Bud Doucette

The Korean War began on June 25th, 1950, when the military forces of North Korea crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea. Sixteen members of the United Nations, including Canada, contributed combat forces under United States command to defend South Korea. Thirty-thousand Canadians served in the war between 1950 and 1953.

It was no surprise that Bud doucette joined up for military service in 1951, as he came from a family with a long line of military history. Bud joined the 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment in Toronto, Ontario and received his basic training in Petawawa. He further trained in Wainwright, Alberta, and Rivers, Manitoba, and there he completed his paratrooper training after completing only five jumps.

Bud left for Korea in March 1952, and served as a machine gunner along what was known as the Jamestown Line essentially defending South Korea on the 38th parallel.

Korea, which is a rugged country with hills, swamps and rice fields, has periods of severe seasonal weather, and this also made combat difficult. Bud served at Hill 187, Hill 167, Hill 355, know as Little Gibraltar. Bud served 121 days in areas of conflict, and was there when the peace talks finally yielded a truce in July 1953.

We Will Remember Them