Oral history interview with Paul A. Kay, [sound recording], 2006.

ArchivalResource

Kay, Paul A., 1933-. Oral history interview with Paul A. Kay, [sound recording], 2006.

Oral history interview with Paul A. Kay, [sound recording], 2006.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/757934695

Paul A. Kay, a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native, discusses his service in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Kay talks about enlisting in the Marines the same day he got a draft notice in the mail. He addresses taking a troop train to California and arriving at San Diego Training Depot. Kay details boot camp: tough drill instructors, re-doing everything, competition with other platoons, writing home, physical training, bringing his rifle everywhere, and rifle training at Camp Matthews. Assigned to be a guard and policeman, he speaks of advanced training, brief assignment to El Toro Marine Corps Air Station, and guard duty at a lighter-than-air Naval base, which trained with dirigibles and Sikorsky helicopters. Transferred to Korea via Japan with the 1st Marines, he discusses training aboard the troop ship, including learning about Korean culture and hygiene. Kay talks about duty as a policeman and rifleman at a small base in Pyongtaek (Korea). He touches on living quarters, food, looking for guerillas, and searching for weapons hidden in the "honey bucket" carts. Kay describes the clothing he was issued, living in extreme cold, and the poverty of the local Koreans civilians. He states one of his boot camp friends, Max Masiniak, was killed the first day they were in Korea. Kay mentions the establishment of the DMZ somewhere nearby, being promoted to corporal, and returning to the States. He portrays R&R at Lake Yamanaka Resort (Japan). Kay talks about injuring his leg in a jeep accident and spending a couple weeks at Yokosuka Naval Hospital Station. Recalling his homecoming, he reports he felt welcomed home by the newspapers and the Red Cross. Assigned to Cherry Point (North Carolina) as a sergeant, he tells of once being shot at by a disgruntled Marine and describes his living quarters and travels. After being discharged, Kay describes getting a job with the Milwaukee Sheriff's Department and the reactions of the police to his service record. He reflects on being taken care of by the VA office and hospitals, enjoying returns on his life insurance policy, and seeing his two sons enlist in the Marines. He talks about some of his experiences with the Milwaukee police: serving papers to homeowner to make room for the expressway, being a body guard for Judge John Coffey, and working during the race riots of 1967. Kay discusses his involvement starting the Door County Marine Corps League and performing honor guard duty at funerals.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 57 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 57 min.); analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 22 p.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center