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Conversations with... Bert Platta, a Korean War veteran

By GENE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
Monday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, and veterans throughout Portage County will be gathering to honor all veterans who served in the Armed Forces.

Among those at the observances will be Lambert "Bert" Platta, Plover, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. His Monday will be busy. At 10:30 a.m., he'll be at the Korean War Memorial in Lions Park at Lake Pacawa and then will go to Plover Memorial Park at 11 a.m. for services there.

A retired truck driver, Platta is frequently seen at the Plover VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Hall in Plover. He helps out there at least three days a week, sometimes more.

While helping out there recently, he was reunited with Robert Phillippi, someone who was in his unit his entire time in Korea, whom he hadn't seen in 50 years.

Gazette: When did you go into the Army?

Platta: "I went in in 1951 and I got out in 1952 because I had enough points to get out. I was drafted. I had four brothers who were in during World War II and, right after I registered for the draft, they quit drafting."

Gazette: Where were you stationed while you were in the Army?

Platta: "I started out at Fort Polk, La. I started in the infantry and by the time I got to Korea, I went into the artillery. I spent four months in Japan and then went to Korea."

Gazette: How long were you in Korea?

Platta: "I was there 11 months during the war in Korea, wherever the 45th Division was. We landed at Inchon and replaced the 1st Cavalry over there. They transferred us to artillery then. We had trained for it in Ochido. I was a truck driver in the ammo section, and they needed a backup in artillery.

"In Japan they would practice with a three-quarter-ton truck. We'd load it onto a plane, fly around the airport once and land. Then they'd see how fast we could unload the plane."

Gazette: The Korean War is often referred to as "The Forgotten War." Do you feel Americans overlook the effort of veterans who served in that war and others?

Platta: "They did, but since 9/11 it seem like a lot more people are taking a little more interest in it. It seemed to wake them up.

"Korea is certainly 'The Forgotten War.' When I got out of the service, they said it was a 'Conflict' so I wasn't eligible to join the VFW. Later they said it was a 'war' so I could join the VFW. Now, those that fought in the war that was 100 hours long (the Gulf War) are eligible."

Gazette: You recently got together with an old friend from your days in Korea. What was that reunion like?

Platta: "I met Robert in Japan and was with him all the time in Korea. We had a program at the Korean War Memorial and then I went to the VFW Hall and walked behind the bar to help out. I noticed this guy smiling at me and went over to ask if he wanted anything. As I got to him, he shoved out his hand, and then I recognized who he was.

"I didn't see him for 50 years, and yet I knew him. That's a hell of a long time and then to meet like that. He lives down by Milwaukee."

Gazette: Did he know you were still in the Plover area?

Platta: "By accident, I guess. He didn't know I was going to be here. He belongs to the VFW where he lives, and he said he was hoping to see me. It was one hell of a nice thing seeing the guy again. We'd spent 11 months together. He had a picture of him and me in a bunker eating C rations.

"We had about 2-1/2 hours of conversation together, talking about various things. And he had to have a picture of us taken by the tank (in front of the VFW Hall). I wish we had more time but they (Phillippi and his wife) were going back to Milwaukee that night. He said he'd be back again next year."

Gazette: Have you kept in contact with others in your old unit?

Platta: "I kept in touch with some, but I lost contact. I used to write John Pliwa of Grand Rapids, Mich., and exchange Christmas cards, but I don't know if he's around or not any more. I haven't heard from him.

"Robert said he had been in Washington to see some guys from the outfit, but I haven't seen anyone I know. There's other guys around Waupaca, like Norbert Glodowski, who were in the 45th (Division), but not in our outfit.

"The 45th was a National Guard unit from Oklahoma, but when we went to Korea so many of them stayed in Oklahoma. Most of the guys seemed to be from Michigan. There were some other guys from Wisconsin. I think one was from Oxford and there were a couple from Racine.

"Norbert Glodowski suggested that I subscribe to the 45th Division newsletter and I did. I was thinking about a Chuck Wheeler I knew and the first issue I picked up said he had died.

"You didn't know for sure if you'd see someone again or not. We did get shelled quite a bit. We made it. That's all that matters. A lot of them didn't. I feel sorry for those who didn't, but I'm just trying to forget the war."



