AFTER THE WAR

In 1949, after a long Civil War, Communist forces finally succeeded in winning China. America grew fearful that other areas of Asia would also fall to Communism. In 1950, China’s neighbor Communist North Korea invaded noncommunist South Korea. President Truman asked the United Nations to send forces to repel the North Koreans, and American troops made up most of the force. 

The United States attack on Inchon, forcing North Korean troops back over the South Korean border and nearly as far back as the North Korea border with China. 

The Chinese entered in support of North Korea and drove the UN forces south of the South Korean border, but the UN forces were able to fight their way back near the border. 

Truce talks began but the fighting drags on chalking up great loss of life. In 1953 an armistice is reached, leaving the borders through Korea as they were before the war. 

Several men from Steamboat Rock were called to war this time in Korea. 

Prior to their marriage William Zilskie or Bill as he was known, had enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. His four years of service included duty in the Korean War as a machine gunner from July, 1950 until September, 1951. 

Following his overseas duty, Bill was among five Marines to receive the Letter of Commendation, Combat V, from General Silverthorn at Paris Island, South Carolina. Bill served as a drill instructor at Paris Island for one year. During that time he was the first Marine at that base to have two consecutive honor platoons. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant in July of 1952. When he returned to Hardin county he helped on his father’s farm, and worked at the Iowa Training School for Boys in Eldora. He later went into farming for himself.