Interview

Tom Tangney, Interviewed by Daniel Kubishta 2011

Mr. Tom Tangney
Interviewed by Daniel Kubishta 2011

Mr. Tom Tangney graduated from Prineville High School and had plans to play football at Pacific University on a scholarship.  Instead, he enlisted in the Marine Corps at the outbreak of the Korean War.

The Korean War is largely a "forgotten war."  Following on the heels of WWII (The Good War) and just a few years before the outbreak of  the more controversial and lengthy Vietnam War, many people are ignorant of the 3-year long war that claimed the lives of nearly 37,000 Americans.

After basic training, Mr. Tangney arrived in Korea in November of 1951 via Japan.  

Mr. Tangney was ultimately assigned to a 16mm mortar section where he first served as an ammo carrier.  Though he escaped his combat experiences unscathed, unfortunately, his brother, who also fought in Korea, was killed in action in 1952.

Eventually, Mr. Tangney returned to Camp Pendleton, California serving as a mortar trainer when he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps.

After taking a job in Pendleton and working in various jobs over the past 55+ years, Mr. Tangney stays very active in the Pendleton VFW chapter.

---