Ian Crawford
Bio
Ian McLean Crawford was born on December 30, 1931 in Sydney, Australia. He graduated from North Sydney High School in 1948 and, keeping with family tradition of service, he joined the Navy in 1949. Shortly thereafter, the Korean War broke out, and he was transferred to the Far East Fleet for a top secret mission assisting with the Incheon Landing. He was an eighteen year old midshipman and the only Australian serving aboard the HMS Ceylon. Later in his career, he rose to the rank of Admiral. His experience with the Korean War and all that he learned of Korean culture and history, inspired him to establish a Korean War Memorial in Canberra, Australia. He spent many years revisiting Korea, studying the history, meeting the people, and working with the veterans so that the design and implementation of the memorial would display the gratitude that he felt towards the Korean nation and all those who served there. He was most impressed by South Korea’s ability to embrace westernization and democratization while brilliantly retaining its culture and history. It is his hope that his efforts will help people not only remember a forgotten war, but appreciate all that Korea has to offer the world.
Video Clips
We Must Remember
Ian Crawford recalls meeting a fellow Australian, Mike Cawthorn, aboard a British ship, who was later killed in action. He remembers the extraordinary circumstances surrounding this individual in that he was Australian but had never stepped foot in Australia due to his father's military stations and then later his schooling. He describes his mission to get his friend the recognition he deserves for his service and sacrifice to his home country, though unrecognized for having served on a British ship at the time of his death.
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The Difference Between Westernization and Modernization
Ian Crawford cleverly describes the difference between westernization and modernization in Korea. He explains the beauty and brilliance of the Korean people in being able to maintain their culture and history in the midst of modernization. He discusses the success of democratization and how South Korea thrives today.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhmpGdbU-cc&start=2230&end=2429
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ian-crawford#clip-2
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The Orphans' Christmas
Ian Crawford tells how they mistakenly found an orphanage when they went ashore looking for greenery to help them celebrate Christmas. He describes finding a woman trying to care for twenty orphans in the extreme cold with no water, food, or adequate clothing. He remembers the crew coming onshore to fix her water supply and provide food but also surrendering their own Christmas presents so that the children could enjoy a moment of joy in such a dark time.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhmpGdbU-cc&start=3765&end=3868
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ian-crawford#clip-3
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