Since starting this weekly column almost two years ago, I have profiled and paid tribute to several World War ll heroes, both living and deceased, as well as a living Vietnam vet. This week’s column will highlight an unusual contributor, a sailor who fought in the Korean War and in Vietnam.
Alpharetta resident John Breyer, the oldest of five siblings, was born in St Louis. In 1953, at age 17, he joined the Navy. He was sent to electronics school for nine months at Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay where he learned to repair and maintain shipboard electronic equipment.
Beginning in 1954, he served a 15-month tour in Korea aboard the USS Epping Forest, an LSD (Landing Ship Dock). It featured a “well dock” for transport and launching of landing craft and other vehicles. It could simultaneously carry 300 Marines. John oversaw surface and air radar, sonar and communications equipment.
Epping Forest is the name of an estate in Virginia where George Washington’s mother was born.
Built during World War ll, the Epping Forest saw extensive action in the South Pacific. The ship was decommissioned after the war and recommissioned during the Korean War. In 1954, the ship engaged in mine sweeping operations in Wonsan Harbor, the site of major battles and a naval blockade in the early days of the war. It was the first time an LSD was used for mine sweeping.
“Even though a temporary armistice ending the war was signed in July 1953, the fighting continued for a long time and a permanent peace treaty has yet to be achieved,”John said.
John spent much of his time off the coast of Inchon, west of Seoul, where fighting continued after the armistice.
“We would send aircraft in to napalm the beach and then we would go on to the beach to set up communications with the ship so it could send in Marines and tanks,” John recalled.
The ship picked up…
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