Lieutenant Colonel Charles Yacopetti MC (Retired), as Korean War veteran, interviewed by Michael Boyle

Charles Yacopetti MC gives his second oral history interview about his experiences as an Italian-born, Australian soldier in the Korean War. He was interviewed at his NSW home on 26, 27 and 28 of March 2021.
In addition to his account of Korea and being a prisoner of war, he also talks about his family, his Italian origins, being the first Italian-born individual to graduate from Duntroon, and his Australian wife and family.

This interview with Charles follows a general chronology based on his years of service. Topics discussed include: enlisting in the Australian Army, training at RMC, Duntroon, service in Korea 1952/3, his capture and incarceration by the Chinese Army [PLA], his release and subsequent service; his time as a company commander with the Pacific Islands Regiment in the then Territory of Papua New Guinea, and reflection on indigenous soldiers’ response to the Vietnam War; his Italian family, and origins; being the first Italian-born individual to graduate from Duntroon; insight into Charles' service in Army operations in Canberra during the Vietnam war; resigning his Army commission following reductions by the Whitlam government at the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam war; his subsequent career in the Commonwealth Public Service, experience as a farmer, and his work for veterans.

He was previously interviewed by Colonel David Chinn MBE at Canberra on 11 April 2002, primarily on his Korean war experiences and his incarceration by the Chinese Army [PLA] see S02297.