Veteran Spotlight
James N. “Jim” Corcoran December 14, 1930 Korea: 453rd Engineer Battalion Company C, U.S. Army
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Jim is not sure why anyone would want to know stuff about his time in the military – it all happened so long ago. He didn’t think he had any stories to tell, but agreed to answer some questions about his time in the service. When asked if he was in the “Korean War” or the “Korean Conflict,” Jim said the soldiers always called it a war.
Jim was inducted at Spokane on Aug. 19, 1950. He joined the Reserves so as not to be drafted, but then his unit was activated. Jim thinks that was a trick to get guys into the war. Most of his basic training was at Fort Lewis in Seattle, Washington.
The trip overseas to Korea was by ship. Jim said he didn’t get seasick at all in the “big rowboat.” He still has his sense of humor.
The Engineers Battalion was a construction outfit and most of Jim’s time was spent building bridges. He said he didn’t operate any of the big machinery like cranes or dozers – he “hammered.” He was lucky not to see action or have to shoot anybody. When asked what Korea was like, Jim said, “It’s just another country.” They had regular meals and not pre-packaged rations. He had time to drive around and was always anxious to see what there was to see. When asked about women there, he said he looked for them anywhere he could find them. But there weren’t women in his unit – at least he doesn’t remember them flocking around him.
Jim never considered reenlisting. He wanted to go home. He was discharged on May 11, 1952, at Fort Lewis at the rank of Corporal and returned to Ronan. Jim was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, 2 overseas bars (each for 6 months of duty) and the United Nations Service Medal.
Regarding his time in the service, Jim says he learned some good things. He always paid attention. What about the draft? Jim says there should be a draft only if necessary and people should join if they want. “If you want to go, then go. You may wish you didn’t.”
The Korean Soldier’s Memorial in Washington, D.C., is an ok idea in Jim’s mind. He said, “I’d like to see it if it was handy, but it’s a long ways to go.”
Thank you for your service, Jim.
