Korean War Legacy Project

Eleftherios Tsikandilakis

Bio

Eleftherios Tsikandilakis, a resident of Crete, Greece, volunteered for the Greek Army in 1950 and was swiftly deployed to Busan. After just eight days in Seoul, he saw the war’s widespread devastation. The sight of Korean children begging soldiers for food deeply affected him, leading him to share his scraps. Though grenade and artillery attacks left him with severe scars on his arm, face, and leg, he remains proud of his role in defending South Korea and has returned twice to witness its remarkable progress.

Video Clips

Preparation for Joining the Greek Army

Eleftherios Tsikandilakis admits he knew nothing about Korea before enlisting in the army. He recalls arriving in Busan, then moving through Seoul to the 38th Parallel. During the war, he primarily transported food and ammunition using mules, a task he carried out under dangerous conditions. Looking back, he views this role as a crucial part of his service.

Tags: Busan,Panmunjeom,Seoul,Basic training,Chinese,Civilians,Food,Front lines,Home front,Living conditions,North Koreans,Physical destruction,Weapons

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Scars From the Korean War

Eleftherios Tsikandilakis shares that he sustained multiple injuries during the Korean War. He recalls a grenade exploding near his face, causing pain and scarring on his right cheek. Additionally, he narrowly avoided losing his right leg and arm when an artillery shell detonated nearby. Despite these wounds, he proudly reflects on his service and its significance.

Tags: Panmunjeom,Chinese,Fear,Front lines,Living conditions,Personal Loss,Physical destruction,Weapons

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Modern Korea

Eleftherios Tsikandilakis recalls leaving Korea in July or August of 1951. When he returned in 2008 and again in 2013, he was amazed by the country's remarkable progress. Struck by how far Korea had advanced, he remarked that it now seemed a century ahead of Greece. This transformation left a lasting impression on him.

Tags: Seoul,Civilians,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,Modern Korea,Poverty,Pride,Prior knowledge of Korea,South Koreans

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Destruction in Seoul

Eleftherios Tsikandilakis describes the extreme hunger and devastation he saw when he arrived in Seoul. He felt Korea was so severely impacted that it seemed a century behind Greece in 1950. He recalls how desperate Korean children begged UN troops for food outside restaurants and food tents. This memory has left a lasting impression on him.

Tags: Seoul,Suwon,Civilians,Depression,Food,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,Physical destruction,Poverty,South Koreans

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