Edward C. Sheffield
Bio
Edward Sheffield joined the United States Army in 1949 and was shipped to Japan prior to the start of the Korean War. He recounted his unit being surrounded and overrun by the North Koreans while serving in Korea, and he recalled the day he was captured and taken as a prisoner of war (POW). He described the treatment he endured at the hands of his captors, the punishments given to men who were too ill to complete a death march, and his eventual release. He attributed growing up on a farm and his continued faith throughout his POW experience as the reasons he made it through such a difficult time. He commented on South Korea’s advancement since the war and shares his pride in his service efforts.
Video Clips
Surrounded by the North Koreans
Edward Sheffield describes the events leading to his capture by the North Koreans. He observes five soldiers killed and wondered how that happened until he sees rice paddies move and notices the North Koreans on the mountain ridges. He recalls receiving incoming fire and being surrounded after being warned by his battalion commander who was killed.
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Bayonet and Bullet
Edward Sheffield describes the physical treatment he endured from his North Korean captors. He shares that he was stabbed with a bayonet as well as kicked when he was first taken prisoner. He recalls thinking they might kill him due to possessing a North Korean belt he had taken as a souvenir. He then relates he was shot in the leg and believes it came from a sniper that did not know he had already been captured.
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The Tiger Murders
Edward Sheffield identifies one of the camps where he was held prisoner for the first year and a half as Camp Seven. He describes meeting the "Tiger," the enemy police force commanding officer who later began the forced death march. He recalls the "Tiger" ordering the murder of all men in the sick bay prior to the march and killed 300 more in a tunnel for no reason.
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The Death March
Edward Sheffield shares memories of the death march he and fellow POWs experienced. He describes the machine guns set up to kill him but being spared following the pleas made by missionaries within the group. He recalls helping a wounded soldier but being forced to leave him behind. He notes the soldier was then shot so it would not slow the death march.
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Apex Camp
Edward Sheffield recalls treatment at Apex Camp. He notes they were treated much better once the Chinese took over the camp. He states they only received one millet ball to eat per day while under the North Koreans, but were fed much better by the Chinese. He also notes the Chinese brought in a doctor that prescribed them a medicine to help them get rid of the worms they possessed. While under the North Koreans, he notes over 300 soldiers died the first winter and it was too cold to bury them so they only could push snow over the top of the deceased soldiers.
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