James “Jim” Valentine
Bio
James “Jim” Valentine was born in 1932 in San Francisco, California. At the age of sixteen, he decided to run away from home to enlist in the United States Army. After completing basic training at Fort Ord, California, he was assigned to Japan in 1949. With the onset of the Korean War in June 1950, he felt a strong sense of obligation to support the war effort. He actively participated in the pivotal amphibious landing at Incheon in September 1950, a key operation that greatly influenced the course of the conflict and facilitated the liberation of Seoul. Throughout his deployment in Korea, he encountered considerable adversities, including severe weather conditions, intense combat, and the psychological impact of witnessing the devastation wrought by war.
Video Clips
Death on the Ice at Chosin Reservoir
James "Jim" Valentine discusses crossing the ice during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He recounts how he was surrounded by enemy forces and the need to remain discreet to avoid attracting the attention of Chinese soldiers. He shares his experiences of enduring the harsh winters during that time and expresses his ongoing uncertainty about how and why he survived the ordeal.
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Emotional Encounters
James "Jim" Valentine recounts his experience of becoming disoriented while in a tank during the liberation of Seoul in the 1950s. He describes the extensive destruction he witnessed. He shares an emotional encounter he had with South Korean children. He explains that due to an accident, he lost his few personal belongings and did not take any pictures.
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Only a Teenager
James "Jim" Valentine speaks about his experience of being evacuated. He initially thought he was leaving for good, but instead, he was sent back to liberate Seoul from North Korea for a second time. As a teenager, he struggled to fully understand what was happening, and the experience had a profound impact on him. He shares the difficulties he faced after the war. His wife, Beth, recounts a story about food rations and how they managed to eat during the cold weather. She explains that he didn’t discuss his wartime experiences until he became involved with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in Washington.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-jim-valentine#clip-3
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