John Hinde was born and raised in Independence, Missouri. His father's life-long friend was Harry S. Truman, who helped John's father find employment. John was inducted into the Army shortly after his high school graduation. He spent some time in Oklahoma, and then was shipped to Europe toward the end of the war, too late for him to see combat. John returned to active duty in 1950 for the Korean War, and served as a platoon leader in a heavy mortar platoon with the 7th Infantry Division in 1951, where he saw considerable action.
Interview Links
Feature Excerpt
Truman Letters
Abstract
Interview Session 01 (Audio)
Growing up in Independence, Missouri and WW II experiences
Interview Session 02 (Audio)
College on the GI Bill, and year in Korea as an infantry officer
Transcript
Photos
Caption
John Hinde’s family sees him off for combat in Korea in December, 1950 in Independence, Missouri. With him are his new bride Helen, his father, Edgar G. Hinde, and nephew Edgar Hinde III.
Where:
Independence, Missouri
When:
December, 1950
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This picture of John was taken in front of his Command Post hut in Wachon, South Korea in June, 1951.
Where:
Wachon, South Korea
When:
June, 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
John, pipe in hand, poses in front of a jeep in Wachon, South Korea in June, 1951.
Where:
Wachon, South Korea
When:
June, 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
John, Sergeant Major “Shorty,” a war orphan, and Kim Kee Won, the unit’s “Number One Boy.”
Where:
South Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This is one of the twelve 4.2 inch mortars in the heavy mortar company. Hinde’s platoon consisted of four mortars. On one especially busy night, it fired 900 rounds between 10:30 PM to 5:00 AM.
Where:
South Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
1st Lieutenant. Dick W. Flournoy, Executive Officer for the 31st Regiment’s Heavy Mortar Company.
Where:
Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Several of Lieutenant Hinde’s soldiers relax around the platoon headquarters’ truck. PFC Rogers, a radio operator, straddles a couple of gas cans, while Markam and Carrier appear next to the ¾ ton truck’s .50 caliber machine gun.
Where:
Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Several enlisted men in Lieutenant Hinde’s platoon, including Hoke, Markam, and Rogers, manning one of the platoon’s .50 caliber machine guns.
Where:
Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
This is “Shorty,” the platoon’s ten year old Korean mascot. He was a war orphan that Sergeant Read, the platoon sergeant, adopted. Thousands of young orphans and destitute Koreans managed to survive the war this way.
Where:
Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Chow time with the heavy mortar platoon. Lieutenant Cartwright, left rear, relaxes with another Shavetail (army slang for a new lieutenant) on Cartwright’s left.
Where:
Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
March Orders! One of the platoon’s squad trucks and the mess hall truck ready to move out.
Where:
Korea
When:
1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Lieutenant John Hinde, on the left, and a naval officer friend, also from Independence, enjoy an R & R in Tokyo in the late summer of 1951.
Where:
Tokyo, Japan
When:
Summer of 1951
Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
A reunion of 129th FA Regt, 35th ID officers who served together in France during WWI. From left to right are Edgar G. Hinde, Btry A, Kenneth V. Bostian, 129th FA, Harry S. Truman, Btry D, Ted Marks, Btry C, and Keith Dancy, Btry A.
Where:
Unknown
When:
Unknown
Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.