Phillip E. Hahn
Bio
Phillip E. Hahn was born May 22, 1929, in Elyria, Ohio. He was the youngest of three brothers. He had an older cousin who served in the United States Marine Corps, and he recalled the impact of seeing him in uniform as the defining moment in which he knew he wanted to be a Marine. Upon graduating from Elyria High School in 1949, he enlisted. He received his basic training at Parris Island, thriving with the structure and discipline the Corps offered and proud of the tradition that he was now a part of. As the Korean War broke out, he received orders to deploy and was soon on a ship heading to the infamous Incheon Landing. With bazooka in hand, he began his journey into Korea and was in awe of the destruction of the land and its people. He soon found himself at the Chosin Reservoir where he recalled being surrounded by the Chinese, though not afraid for he had confidence in his fellow Marines. He suffered wounds from a mortar round that eventually led to him being pulled from the front lines and sent home. Upon revisiting Korea, he was amazed at the recovery and progress that had been made, as well as the sheer determination of its people to survive. He will always be thankful for the appreciation the Korean people have shown for his service.
Video Clips
The Battle at Hagaru-ri
Phillip Hahn shares his feelings of not having any regrets for standing the line with his fellow Marines. He describes feeling protected and secure with his brothers by his side, despite heavy losses all around. He tells of the moment he was pulled from the front lines due to his wounds he suffered from a mortar explosion.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/phillip-e-hahn#clip-1
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Encountering Guerrillas and Civilians
Phillip Hahn recalls the heartbreak of war when he describes seeing children serving as guerrillas and watching as they had to be eliminated. He describes the plight of the many refugees who barely had the clothes on their backs. He remembers being hungry enough while on the front lines to fight for dead soldier's rations.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDx6-7NPZOA&start=1116&end=1232
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/phillip-e-hahn#clip-2
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