Virgil Julius Caldwell
Bio
Virgil Julius Caldwell attended Lane College and received a double degree in music and Social Studies. He was planning to attend graduate school to continue his study of music when he was drafted in the United States Army in 1951. Aware of the Korean war, he was not sure he wanted to go to Korea but knew it was his duty. From the first day in Korea, he was under artillery fire and was always under the threat of artillery attack. One harrowing experience caused by the extreme cold of Korea came when his heater exploded, causing their position to come under fire and being forced to pay for the damage to the stove. After the Korean war, he attended graduate school and became a teacher.
Video Clips
Perception of Korea and the Korean War
Virgil Julius Caldwell discusses his perception of Korea, the Korean War, and basic training. He recalls how when he was drafted, the Korean War was going strong. He describes doubts about going to Korea but also how the Korean War was a chance to receive the GI BIll and pay for graduate school. He shares how he was placed in an integrated unit during basic training and how he was housed with other college graduates.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuQ3q-2n3E&start=382&end=527
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/virgil-julius-caldwell#clip-1
Embed:
Landing at Incheon
Virgil Julius Caldwell describes landing at Incheon. He recounts being told on his first day that the bones of the unit he was replacing were on a hill near their location and recalls the apprehension it caused him. He reflects on being under mortar and artillery attack as an anti-aircraft gunner.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuQ3q-2n3E&start=1247&end=1494
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/virgil-julius-caldwell#clip-2
Embed:
Reflections on Combat
Virgil Julius Caldwell describes the terrain of Korea and his job firing on locations identified by a forward observer. He comments on the fear caused by the whistling sound of mortar shells. He details the feeling of being out in the open during an attack, lying on the ground, and hoping to not get hit.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuQ3q-2n3E&start=1532&end=1679
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/virgil-julius-caldwell#clip-3
Embed:
Daily Life and Friendships in Combat
Virgil Julius Caldwell discusses his daily life in the Korean War which included maintaining the squads halftrack and sleeping in his bunker. He notes how, in combat, the members of one's squad becomes one's best friends. Recounting an experience of being contacted and meeting a soldier from his squad, he shares the bond that soldiers hold even fifty years since seeing each other last.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuQ3q-2n3E&start=1683&end=1899
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/virgil-julius-caldwell#clip-4
Embed:
Food and the Front Lines
Virgil Julius Caldwell discusses hot meals and how the food served by the United States Army in Korea made him feel like being at home. He describes the conditions on the front lines and becoming accustomed to the stress. He recounts life when pulled off the line, including being shelled by the enemy and how soldiers used their helmets to bathe.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuQ3q-2n3E&start=1899&end=2075
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/virgil-julius-caldwell#clip-5
Embed:
Stove Explosion Incident
Virgil Julius Caldwell describes the cold of the winter of 1952, and he recounts how his squad was forced to use gasoline because it was too cold for the diesel to run the heater. He shares how his squad was unlucky, and he discusses the stove blowing up. He explains how the explosion caused the enemy to shell their location, how he was court-martialed, and how he was forced to pay for all damages caused by the explosion. He notes that even though he was court-martialed, he still received an honorable discharge when he left Korea.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuQ3q-2n3E&start=2395&end=2632
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/virgil-julius-caldwell#clip-6
Embed: