Korean War Legacy Project

John Cole

Visit the Veterans History Project to view the full interview video for John Cole

Bio

John Cole was born in Texas in 1927, but he grew up in Colorado. In 1944, he followed in the footsteps of his brother and uncle by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a military aide to three naval captains. During the Korean War, he fought in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. His work as a member of the fire team and his exemplary marksmanship helped protect his fellow Marines on Hill 1520 in Korea. He relied on his Ka-Bar knife, grenades, and keen hearing to keep himself safe from enemy forces. He sustained three wounds while bravely serving in Korea.

Video Clips

Life on the Front Lines

John Cole recalls the harsh weather conditions he faced while serving on the front lines in Korea. He describes how he and his fellow soldiers enlarged their foxholes to accommodate four people and covered themselves to shield against the snow. He remembers arriving at headquarters for a Thanksgiving dinner, only to find that all the food was gone. In response, they improvised and made bacon sandwiches, which he recalls were much more delicious than the C-rations they had been eating.

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Start: 36:34
End: 39:54

Tags: Cold winters,Food,Front lines,Living conditions


Attack in the Fox Hole

John Cole utilized his keen sense of hearing as one of his key fighting tools. He recollects moments when he was on the verge of falling asleep in his foxhole, only to hear the enemy gathering across the rice field. He remembers how the Chinese soon launched their attack, and he learned that when it seemed like the enemy combatants were dead, they often were not. He recalls discovering the enemy had crept into his foxhole through the rice field.

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Start: 48:05
End: 56:50

Tags: 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 11/27-12/13,Chinese,Cold winters,Front lines,Living conditions,Weapons


The Legacy of the Handmade South Korean Flag

John Cole shares a story about a South Korean soldier who wished to trade his handmade South Korean flag for an American flag. He explains that the soldier wanted to do this to safeguard himself from being mistaken for Chinese. He recalls agreeing to the trade and later held onto that flag until he presented it to a Korean War Veterans Organization.

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Start: 66:15
End: 70:15

Tags: 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 11/27-12/13,Impressions of Korea,Pride,South Koreans


Battling for Hill 1520

John Cole fought for Hill 1520 during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He recalls the significant number of men who were lost while defending that hill. He remembers three Chinese soldiers climbing into his foxhole, forcing him to engage in hand-to-hand combat. He mentions that during this struggle, he was shot in his right arm.

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Start: 78:39
End: 89:40

Tags: 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 11/27-12/13,Chinese,Cold winters,Fear,Front lines,Living conditions,Personal Loss,Weapons