Kirk Wolford
Bio
Kirk Wolford was born in Newark, New York, on May 13, 1930. He had a stable upbringing and enjoyed time with his family. His father served on the school board and helped build Weedsport High School from which he graduated in 1948. He enjoyed a couple of weeks at home before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. He recalled there being a feeling of immense patriotism in the country following World War II, and he knew he wanted to be a Marine for which he took great pride in. He went through basic training at Camp Lejeune and specialized in supply and logistics. At the breakout of the Korean War, he was sent to Camp Pendleton in an effort to assimilate enough troops to send into battle. He was excited to go, though he later realized the seriousness of the situation. He witnessed many things while serving on the front lines and felt spared by the grace of God.
Video Clips
Perspective
Kirk Wolford discusses his perspective as he recalls being an excited twenty-year-old looking for adventure, not initially realizing the seriousness of the situation. He remembers the utter destruction of Korean cities and remarks on the recovery made by sheer determination of its people. Having never returned, he wonders if the division will ever be resolved.
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Home by Christmas
Kirk Wolford expresses the frustration he and others felt towards General MacArthur as the Chinese entered the war. He shares how MacArthur's promise of "Home by Christmas" was fading as they enjoyed a hot Thanksgiving meal on the front lines. He explains the actual strength of the Chinese and what they were told to expect were quite different, which led to some feeling MacArthur was holding out on them.
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We Knew We Were at War
Kirk Wolford tells of situation he witnessed while serving on the front lines. He recalls his communication chief stepping out into the road in the middle of the night to confront what he thought was friendly noise only to find himself facing a Russian tank, the first they would encounter followed by masses of Chinese soldiers. He remembers coming to the realization that he was indeed fighting in a war.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEnTkbRFw3E&start=1551&end=1760
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/kirk-wolford#clip-3
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