I was there in 1965-1966, and I find the change since then remarkable. I thought anybody who was over there years ago would be interested to see this.
Lunar new year traffic headed home yesterday. Not an ox cart in sight.
North of the border it's likely left more like it was in both Koreas in the 50's and 60's..
I was there four times in the eighties. I'm sure it's changed since then. I worked with Korean SF, and was impressed by their dedication and intensity.
Some of our command said we were there to keep the south from going north, as much as to keep the North Korean military from invading the south.
I was young then, now I'm old and play with old cars.....
1965 our aircraft carrier pulled into a bay somewhere along the coast of Korea to get out of the heavy weather in the Sea of Japan. This so the mail plane could land. Almost lost it over the side after it landed into the barrier (big tennis net), ice on the flight deck & snowing. Almost as exciting as riding in a Model T
4-1-1994 to 4-1-1995
35H10 Calibration Specialist
2nd Infantry Division
74th Maintenance Battalion
74th Maintenance Company
Camp Sears
I was there in 90 at 8th A HQ and the traffic was ROUGH. It was something to see the Q lines for a turn.
Kuhnsan AFB. 1969. I don't miss it. TDY from Homestead AFB Fla. On the bus to the barracks after landing someone said: Man look at all those gooks. And someone else said: Man, you the gook now. On the same trip we were informed about the script we were to use for money at which point everyone began stuffing American money into their shoes. No joke it actually happened. The best thing about that jaunt was the 10 days I spent at Tachakawa AFB Japan to run the unit that syncronised the F-4 alternator with it's constant speed drive unit.
I went to Germany instead but today at a gun shop a fellow bought a M-1 and a salesman tryed to show me one! Nope,i never got my thumb cought but no thank's! Took a 300 grain hollow point .458 cal to try and find more but the young fellow told me they were on back order and i was stuck!! Went to Caballa's and same story,but they let me order 200,payed for them,and they should be in the store 2/28/14! Kind of like the model T! I ordered it,payed for it,and soon they will be built! Bud.
Rob -- What's with the sad face? "...now I'm old and play with old cars..... "
That should be a happy face!
p.s. -- I hope you can attend our Summer Tour.
I enjoyed my time there, at least the Korean part. I could have done without all that army stuff. One of these days, when I get a Round Tuit, I'll scan a bunch of pictures and post them online to show what it was like 49 years ago.
1954 Pusan East AFB (K-9)
B-26 Gunner
Things have changed a bunch!
Gene Nelson
1954 K-8 (Kuhnsan)...Just after the shooting stopped
B-26 Pilot
It was great getting out of there and moving to Johnson AB, Japan
1969-70 Eco 707 Maintenance Battalion Worked at the Air field at Camp Casey, billeted at the Engineers Compound North of Casey. Helicopter Repairman.
I was there at least 3 times during the '60s and '70s, via USS Raton, AGSS 270, and the USS Harder, SS568.
Bud, whatcha doin' with the .458? A friend loaned me one, along with 5 rounds, last summer. What a blast.
In 1949 I was on the San Pedro High School track team as a hurdler and broad jumper (now long jump) Most of the guys on the track team went over to Terminal Island and joined the Marine Corps Reserves. They got $4.00 a week and three sets of under ware. They all went to Korea and half of them didn't come back and never had a chance to go to a class reunion. :`(
Not me, but my father-in-law (1930-1992) was a marine who served in Korea in 1950, was wounded twice, was awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device for "heroic achievement in connection with military operations against an armed enemy" and 3 months later a gold star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal for the his roll in another action.
He didn't talk about it much, but once years ago I read his citations. After reading what he did (on two separate occasions) I said, "What the heck were you thinking?" He looked at me, smiled and said, "Thinking?"
Not to change the subject, but it occurred to me that there must be several hundred automobiles in that photograph, but there doesn't seem to be more than 5 or 6 trucks. I'll bet that a similar photo of bumper-to-bumper traffic on one of our interstate highways would show the vehicles to be at least about one third TRUCKS! What are we doing that they aren't, or, visa versa,......???
Not to change the subject, but it occurred to me that there must be several hundred automobiles in that photograph, but there doesn't seem to be more than 5 or 6 trucks. I'll bet that a similar photo of bumper-to-bumper traffic on one of our interstate highways would show the vehicles to be at least about one third TRUCKS! What are we doing that they aren't, or, visa versa,......???
Oops! Sorry,.....seems that every time I go to post something, I get distracted by the phone or somebody, and double post! Sorry,......harold
Sorry Ed,My wording was amiss.The .458 is actual size of 45 cal rifle bullits.45 cal pistle is .452 go figgure? Ps,45/60 WCF Bud.
Dad was a Dice Man at K-8 during 1952-53. B-26's Para-Dice for 50 missions. I still have his Para-Dice baseball cap and scarf. We went into SAC at MacDill in Tampa when he got back.
Ken in Texas
That first picture looks like the the 210 freeway in the North Eastern San Fernando Valley during rush time. Notice how all the stupid cars look like KIA's? Wonder why, lol.