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"It's kind of a family deal, but they're closer than family." (Video Interview, Part 2, 19:49)

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   Asa Charles Ball
Image of Asa Charles Ball
Asa Charles Ball, California, March 1951.
War: Korean War, 1950-1953
Branch: Army
Unit: 1st Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division
Service Location: Pusan, Korea
Rank: Corporal
Place of Birth: TN
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Asa Charles Ball-"Bud" to just about everyone who knew him-was a 22-year-old garage mechanic in 1950 when he was drafted into the Army to serve in Korea. A freewheeling personality, he didn't always play by the rules when he was in the Army, but he kept an eye out for his buddies and never forgot them.

Interview (Video)
»Interview Highlights  (10 clips)
»Complete Interview  (64 min.)
  Photos
»Photo Album (5 photos)
 Official Documents
»Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States.
 Personal Correspondence
»View List (3 items)
 Other Materials
»View List (3 items)
More like this
»Forever a Soldier
 Video (Interview Excerpts) (10 items)
Reaction to being drafted; older than many other recruits; labeled a misfit during training. (02:16) Unaware of Korea and the war, training unprepared men for combat. (02:09) Primitive living conditions at the front; concealing his combat status from his parents. (01:01)
R & R in Japan; what motivates a fighting man. (01:50) Dealing with fear of battle; getting wounded; getting religion on the battlefield. (03:32) Coming back to the U.S. through Seattle; long trip home. (02:35)
Dismay with the reaction of people back home to the war. (01:41) Ongoing relationship with a young Korean he served with. (03:02) Reuniting with a war buddy after nearly fifty years; standing in for a green soldier and hearing his gratitude years later. (04:24)
Talking about Korea with an old friend who served another time in Korea, only after both men had heart surgery. (01:25)  
  
 Personal Correspondence (3 items)
From Richard Phillips to John Mullins, May 6, 1958 From John D. Mullins to Richard Phillips, May 19, 1958. Letter and envelope from Herman Bearden, August 7, 2000.
  
 Other Materials (3 items)
Brass medallion depicting Joseph Stalin. Brass medallion depicting Vladmir Lenin. Photocopy of front and back of dollar bill autographed by GIs serving in Korea.
  
 
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  October 26, 2011
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