Korean War Legacy Project

Bill Chrysler

Bio

Bill Chrysler enlisted in the reserves as a teenager at the end of World War II. Although too young to be deployed during the war, he seized the opportunity to go overseas in 1950 by joining the Canadian Army, which was recruiting for a special forces unit. After completing three months of basic training in Wainwright, Alberta, he shipped out to Seattle and almost immediately to Korea. In Korea, he primarily drove half-tracks as part of the Royal Hampton Light Infantry. He saw action in the Battle of Kapyong, a significant event in the Chinese Spring Offensive. Though he remembers some exciting moments on the front line, the bad memories outweigh the good ones. After his service, he returned to Canada and pursued a career in the welding industry, working both domestically and internationally. Over the years, he has had numerous opportunities to return to Korea and takes pride in having contributed to its successful redevelopment.

Video Clips

Traveling to Korea

Bill Chrysler vividly remembers the nervous anticipation as they headed to Korea. They stopped in the Aleutian Islands and again in Hawaii to pick up American forces. Onboard, the daily routine involved regular exercise on the deck to maintain fitness. When they arrived in Pusan, he recalls seeing refugees suffering, struggling without food or shelter, leaving a lasting impression on his memory.

Tags: Busan,Fear,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,North Koreans,Poverty,South Koreans,Women

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The Battle of Kapyong

Bill Chrysler remembers hurrying into place from a rest camp, noting his half-track was not fully equipped. Sent to the higher hills while the Australians held the lower hills on their right, he quickly adapted to the situation. The Chinese aimed to gain control of the valley among these hills, which led to Seoul. Observing the Chinese circling them, he recalls immediately recognizing the impending trouble.

Tags: Busan,Seoul,Chinese,Civilians,Communists,Fear,Front lines,Rest and Relaxation (R&R),Weapons

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Hard to Forget

Bill Chrysler recalls more bad memories than happy ones from his year in Korea. Among the most horrific scenes, he remembers discovering a mother and child killed in a small house and witnessing a man using an axe to chop off his wife's severely injured leg. Even after many years, these haunting memories continue to stick with him.

Tags: Civilians,Fear,Front lines,Living conditions,Physical destruction,Poverty,South Koreans,Women

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