Larry Tressler attended basic training at Fort Knox Kentucky, then continued to Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Monmouth NJ as a still photographer.
After a short stint at Ft Sill Ok, he proceeded to Korea where he spent the next 19 months during 1968 – 1970, working at the 8th Army Public Affairs Office as a news photographer based at Yongsan but officially a part of STRATCOM at Camp Coiner located on the backside of Yongsan (Seoul).
He traveled around the country taking pictures for “Stars & Stripes” newspaper, and other stateside news services. He attended and took pictures at the peace talks at Panmunjom during his tenure. Additionally, he was the personal photographer for 8th Army / UNC Commander General Charles H. Bonesteel III.
During his free time, he was a scoutmaster for Boy Scout troop 80 in Seoul. His troop represented Korea at an internation scout jamboree in the Philippines. He tutored English to Korean friends and was a member of a Korean Rock N Roll band (Devils) who later gained national recognition.
After separating from the Army at the rank of E-5 / SP 5, he returned to his former job as a production crew member at a Cleveland TV station for over 30 years. He and his wife, Sharon, then retired to central Florida.
As a member of the Korea Defense Veterans Association, Larry was selected to participate in the KDVA Revisit Korea Program in 2023. As a proud member of the organization, he was honored to be appointed as the President of the newly formed KDVA Florida Chapter in July of 2024. He is currently a featured speaker to a number of Korean / American groups, a member of The American Legion, The National Association for Amateur Radio, and KWVA.
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