Sep/Oct 2008 - Korean War Veterans Association

Artillery uses “firing tables” to estimate
the various adjustments needed to
make a projectile reach its target. The firing
tables are calculated from thousands
of test firings that give standard trajectories
for a particular gun and projectile. Of
course, conditions are never standard,
especially when it comes to weather.
Without getting too deep into ballistics,
let’s take an example. A 166mm
“Long Tom” battery wants to surprise the
enemy 9 miles away with a shower of
90lbs projectiles. As the projectiles travel
to a height of perhaps 40,000 feet, they
encounter varying crosswinds, densities
and temperatures. The radiosondes had
traveled through similar layers some time
earlier and the data obtained will be used
to adjust the “firing table” standards by
the battery gunnery section. The azimuth
and elevation will be changed accordingly.
In the case of the big guns, it may
mean a few more pounds of powder.
Our equipment and training made us
unique in Korea. From time to time we
had visitors from various division
artillery units who we were able to help,
especially with visual techniques.
Although we were just technicians, the
North Koreans and the Chinese remembered
us with occasional artillery barrages,
and some of us were also in the
sights of guerrillas. Our only loss was on
the freighter in the Sea of Japan in
December 1950, as the 2-1/2 ton truck
housing our equipment rolled around in
the hold during rough seas.
In year 2000 our unit held a reunion at
Fort Sill, and we had an opportunity to
see how things have changed. The
demand for weather information has not
changed; in fact, with advances in
artillery arts, it may have become more
important.
Today, a Humvee houses all the stuff
that was carried in two 2-1/2 ton trucks
half a century ago. It utilizes satellite
communication and the computers have
built-in redundancy. In Iraq today,
because of hostile weather, not only do
you find artillery weathermen, but often
weather units imbedded with infantry.
Those weathermen sure get around!
George Pakkala,
10401 Wystone Avenue,
Northridge, CA 91326
As Art Linkletter said…
Some people might remember Art Linkletter’s famous tag line, “Kids say the darndest things.”
Well, they write the darndest things, too. This essay is proof.
Roy Lee Carver told us that his grandson, Joshua Carver Lynn, wrote the essay for a 2006
Veterans Day program to honor him and his fellow veterans. Lynn, who was sixteen at the time,
was a student at Smith County [TN] High School.
Former MSgt Carver was a member of L Co., 38th Inf. Regt., 2nd Inf. Div. He was in Korea from
1 September 1950 to 4 September 1953—and a POW from 30 Nov. 1950 to 4 Sept. 1950.
Veterans: The Heroes of Today
By Joshua Lynn
The sloshing mud pulled down on him as if he were dragging weights behind him. His rifle seemed
to weigh more than normal. He walked and fought and walked and fought again. Two days, three
days, maybe more he walked until all his muscles ached. The physical pains and the mental pains
of war are unimaginable to most of us. We don’t know what it would be like to go months or years
without seeing our families or being able to hear their voices, much less being able to relax.
Top physical condition would be needed to work efficiently day in and day out. Along with the pressures
of extreme climate, lack of water, and sheer exhaustion the conditions would be enough to
drive average people over the edge. The idea of surviving one day’s toil just to go through another
is incomprehensible. The men and women who do these things for the preservation of freedom are
truly heroes.
They are sent to protect America’s interests, keep peace in lands where there is none, and expand
the gracious gift of freedom to all willing to accept it. All the while continuing to build bonds that
unify those who fight in freedom’s name. Defending the defenseless, protecting the unprotected,
and guiding the lost are the most important jobs anyone can have. And our soldiers do them all.
Psalm 23 is a representation of God’s presence in all our lives, but I think it has a special place in
veterans’ hearts. It reads: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in
green pastures, He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul, He leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of
the Lord for ever.”
Our veterans have truly walked through the valley of the shadow of death. They are the heroes of
our generation. They have replaced the cowboys and the astronauts in a long series of role models.
Who could replace them? They are the heroes of today and the influences of tomorrow. They
are strong and they can and will endure. I thank all those veterans who have given up so much for
their country and pray that we can live up to their legacy.
Roy Lee Carver, 103 Cumberland Drive, Carthage, TN 37030
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71
The Graybeards
September – October 2008