Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
American soldier's recollections of Korea in the mid-1950s: Part 1
Stanley Dale Simmons at Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul, June 5, 2019 / Robert Neff Collection
There is a twinkle in Stanley Dale Simmons's eyes that belie his age but cannot hide his excitement at recalling when he arrived in Korea 65 years ago. When he was a high school boy in West Virginia in the early 1950s, the Korean War was often in the news. When a ceasefire was agreed to in July 1953, many breathed a sigh of great relief, but not all.
Like many of his classmates, Simmons knew he would probably be drafted and sent to Korea ― probably a year or two after he graduated from high school. He and three friends, however, decided not to wait. In the summer of 1954, they went to the draft office in their city and said they wanted to be drafted immediately.
The officials tried to persuade Simmons, who was only 17 and the youngest of the group, that he would not be eligible for at least a couple of years. The boys were insistent and were eventually granted draft notices ― handed directly to them, instead of by mail. The boys were careful not to let their parents know how they came to be drafted so quickly.
In August, the four young draftees were shipped to Fort Jackson where they underwent eight weeks of basic training. One reason why the boys had been "drafted" together was so they could be sent to the same camp for training ― similar to the Buddy System of the 1980s. Once at Fort Jackson, the boys were separated into different units. According to Simmons, men were assigned to their units alphabetically by their last names. After basic training, he and his friends were separated ― Simmons was sent to artillery school.
In December 1954, Simmons found himself aboard the troopship, General John B. Pope, sailing out of Seattle for Korea. Simmons recalls there were about 3,600 men aboard the ship. They lived in cramped quarters ― canvas four-man bunks ― but this was not uncommon for the military. What was uncommon was the men had, for the most part, no duties. Anyone who has served in the military knows that idle soldiers tend to get into trouble, so there is always something to do ― even if it is a task that has no purpose other than to keep you busy.
Incheon Harbor, circa 1950s / Robert Neff Collection
According to Simmons, the men passed the time by writing letters, talking and playing cards. He implied that it was probably here that he learned to be such a good poker player. But it was not just cards, letters and shooting the breeze that kept the men out of trouble ― it was the rough passage.
He recalls, "There were 3,600 men on board and out of that number, 3,000 men were sick."
The passage from Seattle to Incheon took nearly 18 days and for 14 of them, Simmons recalls that he was sick. Seasickness was infectious ― those who were able to stomach the roll and pitch of the ship in were not able to ward off the smell or sound of retching from their stricken companions and ended up succumbing to it.
The stench and vomit was everywhere ― even at the mess tables in the dining hall.
When he was no longer seasick he was stricken with a very bad cold (probably due to the change of weather) that left him hoarse and unable to speak. At roll call, a shipmate had to answer for him.
Finally, after 18 days of misery, the General John B. Pope arrived at Incheon.
Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.