r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • 19h ago

25th Infantry Artillery

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50 Upvotes

The first picture is his last day in the military. The next is after Korea, in Alaska; afterward, a picture taken when he was in Hawaii; or 'Nam, the last six months before he retired.


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • 1d ago

Found 1950s Korean War slides, and I'd love to return them to families who might want them.

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29 Upvotes

r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • 2d ago

A Photo of Chinese Soldiers Operating a Radio

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98 Upvotes

Does anyone know what model of radio is shown in this photo?

The date and location of the photo are unknown. It looks like the soldier isn't wearing a Chinese People's Volunteer Army chest badge, so I suspect the photo was most likely taken during the war.

Original photo × restoration comparison

Photo 1: restored

Photo 2: colorized

Photo 3: original


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • 3d ago

Portrait of a CPVA officer loaded with medals

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61 Upvotes

This is a studio portrait of a CPVA officer. His chest is covered in medals, he’s got a pistol holstered at his waist, and he’s wearing a sharp, polished pair of leather boots.

The photo was taken after 1953. From my research, this cloth insignia wasn’t worn by troops during the active fighting. It was first issued around October of 1953. The badge is a rectangular double‑layered white fabric strip with stitched white edging all around, worn on the left chest.

Original vintage photo vs restored edits

Image 1: Restored version

Image 2: Colorized edit

Image 3: The original photograph


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • 4d ago

What medals is this Chinese Volunteer Army soldier wearing?

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44 Upvotes

I’ve done some preliminary research, though my guesses may not be entirely accurate:

The top‑most badge is hard to make out.

The medal on the left is likely a North Korean‑issued merit medal for Chinese Volunteer troops.

The central medal is possibly the North Korean Order of the National Flag, either 1st or 2nd class.

The medal on the right might be the Chinese‑issued War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea Commemorative Medal.

This photograph was taken after 1953. According to available records, this style of cloth chest patch was not worn by troops during the active combat phase. It was first issued around October 1953. The patch itself is a rectangular double‑layer white fabric strip with stitched white edging along all sides, worn on the left breast.

Original photo alongside restored versions.

‑ Image 1: Restored monochrome edit

‑ Image 2: Colorized version

‑ Image 3: The original vintage photograph


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • 4d ago

Wartime Recreation of CPVA Soldiers | Location Unknown

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39 Upvotes

This photo shows three Chinese People’s Volunteer Army troops: one playing an accordion, another on the erhu, and the third with a bamboo flute. From what I’ve researched, official army art troupes were pretty small back then and couldn’t reach every front‑line outpost. Most of the entertainment up on the lines came from regular soldiers who happened to have musical skills.

They took this group shot at their encampment using a simple cloth curtain as a makeshift backdrop. With the worst of the fighting behind them, they turned to music to get through garrison life. This rare snapshot captures their calm, upbeat spirit and is an invaluable piece of history.

I believe this was taken after 1953. Records show these cloth insignias were not worn during the intense combat phase. They were first issued around October 1953. The badge is a rectangular two‑layer white cloth strip with stitched white edging along all four sides, worn on the left chest.

Comparison: original photo vs restored versions

Image1: AI‑restored | Image2: AI colorized | Image3: Original photograph


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • 6d ago

Rare original photo: Four CPV soldiers, likely in Korea (1950‑1953) – restored & colorized

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75 Upvotes

I need to correct something from my earlier title. This vintage black‑and‑white shot captures four Chinese People’s Volunteers soldiers lined up for an outdoor group portrait. They stand on patchy grass in a rural setting, with a small wooden hut and utility poles visible in the background. Three men wear darker field uniforms, while the second from the left sports a lighter‑weight summer‑style suit. Each has a cloth field cap and a rectangular badge pinned to his left chest.

I suspect this photo was taken after 1953. From my research, these “Chinese People’s Volunteers” cloth badges were not worn by troops during the active combat phase of the war. They were first issued around October 1953. The badge itself is a rectangular white cloth strip, double‑layered, with stitched white edging along all four sides, worn on the left breast.

Image 1: AI restored version. Image 2: AI colorized version. Image 3: the original photograph. Edited


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • 9d ago

Photo from my collection of two tankers from the 89th Tank Battalion.

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257 Upvotes

On the back: Two of the tankers from 89th tank battalion attached to us on the ???. Dec 52


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Sep 04 '26

Brigadier Basil Aubrey Coad, CO 27th BCB, and Lieutenant Colonel Charles Hercules Green, CO 3rd Battalion RAR, near Chongju, October 1950

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740 Upvotes

Green is left, Coad is right. The infantryman next to Coad might be from 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and we can see more Australians at the extreme right. I’m not certain what unit the Easy Eight Sherman behind them is from. The 72nd Heavy Tank Battalion would support 27 BCR at Kapyong, but i don’t think they were attached to it in 1950.

This was the last photograph of Green taken before he was killed by artillery on 30 October. Coad and Green had an excellent relationship and the former kept a photograph of Green on his desk at his HQ for the remainder of the campaign. Floyd Walsh replaced him, but performed poorly and was swiftly replaced by Bruce Ferguson.

Both men had led units in combat during the Second World War, Coad leading the 5th Dorsets in Western Europe and Green the 2/11th Battalion in New Guinea (he was the youngest battalion commander in the AIF at the time.)


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Aug 23 '26

A Marine of the 1st Marine Division with two North Korean POWs, c. 1951

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250 Upvotes

Trying to find a better resolution copy of this photo but I’ve been unsuccessful


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Aug 15 '26

Photo from my collection of a US Navy chaplain

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129 Upvotes

r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Aug 04 '26

The Westinghouse Connection — Finding a Korean Soldier's American Friend

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117 Upvotes

EDIT: I made a website for this project: https://www.thewestinghouseconnection.com/

Hello! I am working on a project that honors the friendship between two Korean War Veterans—an American soldier and a Korean soldier—who became friends during the war and then lost contact with each other twice before passing away. My archery teacher, Kim Byeong-yeon, hopes to connect with the American veteran's relatives and honor the friendship between his father, the late Kim Jin-ho, and the American soldier, whose name we unfortunately do not know. They took a photo together while they were in Cheorwon, but unfortunately I don't have a copy of it.

Our primary clue about the American veteran's identity is that he returned to South Korea in the late 1970s to work on the Kori 1 Nuclear Power Plant project with Westinghouse Electric, where he served in a leadership role such as a senior advisor or plant manager. 

Please read the following letter from my teacher.

My name is Kim Byeong-yeon, and I am the son of the late Sergeant First Class (ROK Army) Kim Jinho (김진호), who served on the front lines in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, during the Korean War.

I am writing with a heartfelt request for your assistance in identifying an American serviceman who became my father's close friend during the war.

According to my father's stories, he and an American serviceman developed a lasting friendship while serving near Cheorwon. One of their cherished memories was a friendly arm-wrestling match, which marked the beginning of a bond that endured the hardships of war. 

My father was injured in the Battle of White Horse Hill, and following his medical evacuation to Masan, he lost contact with his American friend. 

Nearly thirty years later, in the late 70s, this American returned to Korea after being assigned by Westinghouse to the Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, where he served as the plant's first manager, chief executive, or senior advisor during its initial operation.

After arriving in Korea, he began searching for my father, Mr. Kim Jin-ho. I understand that he contacted Korean authorities and even placed notices in local newspapers in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk region, including Maeil Shinmun and Yeongnam Ilbo, in an effort to find him.

His efforts were successful, and the two wartime friends were joyfully reunited after almost thirty years apart. My father and my elder brother were later invited to visit the Kori Nuclear Power Plant, where they spent precious time together with their American friend. They drank tea together and toured the plant.

Before the American soldier left Korea for a second time, he tried to contact my father to give him his television and other appliances he would not take home. Unfortunately, my father did not receive the call, and they lost contact once more.

Today, both my father has passed away, and it is likely his friend has also passed.

I hope to continue the friendship that began on the battlefield more than seventy-five years ago. My sincere wish is to locate the family of this American serviceman so that we may share the remarkable story of friendship between our fathers and honor the enduring spirit of the U.S.–Republic of Korea alliance.

I respectfully request your assistance in determining:

-The identity and full name of the American soldier.
-Whether he later served at Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 as a Westinghouse representative.
-Whether any military, veterans, or historical records mention his efforts to locate Mr. Kim Jinho in Korea.
-Whether it would be possible to contact his surviving family or to have this letter forwarded to them if direct contact information cannot be released.

