Related Unit:
1st SHORAN Beacon Unit
Related book: Shoran: An Untold Story of Radar Controlled Bombing, The History of the 1st Shoran Beacon Unit/Squadron and its activities during the Korean Police Action ...
In August 1950 the 1st Shoran Beacon Unit moved to Japan from the United States, and by October 1 had moved to South Korea. It broadcast short range navigation (Shoran) signals from ground sites to guide 3rd Bombardment Group B-26s and 162nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron RB-26s on night missions over targets in Korea. The first two sites in South Korea were too far away from the bomb line to be effective. In November the unit set up two new sites at Wonsan and Pyongyang in North Korea, but mountains around the Wonsan site interfered with its signals, and a Communist Chinese offensive soon forced evacuation of both sites. Two new beacon sites set up in South Korea in December demonstrated the inadequacy of the unit's equipment. That and the continued advance of enemy troops forced the 1st Shoran Beacon Unit to move temporarily back to Japan at the end of the year, where it recalibrated and refurbished its equipment. In early 1951, it returned to South Korea and set up Shoran beacon sites at several locations, some of which it had to defend periodically against enemy guerilla assaults. During the year, the unit established four sites, two on islands off the coast of Korea and two on mountain tops just south of the 38th parallel. It also maintained other sites in Japan and Okinawa to train aircrews in Shoran operations. Redesignated the 1st Shoran Beacon Squadron in February 1952, the unit provided electronic signals that guided 3rd Bombardment Group B-26 bombardment missions until the armistice in mid-1953.
Stations
Kimpo AB, South Korea, October 1, 1950; Iwakuni AB, Japan, December 19, 1950; Taegu AB, South Korea, February 20, 1951; Seoul, South Korea, June 16, 1951; Pyongtaek Airdrome, South Korea, April 24, 1953-.
Campaigns
UN Offensive; CCF Intervention, First UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea, Summer-Fall 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea, Summer 1953.
Decorations
Two Distinguished Unit Citations for actions January 25-April 21, 1951 and May 1-November 30, 1952.
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for period January 24-April 21, 1951.
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Entry: 97257
Subject: 1ST SHORAN BEACON UNIT BAKER SITE
Subject: 1ST SHORAN BEACON UNIT BAKER SITE
Eddie Campbell wrote on February 3, 2019
City and State: MECHANICSVILLE VA
Unit:
Service or Relationship:
Comments: My Father was assigned to site baker i believe in 1951 Clayton Campbell USAF
Keywords:
Entry: 93761
Subject: !ST SHORAN BEACON SQ VET
Subject: !ST SHORAN BEACON SQ VET
Albert Henss wrote on September 21, 2016
City and State: LARGO FL
Unit: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQ EASY SITE AND ABLE SITE
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I arrived in Soul in 1953 just after the truce was signed. Next day I was transported to K6 and than from there to Easy site and later to reactivate Able site on the Ile of Tok Chok Do in the Yellow Sea just off Inchon.
Anyone recalling these times can email me anytime. I have numerous pics and stories from
my stay there.
Keywords: Easy site Able site Loggins and Parnel two of the best damn cooks in the AF
Entry: 89138
Subject: LOOKING FOR 5TH SHORAN VETS
Subject: LOOKING FOR 5TH SHORAN VETS
Buddy Carls wrote on June 10, 2014
City and State: HUNTINGTON BEACH CA
Unit: 5TH SHORAN BEACON FLT SAC
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Any members of the 5th Shoran Beacon Flight (SAC) still around? I was a member from 1951 to 1955.
We had sites in England, Germany, Kansas, Florida, Texas. Bahamas
Keywords: Paul Smith, Tom Mazeo, Bob Strickler, Don Petschke, Vincent J. Geoffredo. Buzz Mullen
Entry: 88112
Subject: ANYONE REMEMBER RON JOHNSON FROM KENOSHA , WI
Subject: ANYONE REMEMBER RON JOHNSON FROM KENOSHA , WI
Karl Seelandt wrote on January 14, 2014
Email Update Needed
City and State:
Unit: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQUADRON
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments: My uncle was there from 1951 to 1953, he said the squadron had 86 and only 8 made it back home. He does talk about the days, but only what they did with the signals and bombing and a little about guerrilla's trying to get them.
Keywords:
Entry: 81733
Subject: T0 ALL AT EASY SITE 1952-53
Subject: T0 ALL AT EASY SITE 1952-53
John Longendorfer JR. wrote on January 14, 2012
City and State: MILFORD PA
Unit: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQD -EASY SITE
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: like to hear from anyone who might rember me
Keywords:
Entry: 81554
Subject: WILFRED FILMORE BLACK INFO
Subject: WILFRED FILMORE BLACK INFO
Janice Black wrote on December 30, 2011
City and State: WINSTON SALEM NC
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Family Member
Comments:
Keywords: Looking for any information or stories, pictures about
Wilfred F Black from Flat Creek / Jupiter / Weaverville
Area of NC as related to the Korean War. Daddy would
never talk about his experiences there and he died in
2007. I am trying to put together stories and such for
his grandson, my son Mason who is almost 17. He served
in the Air Force under Clair(Ewing/Euing?) He worked
in Supplies (I think), received a Bronze Star, and was
a Tech Sgt. I have pictures he took in Korea and will
be happy to scan and share.
