May - Korean War Veterans Association

60th Anniversary Memories
Myung Steenbergh addresses Department of New York assemblage at
Saratoga, New York
and my father arrived home with an injured leg. But, we quickly
packed and fled to south.
By then, North Korean soldiers occupied most of the way to the
south. My father was a very bright young man who did everything to
prevent being captured by the North Korean Army. Finally, we were
down to Dae Jeon, and there we tried to survive regardless of the fact
that the war was at its peak.
Then, General McArthur and the Marines took back Seoul on
September 28, 1950, and we were able to come back to Seoul. Our
home was burned and ruined. We started to rebuild and brought our
lives back to normal. Then, on January 4, 1951, a fearsome winter
day, North Korean soldiers and 50,000 Chinese soldiers rushed back
to the south again. I remember how I felt that day. It was not just fear
alone; it was far more than fear itself.
I was a physically weak kid who could not walk very well. My
younger sister, who had just turned five, walked better than I did at
that time. Our family went down as far as Dae Gu City, where there
were no enemies. We settled there a few months, then moved to
Kang Won Province, where there were steep mountains and clear
water. Everywhere you looked was surrounded with mountains.
Having many young kids in his family, my father chose such an area
to protect us all.
Through it all, I have such sweet memories of American soldiers,
who gave their most precious young lives to save us all. During the
year, I used to stand in line to get some potage, which is made out
of rice and milk. We were down in Dae Jeon City. There was a
Catholic church which had a pretty large yard. American soldiers
built fires in the middle of the yard and boiled potage to feed
refugees.
As you can see, I am a very short person. Can you imagine how little
I would have been at age eight? My two eyes were like twinkling
stars as I was looking up at these kind and handsome young soldiers.
I loved them then, and I love them more than ever now, for I
learned of Americans who are always willing to help whenever, wherever,
and whoever needs help from this very blessed country.
I have been living in this country over 38 years, and I know that no
matter what may happen, this blessed nation should be prosperous
and sustain itself for the goodness of the world we live in.
When we were building a home back in Seoul, all building materials
were provided by the U.S. After the fighting ceased in July 27, 1953,
schools were rebuilt with the support of America, and school text
books were printed with our education department and Rockefeller’s
endowment funds.
When I came to work for New York State in 1981, I saw Governor
Nelson A. Rockefeller’s photo on the wall of the Corning Tower in
downtown Albany. I felt awe and delight to see him as the former
governor of New York State. Of course, I immediately think back in
Korea to reflect on my memories of war and education. There are
many words to express my gratitude toward America and our veterans.
If I may summarize my feelings in one sentence: “I owe too much to
the USA and our veterans.” I wish I could love you more for the rest
of my life. I love you so much. And, may God bless America and our
beloved veterans.
Thank you so very much.
Now the stage is set. Let’s go to your stories and memories
You were seventeen two years ago
As a teenager, I would watch the Memorial Day parades. After
each parade the National Guard would have hot dogs and beer. I
liked that, and I thought, “I can do that.” So, at fifteen I joined
the guards, Co. M, 102nd Inf., 43rd Div., in Ansonia, CT for two
years.
I drove a deuce-and-a-half to Pine Camp, NY without a civilian
license. On 25 June 1950, we were out on a three-day exercise.
I was in a foxhole with a bazooka when we were told of the
invasion. I did not know where Korea was, but I thought we
might be involved as the 43rd Div. was activated. The officers
got real chicken-like after that, and wanted to know our true ages.
I said I was seventeen; they said, “You were seventeen two
years ago.”
“I lied,” I answered.
After we got back to Ansonia, they found out that I was still
sixteen (my mother told them) and let me go. I graduated from
high school on 20 June 1951. On 22 June, I was on my way to
Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. I trained in infantry; when I got to
Korea, the Army put me in artillery.
27
The Graybeards
May – June 2010