Henri Socquet
Bio
Henri Socquet served as a sergeant in the Belgian Army’s medical team during the Korean War. Prior to his deployment, he knew little about Korea but was ready to make sacrifices out of a sense of duty. Socquet recalls brief stays in Pusan and Seoul before being transported to the front lines by truck. On the front lines, he helped save numerous troops, including one he met many years later at a veterans’ meeting. Reflecting on his service, Henri Socquet takes pride in believing that he made a modest contribution to the development of Korea’s economy and democracy.
Video Clips
Not Time to Think
Henri Socquet recounts that the fighting persisted for months, primarily occurring at night. During this period, he served as a sergeant with the medical aid troops but also participated in combat. He explains that in such intense moments, there is no time to reflect on the situation; the sole focus is on the objective of saving lives.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YzkH6mbXds&start=544&end=664
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/henri-socquet#clip-1
Embed:
Hard to Forget
Henri Socquet shares he absolutely is still troubled by the scenes of death still he witnessed. He explains recently, at a Korean War veterans' meeting, he encountered a man he had saved after a grenade injury in combat. Socquet vividly remembers the night of the incident, along with many other such moments, as they are impossible to forget.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YzkH6mbXds&start=950&end=1131
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/henri-socquet#clip-2
Embed:
A Small Contribution
Henri Socquet shares the pride he takes in his contribution to the Korean War. He believes it was crucial to halt the spread of communism in East Asia, especially when Belgium itself had a communist movement. Although he hasn't returned to Korea, he mentions that the Korean Embassy regularly invites the veterans to dinner as a gesture of gratitude for their service.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YzkH6mbXds&start=1668&end=1786
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/henri-socquet#clip-3
Embed:
Mission was to Stop Communism
Henri Socquet was unaware that he might be deployed to Korea until after he had already enlisted in the military. He explains that his anti-communist beliefs motivated him to volunteer for the Korean assignment, driven by a desire to "stop Communism at the gates of Korea." Before his deployment, he underwent commando training to prepare for the mission.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YzkH6mbXds&start=258&end=441
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/henri-socquet#clip-4
Embed:
Most Difficult Time
Henri Socquet describes the Chinese strategy of attacking in waves. He recalls that after one such assault, bodies were piled high near their position, creating an unbearable stench from the heavy casualties. He notes that the most challenging moments were facing intense offensives close to their positions. However, he proudly shares that despite the fierce assaults, the Belgians never retreated.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YzkH6mbXds&start=1132&end=1370
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/henri-socquet#clip-5
Embed: