Korean War Legacy Project

Maximo Young

Bio

Maximo Young began his military service on December 8, 1941, just a day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when he was conscripted into the Filipino Army. During World War II, he was stationed at Fortress Corregidor on Manila Bay and served as an office boy whose major duties included recording all cargoes and assisting in unloading the cargoes. He continued his military career after the end of World War II and was sent to Ft. Knox for training. Upon his return, he helped organize a group of soldiers who would become part of a unit that would serve in other countries. His unit left for Korea on September 15, 1950, and during his time in Korea, he participated in battles at Miudong and Yultong. The victory achieved at Miudong became the first battle won by Filipinos on foreign soil.

Video Clips

Searching for Smugglers

Maximo Young shares his 10th BCT unit was ordered to search for smugglers along the eighty-one mile stretch they were assigned to patrol. He recalls moving slowly with his reconnaisance unit until a truck hit a mine. He recalls they were reminded by the tactical officer to be observant as they were expecting an enemy encounter along their route.

Tags: Pyungyang,Chinese,North Koreans,Weapons

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Under Attack at Miudong

Maximo Young details his unit's movement near Miudong when it came under heavy firing from the surrounding area. He notes that when the firing began all progress forward halted. He recollects looking up through his tank's periscope to see North Korean soldiers dug in all around them. He attempted to turn the tank so his gunner could fire but instead backed it into a ravine which made it impossible for his gunner to fire.He recounts how he got out of his tank with a .50 caliber machine gun and began firing at the North Korean soldiers all around them.

Tags: Front lines,North Koreans,Weapons

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Battle of Yultong

Maximo Young recounts being placed in a defensive position on April 22, 1951, in the area near Yultong. He describes the Filipino forces being aided by forces from Puerto Rico and Turkey when they faced down forty thousand Chinese. Ultimately, he recalls the Turks gave way, and the Chinese attacked the other forces in the area. He figures roughly one hundred twelve BCT soldiers were killed in action, but the forces managed to protect Seoul from the Chinese invaders.

Tags: Seoul,Chinese,Communists,Front lines,Personal Loss

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