Brutal Combat In Korea leaves Soldier with Shrapnel in Brain | Walter Dowdy, Jr.

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  • Опубликовано: 9 окт 2023
  • Walter Dowdy’s military career was marked by frustration. He enlisted in 1948 out of high school, passed a test to enter Officer Candidate School but was instead shipped off to Japan in early 1950.
    He finally received orders to report to OCS back in the U.S. in September, but the Korean War broke out and the Army assigned him to a combat unit. Dowdy was surprised to find that it was an all-black unit, as he had served in Japan under white officers.
    On July 1950, he was hit in the face with shrapnel; among his hospital visitors in Japan was General Douglas MacArthur. His military career ended in 1951, but Dowdy was a success as an educational administrator, despite encountering obstacles because of his race and his disability.
    Interview recorded on July 26, 2022
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    Video Credits:
    Interviewer - Greg Corombos
    Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker

Комментарии • 81

  • @jjj0309
    @jjj0309 9 месяцев назад +145

    I'm a South Korean, and my UTMOST gratitude for you, all of you. Look at what North Korean do, and without those heroes I've living in the same condition. Because of you, I can enjoy the privilege that is freedom. Thank you, and god bless you.

    • @tylerfreal6472
      @tylerfreal6472 9 месяцев назад +18

      im american of korean descent thanks to brave men like him is the exact reason why me and million others are here

    • @Meta_818
      @Meta_818 9 месяцев назад +6

      My great grandfather taught in Korea kind of backwards how us Americans used to not talk about Vietnam Korea is kind of like that now it’s like history class goes ww1 ww2 Vietnam look at Korea, thank God we freed half the country but damn us for being okay with leaving the other half slaves.

    • @robcobb2693
      @robcobb2693 9 месяцев назад +2

      Our country needs your country's support more then ever.

    • @lyrakeltica
      @lyrakeltica 9 месяцев назад +2

      My dad was in the Korean War

    • @jason-hy8ci
      @jason-hy8ci 7 месяцев назад +1

      That is SO ENCOURAGING to hear. Thank you for recognizing what the United Nations and to a large degree the United States was able to give to S. Korea and the FREE WORLD.

  • @Juls673
    @Juls673 9 месяцев назад +12

    South Korean here God bless you sir thanks to you our nation exists

  • @dtechthegod
    @dtechthegod 9 месяцев назад +22

    my respect for these men is beyond words thank you for your services

  • @noelwhittington6457
    @noelwhittington6457 9 месяцев назад +29

    The strength of this man is inspiring. One of many amazing stories from our military. 🇺🇸

  • @popmajesty6750
    @popmajesty6750 9 месяцев назад +8

    My father-in-law served and was on the U.S.S. General Howze. He doesn't talk about the Korean War. Such a sweet man. He's 90 now.

  • @shannoncole7051
    @shannoncole7051 9 месяцев назад +13

    What as unbelievably profound testimony. To imagine the difficult moments that this man had triumphed over... The true & actual racism (since 1948) that this soldier shrugged off & dealt with...
    Thank you for your service soldier. And thank you for just being a wonderful human. It's people like you, that restore a little bit of my faith in humanity. Your father would be proud by anyone's definition.
    It was also great to see the joy in you, when describing the trip to DC & the pictures.

  • @robertroth287
    @robertroth287 9 месяцев назад +9

    Corporal Dowdy, all I can say is you have my respect and thank you.

  • @irick00
    @irick00 9 месяцев назад +16

    Your father is a great man! You, sir, are a great man. When real men had to do what had to be done! 👏

  • @dustyoberg6687
    @dustyoberg6687 9 месяцев назад +8

    thank you for your service, sir. you are an amazing man. congratulations on 70 yrs of marriage.

  • @carlv8168
    @carlv8168 9 месяцев назад +7

    God bless courageous men like Corporal Dowdy. What a stand-up guy, too, to forgive his government for the discriminatory practices that the Army had back then that held him back from attending OCS. He'd have made a fine commissioned officer in the U.S. Army and would've been an inspiration to other black enlistees. My dad's cousin was KIA'd on Dec 2, 1950 during a 9-day surge of Chinese troops that assaulted his unit. He was in the 32nd Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry division.

  • @tiredlawdog
    @tiredlawdog 9 месяцев назад +9

    Thank you so much for you service and sacrifice, Mr. Dowdy. May God continue to bless you and yours.

  • @TheGainfather
    @TheGainfather 9 месяцев назад +21

    Thank you for your service and sacrifices! And thank you for helping pave the way in the changes in the Army. God bless you and your family!

  • @glockparaastra
    @glockparaastra 9 месяцев назад +11

    God Bless Sir!

  • @rsixing
    @rsixing 9 месяцев назад +8

    My pride of service has been elevated by your testimony Dowdy!
    Numbers 6:24 “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
    25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
    26 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

  • @FormerPBABowlerJoeJenkinsII
    @FormerPBABowlerJoeJenkinsII 9 месяцев назад +2

    This world needs more Men like this. Thank you for your service 🙏

  • @stevebruce1235
    @stevebruce1235 9 месяцев назад +9

    Thank You For Your Service Sir True American Hero

  • @sonnyjs15
    @sonnyjs15 9 месяцев назад +10

    Semper Fi, sir.

  • @Stew357
    @Stew357 9 месяцев назад +8

    Thank you for your service, Mr. Dowdy!

  • @drivenmad7676
    @drivenmad7676 9 месяцев назад +2

    That's what a good man looks like.

  • @noname2-190
    @noname2-190 9 месяцев назад +4

    God bless this man he is a hero to me

  • @countbendego6965
    @countbendego6965 9 месяцев назад +2

    man I love our Korea Vets...🇺🇸❤️‼️

  • @Ilovesarahbforeva
    @Ilovesarahbforeva 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you, my grandfather also fought in Korea, it was one of the most brutal wars in America history, sadly it truly is a forgotten war, but thanks to you i have 2 amazing kids who are 1/4 Korean and a beautiful wife who is half Korean i can't thank you enough!!!!

  • @johndilday1846
    @johndilday1846 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you for your service and sacrifice for our country, Corporal Dowdy!

  • @timdevoe360
    @timdevoe360 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you Mr Dowdy for you service and sacrifice 👊🏽🇺🇸

  • @hittz2581
    @hittz2581 9 месяцев назад +1

    Legend I know you may feel the newer generation ain't listening, but guys like me are watching!! Thank you so much

  • @xvsj-s2x
    @xvsj-s2x 9 месяцев назад +5

    Thank you for sharing this life story along with your courage, sacrifice and service to answer your country’s call. ❤❤love you , God Bless you and your family 🇺🇸

  • @Convoycrazy
    @Convoycrazy 9 месяцев назад +2

    I’m very grateful for men like Walter and his father. And I’m thankful he’s found some peace and closure about being cheated out of OCS & how that circumstance impacted his entire life. Great interview.

  • @davidhanson4480
    @davidhanson4480 9 месяцев назад +2

    I salute you sir for your sacrifice

  • @shane41225
    @shane41225 9 месяцев назад +2

    This is a real man! I wish he could have made it to OCS and I guarantee he would have been a amazing officer and leader

  • @everylittlethinggonnabealright
    @everylittlethinggonnabealright 9 месяцев назад +10

    Sad to think there was segregation when a man is putting his life on the line for his Country no matter the colour.. I hope this is truly in the past now..

    • @allenstevenson5986
      @allenstevenson5986 9 месяцев назад +3

      segregation is in the past. but the feeling is still alive and kicking. bless this man heart for enduring that and still fighting for a country that didnt see him as equal

    • @davidronan1677
      @davidronan1677 2 месяца назад

      Yes I thought the government figured it out during the Civil War

  • @crownvictoryfive6374
    @crownvictoryfive6374 9 месяцев назад +4

    Thank you for your service!

  • @billyjoe6933
    @billyjoe6933 9 месяцев назад +8

    Hell of a man

  • @markevanger4791
    @markevanger4791 9 месяцев назад +7

    SALUTE SIR!🌹🇺🇸🌹

  • @crystalheart9
    @crystalheart9 Месяц назад

    Bless this man he is a real American Hero. Thank you Mr. Dowdy for your story and service.🙏💖

  • @richardthornhill4630
    @richardthornhill4630 9 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.

  • @railfanmicahturner
    @railfanmicahturner 4 месяца назад

    This story is also so touching, and his faith speaks louder than anything. God Bless and thank our veterans for their service.

  • @TictacAddict1
    @TictacAddict1 9 месяцев назад +5

    Thank God for real men. The US is blessed because of the Godly men who preceded us.

  • @Earth11111
    @Earth11111 9 месяцев назад +1

    This guys so genuine

  • @badmunkyedc1
    @badmunkyedc1 9 месяцев назад +8

    We stand on the backs of giants. Hooah!

  • @Joelontugs
    @Joelontugs 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you for your service

  • @charliebecker2216
    @charliebecker2216 9 месяцев назад +2

    Love hearing these stories and the wisdom, and peace and service that veterans like him have.

  • @riverbender9898
    @riverbender9898 9 месяцев назад +2

    I salute you Sir.

  • @specag31
    @specag31 9 месяцев назад

    My father was in Korea, made it home. He never talked about it, even though I served in the Air Force. Thank you for sharing your experience. God bless you, Sir, you are a hero. Every American needs to see this.

  • @austinferguson8879
    @austinferguson8879 9 месяцев назад +2

    Thank you for your service sir

  • @CrossOfBayonne
    @CrossOfBayonne 9 месяцев назад +2

    Upmost respect and salute 🇺🇸

  • @Anthonysan86
    @Anthonysan86 6 месяцев назад

    Thank you for your service, I’m always thankful for any veteran young and old, my grandfather served Korea, Vietnam, and Cuban missile crisis.

  • @jeremycortese
    @jeremycortese 9 дней назад

    Bless this man. Sure seems like one great guy.

  • @SamGray
    @SamGray 9 месяцев назад +9

    "The American Army doesn't retreat, this is a strategic withdrawal."
    "And I don't eat food, I consume nutrients."

  • @j1st633
    @j1st633 9 месяцев назад +4

    Nice welcome home story. Much different when the Veitnam vets returned.

    • @shannoncole7051
      @shannoncole7051 9 месяцев назад

      I don't think that was his welcome home story. It wasn't clear in the video (poor editing), but I think that was some kind of trip for veterans or something.
      As far as I know, they don't give every returning vet an all-expenses paid DC trip. And he was injured for at least 11 months. He also mentioned "talk about old man/men crying" regarding the fanfare.

  • @shoynjones8422
    @shoynjones8422 9 месяцев назад +1

    Sir I salute you for your service and dedication courageous actions in the Korean War

  • @luiserazo2367
    @luiserazo2367 9 месяцев назад +1

    THANK YOU SIR, BROTHER

  • @cindyjackson2457
    @cindyjackson2457 3 месяца назад

    Thank you for your service, Sir.🇺🇸

  • @31446963048
    @31446963048 9 месяцев назад +1

    Glad you made it home.

  • @aaronmortimore8303
    @aaronmortimore8303 9 месяцев назад

    Thank you sir for your sacrifice and service

  • @8thApostle
    @8thApostle 8 месяцев назад

    This guy is definitely amazing. He definitely had a crazy life

  • @allenstevenson5986
    @allenstevenson5986 9 месяцев назад +1

    thanks for your service. sickening to know race still played a part and all was fighting for a common country. smh

  • @johndyceayeff634
    @johndyceayeff634 8 месяцев назад +1

    Man this story breaks my heart a bit. Black people do so much for this country and aren’t always repaid what they’re worth. I thank this man for his service and I’m so glad he got to live to tell his story

  • @malesletsgetgoing5717
    @malesletsgetgoing5717 9 месяцев назад +2

    Many idiots try to claim that whatever war the USA has been involved in, was for some type of gain. I live in South Africa, but I'm not naieve, there have been wars which the USA has fought in that probably was for ulterior motives, but many wars where their soldiers gave there lives was for just causes and bravely fought for the good, the Korean war being one.
    I was also a soldier in the old SADF, and as a fellow soldier I salute the brave soldiers of the USA who kept foul oppressive communism at bay.

  • @AfroNerd-cv1dl
    @AfroNerd-cv1dl Месяц назад

    Honestly, I've been looking for some African American representation from the war vets. Would an amazing story! Thank you so much for your service Mr Walter

  • @zakkyummms
    @zakkyummms 5 месяцев назад

    Why indeed.

  • @zacharymccoy2595
    @zacharymccoy2595 9 месяцев назад +2

    Shellback 😂🤘🏼

  • @user-dn3fr6yi5w
    @user-dn3fr6yi5w 9 месяцев назад +1

    Soldier boss!

  • @tammytorrey3747
    @tammytorrey3747 7 месяцев назад +1

    WoW!!! And he forgave his government. Will their ever be real men like that in our gen.

  • @TellySavalas-or5hf
    @TellySavalas-or5hf 9 месяцев назад +2

    Give this hero a Medal of Honor mr. Biden.

  • @varnelltall5701
    @varnelltall5701 4 месяца назад

    24th Infantry Regiment, BUFFALO SOLDIERS.

  • @toferj7441
    @toferj7441 3 месяца назад

    "Strategic withdrawal" euphemistic bullshit. I can't stop sobbing listening to this testimony. I'm so lucky not to have been drafted in a time of war.
    Sir, "god" didn't get you through all that. YOU did! Your strength and perseverance got you through all of that. Human beings are stronger than we think, and for some reason some humans insist on giving the credit to a mythical character, when really they did the work themselves. 😢

  • @ctafoya4252
    @ctafoya4252 9 месяцев назад +1

    First

  • @kurzy55
    @kurzy55 9 месяцев назад +1

    My grandfather fought alongside you. Canadians appreciate you for fighting for democracy.

  • @tonylelli3057
    @tonylelli3057 9 месяцев назад

    What a top man and a credit to the human race. God bless you sir.

  • @DickHardigan
    @DickHardigan 4 месяца назад

    You are a badass