Giuseppe Ercoletti
Bio
Giuseppe Ercoletti is the son of Cesare Ercoletti, who served with the Italian Red Cross during the Korean War. Cesare volunteered to go to Korea as a sense of adventure and duty to help others. While in Korea, he served as a driver for the director of the Italian Red Cross Field Hospital Number 68, located in Yeongdeungpo, South Korea. During operation, the hospital cared for people suffering from the effects of war by both the Northern and Southern belligerents. He stayed through the Field Hospital’s operation, which stopped serving people in December of 1954. Following the signing of the armistice, he remained in Korea for three more years to assist in the reconstruction of the country. Giuseppe and his family are proud of his father’s service and helping South Korea become a modern nation.
Video Clips
Leave a Legacy
Giuseppe Ercoletti discusses his father’s decision to volunteer with the Italian Red Cross to service in Korea. He describes his father’s strong connection to his family and particularly his attachment to his wife. As a young boy, he remembers his father’s passion for adventure and his desire to leave a legacy.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=454sXjGd0yA&start=459&end=665
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/giuseppe-ercoletti#clip-1
Embed:
Letters to His Wife
Giuseppe Ercoletti discusses his parents’ letter writing during the war. While his father was away, he notes his parents would write to each other daily. He remembers his father’s letters were mainly focused on easing his mother’s fears. Even after death, he shares how his mother was connected to the letters from his father because she requested to be buried with them.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=454sXjGd0yA&start=1643&end=1880
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/giuseppe-ercoletti#clip-2
Embed:
My Father Carrying a Korean Baby
Giuseppe Ercoletti marvels at the transformation of South Korea. He recalls stories from his father about minefields and a picture of his father caring for a young child. After his experience in Korea, he feels as if Korea is more modern than Italy. He highlights how modern Korea is an example of intelligent people raising themselves up.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=454sXjGd0yA&start=2337&end=2519
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/giuseppe-ercoletti#clip-3
Embed:
A Beautiful Country
Giuseppe Ercoletti and his wife, Maria, elaborate on Cesar’s stories about working with women and children in Korea. Maria discusses her interactions with Giuseppe’s father before and after his service with the Italian Red Cross. She recalls him discussing how the women and children needed his help. Based on her trip with Giuseppe to Korea, she marvels at what the people have accomplished and the beauty of the country. Giuseppe interjects his impressions of Korea and identifies the best weapon of the Korean people is their strength and intelligence.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=454sXjGd0yA&start=3003&end=3315
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/giuseppe-ercoletti#clip-4
Embed: