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Nevvs-Courier Cheryl Rowe«rvife, Frances, in their Athens home.He shipped out of Marseilles, France, on the General M.T.Beggs, headed for the Philippines and the war against the Japanese. After the second atomic bomb was dropped the Japanese surrendered on Aug. 15. 1945. McMunn returned to Camp Lucky Strike at Marseilles, France, where he helped train occupation troops.In early December, he boarded the Marine Phoenix and sailed for home and right into a big storm that almost swamped the ship.“I got into Athens about 3o'clock in the morning and there wasn't a cab anywhere. he said. “It was cold and I had a duffle bag and souvenirs 1 had collected and I walked from the bus station two and a half to three miles on Highway 99 to net home. It was Dec. 12.”viciMunn put in a cotton crop.“1 had $2,100 saved up. I bought me some mules and hired a boy to help me and we worked about 60 acres.” he said. “I mean we worked from sunup 'til sundown and when I sold my cotton I still had $2,100.”He married Frances Johnson that fall, gave up farming and went to work driving a truck. In1949. he joined the 1343rd Combat Engineers, an Athens National Guard unit, just in timeto be mobilized for duty inKorea.The North Koreans had pushed back the Americans and South Koreans into a tiny perimeter at Pusan where they were holding on by their fingernails and waiting for reinforcements. McMunn. who had a new baby, shipped out with the 1343rd Combat Engineers and landed at Pusan on Feb. 9. 1951. After the breakout of Pusan, they con-structed roads and bridges so that the infantry could advance.“Ed Swanner and I built the largest bridge that was built in Korea.” McMunn said. “He wasLife accomplishmentsIn addition to his militaryaccomplishments, Ed McMunnand his wife. Frances, have five children, Judy Gail Littrell; Patricia Magnusson; Mike, a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard; Debbie Ann Kirk; and Jeff.the officer in charge and I was the NCO in charge.McMunn was commissioned asecond lieutenant in Korea and promised a promotion to first lieutenant if he would extend his term one year. No. thanks. He returned home a master sergeant. Later, his lieutenant commission was restored and after 40 years of serving his country, McMunn retired from the National Guard in 1982 w ith the rank of major.Afterwards, he joined the State Defense Corps where he held the rank of brigadier general.McMunn holds the Good Conduct and Victory Medal, one Silver Star and five Battle Stars.BRANCH CREEK APARTMENTS218 South Hine Street,Athens, A1Now IMond8:30 AM - 5:00 P.M.✓ Each apartment is 540-square-foot unit with one bedroom, kitchen, living room and bathroom✓ Apartments are equipped with smoke alarms and emergency call alarm systems.✓ Centrally-located laundry facilities.100% barrier free.✓ Stove and refrigerator furnished.Rent based upon income.✓ A senior housing community owned and operated by...Baptist Health System.Call today for more information.233-2620Thefollowingspring
Newspaper Details
Athens News Courier
Athens, Alabama, US
Sun, Feb 18, 2001
Page 44
Full Page
Clipped by
Deborah S.
USA 27 Dec 2022
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