Bill Derby, US Army 1966-69
From My Service in Korea, I learned… the strength, determination and willpower of the human spirit.
The second our Boeing 707 door opened at Kimpo late at night I knew I was in a new country. It was September 1966 as strange new smells filled the air. Both apprehension and excitement ran through my body.
That lasted only a day or two and on the ride up to Uijongbu Camp Red Cloud, I noticed Koreans bent over in their rice paddies working hard. I was assigned to the I Corps newspaper, The Bullseye, as a photojournalist, one of the best jobs I could imagine.
My job duties gave me the opportunity to experience up-close the Korean culture as we covered many stories of Koreans in everyday life, working hard to survive, get ahead and provide for their families. Korea then was rough but a sense of progress and overcoming the hardships of war was seen everywhere. We covered many stories through photography and features showcasing everyday lives of the Korean people and culture. I also developed a love for Kimchi as we covered the harvest later that fall. In winter it was fascinating to see the hundreds of ice skaters only feet from the two-lane road to Seoul enjoying speeding over their frozen rice paddies.
I met many Koreans as our office translator, Mr. Rhee, introduced us to many prominent citizens in Uijongbu. We were even invited to the mayor’s home for dinner. Mr. Rhee told me to be sure and eat all that was prepared. That night was my first taste of dried pollock or squid.
When our Katusa driver took us through Seoul to Kimpo to send our newspaper off to the Stars and Stripes office to be printed in Tokyo, it was a white-knuckle trip with only a few red lights to control hundreds of cars and buses. Our soldier and Katusa newspaper staff became very close along with Mr. Rhee.
My return visit to Korea in 2022 was almost beyond my comprehension of the change 56 years could make. With only one bridge across the Han then, to the 31 bridges crossing that river today.
During our KDVA revisit whirlwind tour of the beautiful country and ultra-modern Seoul, I still noticed how the Korean people and their society treat one another. Something unique happened while we were at the Republic of Korea-United States Alliance Peace Conference and Gala Dinner. While we were sitting at our dinner table a distinguished Korean gentleman placed a book in my lap and quickly left. No one else at my table was given the book, titled “Korean Spirit and Culture III, Chung-Hyo-Ye.” I put it in my suitcase and didn’t review it until a few weeks after returning home. It got my attention.
I learned that most Koreans respect and honor one another. We saw it every day on our trip. They help one another.
The Preface of the book the Korean gave me hit home when I read.
Korean Spirit and Culture III, Chung-Hyo-Ye
“Korea is a nation that has always loved peace and has done everything in its power to preserve it. In its five thousand years of history, Korea has never invaded other countries. Based on the teachings of Hongik Ingan, which means one should ‘live and act for the benefit of all mankind,’ reverence for the Heavens and respect for human life is deeply rooted in the spirit of the Korean people.
What did you learn from serving in Korea? Let us know –
Please email us your story and photos to KDVA.MyServiceInKorea@gmail.com.
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