Korean War Veterans Association

Member Bio: Narce Caliva

Narce Caliva was born on Sep 7th, 1929 in Salinas, Ca. After graduating from Junior college and turning 19, he enlisted in the Army in 1948. Fifteen months later, he was a corporal in the Military Police detachment at Fort Eustis, VA. He was on his way to OCS school at Fort Riley, KS. When the Korean war broke out.

As a 2nd Lt. Transportation Corps  he arrived in Korea in the summer of 1951. Assigned to the 60th Truck Co. 52nd Truck Bn at Wonju, end of the rail line. He spent the following months leading supply convoys northward.

transferred to the 54th heavy truck Co. He continued to lead convoys throughout the coldest winters of his life layered in cold weather gear and with a truck heater installed in the backseat of his jeep. Occasional sniper fire and treacherous roads and caused the loss of several vehicles while the drivers were able to leap to safety. In the spring, the 54th was reassigned to the 296th Truck Bn. At Pusan and given a new mission to provide local transportation.

        Narce finished his 22 months of overseas service in Korea in 1953 as OX of the 48th Truck Co. and after assignments at Washington & Lee Univ. and at Fort McPherson, GA. He was released from active duty to return to college. He graduated from Ca. State Univ @ Fresno, Ca. and Thunderbird school of Global Management in 1956.

In 1959, he found his true niche, combining education, interests in the Military, service to  others, travel etc. and embarked upon a 30 year career with the American Red Cross. He began as an assistant Field Director in the Service to the Armed Forces at Fort Ord and Travis Air Force Base in Ca. and then overseas in Seville,

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