Herman van der Leelie

Prepared by the Witnesses of War team

Herman van der Leelie was born on 15 October 1931 in Den Helder, the Netherlands, into a military family. His father’s naval postings took the family to Curaçao and, in 1938, to the Dutch East Indies, present-day Indonesia. During the Japanese occupation, Herman was interned with family members in Moentilan camp on Java, where he endured approximately three years of captivity.

After the war, the family reached Singapore, waiting for passage to the Netherlands. Still a teenager, Herman began working at sea, later sailing with Dutch shipping companies. Returning to the Netherlands proved difficult: captivity had interrupted his education, and adjusting to civilian life brought further struggles. When volunteers were sought for service in Korea, he decided to enlist.

In 1952, Herman deployed to South Korea. According to his family’s account, he served in the support company of the Dutch contingent, attached to the 38th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 2nd “Indianhead” Infantry Division. His service included positions around T-Bone, Eerie and Arsenal, where he experienced frontline fighting and was wounded.

He recalled arriving aboard a troopship and boarding a train for the front that same night. Winter temperatures dropped to approximately −30°C. Soldiers kept their sleeping bags unzipped so they could react immediately to an attack, exposing them to the bitter cold. Despite these experiences, Herman later expressed satisfaction that he had helped the South Korean population.

Herman continued his military career, including a deployment to Dutch New Guinea in 1961. In later life, he became active in the Association of Former Korea Combatants, campaigning for recognition and remembrance of his fallen comrades.