1st Shoran Beacon Squadron - 1952

Comments: To those interested, send me an email.

Keywords: Sites: Easy, Able, Baker and Charlie

1st shoran beacon sq

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Keywords: aprial 1952 to aprial 1953 medals

1st SHORAN Baker Site

Comments: Stationed on Baker Site just off Mig Alley Near Jane Russel Hill and Hq @ K-6 7/54 - 7/55 Site mates: Ernie "Pancho" Lopez, Ramon Villegas, Dan English, Robert Paynter, Conrad Ristau, Bob Rosenau, Doc McGrath, Bob Sterner, Prince O'Garro, Jim Quick, Bill Powell, Ralph L.Joyner, 'Hammerin' Herm Murphy, Adolphus Holmon, Don Bottoms, Johnny R.Young, Jim Lindeman, "Doc" 'Magoo' Robinson, John J Haggerty, ??? Nyquist, Joe Abercrombie, 'Speed' Robertson, ??? Furniss, Koreans : Pok Se Ban, Choi Je 'Moon, 'Kim' Soon Gil, Al, Joe, Club, Lee, If you know or rmemeber any of these pls respond.

Keywords: Mig Alley, Jane Russell hill, Bayonet Div (7th), Baker Site

1ST Shoran Beacon Sq.

Comments: I arrived at K-6 Home of the 1st Marine Air Wing/Mag 12/in October of 1954 where the Air Force 1st Shoran Beacon Sq was headquarted at.After about two weeks there i was transfered to Easy Site,high above the (Yellow Sea)and it was the coldest place in the world in the winter. As an A/3C I was given the status of Mess Seargent and Supply Seargent,i felt sorry for the troops with no experience in either field,good thing we had a Korean Cook. I was at Easy Site until June of 1955 when i recieved notice from the Red Cross that my Father had passed away and i was sent home after 8 months in Korea.Sure hope to hear from anyone who was stationed there at the time. Carl

Keywords: LT.Young,VA./ Sgt.Spivey NY./LT.Frankel NY/ Haggerty,Air Police NY/ MacWhorter Medic Alabama/Warren Ohio/ Shelly/ Burke/ Red Communications/Korean Labor,JoJo (Cook)Rose (Laundry)Willy (Houseboy)

1957 Status

Comments: I was not a Korean War vet, but you old timers might like to know that the 1st Shoran Beacon Sq. was alive and kicking as of January 1957 when I was sent there (K-53, Paengnyong-Do) as a TAC operator (I was supposed to go to an AC&W Sq but my orders were screwed up). It was responsible for the 3rd Bomb Wing,Yakota AFB, Japan and we controlled their B-57's,the bomber that required an explosive charge to start the engines. I was only there for two months so can't add much except to say the K-53 unit was still operating.

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Motor Sgt E5 631.10

Comments: I think we said t all. thank you very much.

Keywords: BIg John was also a carrer of a flame thrower,as well as carried the big machine gun. This is a fine man, and still has that same Attitude should anyone try to do him wrong. GO BIG John. I saw all of you on a documentary thee other evenng. and John was a bit surprized that I reckognized him right off carrying that big flame thrower. I know he was with them when they topped the hill and planted the flag. Another one is here in NOrth PLatte too named JR Keslar.his number is 308 532-6089. I am doing this with their total trust amd permission. Neither have a computer. But would love to hear from any of their old comrades. Obviously both are was Army. And danged proud too. OOH RAAH to all of you. And a huge Thank you. sincerely Connie

SHORAN history and operation

Comments: I've been digging through the internet on the topic, shoran-short range navigation. I have barely 3 days to finish my report..I'm an engineering student and in one of my subject i have to report this subject--- its history..operations and components...Unfortunately, gathered information is very minimal...Perhaps someone has the source of information..Please e-mail to me...thanks.

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Tour Of Duty In Korea

Comments: We had it good on che gu do Island ate with a unit of marines from 1st marine air wing.When army built a P O W camp there and moved the prisoners in we moved out. Was assigned to charlie peter out post which was a beacon site or homeing site no showers out door privy with new moon carved on the door. Ate c rations for nine months no cook eat st outa can. plenty free cigarettes. Tried to stay an extra 6 months so to aligible for discharge when rotated back to states but was refused. Discharged at Patrick AFB Fla sept 11 1953

Keywords: tdy to mats che du do Island from april 52 to july 52 charlie peter outpost july 52 to march 53 air police

Korea Feb 1952 to July 1953

Comments: I also served in Korea with the 1st Shoran beacon Unit/Squadron from February 6, 1952 thru July 23, 1953 for about 17 months. My brother (A1C Joshua J. Gillespie Jr.) was a cook on Able Site from about Mid 1951 thru Mid 1953 for 11 months. The reason I was there for 17 months is that I volunteered to joined the same Squadron that my brother was in and extended for an additional 6 months (which was crazy now that I think about it). I was the Supply Sergeant for the Squadron during all of my tour and 1st Lt. Volnec (sp) was the Supply Officer. Lt Volnec and I had gone to Dog Site to make a Report of Survey of fire damages which had occurred on the site just before the C-46 plane crash that killed about 18 people (5 from dog site). We had driven a jeep from Hqs in Seoul which took about 12 hours to get to dog site and was told that we could leave the jeep and someone else would return it to enable us to fly back on that flight. For some reason Lt Volnec and I decided to drive back. The day after we got back we heard that the C46 was missing, then an oil slick was seen in the Japan Sea near K-18 where the plane had taken off from. Later an Airmen named Thurman which I will never forget washed up form the Japan Sea which verified that the plane had crashed into the Japan Sea. Another 1st Lt (Adjutant of ISBS) and a civilian Technical Representive missed the plane because they had overslept. I still have a few photos taken nearby Dog Site during that trip.

I can't remember all of the names of people I knew but some of them are: -1st Lt Bailey (Adjutant in Feb 1952) whom I had worked with in the Ordnance Warehouse at Randolph Field, TX in 1948 before he went to OCS. -1st Lt Riley (sp) The Supply Officer who picked me up at K-16 to take me to EWAH College. -lst Lt Volnec (sp) who replaced Lt Riley as Supply Officer. -A1C Joshua Gillespie, Jr, Cook on Able Site (Also my Brother). -SSgt Lambert from Texas, NCOIC of ISBS Motor Pool (Also was my room mate). -TSgt Battle, one of the 1st Sgts of ISBS, who had previous been a Major and Provost Marshal at Randolph Field, TX. -2nd Lt Dinkle, OIC of Easy site -I also remember Thurman that was on the C46 that crashed but didn't know the other 4 from our Squadron. - I wish that I could remember other names of people that I knew.

I recall the incident at Charlie site of which a TSgt was awarded a medal for his action the night of the attack.

We use to pack perishable rations and other supplies every Friday in the Supply Room for Air Drop to Able Site which was located in the Yellow Sea. A person from our section would take the supplies to K16 and accompany the delivery of supplies. Non-perishable food and supplies was delivered to Able Site via LST Crafts.

The only Site that I have visited was Dog and Easy Sites.

We moved our Headquarters from EWAH College to K6, 12th Marine Air Group, 1st Marine Division around March 1953. I was told that Ted Williams the Baseball player was a Fighter Pilot at K6 at the time I was there which means that John Glenn was there also because they were assigned to the same unit. I also remember the Dog Fight where about six North Korean or Chinese Planes was shot down one night between K6 and K55. I returned to the States on July 23, 1953 from Yokahoma on the USNS Buckner which docked at Pier 22 in Seattle WA. Since I had volunteered and had a direct assignment to the 1st Shoran Beacon Unit, after processing thru Camp Stoneman, I flew from Travis AFB, CA to Japan, took the train to Iwikuna for cold weather gear then flew to Teague, then to K16 (Seoul) then to ISBS.

Regards,

Francis E. Gillespie MSGT.,USAF (Ret) San Jose, CA

Keywords: 1st Shoran Beacon Squadron, ISBU, 440th Signal Batallion, Able, Baker, Charlie, Dog, Easy, 1919 AACS

Comments: Interested in hearing from any and all Baker Site and or Easy Site vets. Any aquaintances of re Able, Charlie and Dog Sites.

Keywords: radio operator USS Breckenridge Vern Steerman Baker Site Easy Site

Comments: Interested in hearing from any and all Baker Site and or Easy Site vets.

Keywords: radio operator USS Breckenridge Vern Steerman Baker Site Easy Site

Past Member 1st Shoran Dec 1951- Dec 1952

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PAST MEMBER 1ST SHORAN 1953=54

Comments: I was a security policeman sent to various sites arriving in late 1953 to 1954. Helped deliver supplies to the radar sites. We lost two lives when a truck slid of a mountain site 2 weeks before Chritmas. Went on RR to Tokyo with some friends

Keywords: Panchsan. Easy, Cahrlie sites K-6 Mag 12, K-55 Osani. Airman English. One site officer was a Lt Frome Gary Indiana

8137

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First Shoran Beacon Unit

Comments: I was in Korea July, 1951 to 1952 (11 Months). USAF 1st Shoran Beacon Unit.

