In 1949 my grandfather, William Wister “Bill” Goodman, joined the local Marine Reserve. The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953. The war began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea & shortly after he mustered in on July 5, 1950, as a private stationed with Co C 14th Inf Bn Mcr in the U.S. Marine Corps. Then on July 28, 1950, he was called up for active duty & it was off to Camp Pendleton for combat training. On January 20, 1951 he was deployed from Clarksville, Tennessee to Pusan, Korea & assigned to the 1st Marine Division, where he began his mission as a Machine Gunner in July by Major General Chei, Seng Woo with the ROK (Republic Of Korea) Army.
My grandfather had previously done some photography work while employed by L&N Railroad & soon learned about a need for a combat photographer. He applied & was accepted. After completing the camera course of the Marine Corps Institute of Photography he transitioned over to a Marine Corps Combat Photographer Sergeant (doubling as a light Machine Gunner). The military photo training he received provided him with the basic & fundamental background for photography & would later serve as an asset for capturing fast breaking news events as a photojournalist with the Nashville Banner Newspaper. At the age of 20 years old he was issued a camera, a 45 pistol & a Ka-Bar knife. He was immediately assigned to front line duty with the 1st Regiment’s 5th & 7th Marines, & with the ROK’S Marine Corps unit. From there he was sent many places between North & South Korea, flying over enemy area with troops on the front & rear lines, documenting the war for posterity, numerous award-winning photos. Unfortunately, you can’t unsee things once you have seen them especially in war. Due to this he sustained Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. It was with humanity & concern that the single item that caused him years of mental anguish & kept him up many nights, was the sight of orphaned children that were cold, crying & alone in Seoul. Though it was tough & emotionally took its toll at times, this assignment galvanized his passion & talent for photography.
He served his tour of duty with the Marines for almost the duration of the Korean War. In February 1952, he left Korea, in knee deep snow, for Japan, heading home via troop ship. He arrived in Oakland, California just after midnight at 0100 hrs. – 0800 hrs. & was whisked aboard a train to San Diego. Two weeks later (March 1952), he was released from active duty & returned home to Nashville. He continued to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1955 (serving a total of 6 years). Then he went on to join the Tennessee Air National Guard as a photographer with the rank of Staff Sergeant, serving 5 years. Following that service, he served as a Sergeant in the Metro CD for 8 years. For his duty & dedication he was awarded the Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Medal, the Korean Service Medal with two bronze battle stars, the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, presented with the Korean 50th Anniversary Medal & proclaimed an “Ambassador for Peace” by the Republic of Korea for his service along with his fellow countrymen. Throughout his “retirement” he was a member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars & the KWVA (Korean War Veteran’s Association). He also served as a dedicated volunteer at the Veteran’s Hospital in Nashville for 8 years assisting his fellow veterans & patriots. Once a Marine – Always a Marine & he was very proud of it!
OORAH & SEMPER FI – It was my destiny, until my last breath, to be a United States Marine, and my spirit shall live forever- “For I was, am & shall forever be a United States Marine!
Sources:
Nashville Banner Newspaper Article - Friday, April 28, 1961, page 11
The Tennessean Newspaper Article - Sunday, June 8, 1997, page 3
The Graybeards, Official Publication of The Korean War Veterans Association, Vol. 14, No. 6, November - December 2000, Page 23
KWVA Newsletter, Korean War Veterans Association, Nashville & Middle Tennessee Chapter 86, May - June 2012