Korean War Legacy Project

Victor D. Freudenberger

Bio

Victor Freudenberger served in both World War II and the Korean War as a Marine. He began his career as a parachuter in the Pacific Theater in World War II and ended as a Major with a specialty in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). He recounts his time in the military and the role it played in his and his wife’s lives as well as what life was like on the ground in Korea. He speaks of his role and impressions of several major battles including Inchon Landing and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and of his experiences working as an EOD officer. He is proud of his service and describes his reverence for the people of Korea and their resiliency throughout the war despite displacement and related hardships.

Video Clips

Race against the Tide at Inchon

Victor Freudenberger describes the logistics of Inchon Landing. He shares that his role as an officer with a speciality in ammunitions was to prepare munitions for the first major battle of the Korean War. He adds commentary on how the tide played a crucial role in the timing of the landing.

Tags: 1950 Incheon Landing, 9/15-9/19,Incheon,Monsoon,Weapons

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Not Just Fighting but Surviving

Victor Freudenberger talks about the role every Marine played during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir--working during the day and fighting at night. He describes how exhaustion set in after a couple of days and remembers a nap in which he awoke to find that captured mortars had been thrown into his tent by the Chinese. He remembers that the pins of the mortars had not been pulled out and laughs about simply returning to his nap.

Tags: 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 11/27-12/13,Chinese,Cold winters,Front lines

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Butterfly Bombs

Victor Freudenberger describes the usage of butterfly bombs by the United States Air Force. He details this particular bomb and his role in destroying over six hundred of them when they were no longer needed. He recalls civilians sneaking into the danger zone that had been roped off at night and bombs detonating, wounding and killing those who stepped on them. He reflects on the time his own life was spared despite walking around a bomb during this particular assignment.

Tags: Civilians,South Koreans,Weapons

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Witnessing Resiliency

Victor Freudenberger talks about his impressions of the Korean people while he was stationed at Chosin Reservoir. He recalls the suffering of civilians and families being displaced. He describes observing a Korean woman washing clothes in sub-zero temperature at six in the morning and marvels at the resilience and commitment of the Korean people. He comments on the war atrocities committed by the Chinese against civilians he saw along the way.

Tags: 1950 Battle of Chosin Reservoir, 11/27-12/13,Heungnam,Chinese,Civilians,Impressions of Korea,Poverty,South Koreans,Women

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