From My Service in Korea, I learned…

John Loghry

As a young kid, this was the very first time I had ever been out of the US. It was a big shock to me, but also very enlightening. I learned a lot about Korea and the Korean people. The more I learned about them, the more I realized how similar we are.

The scariest thing that happened while I was there was the “Paul Bunyon campaign.” My barracks were right next to the helipad at 2nd S&T Battalion Camp Casey, Korea. I heard the helicopters and other commotion all night for a few days. We all thought for sure we were going to war, especially after we went to DEFCON3. That eventually calmed down but was always in the back of my mind.

I was fortunate enough to get overnight passes pretty often and stayed off-post with my Korean girlfriend. One of the best things she ever did for me was to teach me some of the old Korean songs/ballads. One of the famous ones I remembered was something like shang hi co hecta la. Trust me when I say, I can still sing that song through its entirety. Another song was very popular when I was there in 1976. It was a love song titled “Sarang Hae”. I still love that song. And yes, I still can sing every word to that song too. I and another GI from 2nd S&T would rent bicycles from the local pawnshop and ride down through the village of Tongducheon / TDC singing these 2 songs. The Koreans would freak out, especially the older ones. I remember it all, just as if it were yesterday, but it’s been 47 years for me.

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.

READ MORE STORIES HERE.

From My Service in Korea, I learned…

Mark Campbell, Chaplain, Lt Col USAF (Ret)

From my service in Korea, I learned that a nation’s deep commitment to high standards allows it to flourish.

When I landed at Kimpo Airport in June 1998 it was the first time I had set foot anywhere in Asia.  Sadly, I had misplaced a book I was reading and gave up all hope of ever finding it, only to be approached by two very young security personnel who were holding my book and asking if it were mine.  What an amazing introduction to the respect, kindness, and determination of the Korean people!

During my year at Kunsan Air Base many relationships were formed with Korean people who worked on the base, and in particular with a young officer of the ROKAF who also was assigned to the base.  With these friendships I learned about the high value Korean people place on family, respect for others, social customs, the delicious food, and the amazing industriousness of the people (for example:  shopkeepers seemed to live at their shops, always working; and young students were seen after dark returning from after school courses).

Once I read some of the history and visited Korean museums, I began to realize that in many respects South Korea is a modern-day David boldly standing up to Goliaths of our time.  This nation, through its hard work, innovation, and orderliness excels in showing the world what can be done.

Some of the highlights of my year in South Korea include:

• A flight in a F-16 fighter jet
• Deep conversations with many Korean people and visiting Korean homes/restaurants
• Developing a profound respect for the perseverance and resilience of Korean people
• Learning a little Korean language (on a solo visit to Seoul ordering a simple meal in Korean from a small restaurant! Yay!)
• Invited to assist in leading worship in various Korean churches
• Seeing God work in the lives of US GIs and in the lives of our host nation individuals

In my work as a chaplain, I visited several Korean churches and came away challenged by the devotion to prayer, energy in worship, and joy–even through very trying times–experienced by the people I met.

During my year in Korea without my family, my wife (also a USAF officer and nurse) bravely continued to care for our four children, keep the home, and fully served in her active-duty assignment (sometimes working nights)—this allowed me to serve unaccompanied that year in Korea.

Someday I hope to visit again the Land of the Morning Calm.  As I have regaled my family with stories of my year in Korea without them, it would be very fulfilling to share the experience of this modern-day David.

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.

READ MORE STORIES HERE.

From My Service in Korea, I learned…

Jim Collins

I was privileged to serve in 2ID/Korea for my first assignment in the Army, 1977-78, and my first Aviation assignment in 1980. Korea made a great impression on me…as a Soldier, a Lieutenant, and a leader. My experiences shaped my military and later civilian career and as a volunteer in retirement.

I was assigned to 2ID/Korea as a new Armor 2LT in early 1977. During my officer training to be a tank platoon leader at Ft Knox, nary a word was said to any of us headed to Korea about what to expect, other than it would be cold. I arrived and was shocked to find I would be assigned to an Infantry unit, not with tanks, but with jeeps. When I reported, I then discovered that 1/3 of my platoon were KATUSAs. I had no training or idea what a KATUSA was or how I would communicate with them. Thankfully, I was blessed with a great group of Soldiers who trained ME how to be a LT and Platoon Leader and demanded that I treat, and ensure all of my Soldiers were treated respectfully. This was essential as soon, as we were deployed to the DMZ for two month-long rotations, conducting armed reconnaissance missions that demanded the utmost in skills and reliance upon each other. These brave and patriotic young Soldiers were truly the best teachers I could ever asked for!

In 1980, after completing flight school, I was reassigned to 2ID/Korea as an Aeroscout Pilot and Unit Trainer, with the mission of flying the Buffer Zone and South Boundary fence, from the vicinity Chorwon, along the Imjin River and out to the Western Islands. Additionally, I trained our unit pilots to fly the P73 Seoul transition around Seoul. It was a challenge to fly both the DMZ and Seoul transition due to intense security to prevent any inadvertent overflights. To see Korea from 1000 feet every day..from the mountains along the DMZ to Freedom Bridge and the Imjin and out to the Sea was an awe inspiring joy and challenge.

I later returned to Korea for a month, in 1996 as part of the III (US) Corps Staff planning team. We were challenged to update and plan the Defense Plan for 8th Army, and then brief GEN Luck at 8A, MG Tommy Franks at 2ID, and our Allies at FROKA and TROKA. To accomplish this task, we traveled by vehicle and helicopter and were amazed at how Korea had changed from primarily agricultural to a mega city-state in just 15 years.

