One Dove of Peace: United States Army - Bob Podany

Bob Podany is a veteran of the Korean War and received his quilt on September 4, 2013, at Omaha's VFW Post 2503. Not only did he serve his country with pride and dignity, but Bob continues to give back generously to our nation as a volunteer and an active VFW member.

Korean War Memories

Following the battle at Chipyong-ni, in 1951, the United Nations continued to keep troops in the area to protect all advancements. Mr. Podany joined this group in March of 1952.

According to Armistice Agreement, the Korean War, which began on June 25, 1950, when the North Koreans invaded South Korea, officially ended on July 27, 1953. At 10 a.m., in Panmunjom, scarcely acknowledging each other, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William K. Harrison, Jr., senior delegate, United Nations Command Delegation; North Korean Gen. Nam Il, senior delegate, Delegation of the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteers, signed 18 official copies of the tri-language Korean Armistice Agreement.

By July 1951, the conflict had reached a stalemate, with the two sides fighting limited engagements, but with neither side in a position to force the other’s surrender. Both the United States and China had, at this point, achieved the short-term goal of maintaining the demarcation line at the 38th parallel, while the North and South Koreans had failed in the larger goal of uniting the country under their preferred political systems. Representatives of all the parties began to discuss peace.

According to Wikipedia, during the Korean War, the 7th Division saw a total of 850 days of combat, suffering 15,126 casualties, including 3,905 killed in action and 10,858 wounded.

Photograph of the 7th Infantry at Chipyong-ni

A member of the United States Army 7th Infantry, Mr. Podany's deployment included both combat and noncombat duties. After joining troops at Chipyong-ni, in March of 1952, he remained in North Korea until September of 1953.

Mr. Podany vividly recalls his first experience with mortar fire. Seconds after the Chinese ammunition exploded nearby, it threw dirt over Mr. Podany and his fellow soldiers.

He was considered one of those enlisted men considered to be sacrificial goats. Under the command of a Quartermaster, a skeleton crew defended the Chipyong-ni area under the constant threat of a napalm attack by the United States Air Force.

After the Armistice was signed, Mr. Podany and the 7th Infantry remained in Korea to bury the dead and deliver necessary supplies.

Civilian Life

Mr. Podany talks of the "love of his life," Marilyn, with the glow of a newly wed, but shares 63 years of life with her, raising 5 children together.

After the American Legion Post closed in downtown Omaha, Mr. Podany joined the Omaha VFW Post 2503. Volunteer work and leadership positions continue to mark his time at the Post. These experiences include, but are not limited to, the following:

Joined the Honor Guard in 1997
Captain of the Honor Guard 2001 and 2002
Sergeant of Arms
Building Committee Member for 13 years
Part of the monthly Hamburger Crew

Mr. Podany spent 43 years in the printing business. This includes working at Address-a-Graph. His employment included 22 years as the Service Manager. Address-a-Graph made the first credit cards in the country, as well as dog tags. When the business was sold, he worked for Multi-Graphics and Triangle Printing. During his tenure, he became an Instructor of Sales, traveling throughout portions of the United States to share his knowledge of the business.

According to VFW Post 2503

Bob currently holds the Combat Infantryman Badge. He served in Korea with the United States Army, 7th Infantry Division from December 19th, 1951 through completion of his service to our country on September 27th, 1953 with the 7th QM Division. He has been a member of the Honor Guard for over 15 years and has supported over 3,500 funerals and functions. He served as Honor Guard Captain from 2001 to 2002 and has continued to serve as Sergeant since 2009. He has contributed to the success of VFW Post 2503 by serving in a multitude of volunteer activities. Please congratulate Bob for his service to our country and to his community.

The quilt was made by DeAnn Nichelson, of Omaha, Nebraska, and quilted by Julia Schroeder of Lincoln, Nebraska.