Korean War Legacy Project

Salvatore Scarlato

Bio

Salvatore Scarlato was born on January 14, 1933, in Brooklyn, NY. He worked as a laborer before enlisting, and he served in the Naval Reserve (1949-1951) before joining the United States Marine Corps. He was sent to Korea in 1952 and was stationed on the front lines near Panmunjoem. He participated in multiple battles including Bunker Hill and the Hook, and he received many honors for his commitments. He offers a tour of his military memorabilia and keepsakes he collected over the years, pointing out several particular items along the way. He describes the story behind a drawing a South Korean student made for him and provides his perception of its meaning. He shares the significance of a battle banner given to him during the war by a Korean marine and presents a poncho he kept from his service in Korea, describing its multiple uses on the battlefield. He is proud of his service and is adamant about ensuring the Korean War story and its outcome are not forgotten.

Video Clips

"Joining Hands"

Salvatore Scarlato describes the story behind a drawing he was given. He shares that during a revisit to South Korea in 1999, a high school student promised him she would create a drawing depicting the relationship of the United States and South Korea. He recalls the drawing arriving in the mail several months later and states that her drawing shows how, after sixty years, the United States and South Korea are still united.

Tags: Civilians,Home front,Impressions of Korea,Modern Korea,Pride,South Koreans,Women

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Possessions from Korea

Salvatore Scarlato presents a battle banner given to him by a Korean marine during the war and shares its significance. He presents a poncho he used while in Korea and elaborates on its many uses. He recalls a poncho being used as a stretcher to carry the wounded, covering to bury the dead, and as a tent.

Tags: Front lines,Living conditions,Pride

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Share YouTube:
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Photos

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Portrait of Sal Scarlato

Subject : Scarlato
Description : Sal as an 18 year old soldier
Coverage : Oct-1951 Parris Island South Carolina US Marine Corps
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : 18902

Portrait of Sal Scarlato

Chinese Currency

Subject : Money, currency,
Description : 10,000 Yuan Front
Coverage : 1949
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : 1949

Chinese Currency

Chinese Currency

Subject : Money, currency,
Description : 10,000 Yuan Back
Coverage : 1949
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : 1949

Chinese Currency

Hospital Ship

Subject : US Constellation Ship
Description : The hospital ship which Sal was riding on when he had leg, neck, hand, and concussion wounds
Coverage : 19176
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : 19176

Hospital Ship

US Marine Corps and Navy Aid Station

Subject : Navy and Marine Corps Aid Station
Description : Picture given to Sal by a friend of Aid Station located on West Coast of Korea
Coverage : July-August-1952
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : July-August-1952

US Marine Corps and Navy Aid Station

US Marine Corps and Navy Aid Station

Subject : Navy and Marine Corps Aid Station
Description : Picture given to Sal by a friend of Aid Station located on West Coast of Korea
Coverage : July-August-1952
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : July-August-1

US Marine Corps and Navy Aid Station

US Medical Railroad Car

Subject : Railroad Car
Description : Picture given to Sal by a friend of a US railroad car located on the West Coast of Korea
Coverage : July-August-1952
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : July-August-1

US Medical Railroad Car

Sal and Terry Scarlato with First Lady Kim Yoon Ok and Irving B

Subject : Sal, Terry, First Lady Kim Yoon Ok, Irving B
Description : Back: Sal, Front Left: Terry, Middle: First Lady Kim Yoon Ok, Right: Irving B at Korea's First Lady's September 2012 Luncheon at Leonard Catering Hall, Great Neck, NY
Coverage : September 2012 Leonard Catering Hall, Great Neck, NY
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : 41153

Sal and Terry Scarlato with First Lady Kim Yoon Ok and Irving B

Group Picture

Subject : Ambassador Kim Young Mok, John SJ Ha, Hines Ward, Sal, Minister of foreign affairs Kim Sung Hwan, Joseph Horton
Description : From Left to RightL: Ambassador for the Consulate General Republic of Korea NY Kim Young Mok, John SJ Ha, Hines Ward, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Sung Hwan, Joseph Horton
Coverage : Nov. 11, 2010 Veterans Day
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA
Date : Nov. 11, 2010

Group Picture

Picture of Sal and Ambassador Kim Young Mok

Subject : Sal Scarlato, Ambassador Kim Young Mok
Description : Sal with Ambassador Kim marching in the 2010 Veterans Day Parade
Coverage : Nov. 11, 2010 Veterans Day
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Picture of Sal and Ambassador Kim Young Mok

Picture of Sal and his family with Ambassador Kim

Subject : Sal, his family, Ambassador Kim, Consulate, Choi, and performer
Description : Sal and his family with Ambassador Kim, Consulate, Choi, and performer at the Lincoln center on July 11, 2011
Coverage : Nov. 11, 2010 Veterans Day
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Picture of Sal and his family with Ambassador Kim