Prior to the 2023 Revisit Program, I was able to return to Seoul in February 2020 as a Volunteer StemCells courier for time: matters, a German organization that arranges courier support worldwide for StemCells for leukemia patients. Imagine my luck, on just my second mission, to fly into Incheon, take the subway to Dap-Simni-Dong, and in the middle of a snowstorm….find my way to the Hanyang University Hospital, for pickup and then delivery to Hackensack University Hospital in New Jersey. I have completed 60 total StemCells missions worldwide, but being able to navigate to Hanyang University was my most enjoyable and challenging mission!

In summary, my service in Korea was a significant personal, educational, and life work experience… learned to live and work with a patriotic and hard working team of US and Korean Soldiers, dedicated to the defense of the ROK. I consider both of my years in Korea to be my foundation for life! Thank you for the opportunity to share!

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.

READ MORE STORIES HERE.

From My Service in Korea, I learned…

Bob Henault

I arrived in Korea in April 1974 at Osan AFB and was transported to Camp Coiner and was further assigned to the Military Mail Terminal at Kimpo Airfield. Our barracks were near the passenger terminal and Korean Airlines would park their 2 leased NWA 747s on the corner of our barracks. I walked out the gate a few days later and met an elder Korean gentleman, who owned the small corner grocery and spoke English, as he lived in the USA for many prior to retirement and moving back to Korea. He taught me so much about Korea and the Korean people, that I felt at home from that day on.

After 3 months at Kimpo, our unit moved to Camp Humphreys and on weekends I would travel to different places around the area, but realized quickly that I needed a translator. After 2 months, I was told that I would be moving again, this time to Camp Ames, near Daejeon as the NCOIC of the Post Office on base. Second day there I met a KATUSA MP who asked to play tennis with me, and that day my life changed. I would ask his NCOIC if it would be possible for him to show me places in Korea on weekends that he was off, and he agreed, so several times a month we would visit places with Korean history and I started loving Korea even more.

At Christmas in 1974 he asked me to visit his family with him and I agreed when I met his parents and 5 beautiful sisters, I knew I was in heaven. The family had a Peace Corps volunteer living with them from 1964 to 1972 and they taught the family English, so all were able to speak a little English I started falling in love with one of his sisters, and even told my best friend I met my future wife. In February I asked their father if I could take his daughter to a movie and he said yes, and my courtship of his daughter began. At the end of March, I reenlisted and because I would have to leave for school, I asked permission to marry his daughter and was told if she agreed I had his permission. In April she said yes, so we made arrangements for her to travel to the USA on a fiancé visa when my school was completed and we married in November of 1975 (48 years). And stayed a Walter Reed for 10 ½ years.

In 1986 I was again stationed in Korea as 1SG with the Veterinary Service of 18^th MEDCOM in Seoul and since we were responsible for all Veterinary support on all US bases in Korea I traveled to all areas in Korea from the Sea to the DMZ and became an expert on roads and trains system throughout Korea. In 3 years, I saw more of Korea than 85% of the population of Korea. We spent 3 wonderful years in Korea but again had to leave for a school.

In 1993 we arrived back in Korea again as CSM of a Medical Battalion responsible for all Medical clinics on Army bases, from the Sea to the DMZ, and again drove, trained, or flew all over Korea. This time in Daegu for 2 years, before being transferred to a Dental Battalion in Seoul in 1995, responsible for all Dental Clinics at Army bases from the Sea to the DMZ. In 1997 I was selected as the 18^th MEDCOM CSM and now had all Army Medical, Dental, and Veterinary responsibilities in Korea.

In 1999 I retired from the Army and was fortunate enough to be selected for a Department of the Army position with the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) and for the next 15 years was able to enjoy the greatest job I ever had. Allowing me a total of 26 years in Korea and learning how wonderful the people, history, and the country are.

Naneum Hangup-in-ida

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.

READ MORE STORIES HERE.

From My Service in Korea, I learned…

Michael Matson

My time in Korea started in Dec 82 when I was sent from CSC 2/39th Inf Ft Lewis, Washington to CSC  1/38th Inf Camp Hovey, 2nd Inf Division. Being in a front-line Infantry unit during the cold Korea winter had a lot of challenges. We trained year-round but winters were spent pretty much in the field.

In Sept 83, our unit deployed North to defend the DMZ, manning the guard posts and conducting ambush patrols within the sector the U.S. was responsible for. I spent the majority of my time on GP Collier doing my job as a tow gunner using our gun sights, observing and documenting North Korean movements and activities both day and night.

Serving in such a hostile environment as a 21-year-old was exciting, stressful, and rewarding, knowing were keeping the South Korean people safe. Having served with Korean Augmentation soldiers (KATUSA) was an incredibly rewarding experience. I befriended many KATUSAs and traveled throughout the country with them. I learned and was very appreciative of the Korean culture, which I still hold dear to this day.

I was in attendance when President Reagan gave the speech at Camp Liberty Bell in November. My squad and I were tasked to escort him down to Camp Liberty Bell from GP collier in front of his motorcade. We can be seen in the video of that day, over his right shoulder as he gave that historical speech.

My time in South Korea came to an end on Feb 25^th, 1984, as I flew back to Oakland Army base and exited the service shortly thereafter. My time in South Korea was a very special time in my life and I was honored to support the mission of defending this wonderful country I grew to love.

Thank you for allowing me to share my story.

(SP 4) MICHAEL A MATSON

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.

READ MORE STORIES HERE.