Harrison Lee
Bio
Born in Hawaii during the Great Depression, Harrison Lee spent his childhood in Hong Kong. After returning to Hawaii, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He completed basic training at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Then, after his father suffered a stroke in Hong Kong, the military assigned him to Nanjing, China, facilitating a quicker visit to his father. Later, as an infantryman in the early Korean War, Lee experienced intense combat. Ultimately, these experiences transformed him into an opponent of all warfare.
Video Clips
When war makes you leave a friend behind
Harrison Lee recalls a story he kept to himself for many years, one that still haunts him. During the Battle of Taejon, he and his best friend confronted a North Korean machine gun nest along a dirt road. Realizing they were outgunned, Lee begged his friend to retreat, only to discover that his friend had been killed in action.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CT45WBMmTE&start=1734&end=1947
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harrison-lee#clip-1
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Baptism by Fire
Every frontline soldier has a "baptism by fire" story, and Harrison Lee shares his own. He recalls how a peaceful meal in Korea quickly turned into his first encounter with combat. Even after all these years, he can still vividly remember the intense fear he felt during those tense moments.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CT45WBMmTE&start=1239&end=1422
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harrison-lee#clip-2
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Seeing the Face of War
Harrison Lee vividly remembers the war's onset. Indeed, within two nights of arriving in Korea, he and his fellow soldiers faced a stark reality of combat. Specifically, after they retrieved a soldier killed in action, their commanding officer forced each man to view the body. Consequently, he fully grasped the perilous nature of his situation.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CT45WBMmTE&start=1037&end=1237
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harrison-lee#clip-3
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No More War
Reflecting on his experiences during the Korean War, Harrison Lee expresses his belief that war is ultimately futile, though he also rejects the idea of remaining passive. He acknowledges that in war, no one truly wins and everyone loses. He also shares his deep respect for the Korean people, recognizing them as devoted friends to the U.S. and to those who served during the war.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CT45WBMmTE&start=653&end=776
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harrison-lee#clip-4
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Ill-Equipped
Prior to the Battle of Taejon, Harrison Lee and an officer received orders to hold a roadside position overnight. Unexpectedly, a tank appeared in the darkness and, at dawn, it traversed a rice paddy before firing on their truck. Therefore, Lee and his comrades, unprepared for such an attack by the enemy, faced a sudden and dangerous threat.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CT45WBMmTE&start=1423&end=1714
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harrison-lee#clip-5
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Photos
Harrison Lee in Uniform
An image of a proud Harrison Lee in uniform.
Discharge Papers
An image of Harrison's Lee discharge papers that includes a lot of biographical information.
