Korean Job Discussion Forums

waggo · Joined: 18 May 2003 Location: pusan baby!

My grandad (Lofty) was too small to be on the front line so he joined a special entertainment troop and travelled to Burma doing shows for the troops in the jungle who were on R and R.

I always remember the song he used to sing me when i was sitting on his lap....

"Oh meet the gang coz the boys are here...boys to entertain you.....with music and laughter to help you on your way....With music and laughter and a HEY HEY HEY....Its great! Its great! to see all of you...if you listen to us...you wont be blue...So meet the gang coz the boys are here....Boys to entertain you......B. O. B.O.Y.S

BOYS TO ENTERTAIN YOOOOOOOOOOOOOU!!!!!"

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

itaewonguy · Joined: 25 Mar 2003

peemil · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Location: Koowoompa

My Great-Grandfather was gassed at the Somme in the First World War.

Both my Grandfathers on either side of my family fought in the Second World War.

My father's father was an Infantryman in Europe and Africa, only coming home to England once to get my Grandmother pregnant again.

My father's side has 14 children.

My mother's father fought in the Pacific and was left on an island for three months after the war finished until someone found him. He was a Quartermaster.

My Uncle was a medic in the Korean War and my Father was an Infantryman who fought in Vietnam in 1969 and served afterwards in Malaysia.

My father's wish before he died because of conditions he developed from his service, was that I'd break this line of service.

"There's no glory in it. Get an education and do something else."

I did that.

Hater Depot · Joined: 29 Mar 2005

Neither of them ever talked about it, I mostly learned everything from my parents. My father's father was a mine clearer in Europe. My mother's father was a paratrooper; I'm not sure how much combat he saw but he was in the hospital with shrapnel wounds when his entire unit was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. If he hadn't been hurt I wouldn't be here today.

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

My father was lucky to avoid the Vietnam draft - he's always said Richard Nixon saved his life (with the draft lottery). But I think he's always been fascinated with the idea of being a soldier, and he didn't discourage me when I applied. I've teased the military like three times, and I may still do it someday, but probably not. I'm getting old enough that other plans will get in the way, I think.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

While we're off the topic of WW2. I know for a fact that one of my relatives did some stuff during the Cold War that is probably still classified.

Hobophobic · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 8:19 pm Post subject:

My father's father stayed at home during WW2 due to flat feet and diabetes...he said it was great to be a young man with a good job, and tons of lonely ladies...but I think he truly had felt saddened by not be able to go...

...my mom's dad was in supply and ammunitions...he had to run around and reload people alot...he must have seen some nasty times...he never spoke of the war unless he was REALLY drunk, and it was always through teary eyes...

The story I remember most and can picture best is when he told me the Germans were singing and drinking during Xmas in the distance...no one was fighting...apparently some of the men on both sides came out and met and chatted over cigarettes and whatnot...(he didn't).....

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

All my grandparents were in NL at the time. My grandmother (father) died when she had to bike from gronigien down to near zwolle just for some potatoes. When she returned she collapsed off her bike; developed pneumonia (in conjunction with a newly developed bout of asthma) and died.
My father's uncle escaped from a concentration camp in northwest germany.
My mother's aunt hid Jews in a "basement".
MY grandparents never really felt they had an opportunity to fight, and they both had young kids, (and were a bit young themselves). And overwhelmed.

So while my family was never really involved in the fighting, they fought to keep themselves (and a few others around them) alive.

Keepongoing · Joined: 13 Feb 2003 Location: Korea

yes, I am old.

My father faught in both theatres; The Battle of the Bulge and Luzon. Acyually I m not sure that he faught as he was a truck driver.

Hollywoodaction · Joined: 02 Jul 2004

haywill22 · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2006 1:22 am Post subject:

My grandfather and his best friend from highschool both enlisted in the Navy on the same day to watch each other's back. Though they quickley were assigned different area's.

My grandfather served on a destroyer in the South Pacific, his best friend becam a Navy Medic (corpsman) and ended up on Iwo Jima, lost an eye from a Japanese bayonet and held off quite a few charging japanese soldiers with his sidearm while patching and saving several Marines.
He got the Congressional Medal of Honor and they named a Naval Hospital after him. Bob Bush - an amazing man who spent the rest of his years working for charity organizations and passed away just two months ago.

Paji eh Wong · Joined: 03 Jun 2003

Not exactly. Gramps was one lucky shit. As a career Air Force officer, he trained RAF and RCAF pilots in Canada.

The great grandfather was a leuitenant in the British army. Won some medals, got gassed at Ypres (I think). Went home, was a bit of an arse, apparently. Died at the ripe old age of 34 from mustard gas related complications.

Horangi Munshin · Joined: 06 Apr 2003 Location: Busan

Pyongshin Sangja · Joined: 20 Apr 2003 Location: I love baby!