SSgt. Rudy Meekins, USMC. Korea, Chosin Reservoir

Rudy Meekins grew up in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Most young men from that area joined the U.S. Merchant Marine or the U.S. Coast Guard. However, Rudy initially opted for the Army National Guard but then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in September 1949. He endured boot camp at Parris Island and was eventually assigned to a 105mm howitzer team.

In this edition of Veterans Chronicles, Meekins tells us how he heard the news that North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950 and how he was on his way to the Pacific by...