Korean War Legacy Project

Galip Fethi Okay

Bio

Galip Fethi Okay served as a Corporal in the Turkish Army. He was one of two siblings and born in 1930. He went to Korea to serve only one year in the Turkish military, instead of the normal three. Galip Fethi Okay is a highly decorated military veteran and served on three different fronts in Korea (Vegas, Elco and Berlin). His military specialty was artillery initially. However, he changed to a wireman. After his military service, he starred in Turkish movie productions, including one about the Korean War.

Video Clips

Korean War Experience

Galip Fethi Okay describes his Korean War experience. He was stationed at three different fronts during the war (Vegas, Elco and Berlin). He was also at Sand Bag Castle. Galip Fethi Okay also describes his injury from shrapnel that hospitalized him for two months. For his service, he earned many medals.

Tags: Chinese,Communists,Fear,Front lines,Physical destruction

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In Korea, Now

Galip Fethi Okay describes his arrival into a war zone. His brigade was relieving the previous brigade. He describes the reaction of the previous brigade's men. The previous brigade was so happy to be leaving Korea. He also describes the conditions of the Korean people.

Tags: Busan,Civilians,Fear,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,Physical destruction,Poverty,Prior knowledge of Korea,South Koreans

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Acting and Pictures of the Past

Galip Fethi Okay describes his life after the Korean War. He became an irrigation digger. However, at one point he auditioned for a Turkish film and was hired. He was in a Turkish movie about the Korean War. He also provides pictures from the Korean War. One shows him at the Sand Bag Castle.

Tags: Home front,Message to Students

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Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8Byz_i_uFA&start=672&end=999

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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/galip-fethi-okay#clip-3

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