Check out my web site. SuperNeds "My time in the forgotten war". http://www.angelfire.com/ne2/nedpage/

Keywords: Headquarters,Able site,Baker Site, South Seoul,1st marine Div,Kimpo,Seoul

Mannix

Comments: The personal information for the "Mannix" listing is incorrect. The name is "Howard Mannix" not Williamsburg Mannix. The email is "hmannix@zoomtown.com" not 691 Spring St.

Could you possibly make the necessary changes on the entry.

Thank you very much, Howard Mannix

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Mannix

Comments: We were assigned to Headquarters Squadron at Ewah Girls College. I reported there in April, l952 and rotated back in March,1953.My first billet was in the old bombed out building but I graduated to the HQ building which featured heat, water, and flush toilets after a while. It was our job to compute the distances and azimuths from each radar sight to the AP (Aiming Point) of a particular target. Because the electrical current there had unreliable voltage, we could not use the standard Marchant calculators (in the days before computors) but rather paper, pencil, and log books. Two men were given the same target problem and worked on the solution independently, comparing answers when finished. If the answers were the same, the results were considered correct and given to the unit CO for verification. These distances and azimuths were fed into the airborne computor as I understand it. Living conditions were probably the best in Korea: heated quarters, a gym and snack bar, a chapel which dubbed as a theatre, flush toilets, etc. We were bothered regularly by "Bed Check Charlie" at 2 AM dropping grenades, causing everyone to rush to the basement of the building, gasmask and carbine in hand.Our computations were hand-carried to Bomber Command in Japan where we had a small detachment.

Keywords: Sqdn. friends: Sal Volpe, Detroit; Al Budihas, Penna;Herbie Goodwine, S.C.;Bill VanDeGraf, Detroit;John Kratchwell,Penna:Kobe, L.A.;Pat Pilla, NY;Tex Erickson;

Charlie and Easy sites

Comments: Arrived Korea Feb 52 on a rainy night at K16 to the sounds and flashes of artillery to the north. We were hustled into 6 Bys with blacked out headlights and driven over the Han river.As our truck passed the center of the bridge we looked up and saw three bodies swinging from the steel girders.( Found out later they were South korean traitors)We were driven to Ewah college and I don't have to describe the bombed out condition it was in to anyone who was there, brought into a basement and told to find any open space among the sleeping bodies and get whatever sleep was left for the night. I remember opening my sleeping bag an getting into it and noticing that the soldier next to me was laying on top of his bag fully clothed with his muddy boots still on(found out next morning he had just gotten in from guard duty)Things looked a lot better in the morning but that was quite a night. Shortly thereafter assigned to Charlie, was there for about 4 or 5 months then requested sick call in Seoul for the worst toothache in my life and was surprised to be detached from Charlie and reassigned to Easy. From Charlie I remember Bill Strickland from Georgia(I think) our medic "Doc" Kessler from around Detroit and Sam Maggart ( although I'm not sure about Sam , it might have been at Easy) At Easy I remember Bill Smedly our cook, Donovan a truckdriver and mostly faces.

Keywords: Charlie (Operation Bad Boy)& Easy

Ist Shoran Beacon Sq

Comments: I was in the Air Force stationed in Korea with the 1st Shoran Beacon Sq. from November 1954 thru June 1955 when i had to return to the states due to my Father,s death.Our headquarters was at K-6 with the Ist Marine Air Wing; M.A.G 12. I Was assigned to Easy Site And was in charge of Supply and Food Service. Sure would like to hear from some of my Old Air Force Pal,s

Keywords: Haggerty,AIR Police: Mac,Mcwhorter Medic: Spivey,First Sergeant: Red;Communications: Lt.Frankel C.O. Lt.Young C.O.

