Korea vet grateful for Peace Medal, credits war survival to life on the farm

  KIMBALL, S.D. -- A strong mind and will coupled with good old South Dakota farming know-how helped Jim Hallman survive his tour of duty in Korea. "It affects you," Hallman said of war. "But you gotta keep a strong mind and just can't take too much too seriously."
 The 87-year-old Korean War veteran was among the more than 450 South Dakota veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace Medal in January from the people of Korea. The medal is the country's way of thanking the veterans who helped the Republic of Korea maintain its democracy and freedom, according to the proclamation that accompanies the medal. Born in 1929 to a farm family, Hallman knew nothing else. He's a farmer through and through, and remains active on his farm although his son, Duane, has taken over. They run a cow/calf operation, but also raise corn and soybeans. They also have a few chickens and a flock of turkeys roaming the property in rural Kimball. Hallman was 25 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. At the time, he farmed with his father. On the side, he hunted and trapped animals. Not one of the 'city boys' "When I went through basic training, the city guys, they started out training them with wooden guns," Hallman said. "To me that was silly, because I knew all about guns." He credits his mechanical and common sense knowledge gained from farming for keeping him alive in Korea. During his approximately two years in the Army, Hallman served in the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division, C-Battery. He and several others operated and maintained 105mm Howitzer guns. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523246","attributes":{"alt":"This is the entrance to an ammunition bunker Hallman and his fellow soldiers would build. (Photo courtesy of Jim Hallman) ","class":"media-image","height":"602","title":"","width":"804"}}]] Most times, Hallman and fellow soldiers positioned and operated the Howitzers. But there were times Hallman operated the huge gun on his own. At each site chosen for the Howitzer, they would build an ammo bunker out of sandbags, a bunker for the gun and a bunker for themselves. In building the bunkers, Hallman said they used anything they could find for support beams and walls like fallen trees, logs and empty shell boxes. Hallman's farming experience often came in handy and one particular day, it enabled him to save a truckload of soldiers. The soldiers were attempting to cross a fairly shallow river in a truck, but the truck stalled three-quarters of the way across, said Hallman. "I saw they wouldn't get out of there, so I waded across and told them to take the fan belt off," Hallman said. "We'd had the same trouble at home. I told them that way the fan doesn't through the water all over and drown out the motor. Boy, they were really happy." The sergeant in charge of the group said Hallman deserved a medal for helping them, but Hallman never put in for a medal. The lack of any experience he saw in "city boys" during the Korean War still amazes Hallman. During cold weather, many would use gasoline to start fires in barrels to stay warm. One particular soldier set the gas can too close to the fire and a higher-ranking officer told him to move it. The soldier threw the gas can out of the way and gasoline splashed all over him. The gasoline made contact with flame and the soldier caught fire. With quick thinking, Hallman tossed a net over the man and put out the fire. "For me, it wasn't like a lot of the other soldiers. They came out of cities and didn't know much about the outdoors," Hallman said. "For me, I hunted. I trapped. I knew all about guns. It was easy for me. But, it was a lot of work over there." For the full time Hallman was in Korea, he was on the front lines. Each day, he and his fellow soldiers moved their Howitzers. He said when the enemy shot at them, they'd shoot back and then move to another location. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523245","attributes":{"alt":"This photo gives the idea of how large the Howitzer shells were. The shells were loaded by hand into the Howitzers.","class":"media-image","height":"622","title":"","width":"896"}}]] "You think about (the extreme danger)," Hallman said. "But you can't let it bother you. And they reminded you pretty much every day about it." Aside from moving the huge gun several times a day, Hallman said lugging the 50-pound shells and hundreds of sandbags a day was also a workout. He said they all stayed pretty fit while in Korea. Delayed appreciation "I never thought I'd received the medal," Hallman said of the Ambassador of Peace Medal. "I thought, 'Great! They respect and appreciate what we did.'" Hallman said it wasn't that way in America when he returned from war in May 1953, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mostly, people didn't say anything to him when he returned from Korea. He said it was tough even to get people to say hello to him and other veterans. But, they showed little to no interest about the war. "It was tough coming back, because most of the people acted like they didn't care," Hallman said. "That was the hardest part. They didn't seem to have gratitude." Hallman didn't expect to be lauded for his time overseas, but thought perhaps someone would thank him for his service, or at least ask what the war was like. "I served proudly," he said. "But I came back and got on with farming." [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523248","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman looks through pictures from his time served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. (Photo by Anna Jauhola)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] After he returned from service, he met his wife, Dorothy. They've now been married 61 years and have 15 children, he said. In the years after the war, Hallman said he knew other veterans who committed suicide. Hallman himself turned to alcohol for a few years. However, he soon realized how his actions were affecting his children, and he made the decision to quit. His wife, Dorothy, said Hallman rarely drank or was drunk at home, but the kids still knew what was happening. She said Hallman's decision to quit drinking was gradual and it improved their lives greatly. For the first few years of their marriage, Hallman worked for farmers West River near Kennebec, Presho and Reliance, S.D. Then he started working with his dad again back north of Kimball. He remains on the farm today, being as active as he can, despite his physical struggles. He's still in awe of the fact he received the Ambassador of Peace Medal more than 60 years after he served in Korea. Although he was unable to attend the event in January at the Capitol in Pierre, Hallman said Kimball's local American Legion representative delivered his medal to his home. Hallman maintains his skills gained as a farmer and rural South Dakota resident served him well and ensured his survival to continue farming for the rest of his life. "I think being on the farm helped what I was doing in the service, but not vice versa," Hallman said.   KIMBALL, S.D. -- A strong mind and will coupled with good old South Dakota farming know-how helped Jim Hallman survive his tour of duty in Korea. "It affects you," Hallman said of war. "But you gotta keep a strong mind and just can't take too much too seriously." [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523244","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman, 87, received the Ambassador for Peace Medal. (Photo by Anna Jauhola/Forum News Service)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] The 87-year-old Korean War veteran was among the more than 450 South Dakota veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace Medal in January from the people of Korea. The medal is the country's way of thanking the veterans who helped the Republic of Korea maintain its democracy and freedom, according to the proclamation that accompanies the medal. Born in 1929 to a farm family, Hallman knew nothing else. He's a farmer through and through, and remains active on his farm although his son, Duane, has taken over. They run a cow/calf operation, but also raise corn and soybeans. They also have a few chickens and a flock of turkeys roaming the property in rural Kimball. Hallman was 25 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. At the time, he farmed with his father. On the side, he hunted and trapped animals. Not one of the 'city boys' "When I went through basic training, the city guys, they started out training them with wooden guns," Hallman said. "To me that was silly, because I knew all about guns." He credits his mechanical and common sense knowledge gained from farming for keeping him alive in Korea. During his approximately two years in the Army, Hallman served in the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division, C-Battery. He and several others operated and maintained 105mm Howitzer guns.
