Raymundo L. Bumatay
Bio
Raymundo L. Bumatay began his service in Korea when he arrived in Pusan in mid-May 1952. He served as part of I Company of the 19th Battalion Combat Company. He saw action in the Battle of Eerie and was stationed on or near Hill 191, Hill 200, T-Bone Hill, and Christmas Hill. He recalls when fighting at the center front of the front line, they experienced canon fire from the North Koreans every 30 minutes. In 2018, the Philippine government awarded him the Gold Medal Peace Award. He is proud to have served in the Korean War and impressed with Korea’s progress.
Video Clips
Korean Bus Boy
Raymundo L. Bumatay recalls encountering very few Korean civilians except those who helped the military. He shares that his bunker had a house boy of about 14 year of age that did their errands in exchange for a little money and c-rations.
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Battle Experience
Raymundo L. Bumatay recalls that when serving along the central front they received canon fire from the North Koreans nearly every 30 minutes. After a few months enduring this, he was transferred to Hill 191 and Hill 200 and his weapon shifted from mortar to 50 caliber assault viper. He shares memories of orders for hand-to-hand combat and attacks on American bunker complexes. He notes he participated in action in the Battle of Eerie, Hill 191, Hill 200, T-Bone Hill, and Christmas Hill.
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Korea Before and Now
Raymundo L. Bumatay speaks of his two opportunities to revisit Korea after he left in 1953. He shares that on his 2018 visit the Philippine government presented him with the Gold Medal Peace Award. He expresses amazement with the development he has seen in the country on his return trips in 2018 and 2019. He describes the country as very, very green and very clean. He is proud of the role he played in its history.
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