Fred J. Ito
Bio
As a Japanese-American, Fred Ito has a unique perspective to provide about his experiences in the military. When he enlisted in the Army, he never expected to go to Korea, especially because he never received combat training and had been stationed in Japan before war broke out in Korea. He describes life during the war, including having Thanksgiving during a Chinese offensive. Fred Ito has advice for everyone about why they should all get along today.
Video Clips
Unprepared for Combat
Fred Ito enlisted in the military and received basic training before going to Japan in 1948. However, his training as an auto mechanic did not prepare him for combat when he then went to the frontlines of Korea. He describes his training and how he felt as he found himself in a situation he never expected in August 1950.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ftY8ExypvM&start=313&end=514
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/fred-j-ito#clip-1
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Life in the Army
Fred Ito describes his life while in the Army in Korea. He describes the meals he ate, his salary, and communication home with his parents. He particularly explained how his father received a Missing In Action report and his knee-wound.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ftY8ExypvM&start=809&end=927
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/fred-j-ito#clip-2
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Thanksgiving at Usan
Fred Ito describes Thanksgiving in Usan. The 25th Division came to relieve the 2nd Battalion while they enjoyed their turkey, but the Chinese unit, which had been hiding behind the mountains, made a big offensive against the 25th Division, including Fred Ito's friend. Fred Ito and some of the 2nd Battalion went back to help, but found themselves having to escape through the deep river.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ftY8ExypvM&start=1574&end=1752
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/fred-j-ito#clip-3
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Advice for Japan and Korea
As a Japanese-American who fought in Korea, Fred Ito has unique advice for the Japanese and Koreans. After he gives a brief history of the Japanese occupation of Korea, he advises everyone to move beyond their history and get along with one another. After providing some examples of differences in today's society, he says that there are "good people" everywhere.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ftY8ExypvM&start=1574&end=1752
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/fred-j-ito#clip-4
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Photos
Letter from Fellow Soldier
This is a letter from a fellow soldier about his attempts to try to contact Fed Ito after the war (page 1).
Letter from Fellow Soldier (2)
This is a letter from a fellow soldier about his attempts to try to contact Fed Ito after the war (page 2).
