Born. In may, 1950, the citizens of this young republic went to the polls again to exercise the democratic right, to choose their government under their democratic constitution. The as the citizens of korean republic voted at free elections, the north korean leaders were boasting of their intention to unify the country by force. Target, aas their partly mountainous peninsula and the 20 million peaceloving citizens of the republic of korea. The attack by the north korean communists came suddenly and without warning. Army rallied tog the defense of the republic, improvising quickly to meet the aggression, korean troops met at the 38th parallel. Armed with planes, trains, and guns, the Republic Army were illequipped to meet the onslaught. In the united states, an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council is called. Ambassador chang of the republic of korea hears the secretary general say the present situation is a serious one, and it is a threat to peace. , i consider it the Security Council to take ce in theessary for pea area. These tragic and bewildered refugees are always 1953 and among them was alan clark. First, this has visit on the on the back and it is real thick. The godsend we had. This was an overcoat and it has an insert which is here. And everybodyog had one of these and everybody wore them. You slept in them, you walked in them. In addition to that we had a wonderful which was because you could put it around your face and that wind, which was really cold, he could put it under your helmet and have your eyes out. That was wonderful. Was blowinge wind we were out near the communicatingwere with our headquarters. As i stood there with the wind blowing and, at the time it was 42 degrees below zero, the wind was blowing like crazy and if i faced the wind,sharp reflectinge remembered from the conflict. I have a photograph of that. And i am the only africanamerican in my platoon. Been 120 people. 120 . I was the only africanamerican. Company,rrived in fox marinebattalion, seventh 5. Had two of them were two of whom were killed. At one time we spent 83 days on line, which was an exceptional online. F time to be while youre onlirningse youre defending the trench line, but youre also out on patrol every night in front of you to cross your own barbed wire, cross your own minefields and go out and go out into the open areas n front of the lin host a pulitzer prizewinning reporter for the associated press, his book ghost flames life and death in a hidden war, korea 19501953, thank you very much for joining us on washington journal and on