Juan Balleza
Juan Balleza joined the United States Marine Corps at the beginning of his senior year of high school at Fox Tech in San Antonio, Texas. Juan graduated in May of 1950, one month prior to the outset of the Korean War. In July of 1950, Juan was called to active duty and found himself quickly mobilized. In August, he and fellow Marines were transported to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. While at Camp Pendleton he received three weeks of training as an 0311 Infantryman.
Juan’s first combat engagement occurred In late September of 1950. As part of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, Juan participated in the Second Battle of Seoul which resulted in the recapture of Seoul by United Nations forces.
Subsequent to his engagement in the Second Battle of Seoul, in October of 1950, Juan’s battalion and regiment moved into North Korea. In late November and December of 1950, amid bitter cold, Juan fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.
After his service, Juan returned to San Antonio.
In 2001, Juan revisited South Korea and was amazed by the modernization of the country as well as the enduring thankfulness of the South Korean people.
Interview, July 14, 2018
Juan Balleza interview, Luby’s Restaurant, San Antonio, Texas.
USS Bayfield, July 1949
Photo provided by Juan Balleza of three Marines. Juan stands center with Alving G. Padilla, Jr., my grandfather, to his left and Freddy De La Rosa to his right.
Korean War - Key Events
October 25, 1950
Having destroyed the bulk of the North Korean army, UN troops have pressed on into North Korea and are now approaching the Yalu River. Chinese People’s Volunteers Force (CPVF) troops under veteran commander Gen. Peng Dehuai cross into North Korea and inflict serious losses on the lead units of the UN advance. The sudden appearance of Chinese forces sends the main body of UN forces reeling back to the south bank of the Ch’ŏngch’ŏn River.
These events are taken from the Encyclopedia Britannica
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