Korean War Legacy Project

Claudio De Felici

Bio

Claudio De Felici documented Italian participation in the Korean War in his book La Guerra di Korea, 60 anti dopo. His research included interviews with Italian veterans of the Korean War and their families. He collected more than four thousand pictures from the war, obtaining many of them from the Korean government. Much of his book focuses on Italy’s donation of Field Hospital No. 68 through the Italian Red Cross. This hospital operated from November 1951 to December 1954, and over a hundred Italians served there. The Field Hospital, to remain neutral, served both Northern and Southern belligerents. He documented the accounts of many Doctors and Nurses. He also presented his book around Italy to minimal audiences. Similarly, with the U.S. and many nations, the Korean War is a “Forgotten War” as many people are not taught about the Korean War. 

Video Clips

Field Hospital #68: Italy's Contribution to the Korean War

Claudio De Felici, author of the book La Guerra di Korea, 60 anti dopo, explains that after the outbreak of the Korean War, the United States and other members of NATO requested Italy send military troops to Korea. He notes that the Italian government was unable to afford to send men at the time so it requested the Italian Red Cross assist with sending sanitary services to Korea. Field Hospital #68 opened in November 1951 and would serve until December 1954 when it was donated to the Korean government.

Note: The interviewee responds in Italian. English Translations begin at 7:44, 10:04, and 10:27.

Tags: Civilians,Front lines,Living conditions

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The Legacy of the Korean War and Italian Field Hospital #68

Claudio De Felici, author of the book La Guerra di Korea, 60 anti dopo, offers his opinion of the legacies of both the Korean War and the Italian Field Hospital #68. His thoughts are based on the countless interviews he did with Italian veterans, Italians who worked in the field hospital and over fifteen years of research on the topic of Italy's contribution to the war.

Note: The interviewee responds in Italian. English Translation begin 39:14.

Tags: Civilians,Front lines,Living conditions,Pride

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22vC_0ipb-8&start=2187&end=2435

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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/claudio-de-felici#clip-2

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