Chapter 3. Towards West Point
My face is gonna get a hole punched through it.
With those two big shots glaring at me like 'Hurry up and say my idea's right!', I felt like I was being torn in half.
I started off slowly, buying time.
"I think diplomatically convincing the great powers would be tough."
"Exactly!"
Park Yong-man grinned triumphantly, but I ignored him and pressed on.
I knew the answers cold, after all.
"Japan's just the foreman on this massive East Asian farm. The U.S. and Britain can sit back and collect the steady harvest from their obedient lackey."
"Which is why we need diplomacy even more—"
"When do you think the landowner would ditch the foreman?"
Both men shut their mouths at my question.
"Probably what you're thinking. When the foreman's totally useless, or when he starts dipping into the boss's pockets."
"You saying Japan's gonna dip into their pockets?"
"Of course. Just like they invaded Korea, they'll eventually eye Manchuria, then all of China. I figure it'll take them about thirty years to betray the Anglo-Americans."
The room went quiet.
They were mulling over the bombshell I'd dropped—thirty years.
"If you're right, and Japan sticks to being a good little foreman, then Korean independence is impossible."
Syngman Rhee spoke first.
"But Japan can't do that."
"Why not?"
"If the powers were rational, they wouldn't have swallowed Korea whole. They've already turned it into a de facto colony through the Residency-General. Forcing down a nation with five thousand years of history and culture—half their population—no sane man would. But they did it anyway."
"Because they were starving mad for it."
Syngman Rhee's lips curled up to his ears.
"I'm not talking to a student right now—this feels like meeting a diplomat from the powers. Ha!"
"So, what do you think of my take?"
"Spot on. Those diplomats think Japan will stay under their thumb forever, but you know what the Japs are like. You're right a hundred times over. They'll push into the continent no matter what."
"And until that day comes, folks like you, Dr. Wooseong, need to keep shouting from the rooftops that Korea exists. So when it happens, they won't forget us."
Pure lip service at the end there.
Syngman Rhee? I didn't need him.
I'll hammer Korea into their heads myself.
"If you're right... then what I'm doing might be pointless?"
"No way. Without guys like you, Dr. Wooseong, how would the powers know if Koreans want independence or if we're happy as Japan's slaves? The second Japan bites them, Korea has to be the first thing on their minds."
Clap. Clap.
Syngman Rhee clapped a few times.
"I think you belong in college, not the army, Eugene. How about Princeton?"
"Sorry, but I want stars on my shoulder, leading U.S. troops to crush the Japs."
"Kuh... kuahaha!"
He chuckled for a bit, then straightened up with a serious face.
"There are plenty of academies. Which one?"
"West Point, obviously. The Army one."
"Not Annapolis? If we go to war with Japan, it'll be on the seas."
"West Point's had a Black cadet. Annapolis? Zero. Plus, the Navy's cozy with the Japanese Navy."
I glanced at Park Yong-man.
"And if I go Navy, it'd be hard to help out Dr. Wooseong, right?"
"Heh, good point. Then West Point it is."
Syngman Rhee grinned at my dad, who'd been watching silently.
"Sir, how the hell did you raise this kid? With friends like him, Korea's future looks solid."
"Heh heh... I thought all that fighting was just boyish nonsense, no use for it. Didn't know he had thoughts like that brewing inside."
"As you know, you need a congressman's recommendation for the academies. California's Senator Flint is Republican, so at least no worries about getting kicked out."
That was all I could do.
Now it was just about landing that recommendation.
Our Prince Lee had the mouth of a future leader. I just hoped he'd bite and get me that letter.
A while later, I scored an interview with Senator Frank Putnam Flint.
"Hello, Mr. Kim. Glad to finally meet you."
"Hello, Senator. Looking forward to working with you."
I had no idea what that Princeton PhD said to butter him up, but Flint was friendly from the jump.
Throughout the interview, he grilled me on my insights and world affairs—probably Rhee's pitch too.
"Just like I heard, you have a broad worldview. Impressive."
"Thank you."
"So, you must have thoughts on politics and society. What do you think will happen if you go to West Point?"
"America, the land of the free, will show the world it's truly embracing not just Blacks, but Asians too."
He chuckled and shook his head.
"Oh, come on. No need to play coy."
"Why would I, in front of you, Senator?"
"Truth is, recommending you means something to me too. But it's bigger for you. To flip off the WASP mainstream here, you gotta be a warrior or a slick politician. One more time: What happens if you go?"
He'd laid out the red carpet. No refusing now.
He seemed worried I'd get shot or run my mouth and crash.
"America's not just the Americas anymore—we're reaching into Asia. Philippines, right?"
"Yep. As a fellow Asian, does that bother you?"
"Not at all. Unlike those evil Spanish colonizers, America's the beacon of liberty and democracy."
I flashed a grin. A fellow conspirator's smile.
"First Asian-American at West Point. Propaganda gold, a mascot to sell."
"Can you handle it?"
"Gotta, or the folks mad about losing their house slaves will lynch me."
"Can't deny that."
He muttered, "Am I really talking to a student...?" I smirked—same vibe as Rhee.
"As a California senator, you must know Asians pretty well."
"Better than most."
"From what I've seen, Asians... they stick to their lanes. They're still Chinese, Japanese, Korean—not American."
His face said it all: disbelief from a Korean community kid.
But right now, I had to be the most American American in the room.
After two hours praising America and an hour of fervent Christian testimony, Flint didn't hesitate.
"As you know, tons of kids want my letter. So I test the qualified ones. Be there."
"Thank you! Thank you!!"
"Become a fine officer and serve the Union."
After the exam, I got Flint's recommendation.
Then the long haul: physicals, fitness tests.
Finally, June 14, 1911.
Modest articles hit papers nationwide about the first Asian-American cadet at West Point.