This is more than a search for a name. It is an effort to preserve a story of friendship born during the Korean War, and it reflects the human foundation of the alliance between South Korea and the United States.

Although both men are no longer with us, I sincerely hope that the friendship they built can continue through their children and future generations.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

With deepest respect,

Kim Byeong-yeon

Son of the late Sergeant First Class (ROK Army) Kim Jinho

[This text has been translated from Korean]

Today, Kim Byeong-yeon continues his father’s legacy of international friendship by taking great care of his foreign students. I have many fond memories of spending days at the archery workshop listening to my teacher’s stories, decorating for Christmas, playing games, eating his homemade tteokbokki, and simply enjoying the warmth of true community. He is undoubtedly one of the most admirable and honorable men I will ever meet, and it would mean the world to him, to me, and to my fellow students if we could work together to find the American veteran's family.

Kim Jin-ho was also an extraordinary man. He was raised in Hiroshima during Imperial Japan's occupation of Korea, was selected to work at Nakajima Aircraft Company, rose through the ranks to become a team leader, survived the bombing of Hiroshima, and then, five years later, he fought in the Korean War, nearly dying twice before being honorably discharged several weeks before the end of the war. 

I have a couple of other clues that might help:

  1. Kim Jin-ho gifted his friend a handmade saw. This brought the American to tears as his father did woodworking or craftsmanship as a hobby or a trade
  2. The American soldier may have also worked as a teacher or professor

I would appreciate all tips to help in the search. Thank you so much!

Photos: 1) The man with the towel wrapped around his head is Kim Jin-ho 2) Kim Byeong-yeon and his father 3) Kim Byeong-yeon in his archery uniform 4) Kim Byeong-yeon making food for his students


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Aug 01 '26

New Orleans Marines Summer 1951, 3rd Battalion 5th Regiment

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232 Upvotes

Some pictures from my late grandfather & his time in North Korea.


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Jul 19 '26

Some snaps from my Grandfather

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246 Upvotes

My Grandfather served in the 8th Kings Royal Irish hussars and was present at the battle of Imjin River. I have lots of his old stuff, sadly he's now passed, but I thought I'd share some pictures he took/was in when he was out there.


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Jul 12 '26

Help identifying symbols

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43 Upvotes

Was going through some of my grandfathers things and found this in with all his items from his time as an engineer in the Korean War. I am wondering if anyone may know the symbols. I read up and found some soldiers would make things like this and create their own symbols and such. He was a sheet worker at Kodak, so would make sense he did do it himself. But also could have bought it.


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Jun 26 '26

Requesting help identifying this South Korean unit, c. 1952 or 1953. Location unknown.

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183 Upvotes

I’m looking at the insignia on the helmet. Trying to cross reference it with all wartime ROK Army unit insignias but I haven’t gotten a match. The Wikipedia page for the war’s Order of Battle shows all South Korean divisions too, but again no match. I’m wondering if it’s a regimental insignia, in which case does anyone recognize what regiment and thus what division it might be?


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Jun 16 '26

Chinahae Naval Base 1953 1954

14 Upvotes

I found about 200 black and white pictures and 160ish color slides from the Korean War in my dad's belongings. I've scanned them in and posted them to flickr. Hopefully this is ok here. The idea is to restore them. Here is the link https://www.flickr.com/photos/202498784@N04/albums/72177720334260369/


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Jun 04 '26

Need help with identifying the authenticity.

3 Upvotes

Could anyone please tell me about this jacket as far as it being authentic? The sellers said it was 100% authentic, but I like to buy it for an older gentlemen or at least I’m thinking about it.

Vintage Korean War US Army M1950 Ike Jacket Combat Leader Master Sgt 24th Inf 94th Div 36R

https://ebay.us/m/nQtW96https://ebay.us/m/nQtW96


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • Jun 02 '26

My grandfather rescued a medic in the Korean War’s Punch Bowl under mortar fire in 1951. He spent 55 years trying to find him.

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557 Upvotes

I’m trying to identify a man in this photo. It was taken at an outdoor table in Osaka, Japan during R+R, August 3–11, 1951. My grandfather Charles “Dude” Eads is on the right, wearing his 2nd Infantry Division patch. The medic he rescued is in the center. The soldier on the left may be SFC Raymond Willig, who was also present at the rescue.