Scarlato and Ambassador Kim leading Veterans Day Parade with Mayor Bloomberg

Subject : Sal Scarlato, Ambassador Kim Young Mok, Mayor Bloomberg
Description : Scarlato and Ambassador Kim leading Veterans Day Parade with Mayor Michael Bloomberg 2010Veterans Day
Coverage : Nov. 11, 2010 Veterans Day
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Scarlato and Ambassador Kim leading Veterans Day Parade with Mayor Bloomberg

Sal and fellow Korean War Vets with First Lady of Korea

Subject : Bob Morga, First Lady, Irving B, Sal, Joseph Calabria
Description : L to R: Bob Morga, First Lady, Irving B, Sal, Joseph Calabria at Leonard Catering Hall in Great Neck, NY for First Lady's Luncheon for KWV
Coverage : September 27, 2009 Leonard Catering Hall in Great Neck, NY
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Sal and fellow Korean War Vets with First Lady of Korea

Landscape Pictures of Korea

Subject : Landscape of Korea
Description : Landscape of Korea taken on the West Coast in Marine Corps Area called Jamestown Line around 1952
Coverage : 1952
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Landscape Pictures of Korea

Scarlato as a child at a Manhattan, NY Show

Subject : Sal, Novelty Horse
Description : Sal as a 12-13 year old boy at a NY Show with a novelty fake horse taken around 1946
Coverage : c.1946
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Scarlato as a child at a Manhattan, NY Show

Picture of Ascom City

Subject : Picture
Description : Lower left is a picture of Ascom City, the place where Sal first landed in Korea
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Picture of Ascom City

Sal with Korean Friend

Subject : Sal, Kim
Description : Sal with Korean Friend Kim, who later had his heel shot off. Taken July 1952 at Ascom City
Coverage : July 1952 Ascom City
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Sal with Korean Friend

A UN North Korean writes a Summons to Surrender to Communist North Koreans

Subject : Summons to Surrender
Description : Flyer written by a UN North Korean summoning Communist North Koreans to surrender to the UN
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

A UN North Korean writes a Summons to Surrender to Communist North Koreans

Front of Military Script for Five Cents

Subject : Military Script Front
Description : Military Scripts were made to prevent US Currency being in the hands of the opposing side
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Front of Military Script for Five Cents

Back of Military Script for Five Cents

Subject : Military Script Back
Description : Military Scripts were made to prevent US Currency being in the hands of the opposing side
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Back of Military Script for Five Cents

South Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : S. Korean Currency Worth Five Won Front
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

South Korean Currency

South Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : S.Korean Currency Worth Five Won Back
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

South Korean Currency

South Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : S. Korean Currency Worth One Won Front
Coverage : April 7, 1953
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

South Korean Currency

South Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : S. Korean Currency Worth One Won Back
Coverage : April 7, 1953
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

South Korean Currency

Japanese Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : Japanese Currency Worth Fifty Yen Front
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Japanese Currency

Japanese Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : Japanese Currency Worth Fifty Yen Back
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Japanese Currency

South Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : S. Korean Currency Worth One Hundred Won Front
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

South Korean Currency

South Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : S. Korean Currency Worth 100 Won Back
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

South Korean Currency

North Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : N. Korean Currency Worth Two Hundred Won Front
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

North Korean Currency

North Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : N. Korean Currency Worth Two Hundred Won Back
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

North Korean Currency

South Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : S. Korean Currency Worth Ten Won Front
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

South Korean Currency

South Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : S. Korean Currency Worth Ten Won Back
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

South Korean Currency

North Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : N. Korean Currency Worth Five Hundred Won Front
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

North Korean Currency

North Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : N. Korean Currency Worth Five Hundred Won Back
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

North Korean Currency

North Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : N. Korean Currency Worth One Thousand Won Front
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

North Korean Currency

North Korean Currency

Subject : Money, currency
Description : N. Korean Currency Worth One Thousand Won Back
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

North Korean Currency

Summon to Surrender written to North Koreans by UN

Subject : Summon to Surrender
Description : Summon to Surrender by UN to N. Koreans. It says: North Koreans, why do you fight a war you cannot win?
Creator : Sal Scarlato
Publisher : Sal Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Summon to Surrender written to North Koreans by UN

Salvatore Scarlato

Coverage : 1951-1953, U.S.M.C.
Creator : Salvatore Scarlato
Publisher : Salvatore Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Salvatore Scarlato

Salvatore Scarlato

Coverage : 1951-1953, U.S.M.C.
Creator : Salvatore Scarlato
Publisher : Salvatore Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Salvatore Scarlato

Typical Bunker in Korea

Coverage : 1952-1953, Korea
Creator : Salvatore Scarlato
Publisher : Salvatore Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Typical Bunker in Korea

Summer 1952

Coverage : 1952, Korea
Creator : Salvatore Scarlato
Publisher : Salvatore Scarlato
Contributor : Jongwoo Han
Rights : KWVA veterans & KWVDA

Summer 1952

Hospital Ship USS Consolation Sal was on in 1952

Hospital Ship USS Consolation Sal was on in 1952