The Korean War made itself felt early on the Peninsula through sad news three days before Christmas, 1950.

“Long Beach district was saddened this week upon receipt by Mrs. Karle Frederick Seydel (Roseann Crowley) of a telegram from General C. B. Cates, commandant of the U. S. Marine Corps . …

Deeply regret to inform you that your husband first Lieutenant Karle Frederick Seydel USMCR was killed in action 7 Dec. 1950 in the Korean area in performance of his duty and service to his country. No information available at present regarding disposition of remains. Temporary burial in locality where death occurred probable. You will be promptly furnished any additional information received. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy; letter follows. C. B. Cates, General USMC Commandant of the Marine Corps.

The reality of hostilities was also made visible by a new military installation, the Naselle Air Force base on a 2,000 foot-high radar ridge outside of Naselle, where the 759th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron was stationed.

A series of news stories kept locals informed about Peninsulans who were part of the “Korean Conflict”:

Staff Sergeant Mickey Hogan was a gunner with the 3rd Bomb Wing in Korea; he flew 50 night combat missions before being reassigned to a stateside base.

Lt. Dobby Wiegardt was stationed at Chunchon, northeast of Seoul, about 25 miles from the front. He wrote his parents in December 1953 that “the morale of the fellows seems to be good, even though they just live for the time to go home. All are eager to receive mail.”

Lt. Paul Kauttu was a jet fighter pilot who in May 1952 shot down his first MiG in the Korean war.

Lt. Jack Williams was an officer aboard the submarine Chivo which was operating with the U. S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.

Both Kauttu and Williams would continue on to distinguished careers in their branches of the military.

Jiggs Becken wrote to the Observer every so often:

Somewhere in Korea, Feb. 16, 1951. Dear Jim, Well here I am moved again, only this time into the war zone. I’m to pull a six month hitch up southern part of Korea. My address here is Cpl. Gerald W. Becken …

This weather is sure different than that of the Philippines. I’m just freezing and I’m almost on top of the stove as it is. I left the Philippines yesterday and came straight through to here with only a gas stop in Japan. They say this is the best airstrip in Korea. The others must really be awful if this is the best one over here. … As ever, Jiggs.

Dog Patch, Korea. March 26, 1951. Dear Jim and Gang, Just a line or two to say hello and let you know I’m getting the paper O.K. now.

Boy is it good to get the paper now and then. That is one of the main ways I have in knowing what is going on down at the Beach.

The weather here is sure nice, almost like that of Long Beach but it doesn’t rain as much here. If one didn’t know better, you’d think it was summer. It’s nice and warm here, the weather that is.

Right at present things are quiet here because our fighters are flying out of another base while this one is being repaired. Up until this week, from morning until night we’ve had fighters (F-51) taxiing by the front door. When you cross the street you have to watch both ways.

Boy are they givin’ them hell up front; a short time ago this base had completed 10,000 missions over the enemy lines, and the Air Force in all had completed 100,000 missions over enemy lines. So far I haven’t run into any of the guys from around home. I don’t even know if there are any of them over here. … Yours Always, Jiggs.

Several local men received commendations.

Major Maurice Saunders was awarded the Bronze Star in 1954. His medal was accompanied by a citation commending “Major Saunders’ exceptional ability, sound judgment, devotion to duty and superior supervisory qualities [as having] contributed immeasurably to the success of the United Nation’s forces in Korea.”

A year after the news of Lt. Seydel’s death had reached the Peninsula, there came news of his decoration for gallantry. “The Silver Star was awarded posthumously to Marine 1st Lieut. Karle F. Seydel, former University of Washington football player, in a public ceremony at 11 o’clock Saturday forenoon at the Sand Point Naval Station. The medal is for ‘conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity’ in the fighting at the Changjin Reservoir in North Korea Dec. 7, 1950. He was killed in action. The lieutenant’s widow, the former Roseanne Crowley of Long Beach and his son, Daniel James Seydel, 1-1/2, accepted the medal. It was presented by Maj. Eystein Nelson, commander of Marine Fighter Squadron 216.

“Lt. Seydel, 26, a reservist, served as leader of a machine-gun platoon in the 5th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. The citation pointed out that Lt. Seydel exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to lead an assault against a well-entrenched, numerically superior force on a high snow-covered hill. ‘During the attack, when one of his gunners was wounded, Lieut. Seydel personally carried the machine gun forward and delivered accurate and effective fire on the enemy until the objective was seized,’ the citation read.

” ‘Although seriously wounded by an enemy hand grenade, he refused to be evacuated and continued to move along with his men, lending encouragement and directing their fire until mortally wounded by a burst of enemy machine-gun fire.’ Lieutenant Seydel, born in Denver, enrolled at the University of Washington in 1942.

“He entered the marine corps in 1943 and saw combat in the South Pacific. After his discharge as a first lieutenant, he returned to the university and played on the varsity football team as a guard in 1948 and 1949. He received a degree in the Far Eastern Department. and was studying law when he was recalled.” – Dec. 7, 1951, reprinted from the Seattle Times

The wastefulness of war was made so clear by the Seattle Times’ article.

But then every so often the news was wonderfully good.

“Perhaps one of the happiest persons in Pacific county just at this time is Mrs. Minnie B. Viles, Nahcotta, for last Thursday she received a wire from the adjutant general of the United States army stating that her son, Pfc. Kenneth Viles, had been returned to Military Control in Korea and would be returned to United States at an early date.

“On the following day, August 21st., Mrs. Viles received the following message from her son. ‘Dear Mother: Your prayers for me have been answered. Feeling better now. I’m on my way home, roll out the barrel. Love to the best mother in the world. Your loving son Kenneth.’

“Viles was a member of the 1st cavalry division and was captured Sept. 29, 1951, only one day before his birthday. … In December of 1951 Mrs. Viles received word that her son was missing in action. Two weeks later she was informed that he was a prisoner at Chongsong. … Mrs. Viles has never allowed herself to give up hope but that her son would be returned safely to his home and loved ones. …

“Friends and neighbors of Nahcotta and the entire Peninsula share with this mother the joyful news which she so recently received and which she has waited so long to hear.” -Aug. 28, 1953

“Kenneth Viles, returned prisoner of war from Korea, is now at the home of his mother, Mrs. Minnie Viles in Nahcotta, enjoying his mother’s home cooked meals, his brothers and sister.”