I Spent 33 Months as a POW in North Korea

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Cecil Phipps was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on May 20,1930. After high school, he worked at several jobs before enlisting in the US Army in 1950. He attended basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas before being sent to Okinawa, Japan.
On August 1, 1950 he was deployed to Korea, arriving on a Japanese fishing boat in Pusan where he was assigned to K Company, 35th Infantry Regiment. After being separated from friendly forces, he was captured as a POW by Chinese soldiers in November 1951.
Phipps was transferred from camp to camp before eventually arriving at a large POW compound in Pyoktong County, North Korea.
Cecil Phipps would spend a total of 33 months as a POW during the Korean War. He was eventually released on August 28, 1953.
Interview Recorded on July 26, 2022
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Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - Daniel Taksas

[@americanveteranscenter]

Please subscribe to our channel so you don't miss future interviews with American heroes.

[@airgunfun4248]

I would have liked to see the picture in the thumbnail full size

[@danielhughes5517]

I really love watching these interviews and I really appreciate the uploads!!! Sometimes I can barely hear though. Not complaining just saying some of us are half deaf 😁

[@glenvalley4326]

I hope American Veterans Center can interview soldiers who were sent to China after WW2 .

[@traxplays6780]

Very unfortunate Korean War veterans lack recognition even to this day. It truly is the forgotten war. I will never forget the sacrifices of those who went before me.

[@hawkeyeten2450]

That's why sharing these stories is CRITICAL. Let's get them while we still can! Hopefully sooner than later they WILL get the recognition they so rightfully deserve.

[@xladder3972]

@@hawkeyeten2450 we must use the power of the internet the right way

[@irishparade]

Not in the Marine Corps. Every Marine knows about them and their brilliance and courage.

[@xladder3972]

@@irishparade beautiful

[@yzdatabase4175]

what war? there was no war.

[@HabitualButtonPusher]

Men like this is why this country exists. Thank you Cecil, your country thanks you.

[@cwr8618]

And why South Korea exists

[@codeman9145]

And look what it has become now, a bunch of selfless selfish cry babies and spoiled brats who want this country to turn into the rest of the world

[@Playsfor1]

This interview is worth so much, the history coming from this mans mouth is incredible. Thank you so much for serving this nations sir.

[@armchairemperor4777]

That end statement hit home pretty hard, "I did nothing in the prison camps to discredit my country"..

[@jim_dog]

My grandfather served in the Army in Korea. He was from a town not far from Cecil in Iowa. I will never forget the stories he would tell including leaving out of Seattle and watching the shore get farther and farther away, not knowing if he would ever see it again. He passed away last year and watching these reminds me of the stories he would tell.

[@rodneyhanbaum697]

My Father was a POW for 2 and half years in North Korea. He was transferred numerous times to various POW CAMPS finally ending up at the most northern POW camp in North Korea. upon his release he spent many months in Walter Reed hospital recovering from his injuries from being beaten,tortured,and starved by the North Koreans. Dad died 4 January 2009. That's the day his nightmares stopped when our Lord and Savior wrapped his Loving Arms around my dad.

[@davidunger1173]

Thank you for sharing. Your father is happy now and in heaven.

[@alethiapotter9218]

❤️

[@sportcardcollector9599]

God Bless All The Brave Americans That We're Called Upon To Protect The Fatherland So You And I Can Live Free God Bless The United States Military And Her Allies 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@tedbarker3179]

Taken POW during the May Massacre, May 15 1951. Was with the 23rd Infantry Rgt 2ID. Many men from his unit died during that fight.

[@larryspiller6633]

God Bless your Father, You too. Peace.

[@garyp.7501]

Yet another story from the lips of a hero. So glad you folks are capturing these stories before these folks pass on.

[@fightingtosurvive6527]

Our Dad was a WW2 and a Korean war veteran. Bomber pilot. RIP, Dad. 💙 There is not a whole lot of world war II veterans alive and the ones that are are quite old. Our dad would be 100 years old this year if he was alive.

[@Matt-416]

Hero!! My heart beats for individuals like this. Thank you for your service.

[@FlyingEagle41]

Cecil Phipps, thank you for your service. I am glad you made it home.

[@mickmacy6161]

A Patriot under siege. Thank you, Sir

[@SGobuck]

(Spent 30 days in jail for vandalism and raising cain) Marines: "sorry but we can't take troublemakers" Army: "You're exactly what we're looking for, come on in!"

[@fightingtosurvive6527]

😄🤣😀

[@martinworkens6130]

I was in Marines in 1966-68 with guys from Philadelphia who were convicted and could choose jail time or Marines.

[@andrewsmith3257]

lol..I kinda figured it would be opposite

[@susankee3938]

Many thanks to American Veterans Center for interviewing Mr. Phipps. I am so humbled and grateful to know him and so grateful that he is giving voice to the horrific experiences that American POWs went through in the prisoner of war camps in North Korea,. I thank Mr. Phipps for giving voice to the thousands who perished in the North Korean communist POW camps due to massive starvation and lack of medical care. It is so important that we do not forget those who are still Missing in Action since their remains are still being held by the North Korean communists. Over 7,500 Americans are still missing in action (MIA) and over 5,300 Americans are MIA in North Korea. As a Korean, whose family was saved by these heroes who laid down their lives in the Korean War, we owe a debt that can never be paid to these heroes who sacrificed immeasurably for our freedoms. South Korea was saved from the grips of communism, thanks to so many who gave their lives to save South Korea. May God always bless our Korean War veterans, Korean War fallen heroes and their families, We Koreans should never forget the tremendous sacrifice of American lives given for our freedoms. May God always bless America.

[@dprkno.1]

남괴 선전만 되풀이하고 있다 ㅠㅠ

[@thomasdoran2363]

These are so upsetting - but are historic in their content . . . . . . Hope his life is happy, calm & peaceful these days

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you for sharing your story, service, sacrifice and courage for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@margarethisbeloved4018]

My uncle was Mr Phipps age when he was also a POW in the Korean War. My uncle told my father that they made them march barefoot in the snow. Thank you, Sir, for sharing as I wasn't able to ask him about it as he suffered from PTS ❤️

[@fanny3942]

💖💖💖”I did not do anything to discredit my country”👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼💖💖💖

[@banjo1241]

Thank you, sir!

[@-.Steven]

Incredible story. Thank you Cecil!

[@ocularpressure4558]

What an amazing and brave man thank you so much for your service

[@kylepicks8624]

What a wild story. Thank you for these interviews! And thank you Sir for your service!

[@rtrobinson88321]

Thank you mr. Phipps for your service. God bless you

[@Stratsrule]

Was an absolute honor to see this. Ty

[@wannaduckfin]

Thank you for this interview. And thank you sir for your service!

[@lukecp]

America is the nation it is because of Hard Men like him. Salute Sir!

[@newsnowmilitia1147]

THANKYOU SIR YOU ARE A TRUE SOLDIER A WARRIOR YOUR STRONG AND AN AMAZING MAN GOD BLESS YOU AND ALWAYS BE WITH YOU BY YOUR SIDE!!

[@jonm2416]

I'm honestly shocked that the Chinese didn't just kill them. These stories always amaze you one way or the other.

[@Lordestroyer]

My half Korean children thank you. You saved their lives.

[@dave3156]

What a story! Thank you sir for your service and sacrifice. Glad you survived and made it home

[@thomasbunner5214]

It is amazing he escaped being captured. Several hundred known living US POW's and MIA's were simply written off at the end of the war. Some were seen and reported as being shipped on trains Northward into Soviet Russia, and were never seen or heard from again.

[@bch5513]

"Luckily" he was captured by Chinese.

[@bighproductions0]

God bless you 🙏✌️

[@skiptrace1888]

Thank you so very much for your service! Your bravery is unquestioned.And your love for your country was well reflected in your actions! God bless you, sir!

[@donaldg.freeman2804]

Good interview! It was an interesting personal story.

[@fazole]

The Korean War was a brutal place to be. I hope the veterans get the same veneration they deserve and more publicity is shown on the war like WW2 and Vietnam. A lot of guys were not really trained to fight at first because they were occupation troops in Japan and the idea was that nuclear weapons had ended conventional land warfare. My dad told me how the baracks had grass growing up through the floor and that they were trained mostly by corporals. He was in the motor pool do avoided being in combat but he could hear it and witness artillery. Bugging out was always a threat too.

[@johnspizziri1919]

Thank you, Corporal.

[@DarylW426]

Myself and your country are proud of you sir. Thank you and God bless.

[@mosin9105]

Thank you

[@hangin-in-thereawesome4245]

Thank you for your service HERO!

[@stinger76262]

Sir, YOU are a true hero!!

[@eaglesnest2881]

Thank you Sir You are a true hero .God Bless You My Brother. Thank you for serviceSir.

[@wyattsdad8561]

They would do this again to our soldiers.

[@HLLRAZRMuGGZ-xg5co]

Thanks sir for your service.

[@teddychalgren]

Thank you Cecil.

[@Madeves]

Thank you for your service Sir!!!!

[@alethiapotter9218]

❤️ & honor 🎖 🥇 🙏

[@tommychew6544]

I like history and I think this might be the first person Korean War POW telling I have ever heard. After WWII I wonder how many Americans actually allowed themselves to be captured? I'm glad to have heard it for sure! I was a Marine in the 80's and knowing what I knew of history I would have fought to the death surrounded or not, I guess that's why we were known as Devil Dogs back during WWI. If these people weren't brutal to begin with, they wouldn't be doing what they are doing. He must have had an angel looking out for him to have survived the way he did. The chance of death from surrendering was high I don't think I could have taken it. I would like to shake his hand but, I couldn't have done it. The paradoxes of life can really get strange can't they. It all depends on your outlook when you are seeing them happen for yourself and where you are at that point in your life.

[@mikelubin148]

You don't know what you would have done you served in peace time and to say you don't know if you would shake his hand shows your character.

[@ottoso7044]

It’s sad ppl never talk about Korean War smh then ofc Vietnam vets were mistreated e being SENT to fight smfh bless all our troops 🇺🇸

[@jayo3074]

No one cares about the Korean war. The Vietnam war is more important

[@jayo3074]

@Captain Beano pointless war

[@ottoso7044]

@@jayo3074 why we went to Korea ?

[@ottoso7044]

@@jayo3074 but didn’t ppl say Vietnam was pointless war too ? The politicians lost that war not our troops

[@jayo3074]

@@ottoso7044 they were both pointless and we lost both wars lol

[@RobertA-gv5nk]

My Dad Reymundo Almendarez was POW for 34 months. 25 Inf division 35th regiment B co. POW Camp 1. Passed away 05-20-2020

[@devooski4751]

Thank you for your service and god bless.

[@jayn9559]

My Grandpa Ed, was in a German POW camp for three years. The man was a solid influence on me n life. This man is a example of American grit or what's left of it

[@chrisjanzen6082]

Thank you, Sir.

[@AVI80R907]

Many thanks to this man for sharing his story. It brings tears to your eyes. My grandfather, a marine, spent time in China at the end of WW2, but before the Korean War. I have not been able to find much information on US soldiers in China during that time period, but he spoke of dealing with Russians at some point during his time there. He never talked about the details of his time there until he developed dementia. It was all very horrible, and I respect and appreciate so much what all these men sacrificed. It's so important to share their stories.

[@glenvalley4326]

E.B. Sledge wrote a 167 page book with the title 'China Marine' It is published by OXFORD University Press. E..B Sledge who was a marine was sent to China when WW2 was over. He spent over a year in China. The book is about his experience and life as a soldier in China. He also wrote the famous book With The Old Breed.

