James “Jim” Cawyer
Bio
James “Jim” Cawyer was born in Brownwood, Texas on March 3, 1931. He graduated high school in 1948, then briefly attended Abilene Christian College majoring in band with aspirations of becoming a high school band teacher. In 1950, he chose to enlist in the United States Air Force and was assigned to the 748th Air Force Band. He received orders for the Far East and was stationed in Korea. He traveled to various places throughout Korea and Japan for performances at air bases during the Korean War. He participated in the dedication of the United Nations Cemetery in Busan. He attended the Army versus Air Force football game in Tokyo on Thanksgiving Day in 1951 as part of the band. After being discharged from the Air Force, he returned to college and completed a degree in business, then worked in various capacities as an accountant. He felt that his time in the service helped him develop a deep appreciation for his country and fellow man, and his experience helped him understand that he could have easily been one of the soldiers who did not make it home
Video Clips
A Dedication of Honor
James "Jim" Cawyer recalls performing with the Air Force Band at the United Nations Cemetery dedication at Busan on Memorial Day of 1951. He describes the large burial trenches and seeing approximately three thousand bodies that had been brought in for burial. He tells of the terrible stench of the area, which was due to the long period it sometimes took for soldiers to have a proper burial during the Korean War.
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I'd Rather Be in Seoul
James "Jim" Cawyer reminisces about some of the activities he enjoyed while stationed in Seoul. He recalls seeing movies on occasion, playing pool, and playing dime poker. He describes why he felt there were better living quarters for soldiers stationed in Seoul, than for those stationed in Daegu.
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Close Calls and Rough Rides
James "Jim" Cawyer discusses the large amount of Korean War casualties. He raises the point that many losses of life were not combat-related. He explains three examples of the close calls he encountered during the war.
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/james-jim-cawyer#clip-3
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