US Army Corporal W. J. "Buddy" Gainey was born in Alaqua, Walton County, Florida on November 1, 1932, the son of Willis Wilbern Gainey (1909-1969) and Molley Nelson (1910-1988). His father was a native of Walton County where he worked as a farmer and sawmill laborer until they moved to Pensacola in 1946. Once here, he went to work for Duval Lumber Company while living at 2110 West Bobe Street.
In January 1951, Willis' son W. J. "Buddy" had just turned 18-years old and was working on a car belonging to Mr. John English. A dispute arose when Buddy borrowed the car and failed to return it promptly. This led to Buddy and three of his buddies being charged and returned from Bessemer, Alabama. Shortly thereafter, Buddy was enlisted in the US Army! Most likely he enlisted on his own but it was not unusual in those days for courts to give young men a choice of enlistment or incarceration, especially during wartime. The same practice occurred during Vietnam as well. Regardless, Buddy completed his basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC in June 1951. He was then sent to Korea where he was assigned to the 14th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division. The regiment had already been fighting in Korea since the beginning of the war by the time Buddy joined its ranks.
However, he must have been successful in his combat role since he had already risen to the rank of corporal in the short time he was with the regiment. By this time of the war, fighting had devolved into a stalemate after China had committed its forces in behalf of the North Koreans. By December 1951, the 25th Infantry Division was relieved by the 2nd Division and moved off the front lines to a rear area near Kapyong. Here, they rested while they replaced their losses and trained for future operations. On February 23, 1952, the division returned to the front line near Mundung-ni, located in the center of the X Corps sector. Here, they began initiating combat patrols, setting up ambushes, and calling in artillery bombardments. They also set up forward outposts that were used as listening posts to give advance alerts of any enemy attack. And it was here that Buddy was leading a patrol when it came under sniper fire. While scrambling for for cover Buddy stepped on a landmine and was killed.
His body was returned home having bravely performed his patriotic duty and was buried in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Pleasant Ridge, Walton County, FL with military honors.
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