Robert D. Edwards
Bio
Robert D. Edwards enlisted in the United States Army in 1950 after finishing high school. He admits college was not on his mind, so he decided to join the military. He remembers how many soldiers were sent to Korea with only eight weeks of training, which resulted in high casualty rates. Therefore, he received extended combat infantry training in Korea. He discusses his experience with integration in the U.S. Army and notes that he saw much more integration of troops in Korea than during basic training. He reflects on how the terrain and culture in Korea were quite different, but he shares he eventually learned some Korean phrases so he could communicate with civilians. In addition to combat, his war experiences included guarding Chinese and North Korean prisoners. He recalls one incident where a General was held captive by the prisoners, and tanks were sent to rescue him. After serving for seven years in the U.S. Army, he left the military, married, and started a family.
Video Clips
Infantry Training in Korea
Robert D. Edwards recounts how the initial troops deployed in Korea were unprepared and suffered significant casualties. As a result, part of the combat infantry training occurred in Korea. He shares it took some time for the troops to get used to Korea's mountainous terrain and unfamiliar language. He explains that he began his deployment in a Regimental Reserve, then progressed to a Battalion Reserve before being sent into combat.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOpceNrCCmE&start=503&end=627
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/robert-d-edwards#clip-1
Embed:
Living Conditions and Food in Korea
Robert D. Edwards shares his experience of residing in bunkers constructed of logs and filled with dirt during the Korean War. He remembers the rats that came out at night and ran over them. He recalls the limited food options in Korea and how he relied on packaged foods like C or K-rations. Although the food could be warmed up, it was all very similar. He explains the point system, which was used to track a soldier's progress. Each stage contained a certain number of points, and once a soldier accumulated enough points, he could go home.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOpceNrCCmE&start=627&end=778
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/robert-d-edwards#clip-2
Embed:
Learning Korean and Japanese
Robert D. Edwards describes his experience of learning Korean and Japanese while stationed overseas. He remembers how the Korean people spoke much better English than he spoke Korean. He mentions that the Korean people were pleased when he spoke their language. He demonstrates how to say a morning greeting in Korean.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOpceNrCCmE&start=778&end=913
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/robert-d-edwards#clip-3
Embed:
Guarding Chinese and North Korean Prisoners of War
Robert D. Edwards recounts his experience of guarding Chinese and North Korean prisoners of war. He describes how the POWs were kept behind barbed wire and how some of them cooked the food that was provided. He recalls an incident where the prisoners seized a General during an inspection and shares how the entire camp was then surrounded by tanks to retrieve the General. He mentions a Chinese prisoner who would greet him and try to be friendly, sometimes even giving him gifts like a homemade Chinese flag. He discusses the difference in treatment of Chinese and North Korean POWs compared to American POWs.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOpceNrCCmE&start=994&end=1310
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/robert-d-edwards#clip-4
Embed: