Edwin Maunakea, Jr.
Bio
Edwin Maunakea Jr. enlisted in the US Army in 1942. He attended basic training and infantry training at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii and served in World War II. He remained in the Army and was sent to Korea in July 1950. He discussed his roles as part of the 298th Infantry Division, Company A. Later, he was wounded twice so was sent home where he continued serving in the Army until retirement. He returned to live in Hawaii and is active in the Korean War Veterans Association.
Video Clips
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Edwin Maunakea Jr. remembers the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He shares he was fishing as Japanese planes descended on the Harbor and waved at him. He explains he thought nothing of the planes flying overhead until he first heard the explosions.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/edwin-maunakea-jr#clip-1
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Rescue at Nakdonggang River
Edwin Maunakea Jr. describes his rescue of a captain during fighting at the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter. He shares carrying the wounded soldier across the Nakdonggang River. He explains it took several hours to cross the river and the soldier told him thanks as he was lowered to the cot but the next time Edwin Maunakea Jr. turned around the captain was dead because he had been shot in the back of the head.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkgXf05dDQ4&start=675&end=772
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/edwin-maunakea-jr#clip-2
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Crash and Burn
Edwin Maunakea Jr. describes moving past the damage in Seoul and entering North Korean territory. He explains he wanted to enter buildings but found out they were likely booby trapped so they could not venture inside. He shares when they were on attack a US Navy plane crashed nearby his location. He recalls his attempt to rescue the downed pilot. However during the rescue attempt, he explains how he was burned by a napalm bomb that exploded on the downed plane.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkgXf05dDQ4&start=994&end=1234
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/edwin-maunakea-jr#clip-3
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Times to Forget
Edwin Maunakea Jr. witnesses mothers and babies being killed by machine guns. He shares he would like to forget those times but cannot. Additionally, he displays his thumb that was shot off by enemy forces. He marvels he did not even realize it until he removed his gloves and his thumb was missing but it was enough to send him back to the United States on a medical plane. Despite his injuries, he reports he stayed in the military for his entire career.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkgXf05dDQ4&start=1243&end=1420
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/edwin-maunakea-jr#clip-4
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