Andrew B. Brincks

Korean War

Andy Brincks was born in Carroll, IA on August 31, 1930, to John and Anna (Reineke) Brincks. The family lived on a farm in Roselle Township. Andy attended Sts. Peter and Paul School in Carroll. He worked as a farm laborer after his schooling.

Andy enlisted in the US Army on December 3, 1948, and was assigned serial number 57 505 783. He was sent to Fort Benning, GA for basic training as an infantryman. He was later sent to Fort Riley, KS for regular duty. On December 2, 1949, Andy was released from active duty and he returned to Carroll County remaining in the reserves.

On June 25, 1950, the North Korean army invaded South Korea and the Korean War began. US troops were committed along with troops of other UN countries. Andy was recalled to Army duty on September 17, 1950, at Fort Riley. There is some indication he spent time at Fort Sheridan, IL although details are unknown. By October 10, 1950, Andy was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA and part of Company A of the 5th Engineer Battalion.

The situation worsened for South Korea after the invasion. By mid-July, 1950, North Korea had advanced southward and occupied most of the Korean peninsula with the exception of the area around the port city of Pusan. At this time, the first troops of the US 25th Infantry Division arrived in Pusan from Japan to prevent a total victory by North Korea. The 25th Division included three regiments: the 24th, the 27th and the 35th. The situation was stabilized and additional UN troops arrived.

The US landing at Inchon (near Seoul) in September, 1950, cut the North Korean supply lines leaving enemy soldiers between two UN force concentrations. This permitted the UN troops around Pusan to break out and move north. Increasing UN forces pushed north into North Korea and, by November, 1950, had moved close to the Yalu River which separated North Korea from China.

On November 14, 1950, Andy was sent to Korea and was assigned as a rifleman with Company I, 35th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. Andy would have arrived about the time China entered the war and attacked across the Yalu. He would have experienced a brutal winter of fighting and bitter cold. UN troops were forced to withdraw southward. Intense fighting continued into 1951 with the front lines eventually returning approximately to the 38th parallel where the war had started.

Although the war was to continue until July, 1953, Andy was returned to the United States on July 16, 1951. He was discharged on August 3, 1951, at Fort Carson, CO with the rank of PFC (private first class).

Andy was married to Margaret Hoffman at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton on April 16, 1952. In 1955, the family moved to Templeton. Andy’s worked as a butcher and later was employed at Farmland Foods in Denison.

Andy died of a heart attack in Templeton on November 28, 1972 at age 42. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery.