The Hotwash Presents: Korean War "POW" & Vietnam Veteran CSM (R) Joe Annello

The Hotwash with CJ

Joseph Lawrence Annello was born in Boston, Massachusetts on April 5, 1933. After graduating high school he enlisted in the US Army on April 24, 1950. CSM Anello has served in every leadership position from squad leader through Division Command Sergeant Major. He retired from the US Army on August 1, 1970 and pursue furthering his education. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA in 1974. In 1954 he attended the US Army Language School, Monterey, CA (now the Defense Language Institute) and graduated as a Japanese Language Linguist. Continued serving the US Government until retiring in 1998. Married to my wife, Joan, formerly Jung Ae Choi, of Busan, Korea, on June 19, 1959. Was assigned to four tours of duty in Korea between years, 1950 to 1967. Served the first tour as a squad leader in the machine gun platoon, H Company 7th RCT, 3rd Infantry Division. Was severely wounded and captured by the Chinese in April 1951. Rescued/escaped on June 1, 1951. Assigned as the Operations Sergeant, 8057th ASU, Bupyung, during the 2nd and 3rd tours, the last tour as the Sergeant Major, Detachment R, Korean Military Advisory Group, Taegu. Also, served three tours in Japan, the last assignment as CSM at HQ, US Army, Japan, Camp Zama, 1967 to 1970. Awards and Decorations include: Combat Infantry Badge, US Presidential Unit Citation badge, Korean Presidential Citation badge, Silver Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), Japanese Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal (3 Battle stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, United Nations Korean Service Medal, and several other service medals.