Entry: 81127
Subject: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQDN '51-52 HQS PERSONNEL/PAYROLL
Subject: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQDN '51-52 HQS PERSONNEL/PAYROLL
Wayne Rodland wrote on November 21, 2011
City and State: MONROE WA
Unit: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQDN
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: Sites - Baker, Many trips to Charlie in Yellow Sea (El
Rancho Charlie),and Dog and Easy Sites. Friends '51-52
were Bill Golden, Carlisle Dunn, and C.O. Clare Ewing,
Adjutant Capt. John Schirmer.
First Battle @ Dog Site Christmas 1951...rotated to
States in December 1952.
Served at Headquarters in Ewah Girls College, Seoul Korea.
Entry: 80727
Subject: KOREA 1953-54
Subject: KOREA 1953-54
Wayne Tobey wrote on October 17, 2011
Email Update Needed
City and State: LOVELAND CO
Unit: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQ
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: Looking for airman in my Sq who were assigned to 1st
Shoran Beacon Sq out of K-55 1953-54. I was on a
remote site on the Yellow sea.
Entry: 77622
Subject: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQ
Subject: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQ
Merkel Johnson wrote on January 26, 2011
City and State: TRINITY TX
Unit: HDQ 1ST SHORAN
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: I was stationed on the island just west of injun,korea in january 1953,than moved to hdq at k6 in april of 1953 and assigned to 5th marine air wing ,comm section until I rotated to the states in dec 1953.
Entry: 71445
Subject: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQ. 1954/ 55
Subject: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQ. 1954/ 55
Carl G. Fowler wrote on August 29, 2009
Email Update Needed
City and State: RENO NV
Unit: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQ. DET.9 EASY SITE.
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: H.Q AT Pyongtaek. K-6 This base was operated by the 1st Marine Air Wing; Mag 12; with a small unit of Air Force Personnel.
Good friends were JOHN J. Haggerty LT.Young, LT Frankel. Raido Men. RED- Schellinger-
SGT Spivey, ROth,SGT. Mcwhoter Medic. Burke, Korean Labor; Houseboy Willy, Katy a friend, ALL at Easy Site; above the Yellow Sea
Entry: 64277
Subject: LIKE YESTERDAY
Subject: LIKE YESTERDAY
Paul Voellings SR. wrote on February 13, 2008
Email Update Needed
City and State: AUBURN MA
Unit: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQD {DOG SITE}
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments:
Keywords: I'd like to go another round with, "Hammering Herm". I know most of the men you have listed.
Entry: 59542
Subject: 1SR SHORAN BEACON SQD 1957-48
Subject: 1SR SHORAN BEACON SQD 1957-48
Charles Adams wrote on January 10, 2007
City and State:
Unit: 1ST SHORAN BEACON SQD
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO WAS IN THE 1ST SHORAN BEACON
1955-1960
Keywords:
Entry: 56549
Subject: LOOKING FOR DET 7, K-53 ,MEMBERS 1958-59
Subject: LOOKING FOR DET 7, K-53 ,MEMBERS 1958-59
Robert Baird wrote on April 5, 2006
City and State: PRESCOTT AZ
Unit: DET 7, 1ST SBS K53 KOREA
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: Served 1958-59 at K-53. Although the "Police Action" was over there was still a lot going on during this time frame, from MiG's attempting to intercept low level B-57's ( and over flying the island at one point) to ROKMC Raiders operating against the North. I was a 30333A Auto Track spec, looking foreward to hearing from anyone that was at the site then.
Keywords: 1st Shoran Beacon Squadron
Entry: 52501
Subject: SHORAN REPAIRMEN
Subject: SHORAN REPAIRMEN
Donald Gutowski wrote on August 8, 2005
Email Update Needed
City and State: NORRIDGE IL
Unit:
Service or Relationship: Air Force Veteran
Comments: I was seeking information on sewveral of my fellow Shoran repairmen who served in Korea in 1952-53.Their names are William Holman (Oshkosh, WI)
Jim Baxter (Brooklyn, NY.)
Arlen Duffy (Redwood City, CA)
Donnie Eichler (Little Rock, AR)
George Giblin (NC)
Gene Harnetty (Junction City, OH)
Wesley Dodge (OR)
John E. Bennett (Elizabeth, TN)
Robert Case (Joplin, MO)
Fritz Schroeder (Woodstock, NY)
They may have been members of the 1st Beacon Squadron.
Keywords:
Entry: 51830
Subject: KOREAN VER 1952-1953 DOG SITE
Subject: KOREAN VER 1952-1953 DOG SITE