News of Men in the Armed Services, 1954

JOHNSON, LAIRD, HICKMAN

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/30/2012 at 13:05:00

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 18, 1954

News of Men in the Armed Services

Bob JOHNSON, comissary seaman, USN, and Mrs. JOHNSON arrived Thursday from Califonia, and will visit until tomorrow with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight JOHNSON and Judy, other relatives and with friends. Bob, who has spent 28 months with the navy, returned to the States recently after serving since March 15th, aboard the USS Gregory in Korean waters. He will complete his 15-day leave in San Diego, while awaiting further assignment.

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Pvt. Donald LAIRD, son of Guy LAIRD, of Beaconsfield, graduated recently from the Ordnance Specialist Course at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, as a track vehicle repairman. This course, which lasts 12 weeks, is designed to teach the young soldier basic fundamentals of motor mechanics, specializing in the repair of track vehicles such as tanks and amphibious vehicles and the reparing and replacing of major assemblies. Following graduation, students who successfuly complete this course are assigned to units throughout the worlds where they will put to practical use the training they have been given.

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Melvin L. HICKMAN, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. HICKMAN, of Mount Ayr, recently was promoted to corporal while serving in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division. A driver with Headquarters Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, HICKMAN arrived in Korea in April, 1952 from Camp Gordon, Ga. He has been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Ribbon with one campaign star and the UN Service Ribbon.

The 7th has fought continuously in Korea since its landing at Inchon in the fall of 1950. During more than two and one-half years of combat in the mountianous terrain the division has battled in every sector of the peninsula.

Transcription and notes by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2012