Eleftherios Tsikandilakis
Bio
Eleftherios Tsikandilakis lived in Crete, Greece and this area is known for all the vegetables and fruits that grow there. He volunteered for the Greek Army in 1950 and was sent to Pusan right away. After spending 8 days in Seoul, he was able to see the physical destruction that was made from war. Korean children were begging UN soldiers for food and this really affected Eleftherios Tsikandilakis, so he gave leftover scraps to the children. He was severely injured by a grenade and artillery, so he has arm, face, and leg scars from his time in the Korean War. Even though he was injured, he as very proud of his time protecting South Korea. He even went back twice to see the advancements since the war.
Video Clips
Preparation for Joining the Greek Army
Eleftherios Tsikandilakis didn't know anything about the Korean War when it began. He was a a civil servant that took care of the military horses. His specialty was to transfer food and ammunition on mules during the Korean War.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eROqXis4cs&start=269&end=449
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/eleftherios-tsikandilakis#clip-1
Embed:
Entering the Korean War
Eleftherios Tsikandilakis entered the Korean War in December 1950 and he entered through Pusan. After spending time there, he was sent through Seoul and then went onto the 38th parallel. During this whole time, he didn't have to fight any enemy.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eROqXis4cs&start=449&end=557
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/eleftherios-tsikandilakis#clip-2
Embed:
Scars From the Korean War
Eleftherios Tsikandilakis suffered many injures during the Korean War. A grenade went off right by his face and he experienced pain and scaring to his right cheek. A military artillery shell blew up right by him and he almost lost his right leg and arm.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eROqXis4cs&start=1020&end=1249
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/eleftherios-tsikandilakis#clip-3
Embed:
Modern Korea
Eleftherios Tsikandilakis left Korea in July/August 1951. After returning twice to Korea, in 2008 and 2013, he was able to see the great advancements that were made in Korea. Korea's advancements were 100 years more advanced than Greece.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eROqXis4cs&start=809&end=1020
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/eleftherios-tsikandilakis#clip-4
Embed:
Destruction in Seoul
Eleftherios Tsikandilakis saw extreme hunger and destruction when he entered Seoul. It was so bad that he considered Korea to be 100 years before Greece in 1950. Korean children begged for food from UN troops as they exited restaurants and food tents.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eROqXis4cs&start=558&end=809
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/eleftherios-tsikandilakis#clip-5
Embed: