Edward C. Sheffield
Bio
Edward Sheffield was born in Cabbage Grove, Florida, on March 23, 1930. It was a rural community, and jobs were scarce. Due to job scarcity, he and his brother decided to join the Army, even though he had not finished school. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1949 and was shipped to Japan prior to the start of the Korean War. When the war did break out, he was sent to Korea. Just a few days into the war, his unit was surrounded and overrun by the North Koreans while serving on the front lines, and he was taken as a prisoner of war (POW). He was shot and stabbed with a bayonet, then forced on the death march, which led him to Camp Seven, far into North Korean territory. He endured harsh treatment, near starvation, and witnessed many American soldiers killed or succumbing to their injuries. He suffered beatings and interrogations at the hands of the enemy but remained resilient, which he credits to his unwavering faith and natural strength from years of farming. He was eventually released after the signing of the armistice. Despite his experience as a prisoner of war in Korea, he has marveled at the comeback South Korea has made and was proud to have served the Korean people.
Video Clips
Surrounded With No Way Out
Edward Sheffield describes the events leading to his capture by the North Koreans. He observes five soldiers killed and wondered how that happened until he sees rice paddies move and notices the North Koreans on the mountain ridges. He recalls receiving incoming fire and being surrounded after being warned by his battalion commander who was then killed.
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Bayonet and Bullet
Edward Sheffield describes the physical treatment he endured from his North Korean captors. He shares that he was stabbed in the back with a bayonet and kicked when he was first taken prisoner. He recalls thinking they might kill him because he possessed a North Korean belt he had taken as a souvenir. He then relates he was shot in the leg and believes it came from a sniper that did not know he had already been captured.
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The Tiger Murders
Edward Sheffield identifies one of the camps where he was held prisoner for the first year and a half as Camp Seven. He describes meeting the "Tiger," the enemy police force commanding officer who later began the forced death march. He recalls the "Tiger" ordering the murder of all men in the sick bay prior to the march and that he killed 300 more in a tunnel for no reason.
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The Death March
Edward Sheffield recounts the death march he and other POWs endured. He describes facing machine guns intended for execution, but was spared after missionaries in the group intervened. He also remembers assisting a wounded soldier, but was forced to leave him behind, aware that the soldier would be executed to prevent delays.
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Apex Camp
Edward Sheffield describes his experience at Apex Camp, noting that conditions improved after the Chinese assumed control. He recalls that under the North Koreans, prisoners received only one millet ball per day, whereas the Chinese provided better food. He remembers the Chinese bringing in a doctor who prescribed medicine to treat the prisoners' worms. He reports that during the first winter under North Korean control, over three hundred soldiers died and that they could not be buried due to the extreme cold, so they were instead covered with snow.
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