From My Service in Korea

From My Service in Korea, I learned…

Kim Rybak

I am a former dependent and my father served three times in Korea. The first time he went, he met my mother, fell in love for the first time and they eventually married, taking all the risks of marrying as an inter-racial couple in the 1970’s during the height of the Vietnam War.

The first time I had the privilege to move to Korea was from 1984-1986, during my elementary school years. This was the first time I was near immediate family members, and I learned from my Grandparents and Uncles the hardships of the war itself. Having fun navigating through Korea, playing with cousins and spending lots of time running up and down Mount Apsan in Camp Walker, Taegu, Korea was my true focus. I didn’t realize the impact of the threat of the Cold War and what was just 8 hours drive north of us in North Korea. The second time we moved back was just after the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. I spent my 8, and 9th grade years in Seoul, Korea at Seoul American High School. This time I was much more aware of the impact of. communism and dictatorship upon societies. We saw the Iron Curtain fall in 1989 while I was in History Class in Seoul. We visited the DMZ and saw the last bit of staunch Russian Red Umbrellas just across the border in North Korea. We drove through the South Korean College student riots proclaiming “Americans Leave Our Soil.”

This left a profound impact on me. My grandparents told us more about the horrors of war, and it was then I realized that not only I wouldn’t exist, but none of my cousins and possibly even my mother had the sacrifices that Koreans and Americans and all others from everywhere made to keep communism out!

I came back to the US with a renewed sense of preservation for continuing this story, the Forgotten War. Being more and more removed from the actual physical fighting, I delved into anything I could learn about North Korea and the tactics they take to oppress their people.

This story continues on with anyone I encounter who wants to hear it. My children are fully aware of this, and I remind them, had it not been for those sacrifices, they would not exist. Samsung, LG, Kia, Hyundai, along with so many other businesses would never be!  My hope is to take them to Korea, so they can see all the wonders of South Korea and how this would never happen without their freedom.

My children know that the war isn’t over. North Koreans live this story everyday and that is a tactic used to keep them in the military state of mind, along with isolation from the rest of the world. Many of my American colleagues do not even know this fact, and just muse over the latest Korean Netflix Drama or KPop. I remind them, that the country is still at war, that it is important that we continue to keep our forces there to work with Korean forces. We must keep this story alive so we don’t forget because the enemy hasn’t forgotten, and they are ready to restart.

Lastly, anytime I see someone with a Korean War veteran hat, I thank them and tell them, “ I wouldn’t be here without your sacrifice.”

My husband and I were both active duty US Army from 1996-2005, and he had the opportunity to serve at Camp Humphries from 1996-1997. He was the last Executive Officer for the unit that the show MASH was modeled off of!  We both had the chance to attend the ceremony!

Kim Rybak (US Army Veteran 1997-2005, CPT Army Nurse Corps)

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From My Service in Korea, I learned…

Michael R. Betzer

MSgt. USAF (Ret.)

I arrived at Osan Air Base on 28 October 1974. I was assigned to the Weapons Control Systems Shop in the 51^st Avionics Maintenance Squadron. I was just qualifying on the F-4E Phantom II. I thought I knew about Korea. In 1963, I read a book titled “Back Down the Ridge” by W.L. White; it was an intriguing account about the Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH) in Korea. I watched “The Hunters”, “The McDonnell Story” and “Sayonara” as a young boy. Yes, these all helped prime me. But there was so much I did not know about the Land of the Morning Calm.

The moment of truth came in March 1975. I was working the flight line that morning, and while waiting for a truck to take me back to the shop, it suddenly hit me: this is the “Real” Air Force! Not Lackland AFB, not the Defense Language Institute, not George AFB, not Lowry AFB, not even Seymour Johnson AFB. This was it, a war zone, albeit during an Armistice. Indeed, just three weeks after I arrived, the first of four tunnels was discovered along the Demilitarized Zone. I was also aware of several scrambles by F-4Es on Zulu Alert, of which one mission came within 18 miles of North Korean aircraft.

I was so impressed with the mission, I extended my tour for a year. After three years of Instructor Duty at Lowry AFB, I returned to Osan Air Base in 1980 for a one year tour. Those six years constitute the most rewarding of my Air Force career.

Michael R. Betzer

MSgt. USAF (Ret.)

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From My Service in Korea, I learned…

SGM (Ret) JOSEPH TERRY

May 1996-Nov 2017

The dates you see noted above are correct! I served my last 9 ½ years on active duty and retired and worked the remaining years as a contractor. I had been trying to get an assignment to Korea for several years and had almost given up. When I was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington and my wife and daughter decided to go on vacation to Korea. One day while they were still there, my Administrative Assistant came into my office and said “SGM, you just came down on assignment for Korea”! I could not believe it! I notified my wife and of course, she was very excited.

I received information from the Unit I would be assigned to, which was the Air and Missile Defense Division of CJG3 at Yongsan Garrison. We also had an Air Defense Liaison Detachment at the Osan Air Force Base. I was assigned a sponsor, and my journey began. I, along with my wife Sonya and daughter, Joanna arrived in Korea the evening of 7 May 1996. It was quite an adventure from Gimpo Airport riding through Seoul to Yongsan and arriving at the Dragon Hill Lodge where we stayed for 40 Days awaiting our Quarters there at Yongsan Garrison, just down the street from the Dragon Hill Lodge.

My Unit was comprised of US Service Members and 2 ROK Officers). I do not recall who gave it to me, however, I received a small book entitled Ugly Koreans, Ugly Americans. Before your mind drifts too far, it is a book about Cultural and behavioral differences between Koreans and Americans. I was so impressed after I read it, I made it a requirement for my Soldiers to read when they arrived at the Unit.

I believe a primary reason the US ROK Alliance is so strong is that we try to understand we have difference Cultural and behavioral differences however, learning and understanding our differences helps build a very lasting bond. I took every opportunity I could both on and off duty to learn more about Korean culture and to share mine as well. I had the opportunity to be the Chairman of the Dragon Hill Chapter of the Non Commissioned Officers Association which provided many opportunities to create relationships with ROK, KATUSA Service members off base in the Korean communities. I met many Korean business and community Leaders and still communicate with some of them even since being back in the US the past 6 years.

There were programs within Eight Army and United States Forces Korea that amplified our relationships. Our NCOA Chapter as well as other organizations both US and Korean had programs that fostered goodwill and built on these strong relationships. As an example, our chapter sponsored the Young Nak Orphanage, and the Bosung Girls Middle and High Schools.  There were two unique programs our Chapter implemented. One was an English Camp with the Korean Girls School, and the other was a Military Introduction Program. In the latter program, our NCOA Chapter members and other Volunteers along with US service members, ROK and KATUSA service members. In a nutshell, the students were shown what it was like to be a military service member and how we worked together as an Alliance. This included an introduction to Physical Fitness Training, Drill and Ceremonies, samples of Meals Ready to Eat for lunch etc. The program was very well received by all. We also had Holiday introduction programs, American and Korean Christmas Programs, and information about Thanksgiving in the US and Chuseok in South Korea.

When I retired and decided to stay in Korea, I served as an IMCOM-K Contractor as an Exercise Operations Analyst and a few years later as the General Manager for the Base publications Morning Calm, Crimson Sky Newspapers, and the Seoul Survivor Annual publication. This continued my opportunities to be immersed in not only the Military but also the private sector.

I had the opportunity to travel all over the Peninsula including visiting the DMZ on several occasions. I think it is very important for all stationed there to learn and share our countries’ different cultures and behaviors. Also, to experience firsthand what it means to be a member of a non-wavering alliance that continues to strengthen every day. I truly enjoyed and am thankful for the 20-plus years I lived in Korea. “We go together” is not a cliché, it’s a living reality!

Joseph Terry, SGM, U.S. Army (Ret)

NCOA Executive Director

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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.

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There is so much to tell you about this great trip but there are two stories that I would like to share.

