Bjarne Christensen
Bio
Bjarne Christensen was born on February 4, 1935 in Copenhagen, Denmark. He joined a maritime school in 1950, and had to report to be hired upon his graduation in 1951. At the young age of sixteen, he was assigned duty on the Jutlandia, a hospital ship, and soon embarked on a journey to Korea to help with the war. He assisted the doctors and nurses aboard the ship and helped tend to the wounded. He was particularly distressed by the living conditions of the Korean people and the suffering they were going through. Many years later, he revisited Korea and was so glad to see the progress that had been made since the war. He was thankful to have been of help during that dark and difficult time.
Video Clips
Korea Then and Now
Bjarne Christensen recalls being affected by the amount of poverty he saw in Busan, South Korea. He shares that upon his revisit, he could see much progress. He explains how he was impressed and overwhelmed by the differences.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv_F7VFs358&start=740&end=821
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/bjarne-christen#clip-1
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Life on a Hospital Ship
Bjarne Christensen explains how he had luxuries onboard the Jutlandia. He describes a small but comfortable space. He explains that while serving in a time of war, his life on the ship was pleasant.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv_F7VFs358&start=823&end=873
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/bjarne-christen#clip-2
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To Be Young at War
Bjarne Christensen shares that he was just sixteen when he served aboard the Jutlandia. He describes exiting the hospital ship in Busan only to see great poverty among the Korean people. He recalls how he saw children begging and how much it bothered him.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv_F7VFs358&start=400&end=450
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/bjarne-christen#clip-3
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