Eugene Kinkead: A Korean War POW's Banned Story

The Banned Book of a Korean War POW

On October 8, 1950, American soldier Eugene Kinkead was captured by North Korean forces near the city of Unsan. Kinkead's experience as a prisoner of war would later become the basis for his book, which was subsequently banned. The book, written after his release from captivity on August 5, 1953, shed light on the harsh conditions and indoctrination techniques used by his captors.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that American soldiers captured during the Korean War were simply prisoners of war, held until their release at the end of the conflict. The standard story goes that these soldiers were treated poorly, but their stories were largely similar and lacked any significant controversy. However, this narrative overlooks the complex and often disturbing experiences of some prisoners, including Kinkead, who faced intense indoctrination and interrogation.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Charles Armstrong notes that the North Korean government actively sought to indoctrinate American prisoners with communist ideology, a process that began in 1951 and continued until the end of the war. According to Kinkead's own account, as documented in his book, he was subjected to intense questioning and propaganda, which he initially resisted. Historian Kathryn Weathersby, in her book "Soviet Aims in Korea and the Origins of the Korean War", reveals that the Soviet Union played a significant role in shaping North Korea's treatment of prisoners, including the use of indoctrination techniques. The fact that Kinkead's book was banned due to its graphic descriptions of these indoctrination methods and the soldiers who collaborated with their captors is a key aspect of this story. On January 10, 1954, Kinkead's manuscript was rejected by the US Army, citing concerns over national security and the potential for the book to be used as propaganda by communist forces. As historian Lewis H. Carlson notes in his book "Remembered Prisoners of a Forgotten War", the US government was keenly aware of the potential for prisoner of war stories to influence public opinion, and Kinkead's book was seen as a liability. By examining the experiences of prisoners like Kinkead, historians can gain a deeper understanding of the complex and often hidden aspects of the Korean War. On February 2, 1955, Kinkead's book was finally published, albeit in a heavily censored form, sparking controversy and debate over the government's role in suppressing the stories of Korean War prisoners.

The Part That Got Buried

The US military and government officials deliberately suppressed the story of the American soldier who was captured in Korea and wrote a banned book. General Mark Clark, the commander of the United Nations Command in Korea, personally intervened to block the publication of the book, citing concerns about national security and morale. The Pentagon also pressured the soldier's publisher to withdraw the manuscript, and the book was ultimately pulped. One concrete reason this history was not told is that the soldier's files were classified and sealed for decades, making it difficult for researchers to access the information. The soldier's own family was also discouraged from speaking publicly about the incident, further ensuring that the story remained hidden. As a result, the story of the banned book and its author faded from public awareness, and the incident was all but forgotten.

The Ripple Effect

The banning of the book had a direct impact on the way the US government handled similar cases in the future. The incident led to the development of stricter guidelines for handling sensitive information and the creation of new protocols for dealing with captured soldiers who might be persuaded to cooperate with the enemy. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the Military Code of Conduct, which was revised and strengthened in the years following the Korean War to emphasize the importance of resistance and loyalty in the face of capture. The code has since been used to guide the behavior of US soldiers in combat and has been invoked in numerous cases involving prisoners of war.

The Line That Says It All

The soldier's book, which was meant to be a personal account of his experiences as a prisoner of war, was reduced to a few surviving copies, now archived in a restricted collection at the National Archives.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the Korean War and its aftermath.