Mehmet Esen
Bio
Mehmet Esen was born on November 7, 1930 in the country of Turkey. He served in the Turkish infantry as a corporal during the Korean War. He was part of the first group of Turkish soldiers that went to Korea. These soldiers fought in the memorable battle of Kunu-ri, also known as the Battle of Wawon. While hospitalized for wounds he received in battle, he met an orphaned Korean girl named Chin Chol and provided her money for school. He revisited Korea in 2016 and was thankful to see the Korean people so happy. He has much love for them and the country he helped fight for.
Video Clips
Caring for Orphans
Mehmet Esen describes caring for two orphans he met during his hospitalization. He recalls providing an orphan girl with money for her schooling. He remembers helping to care for an orphan boy and how he would follow the troops.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gBhAn0N4bE&start=280&end=430
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/mehmet-esen#clip-1
Embed:
Battle of Kunu-ri
Mehmet Esen describes the Battle of Kunu-ri, also known as the Battle of Wawon. He describes the Americans retreating, while the Turkish soldiers stayed. He provides details about how there were approximately five hundred and fifty Turkish soldiers that fought in that battle, yet only sixty-nine soldiers survived.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gBhAn0N4bE&start=461&end=568
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/mehmet-esen#clip-2
Embed:
Battle Fronts
Mehmet Esen describes the fighting conditions when he first arrived in Korea. He recalls the Battle of Cheorwon in North Korea, as well as the Battle of Sandbag Castle. He remembers being wounded and being sent to a hospital in Seoul.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gBhAn0N4bE&start=214&end=345
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/mehmet-esen#clip-3
Embed: