Walter Ade
An Interview with Walter Ade
Part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Veterans Remember Oral History Project
Interview # VRK-A-L-2007-004.1
VRK-A-L-2007-004.2 & VRK-A-L-2007-004.3
Walter Ade, a Korean War veteran’, was interviewed on the below listed dates as part of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library’s Veterans Remember Oral History project.
Interview dates & location(s):
Date: May 21, 2007 Location: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Date: May 25, 2007 Location: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Date: May 29, 2007 Location: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Interview Format: Digital Audio
Interviewer: Mark R. DePue, Director of Oral History, ALPL
Transcription by: TapeTranscriptionCenter, BostonMassachusetts
Edited by: Rozanne Flatt, ALPL volunteer
Total Pages: 73 Total Time: 1:22 + 1:48 + 1:15 / 1.37 + 1.8 + 1.25 = 4:25 / 4.42 hrs.
Session 1: Growing up in Germany& Czechoslovakia, immigration to U.S, drafted
Session 2: Marriage, Army training, service in the Korean conflict
Session 3: Occupation after discharge, Army Reserve, veterans’ organizations
Accessioned into the ALPL Archives on October 31, 2007.
The interviews are archived at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois.
© 2007 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
Abstract
Walter Ade, Veterans Remember, VRK-A-L-2007-004.1-3
Biographical Information & Synopsis: Walter Ade was born in Bruchsal, Germany on October 3, 1931. His father, a civil servant with the German government, moved the family to the Sudeten area of Czechoslovakia after this area was turned over to Germany in 1938. Walter spent his youth there, while his father and older brother both served in the Wehrmacht. (His father was captured by the Russians, and released in October 1955. His brother was also captured by the Russians, but later executed by his captors.) Following the war, the family moved hastily to western Germany. In 1949, Walter emigrated to Springfield, Illinois, where he found work as a tailor. He joined the U.S. Army in January, 1952, and served in Korea from January through December of 1953. Walter served with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, assigned to a machinegun team. His unit served in the Punchbowl area of Korea, and later near Chorwon. From 1956 to 1984 Walter worked full-time for the Illinois Army National Guard. An avid marksman, he received the Distinguished Marksman Badge, coached the ING Biathlon team and also competed in Worldloppet Cross Country ski marathons. Walter passed away in May 2011 at the age of 79.
Topics Covered: World War II in Sudetenland; Russian Prisoner of War; Korean War; 5th Regimental Combat Team; Punchbowl; Chorwon, South Korea; Outpost Harry; Illinois Army National Guard; Springfield, Illinois; rifle marksmanship; biathlons; Worldloppet Cross Country Ski marathons; Korean orphanage
Note to the Reader: Readers of the oral history memoir should bear in mind that this is a transcript of the spoken word, and that the interviewer, interviewee and editor sought to preserve the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein. We leave these for the reader to judge.
COPYRIGHT
The following material can be used for educational and other non-commercial purposes without the written permission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. “Fair use” criteria of Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 must be followed. These materials are not to be deposited in other repositories, nor used for resale or commercial purposes without the authorization from the Audio-Visual Curator at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701. Telephone (217) 785-7955