Gordon Evans
Bio
Gordon Evans served in World War II in the South Pacific with the United States Navy and in the Korean War with the United States Army as a Switchboard Operator. He completed his basic training at Camp Cook in California and was then shipped to Korea. He recalls the living conditions in Korea being cold and harsh and shares a story involving an orphaned boy he helped. He shares how the orphanages were full and that the children suffered the most in war. He comments on how happy he was when it was his time to return home and shares that he traveled back to the United States on a hospital ship. Though he did not have an opportunity for much interaction with the South Koreans serving as KATUSAs (Korean Augmentation to the United States Army), he found the Korean people to be very nice during his service.
Video Clips
Living Conditions
Gordon Evans recalls having to dig a hole in the ground and put a tent over it. They would then put a pot belly stove on top for warmth. He remembers only having a hot bath once in six months. When he was getting ready to leave, he recalls being deloused. He shares they were lined up like animals and sprayed in order to kill the lice. He recalls having fun with his buddies and one Filipino bringing his fighting rooster with him, making it all the way to the front lines with the animal.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SswTZKp4W3s&start=304&end=450
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gordan-evans#clip-1
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Children of War
Gordon Evans describes how he felt children of war suffered the most. He tells of a young boy he came across who was alone in the cold with no coat and how he took that boy in as his own houseboy. He points out that this was not uncommon due to the orphanages being overrun.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SswTZKp4W3s&start=663&end=774
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/gordan-evans#clip-2
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