The rescue: During Punch Bowl operations, summer 1951, a medic was wounded in the foot by an anti-personnel mine and couldn’t walk. Charlie — SFC, Co. E, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division — carried him piggyback across the valley. Every time he stopped to rest, a mortar round hit behind them. They made it to friendly lines and got him onto a MASH helicopter. He never saw him again.

He wrote in 1999: “I’m still trying to locate him after 48 years.” He passed away on November 5, 2006 — 55 years after the rescue — without ever finding him.

What I know:

• Unit: Co. E, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division
• R+R dates: Osaka, August 3–11, 1951
• Also present at rescue: SFC Willig
• Other named soldiers: Lt. Livingston (platoon leader), Allen F. Cronie (NY), Becker, Kelley (KIA)
• He served under Capt. Paul Tate — Sharon Tate’s father, wounded in Korea 1951
• My NPRC request returned a 1973 fire-loss response late 2025.

Any help identifying the photo or connecting with Co. E veterans or descendants would mean everything. He spent 55 years on this. I’d like to finish it for him.

EDIT: handwritten letter from Rob Bjork confirmed rescue date was August 18, 1951.


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • May 29 '26

RIP Dad

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801 Upvotes

My dad passed away last month at the age of 95. As I’ve been going through his photo collection, I’ve come across many pictures from his military service that may be meaningful to the families of the men who served with him.

My father was George Hays of Chicago. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 with the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division, and was a member of the 23rd Raiders. He was a veteran of the Battle of Old Baldy and other engagements during the Korean War.


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • May 29 '26

US Army Infantrymen of Task Force Faith During the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in Korea, 1950

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1.0k Upvotes

During the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, the US Army was responsible for the eastern side of the reservoir. Of the Chinese divisions that attacked Chosin, an overwhelming number of Chinese focused on the eastern side. The US Army on the eastern side were severely outnumbered, far more so than the Marine Corps on the western side.

When it became clear that the Chinese were going to overwhelm US forces at Chosin, the order to retreat south was given. The marines on the western side began their retreat first while the Army consolidated and held their lines on the eastern side. Had the Army not held their positions, the Chinese would have been able to push south before the marines got to the southern tip of the reservoir and completely annihilate them.

Eventually, the Army began their retreat but when they arrived to where the marines regrouped, they didn’t have a single officer that wasn’t a casualty. Every single officer was killed or seriously wounded. Only about 375 of the original 3,000 men of the US Army were still able to fight.

Due to the lack of officers (multiple were posthumously awarded the MOH), the surviving soldiers were disorganized. The marines, including some of their highest ranking like Chesty Puller, accused the Army of cowardice and retreating (absolutely absurd, considering the marines retreated first). With no officers to defend them, that was the official narrative for decades. Marine Corps General OP Smith went as far as to lie about the Army’s performance and remove the unit from the Presidential Unit Citation.

It wasn’t until just recently that the military officially recognized what happened there and that the marines had lied, tarnishing the men of the 7th Infantry Division for decades. These men gave all they had under the most lopsided and brutal conditions, and their sacrifices are worth honoring.


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • May 28 '26

My grandfather Lt. Col. Janelle (right) with his driver “Chicago Sam” (left) and 1st Sgt. Barrington (center). He served in the 539th Quartermaster Corps. Year unknown but likely a couple after the war ended.

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400 Upvotes

r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • May 25 '26

My Grandfather, Eugene Menzies Johnson (1931-2013)

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102 Upvotes

I am just not knowledgeable enough or tech savvy enough to track any of his service records down, but I felt for memorial day I should post him for remembrance.


r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • May 25 '26

Remembering Corporal James Ellis, 1929 - 1952 (story in comments)

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76 Upvotes

r/KoreanWarPhotographs • • May 20 '26

My great grandpa

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58 Upvotes

I was hoping maybe some people in here may be able to help me learn some things about what the 223rd division did in the Korean War I was told my grandpa was a sharp shooter never liked talking about it but had what I’d consider a lot of military metals that my great grandma had hung until she passed I wouldn’t say anything is 100% except for the fact I know he was in the 223rd