Oral history interview with John R. Reynoldson, [videorecording], 2004.

ArchivalResource

Reynoldson, John R., 1929-2009. Oral history interview with John R. Reynoldson, [videorecording], 2004.

Oral history interview with John R. Reynoldson, [videorecording], 2004.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/759596871

John "Jack" R. Reynoldson, a Madison, Wisconsin native, discusses his Army service during the Korean War with the 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division. Reynoldson touches on being in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps while attending college at the University of Wisconsin. He discusses being surprised by the outbreak of war and the high level of training the North Korean troops had received during World War II. Reynoldson mentions airborne and infantry training, being shipped to Pusan as a 2nd lieutenant, and the high casualty rate of lieutenants and captains in combat. Assigned to the 3rd Platoon, 1st Battalion, 17th Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, he talks about leading a rifle platoon, his first impressions of the front lines, the fortifications of his unit in the Chorwon Valley, and trying to appear self confident in front of his men. He mentions meeting the major who used to be in charge of his platoon. Reynoldson states he arrived after the lines had stabilized and portrays trying to take prisoners during combat patrols. He details feelings of fear and time distortion during combat and his mental state before and after combat. Reynoldson portrays a mission on Hill 404 when half his platoon was wounded or killed but succeeded at taking a prisoner. He explains why he felt his assigned missions and the war in general were worth the effort, and he touches on returning to South Korea after the war and being impressed with the country's progress. He comments on the platoon's weapons, being attacked with Chinese grenades, and leading an attack on a Chinese company. Reynoldson details being wounded during a bayonet assault, turning on his rifle's safety before losing consciousness on a stretcher, and getting flown to a MASH unit on a helicopter litter. He touches on seeing men with the "battle rattles" get taken off the front line, using sleep as an escape from fear, the responsibility of being a leader, never feeling that the war was ignored or forgotten, and the guilt he felt after coming home while his men were still fighting in Korea. Reynoldson comments on seeing Colombian United Nations troops in action, food on the front line, and the set-up of his position and command bunker. He talks about the aggressiveness of Chinese soldiers, their infiltration tactics at night, and their use of mortars. Reynoldson discusses combat using bayonets and sometimes receiving orders to send out patrols with no officers. He reflects on the difficulty of talking about combat experiences.

Videorecording : 2 videocassettes (ca. 51 min.); sd., col. ; 1/2 in.Transcript : 20 p.Military papers : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center