Here is an interesting story about a Turkish Korean War veteran who has returned to Korea to receive a prostetic for an injury received during the war:
Tavsan lost his left leg in the Korean War and has relied on an artificial limb ever since. When he revisited Korea for the first time in 55 years at the invitation of the Korea Disabled Veterans Organizations in September last year, the officials of the organization felt Tavsan walked in a peculiar way. “We first thought it was his shoes, a very old pair of shoes. But later we were shocked to discover he was still walking on a wooden leg made in an American Army hospital during the Korean War,” said Song Dong-jeong, an official of the veterans’ organization.
Tavsan said a new leg, made with the latest technology in advanced countries like Germany, was so expensive that he did not even dare to think about getting one. But the Korea Disabled Veterans Organization immediately bought him a new prosthesis worth W6 million (US$1=W1,189). Kang Dal-sin, the president of the organization said, “Since Tavsan lost one of his legs while fighting for our country, we thought we should give it back to him.”Tavsan came to Korea again this year to get a follow-up medical examination. “I feel so comfortable and happy with it because it’s a gift from the country I served to protect. Now the country has made remarkable progress from utter ruins and gave me this.” [Chosun Ilbo]
For those that don’t know, Turkey was one of the largest contributor of troops to the Korean War and participated in much heavy fighting such as the Battle of Kunu-ri. This good deed by the Korean Disabled Veterans Organization is just another in a continuing building list of strong relations between Korea and Turkey that began during the Korean War and has now advanced to the point Korea is supplying top defense equipment to the Turkish military.
Popularity: 2%
8:37 am on October 4th, 2008 1
The TV show Mash had its faults, but during its run it sometimes showed there were other troops involved in the war. One episode had the doctors trying to treat a wounded Turkish soldier, who just wanted to go back to the front to kill Chinese. A scene had Hawkeye and the Turk acting out with meat cleavers.
Another episode was what I call ‘The Spam Lamb’ when Greek troops reward the Mash unit after they treat some of their wounded. The early years of MASH was some of the funniest television comedy I ever saw.
7:26 pm on October 4th, 2008 2
I find it amazing, in the world we live in, that the commander of the Turkish forces voluntarily took a reduction in rank in order to go to Korea and fight. The same with the French commander. Leadership, in lieu of a comfortable life and quiet retirement. These were fighters first. Very admirable.
9:02 am on October 5th, 2008 3
What a great story. The Turks were amazing allies during the Korean war. There are so many really good stories about their heroism and fighting spirit. I’m so glad to see there are still some Koreans who recognize and appreciate their contribution. Thanks for posting this story.
9:42 am on October 22nd, 2008 4
i ? lesbians lmao
12:21 am on November 10th, 2008 5
A touching story. I can not even imagine these young conscripts, plucked out of their villages, carted to a world away and facing Chinese human waves in the dead of winter. Korea has come such a long way and nice to know the blood spilled and young lives lost were not all in vein. Turkish brigade suffered a third of their total casualties throughout the whole Korean War in those few days near Kunuri. Many of them do not even have graves. I honor their sacrifices and feel proud of my heritage once more.