Gene C. Richards
Bio
Gene C. Richards grew up in Texas, part of a military family of 10 siblings, 6 of whom joined the Armed Forces including his twin brother. Gene C. Richards received his draft notice to the Army in 1950. After the Korean War began, drafting young American men for the service became prominent again. He describes his basic training before leaving to Korea, his time in Korea, reuniting in Japan with his twin brother who served in the Air Force during the Korean War, and his trip back to Korea in 2009. Gene C. Richards today serves as the President of the 7th Infantry Division organization.
Video Clips
Poverty Stricken Villages
Gene C. Richards discusses how Seoul was when he left Korea in 1953. He describes Seoul as not the major city seen today. He describes how majority of Korea was agricultural villages rather than urban. He also describes how so many people at the time lived in immense poverty.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkuWMf8pE4&start=1896&end=1951
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gene-c-richards#clip-1
Embed:
Satisfaction for the Sacrifice
Gene C. Richards describes how much South Korea has changed since he served there. Much of the places where he served no longer exist. He describes how he was amazed at the success of South Korea today. Gene C. Richards expresses how he is proud of his service and seeing South Korea's implementation of democracy has provided soldiers closure for their sacrifices.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkuWMf8pE4&start=2383&end=2633
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gene-c-richards#clip-2
Embed:
Avoiding the Final Mission
Gene C. Richards earned 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters in addition to his Air Medal. He was one mission away from earning his fifth. He was determined to make one last mission, however, last minute was convinced not to make the attempt. Gene C. Richards describes how he is grateful to not have taken that mission due to that plane being shot down.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkuWMf8pE4&start=1705&end=1871
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gene-c-richards#clip-3
Embed: