From Daughter Jana:
Daddy was sent to Korea with the Corps of Engineers via the USS Marine Adder. It took approximately two weeks for the boys to sail to Korea on the USS Marine Adder. One night it came a horrible storm. MANY of the boys hung over the sides of the boat throwing up from sea sickness. The waves were so vicious that when the bow of the ship would raise up, all the boys could see was the sky, and when the bow would go down, they could see into the depths of the ocean. Dad said there were lots and lots that were sick, and that he came close but did not throw up. When they arrived to port in Korea they were immediately put on a train to travel to their destination. They arrived during nightfall and travelled all night long. They were not allowed to so much as light a cigarette for fear of the enemy seeing the light and firing on the train.
His job, once he arrived with the engineers, was to build laundry mats. He befriended a young Korean boy. The young boy grew to trust Daddy and Daddy grew to trust him, so much Daddy would give him US money to have exchanged for Korean money. When the young boy would return with the money, Daddy would give him a part of it for running the errand. The young boy would check in with Daddy almost daily. One day, Daddy missed the boy and wondered why he had not come by. Now the Koreans were known to capture young boys and enlist and train them in their military. Once caught, the young boys had a rope tied to their wrist and they were taken to the Korean military camp. One day, Daddy heard his name being called. He looked around and saw the young boy. He had been captured by the Korean military and was being taken away. Somehow, Daddy got to him and gave him all the money he had in his pocket. The young boy was taken away. A few hours later, the young by came running back to the place where Daddy's worksite was. Off course, Daddy was surprised to see him. He asked the young boy how he had escaped, and the young boy informed Daddy that he had paid off the guard that had captured him with the money Daddy had given him and was set free.
When Daddy left Korea, he had to leave the young boy that had admired him so. He said the little boy cried and cried and begged him not to go. I think Daddy may have cried too.
Pictures of Junior Rader:
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