Josh Morimoto
Bio
While pursuing his degree at the University of Hawaii, Joshua T. Morimoto joined the ROTC program, setting the foundation for his military career. He completed basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington, then attended Officer Advanced School at Fort Lee, Virginia. He later trained at Fort Benning to become a certified parachute rigger. In June 1974, he began his service in Korea as part of the Korean War Defense Units of the U.S. Army. His leadership and technical skills played a vital role during his deployment. After his military service, he continued contributing to educating others about the Korean War by serving as co-chair of the Tell America Program, which informs younger generations about the war. Through both his service and continued advocacy, he remains deeply proud of the role he played in supporting South Korea’s growth and security.
Video Clips
Expectations of Korea
Growing up in Hawaii, Joshua T. Morimoto learned about Korea through textbooks and formed certain expectations. However, when he arrived in 1974, he was surprised to find a far more modern country than he imagined. He noted Korea’s impressive advancements and how deeply grateful the Korean people were for American support.
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Modernization of South Korea
Joshua T. Morimoto explains that in the 1970s, South Korea was far more modern than North Korea, a contrast that reminded him of the divide between East and West Germany. Through his travels, he realized how eye-opening it is to see these global differences firsthand, deepening his understanding of political and economic contrasts.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNmMcwg84yI&start=1201&end=1327
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Business in the Military
Joshua T. Morimoto studied business in college, which proved invaluable when he served in Korea as an officer. His education helped him manage both personnel and an automated system across 32 clubs. Thanks to his leadership and quick system conversion, he earned an award recognizing his effective and efficient work.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNmMcwg84yI&start=1648&end=1920
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/josh-morimoto#clip-3
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