause 1 and United States Code, Title 10, Subtitle B, Chapter 301, Section 3001. As the largest and senior branch of the U.S. military, the modern U.S. Army has its roots in the Continental Army, which wa...