Royce Ebesu
Bio
Royce Ebesu served as part of the United States Army’s 45th Division from Oklahoma. He was initially assigned to the battalion headquarters’s intelligence section but noted that he was not happy there because, in many of his fellow soldiers’ eyes, he looked like the enemy. He was transferred to the communications division and learned Morse Code and Streamlines. He moved with the battalion’s headquarters just behind the front lines. He recalls the challenges of keeping his company well-supplied while they were fighting on the front lines. Having the good fortune to have revisited Korea three times, he remarks on the changes from the time he was deployed in Korea (May 1952-August 1953) and the much more modern Korea he experienced on his return visits. He served as president of his local Korean War Veteran Association chapter until it was disbanded due to shrinking membership.
Video Clips
I Looked Like the Enemy
Royce Ebesu was stationed in Korea with the 45th Division, 3rd Battalion of the United States Army from 1952-1953. Initially assigned to the intelligence section, he found he was not happy there due to many of his fellow service members seeing him as looking like the enemy. Ultimately, he recalls being transferred to communication where he learned Morse Code. He notes that the most difficult part of this time in Korea was keeping his company supplied.
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Life in Korea Then and Now
Royce Ebesu, advancing to the rank of Supply Sergeant, recounts being lucky to be in a safe position. He describes the living conditions while he served in Korea. He shares his experience of returning as part of a revisit program sponsored by the Korean government. He recounts how amazed he was by the progress which was made in the time since he had been gone.
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This is the Hard Part
Royce Ebesu reflects on the present and future of Korea. He expresses he would like to see negotiations to reunite the peninsula so that families can be reunited. He concludes by noting that there was not much pleasant to remember about his experience.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COtBdZDKNWw&start=965&end=1097
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/royce-ebesu#clip-3
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