Korean Tour with the 5th AirForce

Comments: Korean Tour With the 5th Air Force

After graduating from Keesler AFB, Mississippi as a Ground Communications Radio Operator, I was assigned to FEAF, 5th AF, 1st SHORAN Beacon Squadron, headquartered at the bombed out Ewah College near Seoul, Korea. A Keesler buddy of mine, George Zenuch and I were shipped to Korea together and spent our tour of duty from September 1952 through July 1953. After a few weeks indoctrination at HQ under Lt. Smith and S/Sgt Tommy Thompson, we were sent as Radio Operator replacements to Able Site. "Able" was on a small island of hills called Tok Chok Do sticking up out of the Yellow Sea about 20 miles from Inchon harbor. Our SHORAN Radar site was one of five. As I can remember; Able and Charlie sites were out in the Yellow Sea; Baker and Dog sites were on the mainland; and Easy site was at Pusan on the Southern tip of the peninsula. The sites worked in pairs triangulating on specific targets over North Korea as dictated by HQ. Our mission instructions came via encoded CW radio which we received and sent using the antiquated BC 191 transmitter and BC342 receivers. The receiver noise and constant jamming by the enemy made copying near impossible at times. Mission instructions were given to our RADAR man Joe Nehr who hailed from California. Joe and his side kick (whose name I can't remember) would set up the RADAR and antenna to the proper coordinates preparing for the upcoming mission. The SHORAN Beacon Squadron gave our bombers from Japan and Okinawa the freedom to carry out bombing raids accurately and successfully at night. Our supplies were airdropped to us by AF personnel flying on Greek Air Force C-47s. One of those "Fly Boys" was a High School buddy of mine, Charlie Maimone from Ravenna Ohio. Fuel for our generators and heaters was delivered about once a month by sea on LCMs or LSTs which then had to be hand carried up to our hilltop. There were 21 men on our hilltop when we were at full strength. There always seemed to be someone rotating out returning to HQ either with the LCMs or on the old Korean one cylinder diesel ferry boat we called the "Inchon Express". It took a good half day to make the 20 mile trip back to Inchon on that thing! Our complement of men for most of my tour consisted of one Officer, one NCOIC, two RADAR men, two Radio Operators, one Medic, two Cooks, and the rest were Military Police defenders. I can only remember a few names and nick names at this time; Sgt Bradshaw, our NCOIC; Joe Nehr, Chief RADAR operator; "Doc" the Medic; Southerland and "Stretch" two fearless Mps; Cpl. Wilford (who rotated home and wasn't replaced); Sgt. Ludke, our great cook, and my partner on the radio, Cpl.George Zenuch. The MP's had our hilltop secured with barbed wire, trip flares and sand bags. The armament that we had on the hill consisted of one 50 cal. machine gun, two 30 cal. machine guns , one BAR, one 60mm mortar, assorted M1, M1 carbines and hand grenades. Incendiary grenades sat on top of the equipment in case we were to be overrun. The only problems we encountered were occasional visits from "Bed Check Charlie" and a few incursion attempts by the North Korean refugees from the beach below. George Zenuch and I rotated back to HQ sometime about July 1, 1953, via the Inchon Express. Our HQ had moved to K6, Kimpo Air Field a Marine air base. I was to take the place of Sgt. Tommy Thompson, NCO Communications until my rotation home the end of July. If anyone can remember more details or names, I would be pleased to add them to my memories.

Keywords: Ist SHORAN, Tok Chok-Do, ABLE site

Stationed at Ewah College in late 51/early52

Comments: Looks as though the entries in this are mostly at a later date (months +/-). I was involved first in the motor pool dispatching and subsquently in the PX and snack bar and NCO/Officers clubs. At least this adds a new time and flavor to the existing entries. You Guys/Gals(don't remember many)did your job in spite of ole Bed-Check-Charlies nightly flights. Thanks for you efforts. Sincerely Howard Winslow

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Searching for Family or Friends of MIAs

Comments: I would like to make contact with any family or friends of the following MIA’s that were assigned to the 1st SHORAN Squadron: A2C Daniel Gregory Ruby Jr., Brighton, MA, A3C Walter Kenneth Rutledge, Philadelphia, PA, TSgt. Melvin Edwin Sarkilahti, Spokane, WA, A1C John Edward Thurman, Greensboro, IN. If you have any information on any of these men, please e-mail me at the address provided. Thank you very much. Ray Sestak

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SARKILAHTI, Melvin Edward 10/16/52