Most times, Hallman and fellow soldiers positioned and operated the Howitzers. But there were times Hallman operated the huge gun on his own. At each site chosen for the Howitzer, they would build an ammo bunker out of sandbags, a bunker for the gun and a bunker for themselves. In building the bunkers, Hallman said they used anything they could find for support beams and walls like fallen trees, logs and empty shell boxes. Hallman's farming experience often came in handy and one particular day, it enabled him to save a truckload of soldiers. The soldiers were attempting to cross a fairly shallow river in a truck, but the truck stalled three-quarters of the way across, said Hallman. "I saw they wouldn't get out of there, so I waded across and told them to take the fan belt off," Hallman said. "We'd had the same trouble at home. I told them that way the fan doesn't through the water all over and drown out the motor. Boy, they were really happy." The sergeant in charge of the group said Hallman deserved a medal for helping them, but Hallman never put in for a medal. The lack of any experience he saw in "city boys" during the Korean War still amazes Hallman. During cold weather, many would use gasoline to start fires in barrels to stay warm. One particular soldier set the gas can too close to the fire and a higher-ranking officer told him to move it. The soldier threw the gas can out of the way and gasoline splashed all over him. The gasoline made contact with flame and the soldier caught fire. With quick thinking, Hallman tossed a net over the man and put out the fire. "For me, it wasn't like a lot of the other soldiers. They came out of cities and didn't know much about the outdoors," Hallman said. "For me, I hunted. I trapped. I knew all about guns. It was easy for me. But, it was a lot of work over there." For the full time Hallman was in Korea, he was on the front lines. Each day, he and his fellow soldiers moved their Howitzers. He said when the enemy shot at them, they'd shoot back and then move to another location. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523245","attributes":{"alt":"This photo gives the idea of how large the Howitzer shells were. The shells were loaded by hand into the Howitzers.","class":"media-image","height":"622","title":"","width":"896"}}]] "You think about (the extreme danger)," Hallman said. "But you can't let it bother you. And they reminded you pretty much every day about it." Aside from moving the huge gun several times a day, Hallman said lugging the 50-pound shells and hundreds of sandbags a day was also a workout. He said they all stayed pretty fit while in Korea. Delayed appreciation "I never thought I'd received the medal," Hallman said of the Ambassador of Peace Medal. "I thought, 'Great! They respect and appreciate what we did.'" Hallman said it wasn't that way in America when he returned from war in May 1953, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mostly, people didn't say anything to him when he returned from Korea. He said it was tough even to get people to say hello to him and other veterans. But, they showed little to no interest about the war. "It was tough coming back, because most of the people acted like they didn't care," Hallman said. "That was the hardest part. They didn't seem to have gratitude." Hallman didn't expect to be lauded for his time overseas, but thought perhaps someone would thank him for his service, or at least ask what the war was like. "I served proudly," he said. "But I came back and got on with farming." [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523248","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman looks through pictures from his time served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. (Photo by Anna Jauhola)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] After he returned from service, he met his wife, Dorothy. They've now been married 61 years and have 15 children, he said. In the years after the war, Hallman said he knew other veterans who committed suicide. Hallman himself turned to alcohol for a few years. However, he soon realized how his actions were affecting his children, and he made the decision to quit. His wife, Dorothy, said Hallman rarely drank or was drunk at home, but the kids still knew what was happening. She said Hallman's decision to quit drinking was gradual and it improved their lives greatly. For the first few years of their marriage, Hallman worked for farmers West River near Kennebec, Presho and Reliance, S.D. Then he started working with his dad again back north of Kimball. He remains on the farm today, being as active as he can, despite his physical struggles. He's still in awe of the fact he received the Ambassador of Peace Medal more than 60 years after he served in Korea. Although he was unable to attend the event in January at the Capitol in Pierre, Hallman said Kimball's local American Legion representative delivered his medal to his home. Hallman maintains his skills gained as a farmer and rural South Dakota resident served him well and ensured his survival to continue farming for the rest of his life. "I think being on the farm helped what I was doing in the service, but not vice versa," Hallman said.   KIMBALL, S.D. -- A strong mind and will coupled with good old South Dakota farming know-how helped Jim Hallman survive his tour of duty in Korea. "It affects you," Hallman said of war. "But you gotta keep a strong mind and just can't take too much too seriously." [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523244","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman, 87, received the Ambassador for Peace Medal. (Photo by Anna Jauhola/Forum News Service)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] The 87-year-old Korean War veteran was among the more than 450 South Dakota veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace Medal in January from the people of Korea. The medal is the country's way of thanking the veterans who helped the Republic of Korea maintain its democracy and freedom, according to the proclamation that accompanies the medal. Born in 1929 to a farm family, Hallman knew nothing else. He's a farmer through and through, and remains active on his farm although his son, Duane, has taken over. They run a cow/calf operation, but also raise corn and soybeans. They also have a few chickens and a flock of turkeys roaming the property in rural Kimball. Hallman was 25 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. At the time, he farmed with his father. On the side, he hunted and trapped animals. Not one of the 'city boys' "When I went through basic training, the city guys, they started out training them with wooden guns," Hallman said. "To me that was silly, because I knew all about guns." He credits his mechanical and common sense knowledge gained from farming for keeping him alive in Korea. During his approximately two years in the Army, Hallman served in the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division, C-Battery. He and several others operated and maintained 105mm Howitzer guns. