Local veteran to speak

Members of the World War II Heritage Society will hear from Tom Powers, local veteran with active service in the Korean conflict, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at A La Cart Catering.

Born in Jersey City, Powers grew up in the Bronx attending St. Anne’s and graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School. Following an apprenticeship, Powers enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1948 at the age of 17. His initial action was the Inchon landing and urban combat action in Seoul, serving as an ammo bearer and machine gunner.

Stationed in the Chosin Reservoir region, PFC Powers and his cohorts in George Company were attacked by a human wave of Chinese soldiers using civilians as human shields. Powers shot one enemy soldier and out of ammo, choked another to death with his bare hands. That man’s face accompanied Powers almost nightly for more than 60 years until he followed the advice of a therapist at the Calcutta Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic.

Powers will share the story of Task Force Drysdale and the men of George Company that still gives him nightmares.

Discharged in 1956, Powers married and reared four children. He worked in law enforcement in New York and New Jersey. In 1995, he retired to Florida. Powers and his wife Joan have since relocated to Newell, W. Va.

The cost for this event is $14 for a full buffet. Reservations may be made by contacting Dave Frank at 330-757-0515 before May 16. Make checks payable to W.W. II Heritage Society.