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MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. - With a confident familiarity,
the man resheathed the KA-BAR he held in his aged hands. He didn't
need anyone to explain the knife, its uses or history. Placing the
blade on a display table, his hand brushed against his belt buckle
which read, Chosin Few Korea.
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Korean War
veteran Ralph Hoffmann, retired master gunnery sergeant, eats lunch
at the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Picnic aboard Marine Corps
Base Quantico on August 3, 2013. (U.S. Marine
Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Samuel Ellis)
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It was August 3, 2013, and this was at least the tenth time
81-year-old Ralph Hoffmann had traveled to Marine Corps Base
Quantico to attend the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Picnic.
“I enjoy the opportunity to intermingle with other Marines,”
said the retired master gunnery sergeant. “I also enjoy developing
friendships and experiencing the camaraderie found here.”
Camaraderie is something the 30-year, Korean War
veteran easily recognizes.
“I was too young to serve in
World War II, but I followed it in the papers,” said Hoffmann. “I
read of the accomplishments of the Marine Corps. They always
overcame and were successful.”
The Marine Corps made an
indelible impression on the boy and led him to a decision.
“I wanted to be part of that organization,” said Hoffmann. “I
left for Parris Island the day after I graduated high school.”
Jan. 30, 1950, was the day Hoffmann enlisted to begin a career
that would train him in almost half a dozen military occupational
specialties including infantry unit leader, infantry operations
chief, wireman, field radio operator and operational communications
chief. It was also that decision that would take him across the
globe and position him to fight in one of the most iconic battles of
Marine Corps history.
“I boarded a ship to go to Inchon [South Korea] on Sept. 11,
1950,” said Hoffmann. “The Inchon landing stimulated the aggression
toward the North Koreans.”
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According to the Naval History and Heritage website, The
Marine landing on Inchon positioned them to retake the
capital and cut the North Korean supply lines. Hoffmann
continued to recount some of the other experiences he had in
Korea.
“I was a forward observer with a team of
Marines responsible for supporting artillery at the Chosin Reservoir,” said
Hoffmann. “We would call coordinates and targets by radio or
telephone wires. I hadn't even been in the Corps a year when
they told us we were surrounded and had to fight our way
out.”
Despite the situation, Hoffmann said his
leadership maintained a motivating attitude.
“I
remember our chain of command telling us, ‘This is no sweat;
we are Marines,'” Hoffmann said. “We knew we had a job to do
and we were going to do it. I am very proud of serving at
the Chosin Reservoir. It was a humbling experience having
been up there with the other Marines.”
Summarizing
his career, Hoffmann views it as a positive experience.
“I wouldn't change anything,” said Hoffmann. “I am very
proud of everything I did and everyone I served with.”
The Mineola, N.Y., native went on to finish a 30-year
career where he met his wife, also a Marine, and raised two
children. He is heavily involved with a detachment of the
Marine Corps League and is always looking for ways to help
others.
“He does a lot for our league and is
extremely driven to help any veteran cause,” said Dennis
Faillo, fellow league member and friend. “He's a Marine's
Marine. As long as he's on this earth he will be proud and
carry the title Marine.”
By USMC Lance Cpl. Samuel Ellis
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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