Souvenir
Object number2017.15.2
Date1953-1954
OriginSiheung, Korea
MediumMetal, possibly brass
Credit LineGift of Carmen Vacca
DescriptionHinged picture frame consisting of two rectangular leaves with two oval openings and overall decorated with reliefs.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Open): 4.125 × 6.125 × 0.625 in. (10.5 × 15.6 × 1.6 cm)Height x Width x Depth (Closed): 4.125 × 3.188 × 1 in. (10.5 × 8.1 × 2.5 cm)
InscriptionsProper right leaf's interior has text in the bottom proper left corner "KOREA".
Proper left leaf's exterior has text in the bottom proper left quadrant "IN KOREA".
Historical NotesThis picture frame was one of the souvenirs picked up during Carmen Vacca's service in Sihung, Korea. The frame is made from a 155 mm Howitzer artillery shell. Carmen Vacca was an Italian immigrant who served as a Seargent 1st Class in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1949-1953 and from 1955-1964, and a Corporal in the Korean War from 1953-1954. In Korea, he was in charge of the communications for the 58th Ordinance Company and used his skills as an electrician to provide power to the ammoniums camp and neighboring village. During his service, he spent time in Sihung, Korea. Just before he was drafted into the Korean War, Vacca and his family’s American citizenship was questioned, and the U.S. proceeded against the family to try to deport them; their deposition was the day before he shipped out. Vacca’s Reserve unit relocated to West Virginia and he retired from his military service; if he would have stayed, he would have shipped to Vietnam in the late 1960s with his unit.
Previous owner
Carmen Vacca
Related institution
United States Army
Related institution
United States Army Reserve
Related institution
58th Ordinance Company
On View
Not on view
David Birdsey Walkley
