Joseph T Monscvitz
Bio
Joseph T. Monscvitz enlisted in the Army in October 1948 and completed basic training at Camp Pickett, Virginia. He then attended water supply school at Fort Belvoir, where he trained in water treatment with an engineering unit. Initially stationed in Japan as part of the occupation forces, his assignment shifted when the Korean War began. In 1950, he deployed to Korea, arriving in Pusan on July 4 and later moving to Taejon. During intense fighting, his unit was surrounded, and he was captured, becoming a prisoner of war. Fortunately, he survived captivity and was eventually released. Years later, he returned to Korea, visiting the country about fifteen years ago to reflect on his experience.
Video Clips
Surrounded at Taejon
Joseph Monscvitz recalls waking up in Taejon to a tank firing at them in the middle of the night. He and his unit dove into a sewer for cover but soon had to flee further. In the chaos, he chose the wrong escape route, became surrounded in a small village, and was ultimately captured, becoming a Prisoner of War.
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Captured as Prisoner of War
Joseph Monscvitz recalls his harrowing experience as a Prisoner of War, forced to march from Taejon to Seoul and then to Pyongyang. Along the way, a Russian soldier interrogated him. Later, he was loaded onto a train he believed was headed to Manchuria. However, it stopped at the Sunchon Tunnel, where many prisoners were massacred. Fortunately, Monscvitz survived the ordeal.
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Revisiting Korea
Joseph T. Monscvitz returned to South Korea and was immediately impressed by how modern and developed the country had become. He recalls being struck not only by the clean, advanced cities but also by the warmth and hospitality of the Korean people, making the visit especially meaningful.
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