Eldon Vine- Remember When

I’m Eldon Vine I’m also a Marine I have been one since January 22, 1952. Within six months, I had waded the final 100 yards from a landing craft to shore at Inchon, Korea. Hip deep in the fetid mixture of seawater and sewage, I struggled ashore with my 75 pound pack and my ten pound weapon. A truck carried me a short distance to a waiting railroad freight car which transported me northward to the front. Thus began my 320 days of combat. My military assignment was to serve on a three-member observation team. Our job was to maintain constant watch over the enemy territory to our front and to direct artillery fire on their troops and vehicles. There were no days off, even at Thanksgiving and Christmas. We served on mountain ridge lines and had to carry all our supplies from the valley below where trucks had delivered them. Our meals were eaten directly from the tins cans in which they were supplied. Only occasionally did we find a way to heat our rations. They usually were consumed at ambient temperatures which include frozen solid in the winter time. We developed a process of having rations with us in our sleeping bags to prevent some of the freezing. One of my most vivid memories was of a historic event in late April, 1953. After months of haggling, sick and wounded Marine prisoners of war were to be freed. They were to pass through the lines in my area and I looked forward to sharing what I believed would be their joy. Happy Marines are raucous, rowdy, and fun to behold. Etched forever in my memory is the picture of the dazed and somber ex- prisoners. Their months of suffering and ill treatment seemly made it impossible for them to dare to believe freedom was happening. There are many other memories of those 320 days and nights of combat. Some are humorous — many are painful. Yes, I do carry around some post-traumatic stress. It is now many years later. I am still Eldon Vine and I am still a Marine. Here are my remembrances of that period in my life.