Harold Yamauchi
Bio
Harold Yamauchi was born on January 27, 1931, in Wailaikahala, Hawaii. He was the son of Japanese immigrants and was one of eight children, all of which helped the family with farming. Shortly after his graduation from Kainuki High School in 1949, he was drafted into the United States Army and went through basic training at Schofield Barracks in Oahu before being sent to Korea as a rifleman with Love Company, 7th Division, 31st Regiment, 2nd Battalion. Having served on the front lines, he witnessed death and destruction, the devastation brought upon the civilians of Korea, and faced his own personal challenges of serving with an oriental heritage. Having seen the deficits of war, he was especially thrilled to see Korea’s recovery and resiliency upon his return many years later.
Video Clips
Miracle On the Hill
Harold Yamauchi recounts his personal experience with religion after witnessing what he calls a miracle on the hill. He recalls the predicament he and fellow service personnel faced--pinned down by the enemy with no visual of a way out. He describes how an unexpected airstrike on both sides of the hill provided the cover needed for all seventeen of them to make it out alive.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O87ee8BLPGo&start=140&end=349
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harold-yamauchi#clip-1
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Challenges of Race
Harold Yamauchi explains how he was repeatedly placed as the point man due to his oriental heritage. Without understanding why he was placed in that position, he would go forth and face the task, while managing to come back alive despite the odds being against him. He shares a touching story of an unsung hero that he encountered on the hill that was holding his friend as he lay dying, a bond of brotherly love not broken by racism.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O87ee8BLPGo&start=1174&end=1350
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harold-yamauchi#clip-2
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Million Dollar Wound
Harold Yamauchi recalls the time he got a "million dollar wound", a term meaning he was lucky to be alive. He describes the ordeal of transporting to a medic facility and meeting other wounded along the way. He tells of the joy of discovering wounded fellow soldiers to be alive after thinking they had surely passed.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O87ee8BLPGo&start=1734&end=1916
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harold-yamauchi#clip-3
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