James E. Fant
Bio
James E. Fant was drafted in the United States Army and served in the Korean War. As a member of a heavy weapons squad, he saw combat after arriving in Korea and fought at Hill 355. His experiences in combat and losing friends are something he recounts not being able to get over after the war and these experiences changed him forever..
Video Clips
James E Fant discusses being drafted and going to Korea
James E Fant describes being drafted. He reflects on basic training and his route to Korea and eventually to Hill 355. He explains, that in Korea, that they were constantly fighting for high ground.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8f2V82yOdw&start=712&end=887
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-e-fant#clip-1
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James E. Fant discusses being in war and the relationships formed in combat
James E. Fant describes war as "something you can't get over." He speaks of seeing people killed and his surviving combat. He recounts how he was sent to R&R in Japan and eventually ended back on Hill 355.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8f2V82yOdw&start=1093&end=1232
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-e-fant#clip-2
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James E. Fant discusses his heavy weapons squad and going on patrol
James E Fant discusses his role and the weapons of a heavy weapons squad in Korea. He remembers going on patrol at night and not knowing if they would contact the enemy. He recalls having to know passwords when returning from patrols. He marvels to how the conflict between the North and South Koreans has never being completely solved.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8f2V82yOdw&start=1232&end=1353
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-e-fant#clip-3
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James E. Fant discusses Korea as the "Forgotten War"
James E Fant discusses the Korean War as a police action as part of the reason it is considered the "Forgotten War". He explains feeling obligated to serve when drafted and contrasts those feelings with those held by some during the Vietnam War. He expresses how war is much different today than when he served in Korea.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8f2V82yOdw&start=1602&end=1680
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-e-fant#clip-4
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James E. Fant discusses guarding prisoners and living conditions
James E. Fant discusses guarding prisoners at ,Yeongdeungpo, outside of Seoul. He describes his living conditions and how sandbags protected them from artillery attacks. He recounts only having hot food when he was back from the line and warming up baked beans.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8f2V82yOdw&start=1909&end=2024
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-e-fant#clip-5
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