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523246","attributes":{"alt":"This is the entrance to an ammunition bunker Hallman and his fellow soldiers would build. (Photo courtesy of Jim Hallman) ","class":"media-image","height":"602","title":"","width":"804"}}]] Most times, Hallman and fellow soldiers positioned and operated the Howitzers. But there were times Hallman operated the huge gun on his own. At each site chosen for the Howitzer, they would build an ammo bunker out of sandbags, a bunker for the gun and a bunker for themselves. In building the bunkers, Hallman said they used anything they could find for support beams and walls like fallen trees, logs and empty shell boxes. Hallman's farming experience often came in handy and one particular day, it enabled him to save a truckload of soldiers. The soldiers were attempting to cross a fairly shallow river in a truck, but the truck stalled three-quarters of the way across, said Hallman. "I saw they wouldn't get out of there, so I waded across and told them to take the fan belt off," Hallman said. "We'd had the same trouble at home. I told them that way the fan doesn't through the water all over and drown out the motor. Boy, they were really happy." The sergeant in charge of the group said Hallman deserved a medal for helping them, but Hallman never put in for a medal. The lack of any experience he saw in "city boys" during the Korean War still amazes Hallman. During cold weather, many would use gasoline to start fires in barrels to stay warm. One particular soldier set the gas can too close to the fire and a higher-ranking officer told him to move it. The soldier threw the gas can out of the way and gasoline splashed all over him. The gasoline made contact with flame and the soldier caught fire. With quick thinking, Hallman tossed a net over the man and put out the fire. "For me, it wasn't like a lot of the other soldiers. They came out of cities and didn't know much about the outdoors," Hallman said. "For me, I hunted. I trapped. I knew all about guns. It was easy for me. But, it was a lot of work over there." For the full time Hallman was in Korea, he was on the front lines. Each day, he and his fellow soldiers moved their Howitzers. He said when the enemy shot at them, they'd shoot back and then move to another location.
"You think about (the extreme danger)," Hallman said. "But you can't let it bother you. And they reminded you pretty much every day about it." Aside from moving the huge gun several times a day, Hallman said lugging the 50-pound shells and hundreds of sandbags a day was also a workout. He said they all stayed pretty fit while in Korea. Delayed appreciation "I never thought I'd received the medal," Hallman said of the Ambassador of Peace Medal. "I thought, 'Great! They respect and appreciate what we did.'" Hallman said it wasn't that way in America when he returned from war in May 1953, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mostly, people didn't say anything to him when he returned from Korea. He said it was tough even to get people to say hello to him and other veterans. But, they showed little to no interest about the war. "It was tough coming back, because most of the people acted like they didn't care," Hallman said. "That was the hardest part. They didn't seem to have gratitude." Hallman didn't expect to be lauded for his time overseas, but thought perhaps someone would thank him for his service, or at least ask what the war was like. "I served proudly," he said. "But I came back and got on with farming." [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523248","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman looks through pictures from his time served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. (Photo by Anna Jauhola)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] After he returned from service, he met his wife, Dorothy. They've now been married 61 years and have 15 children, he said. In the years after the war, Hallman said he knew other veterans who committed suicide. Hallman himself turned to alcohol for a few years. However, he soon realized how his actions were affecting his children, and he made the decision to quit. His wife, Dorothy, said Hallman rarely drank or was drunk at home, but the kids still knew what was happening. She said Hallman's decision to quit drinking was gradual and it improved their lives greatly. For the first few years of their marriage, Hallman worked for farmers West River near Kennebec, Presho and Reliance, S.D. Then he started working with his dad again back north of Kimball. He remains on the farm today, being as active as he can, despite his physical struggles. He's still in awe of the fact he received the Ambassador of Peace Medal more than 60 years after he served in Korea. Although he was unable to attend the event in January at the Capitol in Pierre, Hallman said Kimball's local American Legion representative delivered his medal to his home. Hallman maintains his skills gained as a farmer and rural South Dakota resident served him well and ensured his survival to continue farming for the rest of his life. "I think being on the farm helped what I was doing in the service, but not vice versa," Hallman said.   