Korean War Legacy Project

Aristides Simoes

Bio

Aristides Simoes enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War. He enlisted wanting to use his electronic skills in the war effort. During the Korean War, he was responsible for maintaining new wireless radar technologies for aircraft. He describes his journey to Korea. He also details his job responsibilities and the purpose of his tasks. Lastly, he also discusses the impact these wireless technologies have had on modern South Korea today.

Video Clips

Classroom Understanding of Korea

Aristides Simoes was educated about Korea while in school. He describes that in his middle school civics class, he learned about Korea in relationship to the Joseon Dynasty and Imperial Japan. His teachers were trying to have his class understand the significance of Japan bombing the U.S. at Pearl Harbor after that had happened.

Tags: Home front,Impressions of Korea,Prior knowledge of Korea

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Journey to the Korean Peninsula

Aristides Simoes describes in length his journey to Korea. During his time in Korea, he describes a variety of different tasks and responsibilities he had maintaining the aircraft radar systems. He also describes the purpose these missions had for the military at the time.

Tags: Seoul,Impressions of Korea

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Warfare Technology in Modern Applications

Aristides Simoes describes how the electronics he managed during the war had a lasting effect on South Korea's economy today. U.S. Military introduced wireless radar, microwave radar, and other systems. These have formed the base for many strong South Korean technological wireless companies such as Samsung and LG.

Tags: Pride

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Devastation and Destruction of Seoul

Aristides Simoes reflects on his memories of the capital of South Korea, Seoul, after the war. Despite seeing civilians and soldiers on the streets, the city itself was filled with dust, destruction, and debris. He also details the extreme poverty many South Koreans were experiencing at the time.

Tags: Seoul,Civilians,Impressions of Korea,Physical destruction,Poverty,South Koreans

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