Korean War Veteran Glenn Cross Reflects on His Experiences in Light of Veterans Day

Glenn Cross is 78 years old, and he still looks proud and alert sitting at the Elmhurst Veterans of Foreign Wars Walter A. Gloss Post 2048 in Elmhurst. It's as if he hasn't lost a step since returning from Korea nearly 57 years ago, where he fought in combat zones known as Heartbreak Ridge and Punchbowl. And as Veterans Day approached, he acknowledged the many soldiers who have been in the same position he has. In short, he is a proud American, and is proud to have served his country.

"I'm proud that our service left a legacy that has made today's military better," Cross said.

While in Korea, Cross served as an Army Corporal in the P & A (Pioneer and Ammunition) Platoon of the 1st Battalion, 223rd Regiment, 40th Division. He was wounded multiple times, including one incident where a bayonet-wielding North Korean stabbed him in the back. Cross killed the attacker with a 45-caliber Colt Pistol he had recently purchased from a friend.

He also received numerous medals during his time overseas; three Purple Hearts, two Bronze Starts and a Korean War Medal highlight the dozen medals he earned.

Cross recalled the horrific terrors he experienced while serving.

"The Korean War was 40 percent boredom and 60 percent pure fright and absolute terror," Cross said. "It's hard to forget how horrific [The Korean War] was, with all its extreme violence.

"You would imagine after this many years it should have been sufficient to erase the unpleasant war from my mind, but I guess memory can linger."

Despite Cross' memories of war, he accepts what he has been through and even is grateful.

"Another reason why Korea remains in my consciousness is that the experience has no doubt made me a better person," he said. "Combat veterans tend to approach the future much wiser, more spiritual and content with an amplified appreciation for life."

The résumé Cross has built up is impressive, to say the least, including a 20-year stint at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital as a licensed stationary engineer. He has also been both a firefighter and police officer; he was hired by the Illinois State Police to implement a campus security department at Triton College. He was also the security supervisor for the Playboy Mansion for a few years in the early '70s.

Cross is involved with the U.S. Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he has been a member since 1974. He is a member of the Elmhurst American Legion THB Post 187 as well.

And though Cross is, in every sense of the word, a war hero, if you ask him about it he'll deny everything, passing off the honors to those who were less fortunate than he was.

"The real heroes are the ones that died, the ones that gave their lives," he said. "God knows how many fathers, brothers and friends never came home."

When Cross reflects on his fallen comrades on days like Veterans Day, one word escapes his lips.

"Remembrance," he said.

"Remembrance," he repeated in a whisper.