Film tells story of Korean War's Battle of Inchon

The evening of Aug. 4 commemorated and honored veterans who served in the Korean War. Actors and filmmakers took a backseat as Korean War veterans were the real stars when American Legion Hollywood Post 43 hosted the opening of a film that depicts the bravery and the sacrifice of those who served during a specific turning point of the Korean War.

“Operation Chromite” is a film based on actual events of the Battle of Inchon and stars Liam Neeson as Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

The premier occurred two weeks before the film’s release to an audience of more 200 guests that inlcuded Legion members and Korean War veterans who arrived on a red carpet for the first North American viewing. Click here to see a video of the red carpet event.

This film is poised to be the largest summer blockbuster of the year for Korea and will open Aug. 12 in the United States by CJ Entertainment, who has pledged a portion of American box office sales to The American Legion. Angela Killoren, COO of CJ Entertainment, describes the story as an example of how a few brave men can really change things around.

“Operation Chromite” is based on a true story of the heroes whose lives were sacrificed in order to turn the tide of the Korean War. “Oftentimes real life is more fantastic than art,” Killoren said. “And we’re so happy to be able to do the screening here at The American legion. It honors this whole joint U.S./Korean effort and we really wanted to bring peoples attention to it.”

Killoren described the historical importance from the Korean perspective. “When you’re in Korea, a country that has gone through so much history in the last 60 years, it’s really important to remember where that history comes from,” she said. “These films really help to educate a whole new generation about that.”

Korean War veteran Jean Paul White, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel, said he “really enjoyed the movie. But I never forgot Korea. That was a long time ago, but it was a highlight of my life. I was a young sergeant, 23 years old, first time getting shot at. We did some good work there. They didn’t like what I was doing so they dropped a little artillery near me. I’m glad I went there, but I’m glad I came back.”

For Douglass Mitchell, his time serving in Korea “was all such a new experience,” he said. “It was just almost an overwhelming experience, all this stuff is going on, and you’re part of history. I hope I make it, you know, I’m just a kid, I outta still be in high school. But I’m glad I went; I’d do it again.”

White added that “the fact that it’s called the forgotten war doesn’t mean a hell of a lot to me because to me, and my friends, it’s not forgotten. There are other people who remember too, the South Korean people who we helped bring to freedom. What we did enabled the people of South Korea to make it a great nation, and I’m proud to be a part of that.”

Key Cheol Lee, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles, spoke before the film. He complimented the American relationship with South Korea and how together we have built an endless culture of gratitude.

The North American opening was a joint effort between The American Legion, CJ Entertainment and the Korean Cultural Center. Distinguished guests from the Legion included Department of California National Executive Committeeman Hugh Crooks and other department officers.

“This is a special opportunity to introduce this film and share it with very honored veterans that have served in Korea, as well as bravely around all of the campaigns since then,” said Mark Shaw, CEO of CJ Entertainment, who served in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea from 1989 to 1990. He told the Korean War veterans in the audience that they might recognize the names of some of the places he served. “They are all still there,” Shaw said. “And that’s thanks to your service and sacrifice. This film is about actual war heroes, both Korean and American, who helped turn the tide of the war and helped save so many lives.”

 

On the red carpet actor Ricky Kim conducted interviews for the All Warrior Network where he interviewed top warfighters and social media leaders of the military community. “My father was military and it was really close to my heart to come here and support this amazing film here at American Legion Hollywood Post 43,” said Kim.

Radio talk show personality Boone Cutler holds the distinguished honor of being the first nationally recognized radio talk show personality who is also a combat veteran from the current war. When talking with the Korean War veterans he described the desire of current war veterans to earn the respect of those who went before and asked how they see this generation. “We honor you and we respect you and we want to be part of that fraternity,” Cutler said. “How do you see the modern warfighters coming back today?” “I see no change,” answered retired Marine captain Robert Whited. “I see the young men and women coming back today are no different than we were when we came back.”

It became apparent through the camaraderie of the evening that the bond of service transcends generations and that some things never change.

“There is about 50 years difference between the generations of warfighters at the Q&A, but nothing is different,” joked retired Army Capt. Brian Chung, CEO and founder of Musa Military Consulting Inc., who hosted the Q&A. “The amount of crap these guys give each other is no different than what we do today.”

The evening was about looking at things from another perspective. From one generation to another, different branches of service, other countries and even opposing sides of war, we are all connected by the stories we tell.

“This kind of reminded me a little bit of the Clint Eastwood movie, ‘Letters from Iwo Jima,’” said Korean War veteran Chuck Wiley. “Where it told the other side of the story instead of our side, so this gave me a lot more perspective of what the North Korean side and the intrigue of everything that was going on prior to the North Korean’s invading South Korea.”

Former Army drill sergeant and motivational speaker John Burk, a media personality who covers a variety of veterans topics, said, “It’s really good to see the Korean War veterans get a voice, and a movie made about them. We have movies covering World War 1, 2, ‘nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now we’re trying to change this persona or this belief of this being the forgotten war. Let’s give them a voice; let’s make more people understand what it was about for them. I think it’s a beautiful thing that they are doing; I wish more people would get involved, that more movies get made, show it from all kinds of different perspectives, because I think that the biggest mistake we can make would be to forget, to not educate people on the struggles that they went through.”

“So we make this film, and we dedicate it to all of the unsung heroes and we let the world know, that the forgotten war is never going to be forgotten,” said Shaw. “Especially by all of us who remember the great sacrifices.”

“Operation Chromite” will screen at other American Legion posts across the nation, including Post 365 in Vista, Calif., and Post 973 in Chicago.