Comments: TSGT Melvin Edwin Sarkilahti was one of many aboard a C 46 which crashed on October 16 1952. I am looking for kin of Tsgt Sarkilahti. We understand that his remains were never recovered. He was said to be from Spokane, Washington. Kin need to be located and put in touch with the Missing Persons Office of the appropriate military authorities who generally keep the kin informed as to their progress in finding information on those that were missing. Anyone knowing of the names and addresses of the kin are asked to contact the undersigned. Kin could call USAF MSGT Fishback or his successor at 1 800 531 5501. When calling Msgt Fishback give him your name and address, the name of the casualty and your relationship to the casualty and other identifying information about the casualty and ask for information on the family update program and incident reports. Kin could also contact the undersigned. If Msgt. Fishback is called please let me know so that our search may be discontinued and we can continue our search for kin of other missing servicemen. Anyone interested in learning more about the MIAs and the need for DNA typing may visit the Korean War Project web site which is at www.koreanwar.org Anyone knowing whether Tsgt Sarkilahti had a spouse or children or siblings please let me know so that I have other clues as to where to search for kin. Thank you. Date: Sept 20 2001. Kenneth E Page, director, northeast ny chapter kwva, inc., troy, ny.

Keywords: 1st Shoran Beacon Squadron

Looking for anyone in 1st Shoran Beacon in Korea in 1952 or other times.

Comments: I was with the 1st Shoran Beacon Squadron in 1952, stationed at what was left of Ewah College, just outside Seoul, before moving in with the 1st Marine Air Wing, about 60 miles south of Seoul, in the Spring of 1953. I worked in operations, setting up the targets each night. We had orders to be able to get out of Seoul with our maps and code books in two hours or less if there was an all out attack. The urgency was to get away from the 38th parallel because the Chinese had massed a large number of divisions there. I left Korea a day after the cease fire in July, 1953. I recall visiting Easy Site and waking up the next morning to see a guy reach under his bunk and fetch a warm beer and drink it as though it was orange juice. I recall one night getting a call from Charlie Site that the North Koreans were attacking them on their island. I worked with Lt. John Alley, Capt. Robert Sinsabaugh, Sgt. Raymond Heiler and Sgt. Babineau. My replacement was someone from New Jersey named Mosca. When I left in 1953, we had a new major, but I don't recall his name. All I recall is that we both smoked Edgeworth pipe tobacco.

Keywords: 1st Shoran Beacon Squadron, 1952-53

HQ - BAKER SITE

Comments: I WAS STATIONED AT K 6 , FROM AUG 53 TO JUL 54.OUR HQ WAS K 6, BUT IT WAS A MARINE AIR BASE...MAG 12, VHF 121.

OUR PURPOSE WAS TO DIRECT B 29 RAIDS , NITE AND DAY, BY RADAR.IT WAS A VERY SECRETIVE QUADRON..NO PATCHES..NOTHING..JUST VERY CLANDESTINE. WE HAD RADAR SITES AT SIX LOCATIONS, SPREAD ALL OVER S.KOREA.

WAS STATIONED ON A MOUNTAIN..NEAR THE 38TH PARALLEL..AND AN ISLAND OFF OF INCHON. OUR HQ WAS ON OKINAWA, I BELIEVE IT WAS THE 19TH BOMBER WING.

I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYONE THAT WAS WITH THE UNIT DURING KOREAN WAR TO CONTACT ME. THE PENTAGON SENT OVER A PHOTO CREW TO PHOTOGRAPH US ON THE MOUNTAIN...WE DREW OUR RATIONS FROM 7TH DIV.

I STILL HAVE THE PICTURE THAT THE PENTAGON SENT TO ALL MEMBERS AFTER IT WAS RECORDED IN WASHINGTON.

LOOKING BACK, IF I KNEW WHERE WE WERE.(WE COULD SEE THE N. KOREAN ARMY FROM ATOP THE MOUNTAIN) I WOULD HAVE BEEN A LITTLE NERVOUS.

FROM KOREA I WAS STATIONED AT RANDOLPH AFB IN IN SAN ANTONIO AND WAS SENT TO SCHOOL AND SERVED AS A CRYPTO OPERATOR AT RANDOLPH AFB AND WITH THE AIR DEFENSE COMMAND AT MINNEAPOLIS AIRPORT.

ANYONE OUT THERE FROM 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQUADRON?

BEST TO ALL OF YOU KOREAN VETERANS. WE DID OUR JOB...CAME HOME, AND WENT BACK TO WORK. REGARDS.

Keywords: SHORAN MEANS. ... SHORT RANGE AIR NAVIGATION. WE HAD SIX RADAR SITES...TWO ON MISSIONS, AND FOUR BACKUPS