Harry Olson
Bio
Harry Olson was born in Pontiac, Illinois, in 1931. He believes the hardships he faced as a child during the Great Depression forced him to become a survivor. At age eighteen, he grew tired of bouncing between farm jobs. He made the choice to enlist in the military and let the United States Army raise him. In September 1950, he shipped out of San Francisco, California, headed to Japan and then Korea. After landing in Incheon, his unit joined the retreat from the Battle of Unsan. He describes his experiences during the retreat and the toll it had on all of the soldiers. Many years later, he returned to Korea and recounts the overwhelming show of gratitude by the South Korean civilians.
Video Clips
Memories of Women and Children Hiding
Harry Olson reflects on one experience during the retreat from the Battle of Unson. He details his discovery of a cave during the retreat and finding eight to twelve Korean women hiding with their children. He recounts how the image of those women holding on to their children has haunted him. After this encounter, he remembers witnessing the destruction of supplies at the airport and being upset that they were burning food because he could not remember the last time he had eaten.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2raCYZw-AQw&start=1592&end=1819
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harry-olson#clip-1
Embed:
Dangers of Protecting the Retreat
Harry Olson recounts how his extremely depleted battalion protected the line during the retreat from Unsan. He describes his experience returning from protecting the line and experiences in the rice paddies. He shares details about his first near-death experience and the enemy fire just down the hill from his position.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2raCYZw-AQw&start=2079&end=2387
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harry-olson#clip-2
Embed:
Physical and Mental Toll of War
Harry Olson elaborates on the physical toll and terrible conditions of the retreat. He remembers the relief the soldiers felt upon returning from the frontline. After his return from the front, he explains how he was resupplied and reassigned to the United States Army, 61st Field Artillery Unit, 1st Cavalry Division. He reflects on not have any buddies while in Korea and how that made it easier for him during the war.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2raCYZw-AQw&start=2415&end=2688
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harry-olson#clip-3
Embed:
Boys Would Use Anything to Stay Warm
Harry Olson elaborates on the lack of equipment to protect them from the dangerous weather conditions. He explains what the men would have to use in order to stay warm. He shares how he could not lose the memories and had to live with them.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2raCYZw-AQw&start=2789&end=2852
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harry-olson#clip-4
Embed:
Best War Our Country Was In
Harry Olson recalls the feeling of nervous trepidation, in fear of the memories that would return if he returned to Korea. He describes his final decision to make the trip back to Korea and the overwhelming appreciation the Korean people showed him for his service. He compares this experience to his experience returning home from the war and his service not being acknowledged.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2raCYZw-AQw&start=2880&end=3050
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/harry-olson#clip-5
Embed:
Photos
