Korean War Project

Note: Original postings on the Korean War Project from 1995 to about 1999.

Click here to go to older messages dating from 1995 to 1999. Otherwise scroll down the current listing.

Do note that many of these messages were entered prior to our database updates. They are listed to help foster networking among former servicemen, family members and researchers.

-Editor - Ted Barker, KWP - March 12, 2002

DMZ Veterans Association Contact:

David Benbow
Benbow and Phillips
PO Drawer 432
Statesville, NC 28687-0432

PH: 704 871-9000

Panmunjom-JSA Vets

Still in front of them All!

On Mon, 01 Feb 1999
DANIEL DIETZ Email address wrote:

Our Web page location is:
Panmunjom-JSA Group 

1/23IR 2ID

 On Sun, 20 Oct 1996  Douglas Davis cn2932@lucky.coastalnet.com wrote:

127 N. Pointe Drive
Goldsboro, NC 27530
919-736-9614

Comments ...

I am glad to see someone is working to recognize the veterans of the
Korean War and to chronicle their service and sacrifices.

I served in the 2nd ID from 9/84 to 7/86 at Camp Hovey near 
Tong Du Chon as an 11C in the 1/23 Inf Reg, including 2 tours on 
the DMZ. 
Based on what I saw and experienced, I can still little imagine what it 
was like for our troops that fought there.

A Company 4th Bn 23rd IR

 
On Tue, 8 Apr 1997 
Steve Deeb   sdeeb@holly.colostate.edu
 wrote:

I commanded A Company, 4th Battalion 23rd Infantry at Ft Lewis from 
1988-1989 before moving on to the Ranger School at Ft Benning. 


I was with the 23rd in Korea for Operation Team Spirit in 1989. The 
maneuvers took us close to Chipyong-ni and Twin Tunnels. Several 
of us took some time, went over to Chipyong-ni. We left a wreath at 
the memorial before we departed. 

Thought you might like to know that the Regiment still remembers.

All the Best,

Steve Deeb

2nd ID HHC

On Sun, 1 Feb 1998
Mike Davino Email address wrote:

1067 Kaluanui Road
Honolulu, HI 96825-1321

Comments:

I served in the 2d Infantry Division (Div HHC, 1st Bn, 38th Inf & 
2d Bn, 503d Inf) 1985-1987 and in HHC 3d Bde 1990-1991.

2nd Engineers

On Sun, 24 May 1998
Mike Windsor Email address wrote:

Comments:

I served from November 84 to November 85 in 2ndInfantry Division 2nd 
Engineers Bravo Company with one rotation to the DMZ.

The history was overwhelming as we patrolled the DMZ. My thoughts and 
prayers are with all who served. 

4PI 2ID

On Sat, 18 Jan 1997
Fred Gibbs Email address wrote:

41 Hall St
Chagrin Falls, OH 44022

Comments:

I was in the 2nd ID in 84-85. I was stationed at 4P1, above the 
"Bridge of No Return". 

My hat is off to all Korean War vets.I was straight leg infantry and 
can't imagine worse fighting conditions.

1/38th IR Camp Hovey

On Tue, 24 Mar 1998
Donald Grant wrote:

26657 Oak Ave.
Turin, IA  51059

Telephone:	712-353-6646

Comments:
I was stationed in CSC 1/38th, Camp Hovey, 1983-84. I was the front 
one of the foward guards for President Reagan, on DMZ in Jan. 1984. 

Keep up the great work in helping everyone! If anyone out there 
remembers me please write/e-mail

THANKS again,

Donny

HHC 1/31 Inf. 2nd I.D. Camp Howze

On Wed, 15 Oct 1997
"Robert E. Bradley" Email address wrote:

p.o. box  8198
Las Cruces, nm  88006

phone: 505-524-5127


HHC 1/31 Inf. 2nd I.D. Camp Howze

datein: Oct. 1980 dateout: Dec 1981

comments: 

Spent a little time on the DMZ, Listening to the funeral dirges, and 
getting reports of North Korean troop movements nearby. Always amazed 
me that somehow during the night, those nasty little Communist 
propaganda leaflets ended up on our front doorstep (really a mudhole in
front of the tent)! 

I was quite happy when we were relieved by another unit and returned 
across the "One Way Bridge" I believe it was near Camp Liberty Bell, I 
Honor and respect all those who actually fought, and those that gave 
thier lives there during the actual war and subsequent incidences.   

2nd MP Co

On Mon, 04 Aug 1997
BShea77796@aol.com
 wrote:

Shea Bradley
7521 Lyndale Avenue #202
Richfield, MN 55423

Telephone:	612-861-5574

I served with the 2nd Infantry Division, 2nd Military Police Company
from 1980-1981, 1982-1983 (Camp Casey) & 1986-1987 (Camp Stanley) as
an Investigator, Patrol Supervisor and Desk Sgt. 

My 3 tours with the 2nd ID, 2nd MP Co., was very interesting and a great
experience. I am looking forward to hear from anyone who served as a 
Military Policeman from 1980-1990 anywhere in Korea for a book and 
possible reunion.

Please reply to: BShea77796@aol.com

4 Tours 2nd ID

On Wed, 8 Apr 1998
James Rothrock Email address wrote:

James (Mike) Rothrock (Rock)
PO Box 234
Waynesville, MO 65583

Telephone:	573-774-6368

Comments:

I served 4 tours in ROK. 

1st tour 75-76 A Co 1/38th Inf 

2nd tour HHC 2X G-2(driver)(gofer) 

3rd tour B co 1/38th 80-82 and the last 

HHC 2X G-3 Black-Tac NCOIC 94-96. 

7 years in the 2nd I.D.
My first 3 tours were the best of my Army life! The last was o.k. 
at times.

102nd MI Bn, 2nd Inf Div

On Sat, 4 Jan 1997
William Burgeson  lgb571@aol.com  wrote:

1807 GREERSON DR. 
MURFREESBORO, TN 37130

82-83 102ND M.I. BN. 2ND. INF.

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Liberty Bell

Date: Thu, 22 Aug 1996 
From: jammer@oz.net (Jammer)

The unit was later redesignated the 1/506th Infantry Battalion in 
the  late 80s. The unit based at Camp Greaves, Korea, north 
of the Imjin  River. 

Dave Gruendel
HHC, 1/506th Inf (89-90)

I understand from one of my employees that the Pamounjom (sp?)
compound is now refered to as the JSA compound, and that Camp
Liberty Bell is now called "Warrior Base", or just doesn't exist
anymore.

I recognize the name Greaves, but not the other names I've heard
at work.

I thought the 506th was an Airborne unit.

My experience with Liberty Bell was in the 2nd Bn, 9th Infantry,
in 1975-76.

Does anyone have current information?

1/506th Infantry

On Sun, 16 Feb 1997
"Perry L. Martin" plmartin@proaxis.com  wrote:

I am looking for a SGT. Jim Martin who was stationed at 1/9th inf and
latter 1/506 Inf at camp greaves 2nd div. He was in HHC and was training
Nco. I was stationed there from 1986-88 he was there 86-89. I have been
looking for him since he called me in 1990. Lost track of him have
driver medal with his ssn on it but it isn't the correct ssn. The army
says no one with that particular ssn was ever in the army.If you have
any info or can help please let me know.

506th Infantry Regt

 
On Wed, 25 Sep 1996
Jay Schrom Email address wrote:

Looking for the 506th Infantry. Have them send some mail.

We are looking for both Korean War and current vets of the 506th
Infantry. So, any assistance you can give will be appreciated.

Have them check out our home page:

http://pw2.netcom.com/~jaschrom/cur.html

Thanks and Currahee, 

Jay

1/506th

On Wed, 07 May 1997 
Rob Melis Email address wrote:

You should have a section of "strange tales" from people who served on
the DMZ in the more modern era. There are literally thousands of
significant events that are really wild.

I was a Platoon Leader with the 1/506th in 87-88, and we were up on the
DMZ for the "mission" during the winter, and other times for alerts. 

Here are just a few of the things that would happen.

Around January, 1987 a patrol of C/1/9th Inf led by 1LT Jim Chew fired
up two KPAs near the "aligator" or Oulette lake. Bits of clothing and
a human jaw were found. Division hushed it up.

Frequently, NK would inflitrate up to the fence at GP 128 (they were
inside a mine field) and throw rocks at us. It was not our imagination,
we saw them on several occasions. The brass would not let us report it. 

We were sure they came up through tunnels. Also, when it was very
quite, you could feel the NKPA tunneling under the DMZ, and occasionally
here blasting.

A squad of 1st Platoon/C/1/506th led by a SGT Altman walked all the way
into NK one foggy night and right up on a KPA bunker. I was along as an
observer walking in the rear, and told the patrol leader he was in NK,
but he didnt believe me (assuming I was a stupid 2nd John). 

Frantically, I ran up toward the point of the patrol turning guys around
when the point man made it to the bunker. The gooks were sleeping, but
woke up when our point man (an idiot) yelled "WE'RE IN FUCKING NORTH
KOREA!". I have never been so scared in my life. Not only were we in
NK, but I realized we must of walked through a mine field to get there,
and had to go through it to get out. We ran like theives. We did not
report it, because it would have made everyone look bad, but it
happend.  

