EDITOR’S NOTE: To suggest a veteran for this series, which runs weekly through Veterans Day, email Metro Editor Marly Reichert at mreichert@tribtoday.com.

YOUNGSTOWN — Serving in the Marines seems to have become a family tradition for the Cardon family.

Anthony “Tony” Cardon Sr. served as a Marine in the Korean War; his brother was a Marine who fought on Guadalcanal during World War II; and Tony’s grandson, also named Anthony, served as a Marine in the Iraq War.

Tony Cardon Sr. began his military career in 1948 with boot camp in San Diego, Calif., followed by basic training at Camp Pendleton in California.

“I volunteered with the Marine Corps Reserves but didn’t know they were going to be called up. When the Korean War started in June, we of the reserves were called to duty,” Cardon said.

He joined with other reservists from New York and New Jersey who were transported by train to San Diego.

“That’s how I got to go into the Marine Corps,” he said. “In 1950, I went to Korea where I served for 14 months. I spent two winters there and I’m still cold. I’m cold all the time. We didn’t have the right gear. I slept in a hole in the ground for 13 months; however, things got better during the second winter.”

Cardon was wounded twice. The first time happened on Hill 812.

“We attacked the hill with some 250 men. We came down with 30 or 40, but we took the hill. The rest were either wounded or dead. I got hit, all my friends got hit. I got hit in my left leg and ankle and spent 28 days in a hospital ship, then back to the old outfit,” Cardon said.

The second time he was wounded happened on one of those many hills known only by a number.

“We were on 100 percent watch. Everyone was up, we knew something was breaking. There were incoming shells, rockets, mortars. I got hit. The shrapnel went through my canteen and into my hip. I went to a MASH unit, got patched up and was OK.”

Because of his wounds, Cardon was awarded the Purple Heart.

He was in a few more battles after that which he calls “skirmishes.”

“They let me know I was going home in January 1952, and in March I came back to the United States.”

In April, he met Annette, whom he calls “the love of my life,” to whom he has been married for 71 years.

Fifty years after the war, in 2000, Anthony Cardon Sr. decided to return to the country where he had fought. He heard how the Republic of Korea was welcoming war veterans from those United Nations countries who had participated in the 1950 to 1953 war.

“The South Korean people treated us very well, we were wined and dined. However, we weren’t allowed to go where the fighting had been due to the landmines still there,” Cardon said.

On their tour of various military cemeteries, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the veterans would lay wreaths on the graves and taps would be played.

“These were very touching, very sentimental moments,” Annette said.

Tony and Annette settled in Youngstown after the war and have been there ever since. Cardon worked for the Concession Company of Cleveland for 30 years. They also have a home in Florida and have spent 35 winters there.

Cardon reflects on his service and says, “I’m proud of what I’ve done. The Marines will always be in my blood. Once a Marine, always a Marine. It was good.”

news@vindy.com