Henk Bos
Bio
Henk Bos served in Korea as a part of a Dutch Unit attached to the 38th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Division of the 3rd US Army. Due to a desire to leave the Netherlands as soon as possible, he volunteered to serve his country in 1952. Despite having a high school education and being offered an administrative position, he remained an infantryman throughout the war. He served at the front and his unit seemed to move frequently. He notes an immense fear of the Chinese bayonets and recalls hand-to-hand combat which was always at night. He further recalls engagements at what he referred to as “Stink Hill” and later Sandbox Hill These experiences produced PTSD-type challenges for the better part of a year following his return. He has returned to Korea on two occasions, both times to create documentaries including “The Forgotten Battalion” and “The Forgotten War”, both for Dutch television.
Video Clips
We Were Going There to Help
Henk Bos, a volunteer in the Dutch Infantry who was attached to the 3rd US Army, recalls his enlistment and training. He remembers the journey to Korea taking a few weeks to travel by American transport boat and the sea sickness that many experienced. He notes that it was very cold when they arrived which many felt since most were still in their summer uniforms. He shares the mixed feelings he felt as his unit was transported to the Kumhwa area.
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The Best Period of My Life
Henk Bos recalls the early days following his arrival in Korea. He shares he served as an infantryman attached to the 38th Regiment of the 2nd Division of the 3rd U.S. Army. He remembers being a soldier as the best period of his life. He shares with pride how he and his fellow soldiers maybe helped save a whole nation. He recalls the challenges of living in bunkers along an ever-changing front and the death of one of his Korean buddies.
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Pulling Himself Together
Henk Bos recalls the fears he experienced in Korea. He explains that the most frightening thing was facing the enormous Chinese bayonets and the man-to-man fighting that often occurred at night. He recollects his unit coming under major attack by the Chinese and seeing nearly everything covered in blood and flesh the following morning. He notes that the area was called "Stinky Hill" from that point on because of the decomposing bodies. He shares that these experiences led to nightmares and attempts to suppress these memories with alcohol. He adds, however, that one day he simply decided he needed to pull himself together.
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A Wonderful Feeling
Henk Bos shares he has returned to Korea twice since his service ended there in 1954. Each time it was to create documentaries based on the Korean War experience. He reminisces about his final trip in the 1980s when he saw a thriving country. He notes that at the time there was still a nighttime curfew with troops still walking the streets but that despite this he had a wonderful feeling knowing he had helped Korea continue to grow.
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