Korean War Legacy Project

Samuel Henry Bundles, Jr.

Bio

Samuel Henry Bundles, Jr., was drafted into the United States Navy in 1945, earning the rank of Coxswain. In the US Navy, he learned photography and even wrote for his base newspaper. After his service, he used the GI Bill to finish his education at Indiana University to pursue journalism. He recounts deciding to join the US Army Reserve in 1948 to avoid being drafted and to retain his rank from the Navy. When the Korean war started in 1950, he was called to active duty. He discusses missing officer candidate school because he was deployed to Korea, his job working in a Medical Collecting company, and his decision to leave the US Army. After his service in the US Army, he was able to return to Korea, and he discusses the differences between the Seoul he knew during the war and modern Seoul.

Video Clips

Using the GI Bill After World War II

Samuel Bundles, Jr., shares he was drafted at the end of World War II and discusses using the GI Bill after the war was over to finish school at Indiana University. He recalls how, during his time in the US Navy, he fell in love with photography and even wrote for a Navy base newspaper. He reflects on how this experience caused him to change his major to journalism.

Tags: G.I. Bill,Home front

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Joining the US Army

Samuel Bundles, Jr., discusses signing up for the US Army Reserves to avoid being drafted in 1948. He shares that he joined the Army Reserves as there was no Navy reserve in Bloomington Indiana where lived. He explains that he was married and had a new car when the Korean War started. He notes that due to his Navy experience, he was a sergeant in basic training. He recounts how he tested for officer candidate school but was ordered to Korea before he was able to attend.

Tags: Basic training,Home front

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From Japan to Korea

Samuel Bundles, Jr., discusses being shipped to Japan and being assigned to a Medical Company. He recalls waiting two or three months before arriving in Pusan, Korea, and eventually working at a hospital ninety miles from Seoul. Drafted to play baseball during college, he recounts how he played second base on a baseball team during his downtime to entertain troops.

Tags: 1950 Seoul Recapture, 9/22-9/25,Busan,Seoul,Front lines

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Promotion or Home

Samuel Bundles, Jr., recalls being called by 8th Army headquarters for an examination and interview to be commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He shares how he was offered the commission but eventually turned it down since he had accrued enough points to go home.

Tags: Pride

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Returning to Korea

Samuel Bundles, Jr., reflects on his return to Korea. He shares that after working in many different companies he returned to Korea to buy wigs. He recounts seeing Seoul as a modern city.

Tags: Seoul,Modern Korea

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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/samuel-henry-bundles-jr#clip-5

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