Interview Transcript
Key points with Stanley Weintraub
Q. How would you personally describe the morale of the Eighth Army before Ridgway took command?
A. The morale of the Eighth Army was very low before Ridgway came. His predecessor, Walton Walker, tried to be a George Patton clone, but was pompous and distant-big on show, but too subservient to MacArthur's orders.
Q. In your eyes, how crucial of a war was the Korean War in terms of both American and Korean society?
A. The Korean War was the first "hot" war in the Cold War. From the Communist standpoint, the purpose of the war was to unite Korea under Communist rule, and continue further Stalinist expansion worldwide. Had we not intervened, all of Korea would have become a Communist colony, and Japan would have been destabilized.
Q. What do you believe attributed to Ridgway’s military success?
A. Ridgway carried himself as combat-ready. He looked prepared to fight and had the strategic sense that came with successful wartime experience.
Q. Did you agree with the decision to end the war in a draw and do you think the objective of the war was reached?
A. General MacArthur famously said, "There is no substitute for victory." But history proves him wrong. The war was not a "draw." We reversed the Communist invasion and rescued South Korea. It was a significant propaganda defeat for world Communism. South Korea revived and prospered, becoming a major industrial and economic power, a free society with fine education.
Q. How would you personally describe the morale of the Eighth Army before Ridgway took command?
A. The morale of the Eighth Army was very low before Ridgway came. His predecessor, Walton Walker, tried to be a George Patton clone, but was pompous and distant-big on show, but too subservient to MacArthur's orders.
Q. In your eyes, how crucial of a war was the Korean War in terms of both American and Korean society?
A. The Korean War was the first "hot" war in the Cold War. From the Communist standpoint, the purpose of the war was to unite Korea under Communist rule, and continue further Stalinist expansion worldwide. Had we not intervened, all of Korea would have become a Communist colony, and Japan would have been destabilized.
Q. What do you believe attributed to Ridgway’s military success?
A. Ridgway carried himself as combat-ready. He looked prepared to fight and had the strategic sense that came with successful wartime experience.
Q. Did you agree with the decision to end the war in a draw and do you think the objective of the war was reached?
A. General MacArthur famously said, "There is no substitute for victory." But history proves him wrong. The war was not a "draw." We reversed the Communist invasion and rescued South Korea. It was a significant propaganda defeat for world Communism. South Korea revived and prospered, becoming a major industrial and economic power, a free society with fine education.