“It isn’t all fighting when you are in the military,” said Korean War Vet David Dalton of Mansfield.
Dalton, originally from Hayesville, enlisted in the Navy Reserves January 1952 at the age of 19. Inspired by the unexpected death of friend Ken Metsger who was killed after a brief time engaged on the front lines, Dalton volunteered for active duty in February.
Dalton added,”I wanted to do my part and knew I could contribute but on a different level.”
Serving in the Naval Air Force branch, Dalton was deployed as part of the Fleet Weather Central & Typhoon Tracking Center unit to the Mariana Islands in Guam as part of the Pacific Microseismic Research Project. The work and research Dalton was a part of included radio weather reports, day-to-day weather and the study of earthquakes and typhoons.
“There was no ‘radar’ then,” said Dalton. He added,”Everything we did was with two eyes, a chart and a pencil.” Reports were done every six hours including hand-drawing the charts and plotting every increment of cloud and wind movement. “We had to recognize and define 27 different types of clouds,” added Dalton.
“For every one guy on the front lines, there are 10 in support in one form or another,” Dalton said.
The research work that was done in his unit of 32 men was acknowledged a critical support system for the men on the front lines.
After three and a half years of service Dalton returned home July 4, 1955 and entered Ashland College to study History, Political Science and Pre-Law. There he met his soon-to-be-bride, also a student at Ashland, Dorothy George of Mansfield.
Reminiscing about their first date, taking a ride in his new Buick, Dalton said, “She impressed the dash and me.” He stated that in his excitement he became distracted by “her beauty and charm.” He lost control of the Buick and ran off the road. Though neither one was seriously injured, George’s knee hit the dash and left an imprint that to this day was never repaired.
Dalton went on to teach History and Government at Loundenville schools for 12 years and then onto Ontario for 10 years. Dalton became active in the community serving three terms on the city council and also served as city treasurer in Mansfield.
Dalton considers his military service as positive, “I received a good education and a deep appreciation for how the navy operates.” He added, “My opportunities were better than other men, I know that and respect and appreciate what they did.”
Still very active in the community, Dalton is an active member of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), Richland County Chapter 51. The KWVA sponsors a scholarship program that awards $1,000 to local seniors. The program is funded by veterans who sell silk replicas of the Rose of Sharon, the national flower of Korea.
Dalton and his wife live in Mansfield, have four children and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dalton will be in the upcoming Korean War Veterans Parade, in uniform, of course.
The education, experiences and friendships Dalton developed during his military career created a foundation of community service, respect and appreciation. “I have fond memories,” said Dalton. “They are all good men, we still keep in contact and still get together.”
