Eugene Johnson
Bio
Eugene Johnson was born in Philipsburg, PA on January 23, 1932. His life was filled with hardships, and he saw the United States Army as a way to escape it all. Though only sixteen years of age, he altered his birth date on his baptismal record to indicate that he was eighteen and was able to enlist without complication. With limited knowledge of Asia, he was sent to Japan in 1948 to work in the aftermath of the Second World War. As he was preparing to return home, the tension began to escalate in Korea and war broke out. He was sent and took part in the Incheon Landing. He was soon in the midst of the fighting at the Chosin Reservoir where he was captured by the Chinese. He was wounded and sent to a prison camp where he remained for the duration of the war. He credited his hard upbringing and youth to being able to push through the brutal conditions, though many around him died. He walked to freedom across Freedom Bridge in August of 1953 and asked for a hot cup of coffee. His experience with the Korean War taught him the value of freedom and the importance of securing it for other nations.
Video Clips
The Only Way Out
Eugene Johnson tells the story of how he changed his baptismal record to make himself two years older so that he could enlist in the United States Army. He speaks of hardships at home that made it necessary to leave and how the Army was his only ticket out of there.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yvIaYBMR1M&start=80&end=159
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/eugene-johnson#clip-1
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Prisoner of War
Eugene Johnson describes his experience as a prisoner of war after he was captured by the Chinese near the Chosin Reservoir. He recalls the long walk to get to the camps with little sustenance and the extreme weight loss. He speaks of brutal conditions that many did not survive and the walk across Freedom Bridge after the Armistice was signed.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yvIaYBMR1M&start=740&end=911
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/eugene-johnson#clip-2
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Indoctrination
Eugene Johnson discusses the indoctrination and interrogation that he faced by the Chinese Army while in the prison camps. He describes the power of not giving up hope and maintaining faith as key to survival. He remembers witnessing fellow soldiers succumbing to the torture and giving in to the indoctrination.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yvIaYBMR1M&start=912&end=1114
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/eugene-johnson#clip-3
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