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Historically overshadowed
by World War II and Vietnam, many people know the least about
the true events of this war. The Korean War began in the early
hours of June 25, 1950. North Korean troops crossed the 38th
parallel and invaded South Korea. The battlefields would hold
some of the worst conditions and intense fighting ever experienced
by American troops. Nearly 37,000 American service men lost their
lives in three years, the most concentrated number in the first
year. There were both severe trials and staggering accomplishments during the war: the humiliating retreats in the opening days of war, the brilliant Inchon landings masterminded by McArthur; the grittiness exhibited in Chosin by the 1St Marine Division surrounded by a vast Chinese force, and the savage hill fighting during the last years of the conflict. |
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My interviewee was one of the most optimistic
people to interview. The Korean War interested me mostly because
of the amount of facts I didn't know. Aptly named, the Korean
War was also called " The Forgotten War". Mr. Emris
Smitheman was great at explaining every aspect of the war and
his experience. Mr. Emris joined the later part of the war. "Hiding under the skirts of college," as he called it, he finished his college career and then signed at the draft board. He had a long road he would follow and traveled far and long to complete his service. His first steps into the army being harsh, he still remembered them fondly. I was able to capture exactly what he had experienced just by his words alone.Arriving after cease-fire, his conditions were slightly different than would be expected in a war. He fought more of a cold war, more of a protector. He had trained and taken many a test to become a part of the signal core, controlling the field artillery radio. He had such a unique job, yet also a very important one. Not only was he over seas doing work, but he would also serve with men from overseas as well. For one year of his service, he was transported to an airport to man the towers alongside the British. The most important thing I got from the experience of the interview was to recognize his ability to be self-confident. He knew he had done the right thing back in Korea. The fact that he was able to stand by his views meant a lot to him. |
| When asked how he felt that most people
call the war the "Forgotten War,", his reply was tolerant
but strong. "Seeing South Korea now, growing and prospering,
makes me feel good about how we stepped in. It's like Iraq in
many ways. We are fighting for a country's freedom." We
only hope Iraq will be as accepting and willing to learn as South
Korea. His strongest reaction he gave me was the willingness
to talk. He still holds to his beliefs and backs up the Korean
War one hundred percent. One of his most memorable experiences,
it gave him a broadened view of the world around him. The fact that he knows the true reason for the war and sees the prosperous outcome makes him feel secure. Though it is the "Forgotten War" overshadowed by WWII and Vietnam, there is still pride in the man's words. Talking with him made me feel as if I were learning history and the background of this person all at once. Confident, satisfied, and willful, this man helped me to learn first hand about a real historical event. |
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