Richard Milton Bassett descends from #8B John Bassett of New Jersey as follows:
John Bassett
John Bassett and wife Sabrina Ray
Alexander Bassett (b. 1778) and wife Anne Mickey
Amos Bassett (b. 1817) and wife Aurilla M. Hal
Charles Franklin Bassett (b. 1856) and wife Martha Caroline James
Amos Earl Bassett 9b. 1895) and wife Minnie Ruth Bieger
Richard Milton Bassett (b. 1928)
From Goodreads:
A first-person account of the day-to-day struggles of an American held captive in North Korea. October 6, 1951. Richard Bassett remembers the day vividly. That was the day his platoon ran into an ambush near Kumwha. During the firefight many were wounded, four were killed, and Bassett, along with three others, was captured. During a month-long march to the POW camp the Americans frequently came under friendly fire. Surviving the march paled in comparison to what the captured soldiers had to endure at Camp-5-Pyokdong. Frostbite, dysentery, jaundice, and mental breakdowns dwindled their numbers. Starvation and squalid conditions took their toll on Bassett during his 21-month incarceration. Yet he pledged to himself that if anyone were to walk out of this camp alive, it would be him. When Richard Bassett returned from Korea on convalescent leave in 1953, he set down his experiences in training, combat, and captivity. Then he put the memoir away and tried to forget. More than twenty years later, hospitalized for acute Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, he once again faced his personal demons. Expanding the memoir to include his postwar struggles with the U.S. government and his own wounded psyche, the resulting comprehensive account is published here for the first time. Bassett captures in plain language and vivid detail those days of his captivity. He describes the shock of capture and ensuing long march to Pyokdong, North Korea, Camp 5 on the Yellow River, where many prisoners died of untreated wounds, disease, hunger, paralyzing cold, and brutal mistreatment in the bitter winter of 1950-51. He recounts Chinese attempts to mentally break down prisoners in order to exploit them for propoganda. Bassett takes the reader through typical days in a prisoner’s life, discussing food, clothing, shelter, and work; the struggle against unremitting boredom; religious, social, and recreational diversions; and even those moments of terror when all seemed lost. Bassett’s story is important to general audiences and scholars alike because it has not counterpart in the literature of the Korean War. And the Wind Blew Cold refutes Cold War-era propaganda that often unfairly characterized POWs as brainwashed victims or even traitors who lacked the grit that Americans expected of their brave sons. Bassett concludes his memoir with a candid discussion of the war’s aftermath, his battle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, harassment by a government eager to impugn the loyalty of repatriated POWs, and his long struggle with the Veterans Administration to receive compensation for enduring physical and mental scars. This book will fascinate anyone interested in the Korean War era, in captivity tales, and in the resilience of the human spirit.
The St. Augustine Record, Florida, Saturday, June 9th, 2018
Richard M. Bassett (1928 – 2018)
Richard M. Bassett, age 90, of St. Augustine, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 5, 2018 at his home surrounded by his family. Richard was born to Amos and Mittie Bassett on January 29, 1928 in West Palm Beach, FL. He was a 1945 graduate of Jupiter High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves at the end of W.W.II. He was called to active duty in 1951 and went to Korea to serve with the 25th Infantry Division, 14 Regiment, 3rd Battalion. Richard was captured in an ambush by the Chinese in October of 1951 while out on patrol near Kumwha, North Korea. During his imprisonment he fought to keep his New Testament Bible, and was allowed to hold services for the prisoners. To this day that same bible is located in the Andersonville National Museum. He was finally released from captivity on August 12, 1953 during a cease fire and exchange of prisoners, after 22 months, 6 days as a POW in N. Korea. Richard returned to civilian life and went on to attend Florida State University where he received his Bachelor Degree in 1955 and Master of Education Degree in 1957. He began his career in education as a History teacher at Forest Hills High School in West Palm Beach, and continued as a Social Studies and Adult Education Teacher at St. Augustine High School from 1967 until his retirement in 1989. He retired after 31 years of teaching. Richard continued to teach in his retirement as volunteer. He served as a tutor in the Learn to Read, English as a Second Language and Take Stock in Children Programs. He also returned to China in 1992 and 1993 to teach Conversational English at Sichuan University in Chungdu, China. Richard was steadfast and unwavering in his faith in God. He was a founding member of Anastasia Baptist Church and had a heart for serving. He served as a Deacon, Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Director, he loved singing in the choir and served on numerous committees. He led by serving. Despite his experience in the Korean War, Richard joyfully participated in a joint evangelistic campaign with Florida and South Korea Baptist churches in Seoul, Korea. Richard was also a member of many Educational and veteran’s organizations, and especially had a heart for organizations that supported ex POWs.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Valdeen. He is survived by his two sons, Mark Alan Bassett and wife Mary Jane, Jay Daniel Bassett; his granddaughters, Hannah, Alisa, Kara & Andrea; and grandsons, Caleb, Cody & Colton, and many great grandchildren.
Services will be held at 5:00 pm on Monday, June 11, 2018 at Anastasia Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Moore officiating. A committal service with military honors will be held at 2 pm on Monday, June 18, 2018 at Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville, Ga. In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s memory can be made to: Community Hospice of Northeast FL., 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32257
St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.