Abigail Tucker on "One Man's Korean War"
- By Jesse Rhodes
- Smithsonian.com, November 01, 2008, Subscribe
What drew you to this story?
John Rich is a distinguished journalist who couldn't seem to stop recording history, even in his spare time. His color pictures were meant to be personal keepsakes but they've become invaluable artifacts. His drive to ceaselessly report is impressive and very inspiring.
Did you have a favorite moment while interviewing John Rich?
John's memories of the war are impeccable and he has not lost the love of details that animated his radio and television broadcasts. It was great whenever he came up names or dates or even quotes from half a century ago. He could remember, for instance, the song the Scottish bagpipers played as they marched past him into battle.
Were there any interesting moments that didn't make it to the final draft?
John has powerful—and of course, quite vivid—memories of Iwo Jima and other World War II battles. He told me that a bullet whizzing very close by makes a sound "like tearing silk."
Did your conversation with Rich and looking at his photographs change your perceptions of the Korean War?
The color photographs made the soldiers look so much younger, like guys in a high school yearbook.
Since Korea, photography has become so widespread and so instantaneous that it's impossible to control the images that are released. What effect do you think this has had on public perceptions and reactions to warfare?
I think people have a much more certain understanding of the ugliness of war, which heightens our sense of what's at stake.
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Comments (11)
I am an amature photographer and fell in love with John Rich's work. My father was a Marine during the Korean war and I am blessed to have a few pictures of him in Seoul with a couple of his "buddies". I would like to know if there is any way to view all of Mr. Rich's prints, hoping I might catch a glimpes of my father or his "buddies". I live in Oklahoma and don't believe I will ever be where the photo's are on exibit. My father always said Korea was a "beautiful country if it hadn't been for all the killing".
Posted by Shawn Hainline on August 18,2009 | 09:44 PM
while cleaning out my grandfathers house i came across alot of pictures when my uncles were in the military. there are pictures of Camp McNair and you can see Mount Fuji in the pictures. I also have a "safe conduct pass" issued by General Douglas MacArthur given to N. Korean soldiers as a guarantee of safety upon surrender. i also found old pictures of Fort Dix. they are actually post cards but they look like pictures, aroung 1950's. I also have the same kind of post card pictures with Chinese or Korean writing on them. Not sure where they are from. i came across some very interesting items. Many pictures of my uncle on navy ship also. either WWll or Korean War. there were seven boys and at least five were in the military different branches. they sent beautiful silk items to their mother which were surprisingly in very good condition. I wish i had been able to go thru everything before things started to get thrown out. so many treasures.
Posted by diane tilton on April 23,2009 | 06:11 AM
I really enjoyed the Rich photo selections. For me, it was a wonderful trip down memory lane. Thanks, How about printing more?
Posted by Ron Pratt Munsonee, Korea, 1954 on December 11,2008 | 08:52 PM
I am a fan of WWII and Korean War history and the photographs are stunning. As a member of a local historical society, I am surprised and pleased that John Rich's photos are still available to be published after decades in a trunk. They must have been stored with care. I lived in Cape Elizabeth, Maine in the 1970s and 1980s and would so enjoy contacting Mr. Rich, either via phone or email. Would he consider a visit when I get back to Maine to visit friends? Thank you for a wonderful magazine!
Posted by Leslie Leggett on December 11,2008 | 08:47 AM
Is John Rich going to publish (some of ) the pictures of Korea taken during the war? If so, where can I find this listing?? Stan Jones, Korea, '52
Posted by Stan Jones on December 7,2008 | 10:21 AM
Korean War Veterans are offering a history course " Korea-Forgotten War, Remembered" at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan.Thank you, Mr. Rich for the great pictures and your service in Korea. Freedom is not free and you War Veterans paid the price. Thank you so much. My name is Henry Seo, as one of presenters for the class, as only Korean among the instructors I am looking for pictures of Seoul, Inchon, and Busan during the Korean War. The picture with students with a bike is a great picture to show participants(85+)at the class. I would like to know how I could get it for the class.Thank you. Henry, who appreciates Korean War Vets' sacrifices
Posted by Henry Seo on November 21,2008 | 12:54 AM
Our local newspaper editor, 84-year-old WW II veteran called me last night around 10 PM and told me he had a magazine I would enjoy. So off I went--already had on my PJ'S--put clothes over them and went and knocked on his side door. He invited me to come in and visit a while. I was so shocked to see the Korean War story! You see, when I was with the Seventy U.S. Cavalry {General Suster's outfit}I saw Seoul but it was just like the awesome photo! After 55 years of freedom, I don't know of a country in history that has gone from the rubble I saw to the affluent country it is today. I am 79 years old today and looking back as a 21-year-old old and what we did, I will go to my grave with pride I helped South Korea retain it's freedom. I live in Maryville, Tennessee--not for from the Great Smoky Mountains, near Gatlingurg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Looking forward to getting your news letter. Our slogan is: Freedom Is Not Free! Enjoy your freedom. Leroy
Posted by PFC Melbourne "Leroy" Rogers on November 16,2008 | 11:42 PM
My father was also in the korean war . When i was a little girl he would tell me stories this story and pictures help me understand it so much better. we lost him to cancer at 49 i was 19 . he has grandsons that he never got to see .Seeing this helps them understand more about him and things he went thru. Thank you
Posted by vickie seats on November 10,2008 | 09:59 PM
i would like to know where i can get copies of these photos as i am a korean war veteran and these photos bring back memories of the past also am a collector of korean war memorabelia are realy great photos.
Posted by ovide j cadran on November 1,2008 | 02:30 PM
Great photos of korea. I hope to some how see more of these.will there be a show or book soon .These are priceless.
Posted by paul rivera on October 30,2008 | 08:29 AM
It's just beautiful to keep those invaluable brilliant color slides taken by John Rich and showing those in these days, remembering as to how cruel the was was. I was at age of 10 years old, remembering those terrible times as if it happened yesterday. We are really appreciate for what you all did for our country as United Nation's forces, 16 countries, mostly by USA, saving our democratic Korea from the grip of communist. It's just amazing how it shows thru those kind of brilliance in slides at that times. Very glad it had been exhibited in USA. I sure hope it would be exhibiting in Korea somedays, preserving those memories and giving valuable lessons to young people who had not experienced the Korean War. It's been changed so much recently that most of young generation could not realized as to how much we, old generations, had gone through. Again thank you very very much for your magazine and in particular, for Mr. John Rich. God bless him.
Posted by Won Min Han on October 25,2008 | 10:20 PM
Really amazing find of Kodachrome photos from Korea. I hope these pictures will either be published in book form or displayed on a website at some point in the near future. Thus they can be shared with future generations and not stored away and forgotten - perhaps forever this time.
Posted by J. Bankston on October 24,2008 | 06:45 PM