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Why Korea is an Assignment of Choice – By Mr. Rick Hansen

When I first learned I was going to Korea in March 1967, I was at Fort Ord awaiting orders for Vietnam. The announcement came at 2:00 A.M., jolting us awake with word that orders had changed and we needed to be up and in formation within minutes. My first feeling was simple exhaustion. My second was fear, because I knew very little about Korea. My third feeling was resignation—knowing there was nothing I could do to change the orders, and realizing that, in the long run, Korea might be better than Vietnam.

Between March 1967 and April 1968, I served on the DMZ in A Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry at Camp Kaiser. I began my tour as an E-3 infantryman assigned to an APC unit. Within six months, I was selected to serve as the company clerk, a position I held until I left the unit in April 1968 as a Sergeant (E-5). Following my duty in Korea, I was assigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, as a rifle range instructor.

My memories of Korea run the gamut from loneliness to enjoyment as I made new friends from all parts of the United States. I remember the intense heat of summer, the “wet bulb” alerts when it was too hot to train outside, and the bitterly cold winters when my clothing seemed to weigh more than I did. When I was out in the field executing maneuvers, the C-rations—complete with their small pack of five cigarettes—actually tasted good, at least as I recall.

My true “aha” moment in Korea came during field training on the DMZ. Seeing North Korea so close gave me the realization that I was part of a very different kind of war. There were no hot bullets flying, but the danger was real—sometimes only a hundred yards away. In that moment, it became very clear to me that I was there for a reason and had a mission to fulfill.

I took many photos while stationed near the DMZ, which sat untouched in “storage” for many years. Recently, I opened my Korea box and found myself reliving those memories. I selected six pictures to share with the KDVA group. The first photo was taken during a May 1967 field exercise. Local children were always curious about what we were doing. Despite the language barrier, we managed to communicate through smiles, hand gestures, and the occasional leftover C-ration.

We went on many field exercises along the DMZ during my time there. One particularly welcome sight was the Donut Dolly, who arrived with fresh donuts that did wonders for morale. I’m not sure where they were made—possibly Camp Casey—but they were always a treat.

Before leaving Korea, I took a three-day pass and traveled by bus to Seoul. One photo shows me standing in front of an ancient landmark, proudly wearing a handmade suit I had made there. I can’t recall the name of the landmark anymore, and I certainly no longer fit into that beautifully tailored suit.

I also selected two photos featuring members of my squad. One shows us bundled up for a DMZ division exercise in January 1968—we all walked like penguins. The other was taken on Christmas Eve 1967, with our squad dressed for church. After the service, we celebrated with cookies from home and American beer.

The final photo is of me standing by our Camp Kaiser unit sign. Shortly after that picture was taken, there was a change in commanding officers. Most of my time in Korea was under the leadership of Lieutenant Moss. As the company clerk, I got to know him better than most, since my desk was located in a small building shared with the company leadership.

When I left Korea in April 1968, my lasting impression was one of sorrow—for the country and its people. Because I spent little time in Seoul, I assumed much of the country was as bleak as the DMZ. At that time, I had no desire to ever return.

In the decades since the Korean Conflict, with the help of many nations, South Korea has become a world leader in technology, contributing to a safer and more comfortable world. The resourcefulness of its people has carried the country proudly into the 21st century.

Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to revisit Korea and to share those long-ago experiences with my wife—this time as a tourist, and not as an E-5.

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