"The thing that bothered me more than anything when I was over there was children, stepping on land mines, having to work on them." (Video interview, 14:33).

James O. Stapleton

James Stapleton [detail from video] War: Korean War, 1950-1953 Branch: Army Unit: 25th Infantry Division; 2nd Division; GHQ (General Headquarters) 1st Raider Company, X Corps Service Location: Japan; Korea Rank: Corporal

Ten days after marrying his wife, 21-year-old Corporal James Stapleton shipped out to Korea. Assigned to serve as a medic for an elite Army Rangers platoon, the dangers of combat, even for medical personnel, quickly became evident: on his first patrol, he spotted a helmet on the ground that bore both a Red Cross and a bullet hole. While he endured frostbite on his ears, he was spared serious injury. After four months with the Rangers, he served with a MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit, eventually returning home to his new bride in 1952.