James Bradshaw
Bio
James Bradshaw was born in 1931 on a farm near Ashdown, Arkansas. Like many families during that time, he lived in poverty and struggled throughout the Great Depression. He dropped out of high school to work and enlisted in the United States military in 1952. Initially drafted into the U.S. Army, he successfully switched to the U.S. Air Force by visiting a recruiter. In the Air Force, his job involved extinguishing planes that landed on fire and ensuring the safety of the pilots. During his service in Korea, he witnessed the terrible destruction in Seoul and the impact it had on the children there. Overall, he was very proud of his service, describing it as the “best thing that ever happened to him.”
Video Clips
Rough Times During the Great Depression
James Bradshaw recalls the difficult times during the Great Depression. He explains how his family grew their own produce and obtained meat by raising livestock and hunting. He notes that living on a farm was preferable to living in town because they could provide their own food.
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Impressions of Korea
James Bradshaw shares a heartfelt account of the devastation he witnessed in Seoul. He becomes tearful as he remembers the children for whom he felt sympathy. He recounts how he saved his rations specifically for the children.
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Crash Rescue Duties
James Bradshaw describes his responsibilities as a firefighter, specifically focusing on rescuing pilots from burning planes. He notes that these incidents occurred frequently, remarking, "It looked like a huge wrecking yard on both sides of the runway." He recalls that there were many instances where they were unable to rescue the pilot alive, particularly when crashes occurred on the mountainside.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmSpuHd5paA&start=476&end=630
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-bradshaw#clip-3
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