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From My Service in Korea, I learned…

Richard Hayward

1974 to 1976

I enlisted in the US Army and served my entire enlistment assigned to Camp Kitty Hawk, JSA, Joint Security Area. The JSA is the furthest North to the DMZ and our motto is, ‘In Front of Them All’. I was assigned to the escort unit and became the personal driver for the Commander of JSA. As the Commanders driver I would drive the Commander and a Major General assigned to the United Nations Command to the MAC meetings (Military Armistice Commission) that were held in Panmunjom. There are three blue United Nations buildings that sit right on the MDL, Military Demarcation Line which divides North Korea & South Korea. At the meeting site there would be KPA, Korean People’s Army soldiers, United Nations soldiers to include US Army and the news media. Inside the center blue building is where the North Korean representative, a KPA General with his Chinese ally meet with the United Nations representative a US Major General. At the time of these meetings, you can expect the North Korean soldiers to try and start some type of provocation. On June 30, 1975, Major William D. Henderson our Deputy Commander for JSA was viciously attacked by the KPA and the North Korean media. I saw the KPA and US Army soldiers scuffling in between two of the buildings. The KPA had their hands on their holstered pistols as they were running up to what became an all-out fist fight. One of the platoon sergeants had me bring my vehicle around to evacuate the General. As I pulled up with the vehicle the area was packed with people. The fighting had stopped but there was huge tension between both sides as I slowly pulled up. Our guys formed a secure line to my vehicle to evacuate the General and my Commander.  Once in the vehicle I drove them back to the helipad. Major Henderson was medevac to Seoul and later to Walter Reed with a crushed larynx.

My driving would lead me all over South Korea with many trips to Seoul driving US Senators, diplomats and many other dignitaries. This opened many opportunities to meet the South Korean people who I found to be extremely friendly and grateful for our presence. I drove other officers from our unit from time to time and one was Captain Arthur Bonifas, my company commander. Capt. Bonifas was the most personable person I had the pleasure of driving. Shortly after I left Korea and the service, Captain Bonifas was axed to death by the KPA along with Lt. Mark Barrett. The Army renamed Camp Kitty Hawk to Camp Bonifas.  I share this to honor the incredible sacrifices made by Captain Arthur Bonifas, Lt. Mark Barrett. And on November 20, 1974, US Navy Commander Robert M. Ballinger who was killed while checking out a booby-trapped spy tunnel and seriously wounding US Marine Major Nastase. Keeping their memory alive is important for all of us. Witnessing the differences between the North and South is striking and a reminder on the cost of keeping a free society free.

In Front of Them All,

Richard Hayward

Me with KPA checking me out.

Escort Crew for JSA.

Me next to my vehicle.

What did you learn from serving in Korea? Let us know –

Sharing your experiences from serving in Korea can be a powerful way to connect with others who have had similar experiences. By sharing your story, you may be able to help others who are currently serving in Korea or who are preparing to do so. You can share insights about the culture, the people, and the challenges you faced while serving. Your story can also help to shed light on the sacrifices that service members and their families make in order to protect our freedoms. So, if you have a story to share, we encourage you to take the time to put it down in writing and send it to KDVA.MyServiceInKorea@gmail.com along with any photos that help to tell your story.

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