M14 Forum

nicholst55 · September 1st, 2011, 02:22 AM

I still see an OEB occasionally; I saw one a week or so ago, as a matter of fact. They're pretty much a thing of the past these days.

I do know that I thought my plane had landed in an entirely different country when I returned in 2008! I expected differences after 25 years, but good grief!! I didn't recognize a single thing on the drive from Incheon airport until we were waiting for a traffic light across the street from the main gate at Camp Casey! Talk about urban sprawl...

ctdair: CPT Edmunds was gone before I arrived at 595. I can't recall the commander's name now, but he left shortly after I arrived. I dunno what the deal was; maybe he was just a 'placeholder,' or something.

willriskit · September 1st, 2011, 05:23 AM

Inchon was Gen. Mac Arthur's greatest military achievement, for which he took full credit for both its original conception and execution. Previously, Inchon had been known as Jinsen under Japanese control and prior to that, Chemulpo. During the Russo-Japanese war, the Japanese successfully landed at Chemulpo in 1904 as a shortcut in executing their successful Korean peninsular campaign. A young 2nd Lt. named Douglas MacArthur attached to his father's staff was an observer on the Japanese side throughout that conflict. Hmm...

Alpha51 · September 1st, 2011, 06:38 AM

73-74 C Co. 2nd Eng. Bn. Camp Castle.

Jet · September 1st, 2011, 07:21 AM

Kunsan Air Base 88-89
Osan Air Base 95-97 and 05-07 (retired out of that assignment)

willriskit · September 1st, 2011, 07:45 AM

Jet,

nicholst55 wrote that there isn't any monument at Yongsan to the GI's killed there in August 1950 reducing a roadblock set up by a serious NKPA infiltration. If I recall correctly, enemy troops from this group continued on to rear areas, where they created further problems. There was an effort made by Task Force Smith to halt the southward progress of NKPA tanks and infantry at Osan in July 1950 with disastrous results. This action resulted in the first US KIA and was also the first use of American artillery in the Korean war. Is there any monument to these men at Osan?

Thanks

Jet · September 1st, 2011, 08:18 AM

I don't know about a monument at Yongsan but there is a monument dedicated to Task Force Smith a couple clicks North of Osan City (between Osan and Suwon and about 15 miles North of Osan AB). It's a very nice monument that is located directly in the hillside saddle where Task Force Smith set up their defenses on MSR 1. The monument stands about 40 ft tall and is well taken care of.

I went to visit it many times and always saw many Koreans there every time I went. Also, every year on the anniversary, there is a big ceremony with a lots of flowers, wreaths, etc.

We had some US forces stationed in and around Seoul when the nK army invaded so we may have lost some soldiers prior to the nK engaging Task Force Smith soldiers.

To say that Task Force Smith had disasterous results is an understatement. We (the US) sent approximately 400 infantrymen with artillary support to halt the invasion of 10s of thousands of nK troops. We didn't even slow them down.

Hope this helps

willriskit · September 1st, 2011, 08:45 AM

Many thanks for the good news about the memorial, Jet! I knew some of the KMAG folks and they and their dependents were able to beat feet in time, but some of those at Kaesong had close calls. Osan was the first in a depressingly long series of drubbings and miscalculations originating in Tokyo. Guess they thought that the commies would retreat at the sight of American uniforms.

IC2(SS)19Z50C5 · September 1st, 2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willriskit

Jet,

"Task Force Smith" Is there any monument to these men at Osan?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet

There is a monument dedicated to Task Force Smith a couple clicks North of Osan City (between Osan and Suwon and about 15 miles North of Osan AB). It's a very nice monument that is located directly in the hillside saddle where Task Force Smith set up their defenses on MSR 1. The monument stands about 40 ft tall and is well taken care of.

Yes I concur, it was there when I was there TDY to Suwon AB in 92, it is very impressive. Hopefully the lessons of ill preparedness will never be repeated???

Oxmix · September 1st, 2011, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2336USMC

86-88 Marine Security Guard Detachment U. S. Embassy Seoul. In the midst of the rioting of the time, mostly happening right in front of the Embassy.

Whenever there weren't riots, and I was off duty, got to see a fair amount of the country and of course party way too much in Itaewon. I had a local girlfriend that I affectionately referred to as my "cultural advisor/tour guide" because when I had a few days off-duty she could lay on a trip anywhere in the country via train, plane, bus, boat whatever and then explain the history and culture of wherever we were.

Needless to say I had a great time. I feel bad for the guys that never got out of the local "ville" outside the gate, and never saw anything but the typical "rip off the GI" mentality that exists outside any military base, even in CONUS.

I found Korea to be a very beautiful place, and the people for the most part to be warm and friendly.

One of my favorite memories is of when I would be walking on the street in Seoul and some gray-haired Korean man or woman would spot me as an American serviceman, and would run across the street through traffic, grab my hand and shake it with tears in their eyes. Even jabbering away in Korean the meaning was clear. It happened more than once. They did not forget, and I still say we did not lose that war. Teary-eyed Koreans shaking my hand while we stood amidst bullet pock-marked buildings and bridges surrounded by relatively happy, free, and prosperous people tells me a different story.

One of these days I'm going to catch a MAC flight over and visit again. I haven't been back since Team Spirit in '92. Or maybe I'll just chuck it all, sail my boat over and stay forever.

If my wife learns that someone she meets fought in the Korean War she will thank them. The older generation of Koreans have not forgotten what Americans did for them and are often upset at disrespectful actions of younger Koreans towards Americans.

Regards

Ox

Copling · September 6th, 2011, 04:10 PM

I requested and was stationed at Camp Humphries for my last duty station 92-93...worked the AK-TCAE...saw someone mention they served in the ASA back when, I'm jealous, those were the halcyon days some of us looked back to - like Camelot lol...it was all quite atrophied and mere shadows of the past by 93 sadly
Actually ETS'd there in Seoul, took a 4 month vacation through SE Asia and when I ran out of savings 4 months later in beautiful Koh Samui Thailand I dragged my tanned and hairy arse back to Seoul to get my free ticket back to my home of record...best vacation -ever...

endgame · September 11th, 2011, 04:26 PM

2-9 INF "MANCHUS" Camp Casey April 2008-2009...
Did the infamous Manchu Mile... 25 miles oh fun!
Met my wife over there! A Canadian teaching English to Koreans...

"KEEP UP THE FIRE!!!"