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Bill Piper - Korean War

Bill Piper was a Korean War veteran serving with the 40th Infantry Division. He saw action in 1953 first as a communications wireman, then in the Battalion Intelligence Section for the 2nd BN, 160th Infantry Regiment. Piper saw action at Heartbreak Ridge, and served for a month at a POW camp on Koje-Do island.

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Photos

Caption
Ann and Bill Piper with their daughter Terry in 1952, prior to Bill's deployment.

Where:
Unknown

When:
1952

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Terry sits on her father's bunk in the barracks at Camp Cooke. No women were allowed in the barracks, but Bill's buddies, including ‘Rosy' Rosenberg of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, obviously delighted in their young guest.

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Camp Cooke, California

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Piper's barracks at Camp Cooke, California in 1952. The barracks date from World War II.

Where:
Camp Cooke, California

When:
1952

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Ann and Terry in 1953 while Bill is overseas.

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1953

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Piper stands next to the door of the Battalion Headquarters bunker.

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Piper takes a break near the front. The caption on the back reads “Roughing it huh?”

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The winter of 1952-1953 at the front. Note the sparse, shell-blasted vegetation, and the troops' new bullet proof vests.

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winter of 1952-1953

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Some Chogees, the soldier's vernacular for South Korean laborers, take a break from digging trenches and hauling supplies.

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Headquarters Company's mess hall bunker.

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Piper's home while at the front. Note the curtained area to the right of the bunker, where the ‘pee' tube was placed. What passes for a road can be seen coursing its way around the bunker.

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Bill and a buddy at their O.P. bunker.

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The rope helped the troops make their way up the hill to their fighting positions.

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A grave-digging crew at work on Koje-Do island, where the UN forces maintained massive POW compounds.

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Koje-Do island

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Unknown

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Caption
A view of Chinese territory taken from an Observation Post situated forward of the American lines.

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Staff Sergeant Piper while near Sang-dong, South Korea.

Where:
Sang-dong, South Korea

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Unknown

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Caption
Piper washes his clothes the Korean way, in a local river.

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Caption
A view of Heartbreak Ridge from Piper's position.

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Bill Piper stands next to his bunker, situated on the rear slope of the front lines.

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Caption
“Wash day again,” reads the caption on the back of this photo. Piper stands in front of the clothes line.

Where:
Unknown

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Unknown

Ownership:
Unknown



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