Korean War Legacy Project

Bob Imose

Bio

Bob Mitsuo Imose served in the United States Air Force near the end of the Korean War and beyond. After completing pilot training in 1954, he joined the 5th Air Force in Okinawa, Japan for a special mission. He recounts preparing propaganda materials written in both Korean and Chinese to be dropped by B-29 bombers in anticipation of another war in the region. He recalls his time stationed in Japan (1967-’71) as a communication electronics officer with the 5th Air Force. It is here that he assisted in maintaining communication within the region which included Korea and Japan. Fortunate to have revisited Korea on two occasions, he expresses amazement at the changes he witnessed in post-war Seoul and the Korean people.

Video Clips

A Strange and Rewarding Career

Bob Mitsuo Imose shares about his time flying B-29 bombers with the 5th Air Force, based in Okinawa, Japan. He offers details of the typical crew carried by these planes. Reflecting on his involvement in a special mission after the conclusion of the war, he details his role in the development of propaganda materials, written in both Chinese and Korean, to be dropped in Korea in anticipation of another potential war in the region.

Tags: Basic training,Front lines,Weapons

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Making Sure Communication was Always On

Bob Mitsou Imose recounts one 1954 flight mission to penetrate air defense systems in the western part of the peninsula. Furthermore, he describes his time in Korea as a communication electronics officer with the 5th Air Force beginning in 1967, working in cooperation with the 8th Army Division, to ensure communication always remained on. He details the military bases he visited in Korea as part of his duties during this period.

Tags: Busan,Kunsan,Osan,Suwon,Fear,North Koreans

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When I Went Back, I Could Not Believe It

Bob Mitsuo Imose recollects Korea as a region that was very rural with few high rises during his time there from 1967-’71. He notes that seeing much of the country was hampered by the 10:00 p.m. curfew, which required them to be on base. Fortunate to return to Korea in both 2018 and 2019, he marvels at the growth of Seoul with all its high rises, condominiums, and new bridges. He recalls the traffic jams and the new cars he saw on each of his return trips.

Tags: Seoul,Yeongdeungpo,Impressions of Korea,Modern Korea

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But the Korean People Never Forgot

Bob Mitsuo Imose, following two return trips to South Korea, marvels at what the country has become. He shares his amazement at how the South Korean industry blossomed in such a short time. Although the Korean War is often called the "Forgotten War", he remembers an encounter with a little girl on his return trip in 2018 that showed that the Korean people never forgot.

Tags: Seoul,Impressions of Korea,Modern Korea,Pride

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