Ali Dagbagli
Bio
Ali Dagbagli was born July 1, 1931 in the country of Turkey. He was one of eight children and was fortunate to have completed his elementary education. He enlisted in the army in February of 1950 just prior to the breakout of the Korean War. By September of that same year, he was on his way to fight in the war. Being part of the infantry, he went to the front lines. He took part in the Battle of Kunu-ri and faced off with the enemy on all sides. He was wounded multiple times, yet he felt the hardest part of battle was watching his friends fall. He revisited South Korea in 2002 and the transformation of Seoul amazed him. He was delighted to see the prosperity of modern Korea after having seen the destruction of war.
Video Clips
Battle of Kunu-ri
Ali Dagbagli shares his experience in the Battle of Kunu-ri. He describes the battle lasting for three nights and four days and being surrounded on all sides by the enemy. He recalls being shot multiple times and watching many of his friends fall.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_feRQfbwO4&start=462&end=657
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ali-dagbagli#clip-1
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The Pains of War
Ali Dagbagli describes the poor conditions of the Korean people. He recalls how the kids would run through the streets begging for food and cigarettes for their families. He remembers witnessing abject poverty as he traveled across Korea.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_feRQfbwO4&start=245&end=465
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ali-dagbagli#clip-2
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Transformation of Korea
Ali Dagbagli describes the incredible transformation of South Korea. He recalls Korea being less than heartwarming during the war with all of the destruction and devastation. He expresses such joy and relief to see the cleanliness and beauty of modern Korea upon his revisit to the country many years later.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_feRQfbwO4&start=747&end=1012
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ali-dagbagli#clip-3
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