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"She is ever watchful and...
her talons are treacherous"

~~U.S.C.G. PATROL BOAT~~

~FATHER & SONS~

Clyde H. Queen, Jr. SN USCG & Dad Clyde H. Queen, Sr. PSC USCGR......CWO John E. Queen USCGR

[This bio is longer then most, only because of the "4 Branches of Service" that Clyde was in."]
Clyde was born June 22, 1929, in Choctaw, Oklahoma then moved to Bakersfield California.

A few months after arriving in California, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. After which time his family moved to Hayward, CA. At the age of 12, he joined the Civilian Civil Defense services of the Army Air Corps Observation Group. Since he was too young for regular military service, Clyde began serving his country by joining the Maritime Service. In December 1945, he sailed aboard the SS Azalea City, in San Francisco to go to Japan. The ship's orders were, to go to the port of Yokohama Japan to return the first group of Soldiers and Marines to be rotated home after Japan surrendered.

After passing through the sea wall built by American and British POWs, he will never forget the sunken Japanese war ships cluttering up Tokyo Bay as the ship zig zagged around the sunken vessels in order to reach the docks at Yokohama. After going ashore, he recalls the bombed out burned, and gutted buildings in Yokohama. He remembers the mixture of intense fear and hatred in the faces of the displaced Japanese people walking the streets with every thing they owned, on their backs.

The enemy had paid the ultimate price for their ruthless, senseless cowardly sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. Their country was destroyed. Clyde remembers the faces of the gaunt looking GIs, as they walked up the gangway to board the ship. Their faces were drawn and weary, . . .yet, overjoyed that they were going home. The War was over! The war was over, and they were going home!

As the ship came within view of the shores of San Francisco, the GIs could see the distant yellowish lights of the Golden Gate Bridge through the dense fog. The ship's PA system started playing, "Harbor Lights." Emotions were runing high. Many men kneeled to the deck of the ship, and unashamedly prayed to God, giving Him thanks that He let them return home safely to their families. While others stared at the lights in silence. . .and, others wept with joy. . .they were out of harm's way. . .they were now home safe, no more fighting, THE WAR IS OVER!

Remembering all of this, Clyde was more determined than ever to do his part. He entered the U. S. Army in July 1946 and served until 1949. He took his basic training at the Armored Schools Command, Fort Knox, KY. There, he became qualified as a Tank Crewman. During his tenure in the Army, he served two years in the occupation of south Korea.

His first assignment was with the 754 Tank BN at Sui Saik, about 13 miles south of Seoul. Shortly afterwards, the 754 Tanks was deactivated and reactivated into the 58th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Group. That unit moved to Munsan, then on up to Kaesong. There, Clyde was then transferred to Company "G," Second Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, Seventh Division where he patrolled the 38th Parallel in M-8 Armored Cars.

He was on TAD to a Special Detachment that manned various road blocks and outposts at the Onjin Peninsula for three months. The outposts were on the border line of North and South Korea.. It's still not clear how Onjin became part of South Korea, since it was necessary to pass through North Korea to get their by land. To go to, or return from Onjin, the American personnel had to be escorted through the North Korean City of Pyongyang, by Russian soldiers. Pyongyang is the Capitol of North Korea, The Americans were required to keep head and eyes straight ahead, with arms folded across the chest (except for the driver of course), and were instructed not to look at any North Korean citizen or Russian. Do not look at any buildings or anything along side the roads. "That was quite an interesting experience, to say the least."

While in the occupation forces, Clyde met an American Missionary, Dr. Horace Underwood. Dr. Underwood taught him enough of the Korean language to stir his interest in learning more. He became able to communicate "somewhat" with the Koreans. As time passed on, he learned more and more through conversations with "various kinds" of Korean people at different types of establishments. Clyde was discharged from the 58th Treadway Bridge Co. at Fort Knox, KY in July 1949.

On June 25, 1950, the North Koreans assaulted south Korea. Clyde enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve July 10, 1950, and was called to active duty four days later. He was sent to Tent Camp Two, Camp Pendleton, CA. There, he was assigned to Heavy Water Cooled Machine Guns, Weapons Company, Second Battalion, First Marine Regiment, First Marine Division, FMF. He made the invasion of the Port of Inchon, advanced on up to Seoul, and his unit then advanced to Wonson, and eventually up to Koto-ri in the area of the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea.

Somewhere at or before entering the Seoul area, the Battalion Commanding Officer found out quite by accident, that Clyde had a fair working knowledge of the Korean language. Clyde was overheard by the BN CO cursing a Korean for drinking out of the Marine's personal water canteen. So impressed with all those words of Korean profanity, the Battalion Commander immediately assigned Clyde to the Batallion Intelligence (S-2) as a Korean interpreter.

