Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
4:13 | Harold Maples speaks on the problems he thinks were happening during the Korean War and tells future generations what he would like them to remember about veterans.
Keywords : government difficulties saying goodbye sacrifice enlist service forget civilians citizens feelings
Growing up during the Depression, Harold Maples decided enlisting in the service would be the best decision for him and his later education. On the way to basic training, he met another trainee named Guy Metcalf, who later went on to be his closest friend.
First arriving in Korea, learning the terrain became very helpful for Harold Maples and his regiment. When he received his first letter, he began to feel comfortable there.
Harold Maples moved across Korea with his regiment and saw many of the iconic landmarks of the country. He recalls an experience he had just before the armistice was signed in 1953.
After the treaty had been signed, Harold Maples and his regiment were responsible for setting up a no man's land. In processing enemy soldiers, he found that the brutal Korean winters were equally hard on the North Koreans and Chinese, who were barely equipped to handle them.
Figuring out little ways to make the time in war more pleasant was essential to Harold Maples. In retrospect, there were ways to win the Korean War but the wrong moves were made at the time.
Like many veterans of the war, Harold Maples returned home with few expectations. He came back to meet his 9 month old son, but also utilize the GI Bill to get his education and get back to work.
