William Robert (Bob) Snell

Bob was involved in the Korean War. The internet provides these historical facts under "Korean War History," 1950-1953: The invasion of South Korea by North Korea came as a complete surprise to the US; Dean Rusk of the State Department had told Congress on June 20 that no war was likely. However, a CIA report in early March had predicted a June invasion. US officials had previously publicly stated that America would not fight over Korea, and that the country was outside of American concern in the Pacific. This attitude may have encouraged the North or given Syngman Rhee in the South a motive to gain U.S. support ...The UN (United Nations) voted to aid South Korea. Familiar names from that period: General Douglas McArthur, President Harry Truman.

Bob tells: There were 45 of us in six Iowa counties, who received and responded to our draft notices on November 9, 1951. Thirty-one went into the Army, and 14 into the Marine Corps. Those of us in the Army went to Fort Sheridan, Illinois where we were given shots, received our uniforms, etc. From there we were sent to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas for basic training, carrying M-1 rifles.

When we had completed that portion of our training, we were taken to Fort Lawton in Seattle, Washington to board the USS Naval Ship, General Hugh J. Gaffey. We arrived in Japan and were taken on to Korea in April 1952. Our purpose was to defend South Korea which had been invaded by North Korea.

We were located at Seoul and Inchon. Our weapon was a canon, an 8-inch Howitzer, which required eight men to fire it. The enemy fired at us, we fired back. One direct hit took the life of a fellow who had just been in Korea two weeks. All we found of him was an arm.

An event was Christmas dinner, on Thursday, December 25, 1952. The first course was shrimp cocktail, followed by turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, peas, cole slaw and rolls. Dessert: fruit cake or pumpkin pie, tangerines, oranges, apples, mixed nuts and assorted candy. Coffee or milk. The caption on the folder is "They cared enough to send the very best."

We left Korea in June, 1953 on the Navy Transport Marine Adder, to return to Fort Lawton in Seattle. En route we were told the war was over. I was discharged at Camp Carson, Colorado on July 25, 1953. After I was home, I received the bronze star for Korean Action, but I wondered what it had all been about. As far as I could tell we accomplished nothing. When we left Korea, everything was the same as when we went.

Mementoes: I have a pocket-size Bible that I took from home and one that was given to me there, and some Korean money. I took a number of pictures which we have in an album, and saved a certificate ''Domain of the Golden Dragon.  "Ruler of the 180th Meridian: To all members of the armed forces wherever ye may be: and to all Mermaids, Sea Serpents, Whales, Sharks, Dolphins, Eels, Crabs, Lobsters and other living things of the sea, Greetings: Know ye that on this 23rd day of May 1952, longitude 180.00 there appeared within the limits of our Royal Domain, the USNS Gen. Hugh J. Gaffey. Be it remembered that the said Vessel and Officers and Crew thereof have been inspected and passed on by ourselves and Our Royal Staff and be it known by all ye members of the Armed Forces, Landlubbers, and Others who may be honored by his presence that William R. Snell having been found worthy to be numbered as one of our Trusty Golden Dragons and duly initiated into the Mysteries of the Far East. Be it further understood that by virtue of the power vested in me, I do hereby command all my subjects to show due honor and respect to him whenever he may enter our realm. Disobey this order under penalty of Our Royal Displeasure. Signed Davey Jones, Golden Dragon, Ruler of the 180th Meridian."

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Last Revised March 19, 2013