After arriving at Koto-ri, the weather was cold, but in the next few days it got a lot colder, MUCH colder. Water froze, rations froze, some weapons froze and many men suffered frostbitten feet, hands, face and ears. The weather dropped to 30 to 45 degrees below zero. In addition to the freezing weather, the Marines received the word that the American Forces (20,000) were completely surrounded by 120,000 Chinese soldiers. The Chinese soldiers had orders from their higher command to kill every American Marine down to the lowest ranking man. Since Clyde's Korean language (skills?) was useless in trying to interrogate Chinese Prisoners, he was placed back on the line as an Infantry Rifleman.

About the second week at Koto-ri, Clyde was summoned from his position on the front line to Colonel Chesty Puller's Command Post to interrogate a Korean Officer they found wandering around. Clyde tried his best to question the North Korean, but to no avail. The Korean would only reply, "Moola". . ."Moola". (I don't know, or I don't understand.) Clyde turned to Colonel Puller and said, "Sir, this man will answer no questions." The Colonel thanked him and as Clyde started to depart the tent, the Korean Officer asked him in the King's English, "Where in the hell did you learn to speak Korean? In a whore house?" Colonel Puller then unleashed his furry on the North Korean and sent a very embarrassed Rifleman back to the lines with a totally crushed ego.

Clyde was released to inactive duty upon return to the United States, but remained in the Marine Corps Reserves. He went on active duty in 1954, and was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-5). He was discharged from the Marine Corps under the newly instituted rank structure, as a Sergeant (E-5) in 1959.

Except for service in the Merchant Marines during the Vietnam War, Clyde remained out of military service for nearly 13 years until he entered the U. S. Coast Guard Reserves. He spent much of his time in the Recruiting Offices, Marine Safety Offices and retired from the Reserves in 1990 as a Chief Petty Officer. He is still active with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and works with the regular Coast Guard Recruiters.

He is a Career Candidate Officer, Academy Mission Introduction (AIM) for youths who are thinking about furthering their education at the Coast Guard Academy. He regularly gives presentations to students at High Schools and Colleges. Two of his sons have served in the regular Coast Guard, and one is now a Coast Guard Warrant Officer in the Reserves

Clyde is the past President of the Orange County chapter of the Chosin Few, and currently the Vice President. For the past four years, he has arranged for special church services to be dedicated to the members of the Chosin Few. On November 22, 1998, the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA dedicated their services to the Chosin Few, which was televised worldwide.

Although he always felt a strong sense of duty to his country, Clyde has never once considered or even thought of himself, to be a hero in any shape, form or fashion. He has a deep respect for those who truly are heroes, and feels they are the ones who should be given all the credit for the battles won.

Clyde is fairly easy going person, who tries to maintain a keen sense of humor, and makes every effort to not take himself too seriously. He only wanted to be of service to his country as he felt it was his duty and obligation to do so, and he still does

For his services during the World War II era and Korean war, and Vietnam, he received the following service ribbons and awards:
Merchant Marine: The World War II Pacific War Zone Ribbon (and) Vietnam Service Ribbon
Army: Good Conduct Medal, Army Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal
Marine Corps: Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze stars, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal with four bronze stars, National Defense ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, United Nations Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation
Coast Guard Reserves: Good Conduct Medal, Coast Guard Commandant's Unit Citation
Clyde asked me to say, "To every veteran who has served in the Armed Forces of the United States, God Bless you, and may you never be forgotten."

Graphic by my son Ray, the patch itself was worn by my brother Earl "Pat" Howe when he was at the Maritime Academy at Sheepshead Bay, N.Y. in the '40's. After which time he went into the Navy for 22 years.

U.S. Maritime Academy Marching in CA.

"The SS Lane Victory "

Above a photograph of the SS Lane Victory during World War II when it was loading up at San Francisco. It is now preserved as a historical momument at San Pedro, California and has been restored to fully operational status. The U. S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II, (of which I am a member), takes the ship out on cruises to Catalina Island every year and take passengers along for the one day trip. While at sea, they come under air attack by World War II vintage fighter planes, flown by veteran combat pilots. The ship's guns open up on the planes, and are manned by actual Naval Gunner veterans of World War II.

The guns are fired by a mixture of oxygen, compressed air and electrical spark which gives it the sound of the gun actually being fired. Of course it should be noted at this point, that Merchant Marine ships were not equipped with guns or a gun crew until later on in the war. . .AFTER they had already lost numerous ships to subs and planes.

Food is served out on deck, and a band playing music of the 40's plays nearly all day. From time to time, you will see a group of "Seniors" out on the deck "jitterbuging" to the tune of Glen Miller's "In the mood." A 'great' time is had by all!!

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