Arrival – we just arrived at the airport in Soeul I was wearing my 2^nd Inf Div hat and as we are assigned into groups, another vet comes up to me and says, “Didn’t I hear you say that you were assigned to 2/72 Armor?” I replied “yes”, he leaves and returns with another vet who says, “I was in 2/72 Armor what year were you stationed there?”  1967-68 I say and he says “I was there then, in HHC. What company did you serve in?” I was in HHC, (we both did not recognize each other yet) What was your MOS and I asked “Medic” “What was yours” he asked “The HHC Armorer”.  He yells out “that was Smitty” “Smitty”. “Herendez” I reply.  He gets out our unit yearbook and there we are.

Art

Rich

On the trip we are invited to visit the DMZ (a place that most soldiers never got to see). I was lucky and was authorized to travel with my Bn CMDR to Panmunjeom. On one trip I witnessed a North Korean defected and I was fortunate to catch it with my camera.  Well on our trip I stood in the same spot that I was on in 68 and nothing changed.

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

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

Please email us your story and photos to KDVA.MyServiceInKorea@gmail.com.

READ MORE STORIES HERE.

John Romias

4/1954 – 8/1955

Kim Soon and me, 1955

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MG William Thigpen

The value of teamwork and “what right looks like”

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By Staff Sergeant Allen Wheeler

From My Service in Korea, I learned…

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By Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) Vincent L. Abril

“Cultural connection beyond the big picture”

From My Service in Korea, I learned why the ROK-US alliance has remained so strong since the Korean War. I felt accepted and loved through the many military and civilian relationships I built over three tours, totaling eight years of service on the peninsula. I learned to embrace and love Korean culture. I learned firsthand how the resilience and determination of the Korean people led them to become one of the world’s economic powerhouses and exporters of culture through music, film, and food. I also learned so much about myself through interactions with military and civilian friends and family who accepted me as one of their own.

My journey to Korea began in Puerto Rico in 1999 when a huge opportunity knocked at my door at the San Juan Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) when an army career counselor told me I could serve in Korea after committing to joining the active army. I could not believe my ears. I had heard so much about the Korean War from elders on the island who served in the 65^th Infantry Regiment during the war. I was overwhelmed with excitement, so I signed a contract that day to seal the deal.

I arrived in Korea for my first assignment with the 20^th Support Group in Daegu. A couple of months later, I was sent to the port city of Busan, as I joined the 4^th Quartermaster (Airborne) Detachment, where I served for over two years as a maintenance foreman working exclusively with Korean Nationals. During this time, I met my wife through my platoon sergeant. She was a Korean National employee herself, working for the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division on base. After tying the knot, we spent the remainder of our time traveling across the peninsula before receiving orders to Heidelberg, Germany.

Fast forward seven years, and we received orders back to Korea in 2010. This time, I returned to Korea with my own little family. I was assigned to the 2^nd Combat Aviation Brigade, where I traveled the peninsula, covering stories about the successes of our servicemembers and the ROK-US alliance as the brigade’s public affairs manager. During this time, our son was born. My wife worked as a bank manager on base, and we both immersed ourselves in the Korean and military communities before departing in 2014 to Fort Bliss, Texas.

While in Texas, we missed Korea very much. To our surprise, my branch manager offered us another opportunity to serve in Korea. Without hesitation, we made it official and landed right back to where it all started in Daegu. I was assigned to the 19^th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, serving as the commanding general’s public affairs manager for two years before finally being approved to retire from the army.

Julie and I moved our family to Suwanee, Georgia, in 2019 after retirement to be close to a large, vibrant Korean community where we enjoy the best of both worlds. When I look back on it all, Korea has played a significant part in my life. When we say “Katchi Kapshida,” some may take it as another cool phrase, but we lived it every day where the rubber meets the road with our military and civilian counterparts and family members. Whether living in a highrise apartment forging relationships with our Korean neighbors or sleeping in a tent together during military field exercises, indeed, “We Go Together.” We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of history as we lean forward in the foxhole together, deterring aggression and maintaining an alliance that has remained incredibly strong for over 70 years.

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

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