Robert Kodama
Bio
Robert Kodama was born in 1929 in Hawaii to parents of Japanese descent. He joined the United States military before the Korean War started and remembers exactly where he was when the North Koreans invaded South Korea. Throughout his time in Korea, he served briefly with the 21st Infantry Regiment and later with Charlie Company of the 3rd Engineers. He was later promoted to serve as part of H and S Company in Kitagata. While in Korea, he was stationed in the region around Tianjin, Taegu, and the Pusan Perimeter. Although he recalls many challenging times in Korea, he believes the eleven months he spent there was a “good thing” because it set him on a successful path regarding school and his career working with missile technology.
Video Clips
North Korea Invades South Korea: War is On!
Robert Kodama was stationed in Japan when the war broke out. He adds that his older brother, coincidentally, was stationed in the area and was supposed to come pick him up. He explains that while he was in the mess hall listening to the radio, he learned North Korea had invaded South Korea, and his orders quickly changed.
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An Unfortunate Surprise at the Prisoner of War Camp
Robert Kodama describes what it was like moving with a company of five tanks which had to stop about every thirty miles to refuel. He shares how, during one of the stops near Taejon, they saw what they thought was an abandoned prisoner of war (POW) camp. He describes the terrible scene when they went into the camp, a scene that would give him nightmares.
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An M-1 Rifle and Eight Rounds
Robert Kodama recalls he and his unit were shipped directly from Kokura, Japan, to Pusan. He details how, prior to arrival on July 4, 1950, he was provided an M-1 rifle and a clip of ammunition which was made up of just eight rounds. He remembers the ammunition guy expressing a belief that the North Koreans would turn and run when the Americans arrived. He describes encountering South Korean soldiers digging fox holes and sharing with them there really was no reason for doing this since the Americans had arrived. He reflects on the early days of his unit's time in Taejon.
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Retreat from Taejon
Robert Kodama recalls the North Korean army splitting and moving around his unit as they backed out of Taejon in hopes of cutting off the U.S. retreat. He recalls how the command did not know his unit was still stationed on the plateau in the Taejon region. He remembers packing up and moving out with little trouble but notes that C Company, which he had once been a member of, was overrun and suffered high casualties. He shares how he later joined a group of volunteers to return to the region to search for survivors but adds they were turned back by the sound of Russian-made machine guns.
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Most Difficult Times
Robert Kodama reflects on the worst times during his time in Korea. He recalls the cold winters as the worst ever and recounts how he prevented himself from losing his toes due to frostbite. He recalls the fear one South Korean recruit had of him and finding out the reason why.
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