July 20: Still Standing: Fred Holcomb’s Experience as a Korean War POW presented by Gary Manning and Bill Simons

     Fred Holcomb grew up in Meredith and graduated from Delaware Academy in 1948.  In 1949, he enlisted in the Marines. After boot camp at Parris Island, he graduated from the Motor Transport School at Camp Lejeune, NC, and volunteered for duty with the 1st Marine Division on the west coast.  The Korean War began June 25, 1950. On September 15, 1950, Fred participated in the Marines’ amphibious assault at Inchon.  A little more than 2 months later, on November 28, 1950, his truck was ambushed near the Chosin Reservoir. He was subsequently captured by the Chinese and held captive until he escaped May 25, 1951.

   In 2020, Gary Manning interviewed Fred and recorded the oral history of his capture, survival, and escape in a book titled, Still Standing.  In this program ,Gary and Bill will tell the story of Fred’s harrowing experience as a Korean War POW by reading excerpts from Manning’s book.

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