(Denver, Iowa) -- Film shot by an Iowan who served in the Korean War are now included in the U-S Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Bill Rector, of Denver, Iowa says he enlisted when he was 21 and became a Gunner's Mate on the USS Los Angeles during the Korean War. He says when he went on leave, he bought an 8mm camera and started filming.
"I took a lot of movies. The military did not allow us to shoot, but since I was the gun captain, nobody bothered me," said Rector.
The films are now part of the Veterans History Project in the Library of Congress, and will likely be part of upcoming History Channel documentaries.
The effort is a collaboration involving U-S Senator Chuck Grassley and the History Channel.
“There’s so much history all around us, and it’s important to know where we’ve been as a country to help make informed decisions about our future. It’s also important for Americans to understand and appreciate the service and sacrifice throughout our history to preserve the freedoms and liberties we enjoy each day. I’m a student of history and I’m grateful to partner with the History Channel to help tell Bill’s incredible story,” said Grassley.