Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording Eldon Glenn Morrison Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Amphibian force (LST 1101)
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Metalsmith Second Class
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/2672
In 1952, with the draft looming over his head, Eldon Morrison enlisted in the Navy. He served on LST-1101 (later renamed USS Saline), delivering tanks, weapons, and supplies to the men serving on land in Korea. The 1101 once delivered 100 tons of rice to the Republic of Korea (ROK) soldiers. On a winter's day, the ship went behind the lines to pick up a war-weary division of Army troops, who took full advantage of the 1101's showers and galley. Their escort, a British cruiser, made sure that they were well protected, most importantly when they were carrying massive supplies of munitions. Morrison trained as a welder in the service, and he became a steamfitter in civilian life.
Eldon Glenn Morrison Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayEnlisting to avoid being drafted and assigned to the infantry in Korea; had relatives who served in Navy. 00:01:20.0 - 00:02:08.4
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PlayBasic training was tough for those "guys who thought they knew everything;" stories about Johnny, his chief, a tough character. 00:02:49.4 - 00:05:11.1
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PlayTo California, assigned to a ship; started as a deck hand but asked to be switched to engineering; eventually learned welding, which is what he did coming out of the service. 00:07:27.5 - 00:08:53.1
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PlayLST as the workhorse of the Navy, carrying everything from tanks to munitions to food supplies; ship's insignia and motto; picking up an Army division from the battlefield and offering them showers and whatever they want to eat in the galley; his ship awarded three battle stars during his service; British cruiser as their escort; once being fired on by shore battery; cruiser knocked out the battery; the 1101's cargo of fuel and ammunition at the time would have gone up had any shells hit. 00:09:19.3 - 00:16:47.0
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PlayHearing of possible truce; transporting 500 Communist POWs in a prisoner exchange; all ship personnel issued gas masks because the MPs would employ gas if there was a disturbance among the prisoners. 00:20:21.3 - 00:22:51.1
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PlayTaking pride in the ship because it was built in Evansville, Indiana, near his hometown; appreciating the welding on the ship thanks to his training; after the service, meeting welders back home who had worked on the 1101. 00:22:54.0 - 00:24:09.0
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About this Item
Title
- Eldon Glenn Morrison Collection
Names
- Lugar, Richard
- U.S. Senate/Richard Lugar
- Ordner, Larry
- Morrison, Eldon Glenn
Home State
- Indiana
Headings
- - Morrison, Eldon Glenn
- - Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Korean War, 1950-1953
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Amphibian force (LST 1101)
- Location of Service:
- Highest Rank: Metalsmith Second Class
- Dates of Service: 1952-1955
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2006-04-14)
- Computer File: Floppy Disk [1 item] -- Electronic file of manuscript (collected 2006-04-14; 2006-04-14)
- Audio: CD [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2005-11-21; 2005-11-21)
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-07-20)
- Photograph: Original photographic print [1 item] -- (collected 2002)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/2672
Cite as
- Eldon Glenn Morrison Collection (AFC/2001/001/2672), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio
- image
- online text