KIMBALL, S.D. -- A strong mind and will coupled with good old South Dakota farming know-how helped Jim Hallman survive his tour of duty in Korea. "It affects you," Hallman said of war. "But you gotta keep a strong mind and just can't take too much too seriously." [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523244","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman, 87, received the Ambassador for Peace Medal. (Photo by Anna Jauhola/Forum News Service)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] The 87-year-old Korean War veteran was among the more than 450 South Dakota veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace Medal in January from the people of Korea. The medal is the country's way of thanking the veterans who helped the Republic of Korea maintain its democracy and freedom, according to the proclamation that accompanies the medal. Born in 1929 to a farm family, Hallman knew nothing else. He's a farmer through and through, and remains active on his farm although his son, Duane, has taken over. They run a cow/calf operation, but also raise corn and soybeans. They also have a few chickens and a flock of turkeys roaming the property in rural Kimball. Hallman was 25 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. At the time, he farmed with his father. On the side, he hunted and trapped animals. Not one of the 'city boys' "When I went through basic training, the city guys, they started out training them with wooden guns," Hallman said. "To me that was silly, because I knew all about guns." He credits his mechanical and common sense knowledge gained from farming for keeping him alive in Korea. During his approximately two years in the Army, Hallman served in the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division, C-Battery. He and several others operated and maintained 105mm Howitzer guns. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523246","attributes":{"alt":"This is the entrance to an ammunition bunker Hallman and his fellow soldiers would build. (Photo courtesy of Jim Hallman) ","class":"media-image","height":"602","title":"","width":"804"}}]] Most times, Hallman and fellow soldiers positioned and operated the Howitzers. But there were times Hallman operated the huge gun on his own. At each site chosen for the Howitzer, they would build an ammo bunker out of sandbags, a bunker for the gun and a bunker for themselves. In building the bunkers, Hallman said they used anything they could find for support beams and walls like fallen trees, logs and empty shell boxes. Hallman's farming experience often came in handy and one particular day, it enabled him to save a truckload of soldiers. The soldiers were attempting to cross a fairly shallow river in a truck, but the truck stalled three-quarters of the way across, said Hallman. "I saw they wouldn't get out of there, so I waded across and told them to take the fan belt off," Hallman said. "We'd had the same trouble at home. I told them that way the fan doesn't through the water all over and drown out the motor. Boy, they were really happy." The sergeant in charge of the group said Hallman deserved a medal for helping them, but Hallman never put in for a medal. The lack of any experience he saw in "city boys" during the Korean War still amazes Hallman. During cold weather, many would use gasoline to start fires in barrels to stay warm. One particular soldier set the gas can too close to the fire and a higher-ranking officer told him to move it. The soldier threw the gas can out of the way and gasoline splashed all over him. The gasoline made contact with flame and the soldier caught fire. With quick thinking, Hallman tossed a net over the man and put out the fire. "For me, it wasn't like a lot of the other soldiers. They came out of cities and didn't know much about the outdoors," Hallman said. "For me, I hunted. I trapped. I knew all about guns. It was easy for me. But, it was a lot of work over there." For the full time Hallman was in Korea, he was on the front lines. Each day, he and his fellow soldiers moved their Howitzers. He said when the enemy shot at them, they'd shoot back and then move to another location. [[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523245","attributes":{"alt":"This photo gives the idea of how large the Howitzer shells were. The shells were loaded by hand into the Howitzers.","class":"media-image","height":"622","title":"","width":"896"}}]] "You think about (the extreme danger)," Hallman said. "But you can't let it bother you. And they reminded you pretty much every day about it." Aside from moving the huge gun several times a day, Hallman said lugging the 50-pound shells and hundreds of sandbags a day was also a workout. He said they all stayed pretty fit while in Korea. Delayed appreciation "I never thought I'd received the medal," Hallman said of the Ambassador of Peace Medal. "I thought, 'Great! They respect and appreciate what we did.'" Hallman said it wasn't that way in America when he returned from war in May 1953, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mostly, people didn't say anything to him when he returned from Korea. He said it was tough even to get people to say hello to him and other veterans. But, they showed little to no interest about the war. "It was tough coming back, because most of the people acted like they didn't care," Hallman said. "That was the hardest part. They didn't seem to have gratitude." Hallman didn't expect to be lauded for his time overseas, but thought perhaps someone would thank him for his service, or at least ask what the war was like. "I served proudly," he said. "But I came back and got on with farming."
 After he returned from service, he met his wife, Dorothy. They've now been married 61 years and have 15 children, he said. In the years after the war, Hallman said he knew other veterans who committed suicide. Hallman himself turned to alcohol for a few years. However, he soon realized how his actions were affecting his children, and he made the decision to quit. His wife, Dorothy, said Hallman rarely drank or was drunk at home, but the kids still knew what was happening. She said Hallman's decision to quit drinking was gradual and it improved their lives greatly. For the first few years of their marriage, Hallman worked for farmers West River near Kennebec, Presho and Reliance, S.D. Then he started working with his dad again back north of Kimball. He remains on the farm today, being as active as he can, despite his physical struggles. He's still in awe of the fact he received the Ambassador of Peace Medal more than 60 years after he served in Korea. Although he was unable to attend the event in January at the Capitol in Pierre, Hallman said Kimball's local American Legion representative delivered his medal to his home. Hallman maintains his skills gained as a farmer and rural South Dakota resident served him well and ensured his survival to continue farming for the rest of his life. "I think being on the farm helped what I was doing in the service, but not vice versa," Hallman said.  KIMBALL, S.D. -- A strong mind and will coupled with good old South Dakota farming know-how helped Jim Hallman survive his tour of duty in Korea."It affects you," Hallman said of war. "But you gotta keep a strong mind and just can't take too much too seriously."
 The 87-year-old Korean War veteran was among the more than 450 South Dakota veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace Medal in January from the people of Korea.The medal is the country's way of thanking the veterans who helped the Republic of Korea maintain its democracy and freedom, according to the proclamation that accompanies the medal.Born in 1929 to a farm family, Hallman knew nothing else. He's a farmer through and through, and remains active on his farm although his son, Duane, has taken over.They run a cow/calf operation, but also raise corn and soybeans. They also have a few chickens and a flock of turkeys roaming the property in rural Kimball.Hallman was 25 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. At the time, he farmed with his father. On the side, he hunted and trapped animals.Not one of the 'city boys'"When I went through basic training, the city guys, they started out training them with wooden guns," Hallman said. "To me that was silly, because I knew all about guns."He credits his mechanical and common sense knowledge gained from farming for keeping him alive in Korea.During his approximately two years in the Army, Hallman served in the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division, C-Battery. He and several others operated and maintained 105mm Howitzer guns.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523246","attributes":{"alt":"This is the entrance to an ammunition bunker Hallman and his fellow soldiers would build. (Photo courtesy of Jim Hallman) ","class":"media-image","height":"602","title":"","width":"804"}}]]Most times, Hallman and fellow soldiers positioned and operated the Howitzers. But there were times Hallman operated the huge gun on his own. At each site chosen for the Howitzer, they would build an ammo bunker out of sandbags, a bunker for the gun and a bunker for themselves.In building the bunkers, Hallman said they used anything they could find for support beams and walls like fallen trees, logs and empty shell boxes.Hallman's farming experience often came in handy and one particular day, it enabled him to save a truckload of soldiers. The soldiers were attempting to cross a fairly shallow river in a truck, but the truck stalled three-quarters of the way across, said Hallman."I saw they wouldn't get out of there, so I waded across and told them to take the fan belt off," Hallman said. "We'd had the same trouble at home. I told them that way the fan doesn't through the water all over and drown out the motor. Boy, they were really happy."The sergeant in charge of the group said Hallman deserved a medal for helping them, but Hallman never put in for a medal.The lack of any experience he saw in "city boys" during the Korean War still amazes Hallman.During cold weather, many would use gasoline to start fires in barrels to stay warm. One particular soldier set the gas can too close to the fire and a higher-ranking officer told him to move it. The soldier threw the gas can out of the way and gasoline splashed all over him. The gasoline made contact with flame and the soldier caught fire.With quick thinking, Hallman tossed a net over the man and put out the fire."For me, it wasn't like a lot of the other soldiers. They came out of cities and didn't know much about the outdoors," Hallman said. "For me, I hunted. I trapped. I knew all about guns. It was easy for me. But, it was a lot of work over there."For the full time Hallman was in Korea, he was on the front lines. Each day, he and his fellow soldiers moved their Howitzers. He said when the enemy shot at them, they'd shoot back and then move to another location.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523245","attributes":{"alt":"This photo gives the idea of how large the Howitzer shells were. The shells were loaded by hand into the Howitzers.","class":"media-image","height":"622","title":"","width":"896"}}]]"You think about (the extreme danger)," Hallman said. "But you can't let it bother you. And they reminded you pretty much every day about it."Aside from moving the huge gun several times a day, Hallman said lugging the 50-pound shells and hundreds of sandbags a day was also a workout. He said they all stayed pretty fit while in Korea.Delayed appreciation"I never thought I'd received the medal," Hallman said of the Ambassador of Peace Medal. "I thought, 'Great! They respect and appreciate what we did.'"Hallman said it wasn't that way in America when he returned from war in May 1953, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mostly, people didn't say anything to him when he returned from Korea. He said it was tough even to get people to say hello to him and other veterans. But, they showed little to no interest about the war."It was tough coming back, because most of the people acted like they didn't care," Hallman said. "That was the hardest part. They didn't seem to have gratitude."Hallman didn't expect to be lauded for his time overseas, but thought perhaps someone would thank him for his service, or at least ask what the war was like."I served proudly," he said. "But I came back and got on with farming."[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523248","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman looks through pictures from his time served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. (Photo by Anna Jauhola)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] After he returned from service, he met his wife, Dorothy. They've now been married 61 years and have 15 children, he said.In the years after the war, Hallman said he knew other veterans who committed suicide.Hallman himself turned to alcohol for a few years. However, he soon realized how his actions were affecting his children, and he made the decision to quit.His wife, Dorothy, said Hallman rarely drank or was drunk at home, but the kids still knew what was happening. She said Hallman's decision to quit drinking was gradual and it improved their lives greatly.For the first few years of their marriage, Hallman worked for farmers West River near Kennebec, Presho and Reliance, S.D. Then he started working with his dad again back north of Kimball.He remains on the farm today, being as active as he can, despite his physical struggles.He's still in awe of the fact he received the Ambassador of Peace Medal more than 60 years after he served in Korea.Although he was unable to attend the event in January at the Capitol in Pierre, Hallman said Kimball's local American Legion representative delivered his medal to his home.Hallman maintains his skills gained as a farmer and rural South Dakota resident served him well and ensured his survival to continue farming for the rest of his life."I think being on the farm helped what I was doing in the service, but not vice versa," Hallman said. KIMBALL, S.D. -- A strong mind and will coupled with good old South Dakota farming know-how helped Jim Hallman survive his tour of duty in Korea."It affects you," Hallman said of war. "But you gotta keep a strong mind and just can't take too much too seriously."[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523244","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman, 87, received the Ambassador for Peace Medal. (Photo by Anna Jauhola/Forum News Service)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] The 87-year-old Korean War veteran was among the more than 450 South Dakota veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace Medal in January from the people of Korea.The medal is the country's way of thanking the veterans who helped the Republic of Korea maintain its democracy and freedom, according to the proclamation that accompanies the medal.Born in 1929 to a farm family, Hallman knew nothing else. He's a farmer through and through, and remains active on his farm although his son, Duane, has taken over.They run a cow/calf operation, but also raise corn and soybeans. They also have a few chickens and a flock of turkeys roaming the property in rural Kimball.Hallman was 25 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. At the time, he farmed with his father. On the side, he hunted and trapped animals.Not one of the 'city boys'"When I went through basic training, the city guys, they started out training them with wooden guns," Hallman said. "To me that was silly, because I knew all about guns."He credits his mechanical and common sense knowledge gained from farming for keeping him alive in Korea.During his approximately two years in the Army, Hallman served in the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division, C-Battery. He and several others operated and maintained 105mm Howitzer guns.
