Korean War Legacy Project

Ismail Pasoglu

Bio

Ismail Pasoglu was born on April 24, 1930 in Turkey. He joined the army in 1951 and served with the Turkish Army Artillery Division. He was sent to Korea in 1952. Sandbag Castle was just one of many fronts in which he engaged in battle. He recalled the heavy destruction of Korea stating that everything was ruined. He took great pride in serving with the Turkish army and credited the Turkish fighters with saving the war for the allies. He was able to revisit Korea on two separate occasions and found it unrecognizable due to post-war growth and development. He was thankful to have helped the people of Korea and was glad to have witnessed the prosperity.

Video Clips

Valiant Turkish Soldiers

Ismail Pasoglu describes the Turkish soldier. He shares the opinion that the Chinese presence had the United States wanting to pull out of the war until the Turkish soldiers arrived to assist. He recalls how their effort helped push back the Chinese, thus giving the Allies an advantage.

Tags: Hwacheon,Chinese,Front lines,Pride

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Experiences Along the Front

Ismail Pasoglu describes the fighting conditions at Sandbag Castle and Seoul. He describes Seoul as being destroyed and in ruins. He describes twenty-six straight hours of shelling and how the heat from the constant mortar fire caused the ammunition stacks to catch fire.

Tags: Seoul,Chinese,Front lines,Impressions of Korea,Physical destruction,South Koreans,Weapons

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Revisiting Korea with President Abdullah Gül

Ismail Pasoglu describes revisiting Korea on two occasions. He recalls not being able to recognize locations due to the rapid growth and development. He proudly remembers being asked to visit Korea as part of a Korean War veteran delegation with President Abdullah Gül of Turkey.

Tags: Seoul,Impressions of Korea,Modern Korea,Pride

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