KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather-Local Korean War Veteran Reflects

Local Korean War Veteran Reflects

Monterey, Calif- In celebration of Veterans Day tomorrow the Defense Language Institute held a memorial this morning.

It was an emotional day for veterans young and old at the DLI today, “I lost 25 of my 30 men in the first six weeks of the war,” said John J. Baker a local Korean War Veteran. He was awarded the Sliver Star for his bravery in combat and today he sat down and shared with me one of the saddest parts of fighting a war, facing death, “I pulled his fatigue jacket down pressed on the wound he bled to death. He never came back,” said Baker.

Baker and Henry Teruya both fought in the 24th Infantry Division in Korea.  They didn't meet until recently when Baker started writing a book about the war. After 59 years, he still chokes up thinking about his fallen comrades, “I find myself tears running down my face when I’m writing it. I remember what happened. I can still see the men's faces,” said Baker.

These men may be new found friends, but their bond as veterans runs deep, “I owe him. He was in front of me ten miles in front. He took the brunt force of the enemy and then we got it 8 hours later. He’s my hero,” said Baker.