Most times, Hallman and fellow soldiers positioned and operated the Howitzers. But there were times Hallman operated the huge gun on his own. At each site chosen for the Howitzer, they would build an ammo bunker out of sandbags, a bunker for the gun and a bunker for themselves.In building the bunkers, Hallman said they used anything they could find for support beams and walls like fallen trees, logs and empty shell boxes.Hallman's farming experience often came in handy and one particular day, it enabled him to save a truckload of soldiers. The soldiers were attempting to cross a fairly shallow river in a truck, but the truck stalled three-quarters of the way across, said Hallman."I saw they wouldn't get out of there, so I waded across and told them to take the fan belt off," Hallman said. "We'd had the same trouble at home. I told them that way the fan doesn't through the water all over and drown out the motor. Boy, they were really happy."The sergeant in charge of the group said Hallman deserved a medal for helping them, but Hallman never put in for a medal.The lack of any experience he saw in "city boys" during the Korean War still amazes Hallman.During cold weather, many would use gasoline to start fires in barrels to stay warm. One particular soldier set the gas can too close to the fire and a higher-ranking officer told him to move it. The soldier threw the gas can out of the way and gasoline splashed all over him. The gasoline made contact with flame and the soldier caught fire.With quick thinking, Hallman tossed a net over the man and put out the fire."For me, it wasn't like a lot of the other soldiers. They came out of cities and didn't know much about the outdoors," Hallman said. "For me, I hunted. I trapped. I knew all about guns. It was easy for me. But, it was a lot of work over there."For the full time Hallman was in Korea, he was on the front lines. Each day, he and his fellow soldiers moved their Howitzers. He said when the enemy shot at them, they'd shoot back and then move to another location.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523245","attributes":{"alt":"This photo gives the idea of how large the Howitzer shells were. The shells were loaded by hand into the Howitzers.","class":"media-image","height":"622","title":"","width":"896"}}]]"You think about (the extreme danger)," Hallman said. "But you can't let it bother you. And they reminded you pretty much every day about it."Aside from moving the huge gun several times a day, Hallman said lugging the 50-pound shells and hundreds of sandbags a day was also a workout. He said they all stayed pretty fit while in Korea.Delayed appreciation"I never thought I'd received the medal," Hallman said of the Ambassador of Peace Medal. "I thought, 'Great! They respect and appreciate what we did.'"Hallman said it wasn't that way in America when he returned from war in May 1953, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mostly, people didn't say anything to him when he returned from Korea. He said it was tough even to get people to say hello to him and other veterans. But, they showed little to no interest about the war."It was tough coming back, because most of the people acted like they didn't care," Hallman said. "That was the hardest part. They didn't seem to have gratitude."Hallman didn't expect to be lauded for his time overseas, but thought perhaps someone would thank him for his service, or at least ask what the war was like."I served proudly," he said. "But I came back and got on with farming."[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523248","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman looks through pictures from his time served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. (Photo by Anna Jauhola)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] After he returned from service, he met his wife, Dorothy. They've now been married 61 years and have 15 children, he said.In the years after the war, Hallman said he knew other veterans who committed suicide.Hallman himself turned to alcohol for a few years. However, he soon realized how his actions were affecting his children, and he made the decision to quit.His wife, Dorothy, said Hallman rarely drank or was drunk at home, but the kids still knew what was happening. She said Hallman's decision to quit drinking was gradual and it improved their lives greatly.For the first few years of their marriage, Hallman worked for farmers West River near Kennebec, Presho and Reliance, S.D. Then he started working with his dad again back north of Kimball.He remains on the farm today, being as active as he can, despite his physical struggles.He's still in awe of the fact he received the Ambassador of Peace Medal more than 60 years after he served in Korea.Although he was unable to attend the event in January at the Capitol in Pierre, Hallman said Kimball's local American Legion representative delivered his medal to his home.Hallman maintains his skills gained as a farmer and rural South Dakota resident served him well and ensured his survival to continue farming for the rest of his life."I think being on the farm helped what I was doing in the service, but not vice versa," Hallman said. KIMBALL, S.D. -- A strong mind and will coupled with good old South Dakota farming know-how helped Jim Hallman survive his tour of duty in Korea."It affects you," Hallman said of war. "But you gotta keep a strong mind and just can't take too much too seriously."[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523244","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman, 87, received the Ambassador for Peace Medal. (Photo by Anna Jauhola/Forum News Service)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] The 87-year-old Korean War veteran was among the more than 450 South Dakota veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace Medal in January from the people of Korea.The medal is the country's way of thanking the veterans who helped the Republic of Korea maintain its democracy and freedom, according to the proclamation that accompanies the medal.Born in 1929 to a farm family, Hallman knew nothing else. He's a farmer through and through, and remains active on his farm although his son, Duane, has taken over.They run a cow/calf operation, but also raise corn and soybeans. They also have a few chickens and a flock of turkeys roaming the property in rural Kimball.Hallman was 25 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. At the time, he farmed with his father. On the side, he hunted and trapped animals.Not one of the 'city boys'"When I went through basic training, the city guys, they started out training them with wooden guns," Hallman said. "To me that was silly, because I knew all about guns."He credits his mechanical and common sense knowledge gained from farming for keeping him alive in Korea.During his approximately two years in the Army, Hallman served in the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division, C-Battery. He and several others operated and maintained 105mm Howitzer guns.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523246","attributes":{"alt":"This is the entrance to an ammunition bunker Hallman and his fellow soldiers would build. (Photo courtesy of Jim Hallman) ","class":"media-image","height":"602","title":"","width":"804"}}]]Most times, Hallman and fellow soldiers positioned and operated the Howitzers. But there were times Hallman operated the huge gun on his own. At each site chosen for the Howitzer, they would build an ammo bunker out of sandbags, a bunker for the gun and a bunker for themselves.In building the bunkers, Hallman said they used anything they could find for support beams and walls like fallen trees, logs and empty shell boxes.Hallman's farming experience often came in handy and one particular day, it enabled him to save a truckload of soldiers. The soldiers were attempting to cross a fairly shallow river in a truck, but the truck stalled three-quarters of the way across, said Hallman."I saw they wouldn't get out of there, so I waded across and told them to take the fan belt off," Hallman said. "We'd had the same trouble at home. I told them that way the fan doesn't through the water all over and drown out the motor. Boy, they were really happy."The sergeant in charge of the group said Hallman deserved a medal for helping them, but Hallman never put in for a medal.The lack of any experience he saw in "city boys" during the Korean War still amazes Hallman.During cold weather, many would use gasoline to start fires in barrels to stay warm. One particular soldier set the gas can too close to the fire and a higher-ranking officer told him to move it. The soldier threw the gas can out of the way and gasoline splashed all over him. The gasoline made contact with flame and the soldier caught fire.With quick thinking, Hallman tossed a net over the man and put out the fire."For me, it wasn't like a lot of the other soldiers. They came out of cities and didn't know much about the outdoors," Hallman said. "For me, I hunted. I trapped. I knew all about guns. It was easy for me. But, it was a lot of work over there."For the full time Hallman was in Korea, he was on the front lines. Each day, he and his fellow soldiers moved their Howitzers. He said when the enemy shot at them, they'd shoot back and then move to another location.
"You think about (the extreme danger)," Hallman said. "But you can't let it bother you. And they reminded you pretty much every day about it."Aside from moving the huge gun several times a day, Hallman said lugging the 50-pound shells and hundreds of sandbags a day was also a workout. He said they all stayed pretty fit while in Korea.Delayed appreciation"I never thought I'd received the medal," Hallman said of the Ambassador of Peace Medal. "I thought, 'Great! They respect and appreciate what we did.'"Hallman said it wasn't that way in America when he returned from war in May 1953, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mostly, people didn't say anything to him when he returned from Korea. He said it was tough even to get people to say hello to him and other veterans. But, they showed little to no interest about the war."It was tough coming back, because most of the people acted like they didn't care," Hallman said. "That was the hardest part. They didn't seem to have gratitude."Hallman didn't expect to be lauded for his time overseas, but thought perhaps someone would thank him for his service, or at least ask what the war was like."I served proudly," he said. "But I came back and got on with farming."[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523248","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman looks through pictures from his time served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. (Photo by Anna Jauhola)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] After he returned from service, he met his wife, Dorothy. They've now been married 61 years and have 15 children, he said.In the years after the war, Hallman said he knew other veterans who committed suicide.Hallman himself turned to alcohol for a few years. However, he soon realized how his actions were affecting his children, and he made the decision to quit.His wife, Dorothy, said Hallman rarely drank or was drunk at home, but the kids still knew what was happening. She said Hallman's decision to quit drinking was gradual and it improved their lives greatly.For the first few years of their marriage, Hallman worked for farmers West River near Kennebec, Presho and Reliance, S.D. Then he started working with his dad again back north of Kimball.He remains on the farm today, being as active as he can, despite his physical struggles.He's still in awe of the fact he received the Ambassador of Peace Medal more than 60 years after he served in Korea.Although he was unable to attend the event in January at the Capitol in Pierre, Hallman said Kimball's local American Legion representative delivered his medal to his home.Hallman maintains his skills gained as a farmer and rural South Dakota resident served him well and ensured his survival to continue farming for the rest of his life."I think being on the farm helped what I was doing in the service, but not vice versa," Hallman said. KIMBALL, S.D. -- A strong mind and will coupled with good old South Dakota farming know-how helped Jim Hallman survive his tour of duty in Korea."It affects you," Hallman said of war. "But you gotta keep a strong mind and just can't take too much too seriously."[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"2523244","attributes":{"alt":"Jim Hallman, 87, received the Ambassador for Peace Medal. (Photo by Anna Jauhola/Forum News Service)","class":"media-image","height":"480","title":"","width":"319"}}]] The 87-year-old Korean War veteran was among the more than 450 South Dakota veterans who received the Ambassador for Peace Medal in January from the people of Korea.The medal is the country's way of thanking the veterans who helped the Republic of Korea maintain its democracy and freedom, according to the proclamation that accompanies the medal.Born in 1929 to a farm family, Hallman knew nothing else. He's a farmer through and through, and remains active on his farm although his son, Duane, has taken over.They run a cow/calf operation, but also raise corn and soybeans. They also have a few chickens and a flock of turkeys roaming the property in rural Kimball.Hallman was 25 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951. At the time, he farmed with his father. On the side, he hunted and trapped animals.Not one of the 'city boys'"When I went through basic training, the city guys, they started out training them with wooden guns," Hallman said. "To me that was silly, because I knew all about guns."He credits his mechanical and common sense knowledge gained from farming for keeping him alive in Korea.During his approximately two years in the Army, Hallman served in the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division, C-Battery. He and several others operated and maintained 105mm Howitzer guns.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523246","attributes":{"alt":"This is the entrance to an ammunition bunker Hallman and his fellow soldiers would build. (Photo courtesy of Jim Hallman) ","class":"media-image","height":"602","title":"","width":"804"}}]]Most times, Hallman and fellow soldiers positioned and operated the Howitzers. But there were times Hallman operated the huge gun on his own. At each site chosen for the Howitzer, they would build an ammo bunker out of sandbags, a bunker for the gun and a bunker for themselves.In building the bunkers, Hallman said they used anything they could find for support beams and walls like fallen trees, logs and empty shell boxes.Hallman's farming experience often came in handy and one particular day, it enabled him to save a truckload of soldiers. The soldiers were attempting to cross a fairly shallow river in a truck, but the truck stalled three-quarters of the way across, said Hallman."I saw they wouldn't get out of there, so I waded across and told them to take the fan belt off," Hallman said. "We'd had the same trouble at home. I told them that way the fan doesn't through the water all over and drown out the motor. Boy, they were really happy."The sergeant in charge of the group said Hallman deserved a medal for helping them, but Hallman never put in for a medal.The lack of any experience he saw in "city boys" during the Korean War still amazes Hallman.During cold weather, many would use gasoline to start fires in barrels to stay warm. One particular soldier set the gas can too close to the fire and a higher-ranking officer told him to move it. The soldier threw the gas can out of the way and gasoline splashed all over him. The gasoline made contact with flame and the soldier caught fire.With quick thinking, Hallman tossed a net over the man and put out the fire."For me, it wasn't like a lot of the other soldiers. They came out of cities and didn't know much about the outdoors," Hallman said. "For me, I hunted. I trapped. I knew all about guns. It was easy for me. But, it was a lot of work over there."For the full time Hallman was in Korea, he was on the front lines. Each day, he and his fellow soldiers moved their Howitzers. He said when the enemy shot at them, they'd shoot back and then move to another location.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_original","fid":"2523245","attributes":{"alt":"This photo gives the idea of how large the Howitzer shells were. The shells were loaded by hand into the Howitzers.","class":"media-image","height":"622","title":"","width":"896"}}]]"You think about (the extreme danger)," Hallman said. "But you can't let it bother you. And they reminded you pretty much every day about it."Aside from moving the huge gun several times a day, Hallman said lugging the 50-pound shells and hundreds of sandbags a day was also a workout. He said they all stayed pretty fit while in Korea.Delayed appreciation"I never thought I'd received the medal," Hallman said of the Ambassador of Peace Medal. "I thought, 'Great! They respect and appreciate what we did.'"Hallman said it wasn't that way in America when he returned from war in May 1953, honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Mostly, people didn't say anything to him when he returned from Korea. He said it was tough even to get people to say hello to him and other veterans. But, they showed little to no interest about the war."It was tough coming back, because most of the people acted like they didn't care," Hallman said. "That was the hardest part. They didn't seem to have gratitude."Hallman didn't expect to be lauded for his time overseas, but thought perhaps someone would thank him for his service, or at least ask what the war was like."I served proudly," he said. "But I came back and got on with farming."
 After he returned from service, he met his wife, Dorothy. They've now been married 61 years and have 15 children, he said.In the years after the war, Hallman said he knew other veterans who committed suicide.Hallman himself turned to alcohol for a few years. However, he soon realized how his actions were affecting his children, and he made the decision to quit.His wife, Dorothy, said Hallman rarely drank or was drunk at home, but the kids still knew what was happening. She said Hallman's decision to quit drinking was gradual and it improved their lives greatly.For the first few years of their marriage, Hallman worked for farmers West River near Kennebec, Presho and Reliance, S.D. Then he started working with his dad again back north of Kimball.He remains on the farm today, being as active as he can, despite his physical struggles.He's still in awe of the fact he received the Ambassador of Peace Medal more than 60 years after he served in Korea.Although he was unable to attend the event in January at the Capitol in Pierre, Hallman said Kimball's local American Legion representative delivered his medal to his home.Hallman maintains his skills gained as a farmer and rural South Dakota resident served him well and ensured his survival to continue farming for the rest of his life."I think being on the farm helped what I was doing in the service, but not vice versa," Hallman said.