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

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

[@jjj0309]

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]

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

[@Meta_818]

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]

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

[@lyrakeltica]

My dad was in the Korean War

[@jason-hy8ci]

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]

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

[@popmajesty6750]

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.

[@noelwhittington6457]

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

[@dtechthegod]

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

[@shannoncole7051]

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]

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

[@irick00]

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

[@rsixing]

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.”’

[@dustyoberg6687]

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

[@stevebruce1235]

Thank You For Your Service Sir True American Hero

[@americanveteranscenter]

Thank you for watching!

[@carlv8168]

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.

[@TheGainfather]

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!

[@tiredlawdog]

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

[@glockparaastra]

God Bless Sir!

[@sonnyjs15]

Semper Fi, sir.

[@Stew357]

Thank you for your service, Mr. Dowdy!

[@FormerPBABowlerJoeJenkinsII]

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

[@badmunkyedc1]

We stand on the backs of giants. Hooah!

[@americanveteranscenter]

Hooah!

[@noname2-190]

God bless this man he is a hero to me

[@Ilovesarahbforeva]

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!!!!

[@timdevoe360]

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

[@billyjoe6933]

Hell of a man

[@johndilday1846]

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

[@xvsj5833]

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]

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.

[@TictacAddict1]

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

[@crownvictoryfive6374]

Thank you for your service!

[@everylittlethinggonnabealright]

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]

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]

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

[@markevanger4791]

SALUTE SIR!🌹🇺🇸🌹

[@hittz2581]

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

[@shanew8158]

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

[@j1st633]

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

[@shannoncole7051]

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.

[@drivenmad7676]

That's what a good man looks like.

[@Joellikestobox]

Thank you for your service

[@railfanmicahturner]

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

[@countbendego6965]

man I love our Korea Vets...🇺🇸❤️‼️

[@SamGray]

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

[@austinferguson8879]

Thank you for your service sir

[@richardthornhill4630]

Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.

[@charliebecker2216]

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

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Upmost respect and salute 🇺🇸

[@Anthonysan86]

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

[@shoynjones8422]

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

[@davidhanson4480]

I salute you sir for your sacrifice

[@luiserazo2367]

THANK YOU SIR, BROTHER

[@Earth11111]

This guys so genuine

[@cindyjackson2457]

Thank you for your service, Sir.🇺🇸

[@riverbender9898]

I salute you Sir.

[@specag31]

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.

[@31446963048]

Glad you made it home.

[@aaronmortimore8303]

Thank you sir for your sacrifice and service

[@allenstevenson5986]

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

[@8thApostle]

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

[@johndyceayeff634]

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]

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.

[@user-dn3fr6yi5w]

Soldier boss!

[@zakkyummms]

Why indeed.

[@tammytorrey3747]

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

[@TellySavalas-or5hf]

Give this hero a Medal of Honor mr. Biden.

[@zacharymccoy2595]

Shellback 😂🤘🏼

[@toferj7441]

"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. 😢

[@varnelltall5701]

24th Infantry Regiment, BUFFALO SOLDIERS.

[@ctafoya4252]

First

[@kurzy55]

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

[@tonylelli3057]

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

[@DickHardigan]

You are a badass