Korean War Legacy Project

Virgil Malone

Bio

Virgil Malone was born on July 27, 1930 in Illinois.  He graduated high school in 1948 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1950.  He really wished to become a Marine, but his color blindness prevented him from joining.  He was deployed to Korea in 1951 where he served as an Air Policeman, Buck Sergeant, and Staff Sergeant.  Virgil Malone was discharged from the Air Force in 1953, and upon his return, worked in a furniture manufacturing plant as a buffer.

Video Clips

Life in Daegu During the Korean War

This clip shows primary source pictures that Vigil Malone took in Daegu, South Korea. The pictures illustrate living and working conditions of the South Koreans in Daegu. The primary sources touch upon the economic disparity among South Koreans during the war; some lived in farmhouses, while others lived in huts.

Tags: Daegu,Civilians,Food,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Letters,Living conditions,Physical destruction,Pride,South Koreans,Weapons

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Running From the Draft

Virgil Malone knew that the draft was after him, so he tried to get into the Marines, but since he's color blind and missing a lot of teeth, he could not join. He didn't want to be in a foxhole with the Army, so he joined the Air Force with a friend. He did not know a lot about the Korean War when it started until he saw multiple trains with German POWs roll right past his town.

Tags: Basic training,Home front,Living conditions,Personal Loss

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Air Policeman

Virgil Malone was sent to Lackland Air Force Base for basic training. He went to Florida to get training to become a Air Policeman. It's the Air Force's version of the military police. When he was in Daegu, he was attached to the 5th Division to guard the headquarters, but nothing near the front lines. Later on, he was moved to Seoul after the headquarters moved there.

Tags: Daegu,Seoul,Basic training,Front lines,Living conditions

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A Typical Day of an Air Policeman

Virgil Malone's typical day in Daegu included riding shotgun to protect the military vehicles. There was guerilla warfare activity along all the roads. There were 3 shifts on post to protect the 5th headquarters.

Tags: Daegu,Fear,Front lines,Living conditions,North Koreans,Weapons

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Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhoREsYUljQ&start=644&end=830

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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/virgil-malone#clip-4

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