Sgt. Ralph Gastelum, USMC, Korean War, Inchon, Chosin Reservoir

Ralph Gastelum grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and never experienced much of a winter before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. His first real winter would be spent in Korea in some of the most bitterly cold temperatures that American forces have ever experienced – at Chosin Reservoir in Korea.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Sgt. Gastelum recalls the Inchon Landing. He also explains what urban combat was like in those early days and along the front lines in more rural areas. He also tells us how he survived at Chosin Reservoir by playing dead as the Chinese attacked and how he later discovered which of his fellow Marines saved his life there.

Finally, Gastelum talks about his return trip to Korea decades and what the Wall of Remembrance at the Korean War Veterans Memorial meant to him at the time of its dedication.

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Veterans Chronicles