Harold Wadley, interviewed by Kyleen Stahancyk, 2019
Interview Log Name of Person Interviewed: Harold Wadley Other People Present: Keri Stahancyk, Gwen Wadley Researcher: Kyleen Stahancyk Date of Interview: April 3rd, 2019 Location of Interview: Wadley´s home, Saint Maries, Idaho Special Conditions: Phone rings once. The air conditioner comes on a couple of times. And some talking.
General Description of Content: Harold Wadley discusses where and when he went during his time in the Marines during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He tells a few stories and shares some specific incidences the happened during his service.
Index
0:00-0:36 Introduction 0:37-2:59 Background of Enlisting in Korea 3:00-4:04 First day of Korea 4:05-4:37 Unit & Job 4:38-9:09 Injuries 9:10-9:42 How he survived 9:43-18:21 Casualties and “A great reunion” 18:22-20:46 Ice Cream and Sagebrush 20:45-24:33 Food 24:34-25:34 Medals 25:35-26:18 Notes 26:19-28:04 War souvenirs 28:05-29:26 Photography 29:27-36:48 Death to Love 36:49-42:29 Entertainment 42:30-52:27 Prisoners of war 52:28-54:41 Reckless 54:42-57:23 Life after the war 57:24-59:21 Appreciation
Mr. Harold Wadley Interviewed by Kyleen Stahancyk, 2019
On April 3rd, 2019, I interviewed Harold Wadley, a Korean and Vietnam War veteran.
Harold Wadley was 17 when he enlisted in the Marines. He left high school in 11th grade to enlist on June 25, 1950. He finished high school while he was in Korea because he made his mother a promise. Mr. Wadley enlisted because he wanted no part of being a disgrace to his country and not fighting for it.
Mr. Wadley remembered his first day at Korea very distinctly. He could smell Korea before they even got there. He remembers entering with his unit, the 5th Marine Regiment 5th marine Division.
Wadley was injured in Korea in February. They went into enemy lines trying to capture prisoners. Wadley was underneath one of his dead men when the Chinese came out of a trench and threw a grenade, injuring one of his legs that was sticking out from under the deceased marine. He was also injured in the eye in Vietnam.
When I asked Wadley how he believed he survived both wars, he knew the only way he survived was by the grace of God. Wadley witnessed many casualties. He remembers being told to inflict as many casualties as he could.
Thirteen years after leaving the Korean War, Wadley decided to re-up and enlist back during the Vietnam War to help the young guys survive, because that's what his superiors did for him. Between Korea and Vietnam, Wadley entered and graduated from forestry college and was a forester until he went to Vietnam.
Mr. Wadley had many stories to tell me, but his favorite was about receiving melted ice cream and he received a letter that was put in a different group because there was something in the envelope. When Wadley opened the envelope, he had received a chunk of sagebrush from a friend back home. It was truly amazing listening to him light up about the good memories in Korea.
Wadley ate sea rations, not MRE´s because they needed water for those and most of the time, they did not have access to water.
Wadley received a Bronze Star from a raid, a Purple Heart, and a Navy Commendation Medal. In Vietnam, he received a Silver Star and another Purple Heart.
He kept notes throughout his time in Korea. He had all the personal information that he needed in case one of his men was injured.
Wadley kept a flair parachute, helmet cover, cap holders, old brandy, and his parka. All of this was from his service in Korea. He had no photos from Korea, but he had a camera in Vietnam and took many pictures.
Wadley was closest to a man named Sergeant William Stooch. They were close and fought in Vietnam together. He was shot by the North Vietnamese twice. Stooch was married and had a little girl. Over twenty years later, she reached out to Wadley to find more out about her father. When she was visiting Wadley, she met his son and were married the next year.
When I asked Wadley what his life was like after the war, Wadley spoke about gratitude for troops and he became angry with how America is treating the flag and our troops today.
Doing this interview with Harold Wadley was a very humbling experience for me. Thank you for your service.