Inside the DMZ it was a practically daily occurance to find footprints
in the snow leading back into NK. Their guys used to come over all
time, but we never could catch them.

Once, leading a night ambush patrol and thinking we were being really
sneaky, and moved into out hide positions. We hoped to catch some of
the infiltrators who's tracks we always found in the snow. Anyway, I
put on the AN/PVS 5 and see that there is a thin, almost laser like like
stream of light streaming from a KPA tower directed upon each person in
the ambush site. It was amazing to me that they so easily tracked and
located our positions. The lights were not visible to the naked I, and
command did not believe us when we told them about it. We unassed very
quickly!

There are hundreds of other really fascinating experiances out there,
you should put them on your site.

Rob Melis

B Co/1/506

On Fri, 20 Dec 1996
JD Corry  pagan@ids.net  wrote:

I was an E-5 with B Co.,1/506 Cp. Greaves (North of the River) from
89-90.

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HHC 2nd Aviation Bn

On Thu, 2 Jan 1997  
GUARDS  guards@westinghouse.com  wrote:

In the mean time is there any way I could locate a former KATUSA?

His name is Kim Young Won he served as a medic with me in HHC 2nd
avn bn.

We were together from April1980 to April 1981. I lost contact with him
in 1984. Last time I heard from him he was in the states working for 
Samsung Semiconductors.       

WALT

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4/7 Cav

From: "Charlotte" plumawsome@gbso.net
Subject: DUTY ON D.M.Z. RADAR SITE 1 AND RADAR SITE 4
Date: Sat, 13 Jun 1998 

WAS A MEMBER OF BRAVO TROOP 4/7 CAV FROM 10/82 TO 12/83. 

WAS A PART OF THE RECON PLATOON THAT HAD OBSERVATION POSTS ON RADAR 
SITES 1,4,AND 8. SPENT MANY A NIGHTS AND DAYS WATCHING AND GATHERING
INFORMATION ON TROOP AND ARMOR MOVEMENTS. SAW NUMEROUS FIREFIGHTS 
AND MORE. 

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Camp Humphreys

From: ALAN W MILLER awm5419@omega.uta.edu

Newsgroups: soc.veterans
Subject: Cp. Humphreys, Pyongtaek, S. Korea
Date: Mon, 16 Sep 1996 
Please respond if you were attached to any unit located at Cp.Humphreys
(especially those on ASA) between 3/89 - 7/91.

If you know of anyone that was stationed there during those dates, 
please have them respond as well.

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A Btry 2/17 FA

On Fri, 18 Apr 1997 
shawn k. finley   skf@northnet.org  wrote:

102 east barney street apt# 1
gouverneur, ny 13642-1101

315-287-0816

1985 - 1986

A Btry 2ND INF 17 Field Artillery { CAMP PELHAM} Korea.

Looking for anyone who served with me during this time..Or shortly 
after for possible reunion. please write back. 

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Camp Howze

On Mon, 23 Jun 1997
Rick Griffin Email address wrote:

15817 NE 90th St E232
Redmond, WA 98052

Telephone:	206-867-9576

Comments:
I served at Camp Howze with 2nd Platoon E Co 1 Bn 5th Inf from 87-88. 
Interested in hearing from any others that served.

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Life on the DMZ

On Tue, 24 Jun 1997
Randy Davis wrote:

1601 E. Centex # 204
Killeen, TX 76541
Comments:

Did tour of DMZ 86-88, saw the strange and really strange while on tour.
I was with a surveillance unit that did mobile excursions up around the
Demarcation line and in the Chorwon valley. Did earn combat badge while
driving 18,000 miles plus+ over there, Humped and slumped up many hills,
ate korean food, ran like wind for latrine 2 hours later.

Met Dallas cowboy cheerleader up on radar site, ran to get camera for 
photo op. 

Doing duty on DMZ is kinda like waiting for a 4 alarm fire, nothing 
happens for a long time and then boom the bell rings and you move with a
new purpose in life. Worked with ROK soldiers, Tough son of a guns, 
Katusas weren't up to par with ROK though ROKs were in infantry, 
Katusa's were rich Koreans boys that were able to join as interpreters 
for U.S. Army due to 1950 agreement from MacArthur to South Korean 
Pres. or other dignitary. 

Had 1 Katusa fall asleep on shift, took photo of him and simply told 
him not to do it again, never had a problem again with him falling 
asleep on shift. Now it would probably get me demoted for violating his
personal space!! 

Thanks for bringing back some cool memories.