	Conversations with... Bert Platta, a Korean War veteran By GENE KEMMETER of The Gazette Monday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, and veterans throughout Portage County will be gathering to honor all veterans who served in the Armed Forces. Among those at the observances will be Lambert "Bert" Platta, Plover, a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. His Monday will be busy. At 10:30 a.m., he'll be at the Korean War Memorial in Lions Park at Lake Pacawa and then will go to Plover Memorial Park at 11 a.m. for services there. A retired truck driver, Platta is frequently seen at the Plover VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Hall in Plover. He helps out there at least three days a week, sometimes more. While helping out there recently, he was reunited with Robert Phillippi, someone who was in his unit his entire time in Korea, whom he hadn't seen in 50 years. Gazette: When did you go into the Army? Platta: "I went in in 1951 and I got out in 1952 because I had enough points to get out. I was drafted. I had four brothers who were in during World War II and, right after I registered for the draft, they quit drafting." Gazette: Where were you stationed while you were in the Army? Platta: "I started out at Fort Polk, La. I started in the infantry and by the time I got to Korea, I went into the artillery. I spent four months in Japan and then went to Korea." Gazette: How long were you in Korea? Platta: "I was there 11 months during the war in Korea, wherever the 45th Division was. We landed at Inchon and replaced the 1st Cavalry over there. They transferred us to artillery then. We had trained for it in Ochido. I was a truck driver in the ammo section, and they needed a backup in artillery. "In Japan they would practice with a three-quarter-ton truck. We'd load it onto a plane, fly around the airport once and land. Then they'd see how fast we could unload the plane." Gazette: The Korean War is often referred to as "The Forgotten War." Do you feel Americans overlook the effort of veterans who served in that war and others? Platta: "They did, but since 9/11 it seem like a lot more people are taking a little more interest in it. It seemed to wake them up. "Korea is certainly 'The Forgotten War.' When I got out of the service, they said it was a 'Conflict' so I wasn't eligible to join the VFW. Later they said it was a 'war' so I could join the VFW. Now, those that fought in the war that was 100 hours long (the Gulf War) are eligible." Gazette: You recently got together with an old friend from your days in Korea. What was that reunion like? Platta: "I met Robert in Japan and was with him all the time in Korea. We had a program at the Korean War Memorial and then I went to the VFW Hall and walked behind the bar to help out. I noticed this guy smiling at me and went over to ask if he wanted anything. As I got to him, he shoved out his hand, and then I recognized who he was. "I didn't see him for 50 years, and yet I knew him. That's a hell of a long time and then to meet like that. He lives down by Milwaukee." Gazette: Did he know you were still in the Plover area? Platta: "By accident, I guess. He didn't know I was going to be here. He belongs to the VFW where he lives, and he said he was hoping to see me. It was one hell of a nice thing seeing the guy again. We'd spent 11 months together. He had a picture of him and me in a bunker eating C rations. "We had about 2-1/2 hours of conversation together, talking about various things. And he had to have a picture of us taken by the tank (in front of the VFW Hall). I wish we had more time but they (Phillippi and his wife) were going back to Milwaukee that night. He said he'd be back again next year." Gazette: Have you kept in contact with others in your old unit? Platta: "I kept in touch with some, but I lost contact. I used to write John Pliwa of Grand Rapids, Mich., and exchange Christmas cards, but I don't know if he's around or not any more. I haven't heard from him. "Robert said he had been in Washington to see some guys from the outfit, but I haven't seen anyone I know. There's other guys around Waupaca, like Norbert Glodowski, who were in the 45th (Division), but not in our outfit. "The 45th was a National Guard unit from Oklahoma, but when we went to Korea so many of them stayed in Oklahoma. Most of the guys seemed to be from Michigan. There were some other guys from Wisconsin. I think one was from Oxford and there were a couple from Racine. "Norbert Glodowski suggested that I subscribe to the 45th Division newsletter and I did. I was thinking about a Chuck Wheeler I knew and the first issue I picked up said he had died. "You didn't know for sure if you'd see someone again or not. We did get shelled quite a bit. We made it. That's all that matters. A lot of them didn't. I feel sorry for those who didn't, but I'm just trying to forget the war."