Isaac Mercer was drafted and inducted into the Army in early 1952. He arrived in Korea in February 1953. His unit served on the front lines near Heartbreak Ridge. In June 1953, Mercer earned the Bronze Star for valor.
Photos
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Isaac Mercer posing, in the middle, with some buddies at the AAA Baseball Camp in Roberts, California in 1952. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
Camp in Roberts, CaliforniaWhen:
California in 1952Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Isaac Mercer (left) writes home at the end of July, 1953, following the cease-fire in Korea. They called their temporary home the ‘Conrad Hilton.’ (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
July, 1953Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Isaac Mercer (left) with a buddy photographed behind the lines in July 1953, following the ceasefire. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
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July 1953Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Photographed at the unit’s base camp in late July 1953, Isaac Mercer (in the center) receives U.S. Korean Service Medal. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
July 1953Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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In August 1953, Isaac Mercer is awarded the Good Conduct Medal at the unit’s camp, south of Seoul. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
August 1953Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Isaac Mercer sits down to pen a letter home in the unit’s Quonset hut in early August 1953. Pictured with him are several of the unit’s NCOs. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
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Isaac Mercer (on the left) in the CQ quarters in 1953. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
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“At last,” Mercer remarked, they had “sleeping tents instead of fox holes and trenches; our Conrad Hilton.” (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
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Isaac Mercer, on the right, writes home from his Quonset hut dining room after the ceasefire in July, 1953. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
July, 1953Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Keeping in touch with his family, Isaac Mercer writes home while at the unit’s base camp south of Seoul, in August, 1953. Mail call was an important event for the troops. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
August, 1953Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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In August 1953, Isaac Mercer received the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Medal. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
August 1953Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
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Isaac Mercer received the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the United States Army’s fourth highest award, in a photograph taken in September 1953. Mercer displayed courage and heroism on July 16, 1953, (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against armed enemy. Instrumental in saving the lives of several of his comrades. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo
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On November 18, 1953, the night before Isaac shipped out of Korea, he attended a party given in his honor. Included in the photo are Lieutenants Kelly and Gerke, to Kelly’s left. Mercer is in the front, left. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
November 18, 1953Ownership:
Narrator’s photo
Caption
Isaac Mercer is pictured with his wife, Earlene Mercer in 2008 while they attended a service at the Macedonia Baptist Church in Rockford, officiated by their son Michael. The two were married on July 19, 1951. (Narrator’s photo.)Where:
UnknownWhen:
UnknownOwnership:
Narrator’s photo