[@DwightBurditt]

Thank you for your service 👍

[@MrArtmundus]

It takes some balls to spend 33 months in North Korean POW and make it through. I salute you sir and I'm not even an American!

[@fightingtosurvive6527]

Korean, not Corean.

[@MrArtmundus]

@@fightingtosurvive6527 I just changed it! Sorry for my mistake. The only excuse I have, is because in Spanish it's with "C". That's why I mixed it up.

[@thomasfx3190]

Cecil you are a very brave man, I’m sorry you had to go through all that, I can’t imagine what I would have done in your circumstances. Glad you made it home, thank you for your service.

[@patriciafoster784]

Thank you sir hugs

[@bigbrotherbob]

Excellent interview, where is the rest?

[@airgunfun4248]

Incredible. ''I'm proud I did nothing to discredit my country.'' Well I'd have to say you sure didn't MR. Phipps. And he tells the story very honorably as well. The Korean ''police action'' was some unique and hard fighting in the records of our armed forces. The human wave charges and the weather just a couple of things that stand out. Very worthwhile viewing thank you

[@hilldwler420]

Welcome home sir and thank you .

[@antz6130]

Thank you sir

[@user-ls9nm9uy5s]

Hello Sir, my father's older brother Dave served our Country with you in Korea. He saw action and was in it. Thank you for your story. I am sorry you were in a POW camp for so long. Thank you so much for serving your Country ! I am proud of you all !!

[@jamespike5161]

Any history buff hears “boxcars” and knows it’s about to get bad.

[@rikijett310]

Sir, thank you endlessly for your service and may God bless you always!!!! ✝️🇺🇸✝️

[@jessejames7757]

Thank You

[@sunnybeach4837]

God bless you sir

[@americanlocation2011]

Thank you Cecil for all you sacrificed on our behalf, you will ALWAYS be a hero in my book. Anyone who says a man captured in war isn't a hero is a moral coward.

[@williampatience9524]

Thank you! You and everyone who got captured have my utmost respect. You truly went to hell and back. I was stationed at Camp Stanley and I remember that the winter's there were brutal. I'm sure it took something out of you.

[@chillis28]

Much respect Sir!!

[@derrickalley8542]

God Bless this Man

[@Earth11111]

My grandpa was in this war he told Me some wild stories

[@hawkeyeten2450]

Make sure you get the stories written down if possible.

[@Earth11111]

@@hawkeyeten2450 he’s passed I wish I could now

[@hawkeyeten2450]

@@Earth11111 If you remember them at all, get them jotted down. It's better than nothing.

[@Earth11111]

@@hawkeyeten2450 oh I do remember them

[@Earth11111]

@@hawkeyeten2450 I really wanna gov he close the records they got the government and see where all they got him documented being at camps and the battles he was in i know they got records of it they got to have

[@justinsane7832]

next video can you crank up the volume a bit more? i love these stories, but sometimes hard to hear :/

[@entertainme7523]

Thank you, Mr. Sane

[@terminatorelites4969]

The world thanks u fine sir✝️💪

[@dna7500]

Wow!

[@Scanlon1981]

Would love to heard this man's opinion on the current state of out nation.

[@entertainme7523]

you don't need someone else's opinion, just open your eyes 😂

[@princessbabibear4794]

It would be an honor to hear his opinion. Would likely have insight and advice we desperately need to consider and spread like wildfire.

[@svyalinirnhut890]

Thank you for the great story. I am Chinese myself, both of my grandfathers served on the other side of this war, one was a mechanic, the other was an officer directing propaganda efforts, although he still got wounded in an air raid (He just passed away 2 years prior at the age of 99). Earlier in the war, many of the Chinese soldiers and officers who got sent to Korean frontline were ex-KMT defectors, or previously served as auxiliary troops under the Japanese, North Korean army also used extensive ex-Japanese auxiliary troops, so they were all experienced and quite brutal. So sorry about the summary executions and the terrible POW treatment. For the millet porridge provided though, Chinese soldiers weren't doing any better, there was a saying in China that the army was all about "millet and rifle", that's what everyone ate. Most of those guys later had it pretty bad during the Cultural Revolution (not for this particular reason but karma I guess).

