CHAPTER CHATTER Page 6
The Official Newsletter of the
Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313
Korean War Veterans Association
Volume 14, Issue 09
Paul E. Bombardier, Editor
September, 2021
Member Bio: Fred Haymaker
This Bio is being reprinted and edited from the March 2011 issue of the Chatter for the benefit of our newer members since that time.
Ira Fredrick “Fred” Haymaker was born in Indianapolis, In. on Sept 18th 1942. Fred grew up in Franklin, IN. where his father had a law practice.
He graduated from Franklin High School in 1960 having lettered in football serving as Student Council President.
Fred attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN.
In 1963, with the Draft Board close on his heels, He joined the U.S. Army, and when he got to Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY, he qualified for Officer Candidate school. Fred decided to give OCS a try, and was shipped to Fort Sill, OK. For advanced training and was sent to a School Support 105 MM Artillery Battalion.
He was assigned to the Fire Direction Center, and that experience was very valuable when he got to OCS. Near the end of six months of school, he selected Germany for his three
choices but his orders came back indicating Korea.
When Fred arrived in Korea, he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Battalion 77th Artillery, a 105mm direct support unit just south of the Imjin river, and the firing Batteries were about three miles behind the DMZ.
For the first half of his tour, he was EXO of HQ Battery, and afterward he was a forward observer for the Turkish unit.
In the summer of 1965, the Army exchanged the Colors of the 2nd Division in Fort Benning GA with the 1st Cav Division in Korea. The 2nd Div. became the 1st Cav airmobile, and was the first Division size unit to be sent to Vietnam. Fred’s outfit became the 7th Bn 17th Arty of the 2nd Div.
For the balance of his tour, Fred was the liaison officer with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Bn, 23rd Inf Div. which held the right Division sector east of Panmunjom. Fred went on many trips to observation posts and several patrols in the DMZ and right along the MDL. This included direct contact with North Koreans. (Cont. on p. 7)