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Infiltration Tunnels

On Tue, 3 Mar 1998
Keith Economy Email address wrote:

13214 Sapphire Ridge
Bristow, VA 20136

Telephone:	703-754-3903

Served in Korea in 81-82 as an infantryman. Reallly love the people and
culture. I remember about the GI defecting, too. Read a book called,
"Twenty one Stayed". Seems 21 americans stayed in China after the war. 

Figure he fits the same MO as them, nothing to go home to. We lost a 
C-130 of ROK rangers when they crashed into Mung Yung Dai, worst peace 
time loss of life in Korea they said.

More:

I don't know why I didn't think of it at the time I wrote you, but in
1982, three infiltration tunnels were discovered. A NK defector pointed
out their locations and our TNT (Tunnel Neutralization Team) guys dug
down to them while the NK's back-filled the tunnels all the way back to
the border. 

A photo was published in one of those overseas GI pubs and the tunnels 
were big enough to drive trucks or march troops through.

The strategy was believed to be that numerous other smaller tunnels
would branch out from these primary tunnels, allowing the world's
largest commando force to emerge behind the forward deployed American
units. 

They were using artillery fires to mask the detonations of explosives 
to build the tunnels. Apparently, they had already succeeded in 
penetrating beyond our listening posts. 

Before he died, Kim Il Sung had hoped to one day unite Korea under his 
regime. Certainly, the continued presence of US troops has kept the 
peace. Special thanks to everyone who has contributed to making and 
keeping ROK free!

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3rd Platoon, JSF JSA

On Tue, 7 Jan 1997 
JBHACH@aol.com wrote:

I was a team leader and squad leader in 3rd Platoon, JSF, when
the place was still called the United Nations Command Security
Group, Joint Security Area in Panmunjom. From July 1984
to July 1985, I experienced a tour I will never forget. 

Unfortunately, I have been in contact with only 2 of my cohorts. 
I am trying to reach more to find out how they are doing or if
they are interested in a reunion.

This was the year in which the shooting incident over a Russian
defector occured. Also, the missions we were on and things that
occured made us a very unique group of people for we witnessed
things that no soldier in the 2nd ID could experience. 

1SG Andrew C. Hall 1/104th Cavalry

4th Platoon

On Mon, 21 Jul 1997
Al Jenner Email address wrote:

50 Old Meetinghouse Rd.
East Falmouth, MA 02536

Comments:

I served with UN Command, Joint Security Area 4TH Platoon, from 
Sep,1979 - Sep, 1980.

I'm glad to see that there is something out there on the net about 
Korea and the Soliders that served there. Keep it coming.

Al Jenner

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SAM Attack

On Thu, 1 Jan 1998
Dan Decker Email address wrote:

The Second Korean Conflict continued much longer than most people 
realize. I was there in 1980 and tensions got very high after the North
Koreans attempted a SAM attack on our SR-71. They missed but they came
close enough to really shake up the crew. 

At President Reagan's orders, we at Osan AB loaded every flyable plane 
we had to the max, including one which was incapable of weapons 
delivery. The thinking was that perhaps it could draw fire away from 
the others. It all came to nought as the North Koreans backed down. 

At least they didn't fire on the SR again.

Dan Decker
ddecker@brooksdata.net


Several Incidents

On Sat, 11 Jul 1998
Max Chips Email address wrote:

Were the incidents in 1989 published? The helicopter shot down, and the 
tunnel discovered. Along the bombing of the DMZ barracks and the 
paratroopers landing in the South?

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1980's Defector ?

 On Sat, 24 Aug 1996  MGamauf@ix.netcom.com wrote:

I was stationed in the R.O.K. from July 1981 to November 1983, 
and I remember that sometime during either late 82 or early 83 
that an American Soldier defected to NK. 

There was a huge alert and a couple of days later it was cancelled 
because it turned out that this guy defected and was not kidnapped. 

We would see the propaganda pictures of him hugging it up with NK girls 
on the leaflets dropped by the NK's. What ever happened to this guy?  
I know he had problems but I have often wondered if he ever came 
back?  He is technically a traitor, but I think he was just a scared, 
weird kid. Any info you could provide would be appreciated.

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B Co. 3d MI BN

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998
Tim Rives Email address wrote:

620 W. 85th St.
Kansas City, MO 64114

Phone: 816-363-7185
Fax: 816-926-6235
Email: trives@smtp.nara.gov

Comments: 

Great website. I was in B Co. 3d MI BN, Camp Humphreys, Korea, from 
4-89 to 4-90. I was a linguist with "Guardrail." I'd like to hear from 
any other former voice intercept operators, DLI grads. Anybody out there
know Mike Larsen (751st MI), Doug Anderson, Dave Amburguey, Mike Fischer,
Mr. Grenwell, Mike Byrnes? 

Thanks,

Tim Rives

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