Donald W. Stevens

Korean War

Don Stevens was born near Templeton on July 25, 1927, to Frank and Louise (Kroeger) Stevens. He attended Sacred Heart School and worked on the family farm after his schooling.

Don was inducted into the US Army on November 27, 1950. He was assigned serial number 55 051 523. The war had started five months earlier when North Korea had attacked South Korea across the 38th parallel. Don was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO for basic training with several other Carroll County men. He remained at Fort Leonard Wood for additional infantry training with the 6th Armored Division. His training was completed by March 26, 1951.

In April, 1951, Don was sent to Korea arriving about May 9, 1951. He was assigned to the Headquarters Battery of the 24th Infantry Division Artillery. The 24th Infantry Division had been one of the first units to arrive in Korea after the June 25, 1950 attack. By Don’s arrival, the front had stabilized somewhat back at the 38th parallel. Attacks and counterattacks were typical.

In September, 1951, UN forces launched another counteroffensive west of the Hwachon Reservoir with the 24th Division in the center of the line. Don and his unit advanced past Kumwha engaging two Chinese armies. In November, the Chinese attempted to take the territory back but were unsuccessful. At this point, serious peace negotiations began.

By January, 1952, the 24th Division had suffered over 10,000 casualties in the time since the initial 1950 invasion. The Division was redesignated as a reserve force and pulled out of Korea. Don was able to meet with two Carroll County men he had been inducted with in Japan on February 28, 1952. Don was then rotated back to the United States.

Don was transferred to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the 505th Signal Group. This unit had been activated on February 4, 1952, at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA. Their training was related to maintaining an effective communication system on the battlefield. It is likely training continued for the remainder of Don’s enlistment. He was discharged as a Corporal on August 27, 1952. He was obligated to stay in the reserves until April 8, 1957.

Don married Dorothy Mae Goetzinger on December 29, 1953, at Sacred Heart Church in Templeton. Don worked as a carpenter for Lawrence Ocken Construction. He died of a heart attack in Templeton on September 2, 1966 at age 39. He was buried in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton.