Korean War Legacy Project

Herbert Werner

Visit the Veterans History Project to view the full interview video for Herbert Werner

Bio

Although born in New York City, Herbert “Fritz” Werner grew up in Boys Town, Nebraska, at Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home. Shortly after joining the United States Marine Corps, he was assigned to Division Headquarters as a messenger runner, where he worked alongside the Chief of Staff as the Direct Messenger and Runner for the entire brigade of the 1st Marine Battalion during the Pusan Perimeter Campaign. He completed a total of three tours, two during the war, and on his final tour, he served as a 1st Marine adviser to the Korean Marine Corps Recruiting Center. During this time, he enjoyed hunting and delivering geese to the orphans. After the war, he returned to Korea, where his experiences took on a different meaning, particularly as he worked as a Professional Boxing Referee. Herbert Werner shared his stories and his many medals, including three Purple Hearts, and he continued to be inspired by the remarkable changes the Korean people had made.

Video Clips

Refugees During War

Herbert Werner became very emotional as he recalled being an 18-year-old experiencing war firsthand. He describes witnessing the wounded, being under fire, seeing civilians flee, and observing the impact of war on children, all of which overwhelmed him with emotion. He mentions that he had never seen as much fear as he did during that time, and it still affects him to this day. During the Hamheung Evacuation, he formed a deep personal connection with the refugees, as he was an orphaned child himself.

View the video for this veteran to view this clip.
Start: 1:27
End: 4:42

Tags: 1950 Inchon Landing, 9/15-9/19,1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 11/27-12/13,1950 Hamheung Evacuation, 12/10-12/24,Hamheung,Incheon,Seoul,Civilians,Cold winters,Fear,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,Orphanage,Physical destruction,Poverty,South Koreans,Women


Korea Is My Second Home

After returning home from his service in Korea, Herbert Werner quickly found himself back in the country, this time as a professional boxing referee. He explains that he spent three full years in Korea and was amazed by the resilience of its people despite the horrors of war. He recalls observing how much South Korea had improved, noting the strong sense of patriotism among the citizens and the respect they showed for the soldiers who fought for their country. He feels that he was treated with great respect and formed an unconditional friendship during his time there.

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Start: 8:47
End: 11:15

Tags: Seoul,Civilians,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,Physical destruction,Poverty,Pride,South Koreans


What Serving in Korea Meant to Him

Herbert Werner spent his early years in an orphanage during World War II. He recalls that the boys who left to fight in the war made a lasting impression on him and inspired him to join the U.S. Marine Corps. Initially, he aspired to be stationed in China, but when the Korean War broke out, he found himself caught up in the excitement of the moment and wanted to participate in that conflict. He explains that much of what he experienced was painful, particularly regarding the treatment of refugees during the Korean War.

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Start: 19:12
End: 22:06

Tags: Busan,Civilians,Depression,Fear,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,Orphanage,Physical destruction,Poverty,Pride,South Koreans


The Chosin Reservoir Brotherhood

Herbert Werner describes the conditions at the Chosin Reservoir as horrific, marked by confusion, miscommunication, and relentless enemy attacks. He recalls that U.S. soldiers were provided insufficient clothing, which led them to avoid removing it even to relieve themselves. He shares his experience of never knowing when or if their next warm meal would arrive. He emphasizes the strong bond of brotherhood among the soldiers at Chosin and expresses that there was always uncertainty about what would happen next.

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Start: 23:16
End: 25:04

Tags: 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 11/27-12/13,Hamheung,Chinese,Cold winters,Fear,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Living conditions,Physical destruction,Pride