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Leo Siegenthaler joined the Navy in Seattle Washington in June, 1948 for athree year hitch. He received Basic Training in San Diego, then wasassigned to 3 months in the Bakery. Navy life at this time was flippingdo-nuts and going on liberty. He finally got his assignment for schoolingto become a Disbursing Clerk, after which he was assigned to the USSAskari (ARL-30). Leo spent about 18 months aboard Askari, acting asDisbursing Clerk. The Askari operated out of San Diego at this time, withone cruise to Hawaii. The North Koreans invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950. On 27 June, LeoSiegenthaler was transferred to the USS Diachenko, APD-123, and on 30 June1950 the Diachenko headed west toward Korea. Leo missed the InchonInvasion (in the Hospital at Sasebo, diagnosed as polio, which turned out to bemononucleosis), but was returned to Diachenko in time for Wonsan, Hungnam,etc. The Diachenko went back to The States in May 1951 for overhaul. Leo'sthree years were just about up, but his enlistment had been extended bythe US Government. In March 1952, the Diachenko was back in action offthe Korean coast, and Leo was still aboard. In early July 1952, the Diachenko's squadron mate USS Bass (APD-124) wasscheduled for a return to The States. As Leo's extended enlistment wasclose to expiration, he was transferred to Bass to be sent home. The Bassarrived on the West Coast in late July, and three weeks later, LeoSiegenthaler was a civilian again. Comments courtesy of Leo's Nephew, Ron Bansemer Causes of the Korean Tragedy ... Failure of Leadership, Intelligence and Preparation
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