[@joshlovern756]

Hero

[@donlum9128]

Thank you for your service.

[@mickmacy6161]

So proud of you, Sir! Thank you for serving. You were on the front lines of Freedom. Your sacrifice is noted in Heaven.

[@HEAVYMETALJSTYLES]

In a time where my faith in Mankind is wained, faith in our current government is also, The words of our Veterans about their hardships and grit, I do find the strength to carry on and I discovered hope again. Salute to you Sir and to all our Veterans.

[@bch5513]

Raising cane to point got a small jail stint. Sounds like you would have fit right in with the marines. At least back then for sure.

[@shyxzo2006]

I’m from iowa wanting to join the army soon it’s awesome to know a hero Iike this has come from the same place as me given me more motivation can’t wait to enlist

[@boligard]

I remember when I worked at Walmart a few years a Korean war vet came in and was sitting on the bench next to me and without me asking he just started talking about the war which made me excited because I always want to talk to ww2/Korean/Vietnam vets but I'm always to shy to ask them. Unfortunately I got yelled at to get back to work because I was way past my break time God bless our veterans.

[@afreightdogslife]

"I am proud to have served my country, and I am proud that while I was in custody, I didn't do anything to discredit my country." Well said, my fellow veteran, well said. You are a man of honor, I salute you.

[@eancurtis9333]

Wow

[@slee5714]

I am truly sorry you had to endure such unbearable hardships. I am sorry that so many had to suffer and die. Thanks for fighting for my native country .

[@dondamon4669]

So your a native American?

[@joelpierce3940]

I had a late friend, who was a very young Marine and was a POW. The Chinese broke a toe a day, with Vicegrips, trying to get information from him, of which he knew nothing. He was swapped in a prisoner exchange and was told to crawl the quarter mile to the US lines or be shot. He crawled.

[@LoneElk]

thats crazy, is there any coverage on his story?

[@JohnSmith-xd8do]

The North Koreans held a full scale Olympics games for the American POWs. I have the names and games played if you are interested

[@entertainme7523]

no thanks

[@gogart3]

Atta boy

[@susanbrown5004]

Wow what a story🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

[@FFEMTB08]

My grandfather fought in Korea.. he never talked about it.

[@jacksonjohnson4182]

November of 51 through August of 53 is 22 months. Did he go back and get captured again?

[@bryantadkins8720]

What part of Iowa was he from?

[@entertainme7523]

the part where they grow corn

[@fightingtosurvive6527]

@@entertainme7523 Why are you trolling other people's posts? Go find a video that's more equivalent with your limited intellect.

[@jacksonjohnson4182]

Fort Dodge, they put it in the description

[@mcnallica8]

Thank you for my freedom, hero 🇺🇸

[@helioselexandros]

God bless america

[@aliensocks8789]

My mother was a caregiver for a pow Korean war . He was there for 5 years..

[@bigleaguejew3101]

Iowa proud 🇺🇸🌽

[@josiel152]

This soldier's story is pretty screwed up, must have forgot what happened between landing in Korea, doesn't say what month or year. Than he's suddenly facing the Chinese. Where south or north Korea? I'm going to assume he was in N. Korea when they were overrun. I think he was in N. Korea now he is a prisoner. Terrible experience.

[@mmabagain]

Awesome video! Sadly, the Chinese have more influence on the current regime in Washington than they did during the Korean War.

[@frankm2588]

A statement with no basis whatsoever except maybe Fox "news" or Newsmax or Mike Flynn.

[@chanalex8358]

Of course , Chinese could beat the U.S army when we was the poorest nation of the world while the U.S was most powerfull army.

[@kittycatwithinternetaccess2356]

@@chanalex8358 stay away taiwan!

[@bhoran1152]

👍

[@bhall4996]

Terrible times made this ordinary man an unlikely hero.