27 July 2016
I served in the United States Army Security Agency from February 1953 until October 1964. However, I did not serve a tour of duty in Korea until November 1957 until December 1958. I was stationed at Camp Red Cloud in Uijongbu and attached to I Corps. My assignment with the 321st USASABN Headquarters was as a communication specialist both operator and a maintenance repairman for the battalion communications north including the Demilitarized Zone intelligence units just south of the IMJIM River. I did not serve in combat, but as part of the South Korean Defensive Support after the Korean War combat was silenced by an agreement to Armistice instead of Peace in July 27th 1953 including both the North Korean, China, and Russia Delegation and the South Korea and United Nations Delegation. My duty was 24/7 day shift with on call for battalion emergency or loss of communications during off duty hours. You may ask why write this article. I hope is will serve some healing to the combat veterans who served in the Land off the Morning Calm, South Korea. During my tour of duty in Korea, I visited Panmunjom Armistice Site and was really surprised with what I saw. I will try to describe it as I remember being there in 1958.
First of all, it is not impressive, however I considerate Panmunjom to be hallow ground. Why? In addition to the Armistice signing by both countries engaged in war, it is the only place that solemnly can respect the combatant of each country that were Killed In Action [KIA], Wounded in Action [WIA] for the rest of their lives, and the exchange of Prisoners of War [POW] from both sides. July 27th 1953 Armistice signing may have been a healing spot for both nations and all their combat veterans.
The site is not very big and entering it from the south, I see a vast difference in the North Korean side versus the South Korea side. It reeks of arrogance and intimidation from the north. It gives an eerie feeling that the North is still in control even in 1958, fifteen years after the signing. Looking north, a visitor can see a permanent building siting on a hill north of the 38th parallel. This houses the North Korean Soldiers that maintain guard on their side of the 38th. The soldiers are well equipped in the event that someone from the south would cross the 38th into North Korea. On the South Korean side is a Quonset Hut where the United Nations and United States maintain guard also ensuring that no one cross over the 38th from the north. The south also is backed up by United States Army and South Korean Army units. This indicated to me that although there was an Armistice in place a war zone still existed. You could cut the daily tension with a bayonet.
There was a third building also a Quonset hut that sat in between both guard positions. This was the building where the Armistice was signed. Entering from the south, a large room the length of the Quonset hut contained a table and chairs on both sides. The first thing that I saw was the line of the 38th parallel painted on the table. Next, I noticed that true to North Korean intimidation, their chairs were taller than those of the South Koreans. Next, I notice the flags on the table, once again the North Korean flag was taller that the United Nations and United States flags. I could imagine how intimidated the South Korea and United Nations delegates must have felt when they entered the room for the first time. Armed Military Guards from both counties were also allowed in the room to ensure that no one attempted to cross the 38th parallel line on the table to confront the other side.
As I entered the Quonset hut a United Nations Security Guard accompanied me. He was armed and there to enforce that no one cross the 38th parallel either way. Almost instantly a North Korean Security Guard entered at by the north entrance. He was also armed and stood there string ahead in an intimidating manor. I asked the United Nations Security Guard “What if I crossed the 38th parallel and was on the north side of the table. His response was twofold, first that is why he was present, and secondly, it would create a major indecent that would bring both nations back to the conference table for a special meeting to discuss the intrusion. Needless to say, I never was in North Korea .
I also had the privilege of going over to the FREEDOM BRIDGE within the Panmunjom Site. The bridge had a line representing the 38th parallel drawn on it. Looking from the south, the bridge was guarded by United Nations Guards with dual machine guns at the ready, in the event that encroachment from the north became an issue. Also, the North Korean Guards had their machine guns at the ready, in the event that encroachment from the south became an issue. Definitely the area still in 1958 give the impression of a War Zone waiting to happen.
The bridge received its name when the United Nation Allies Prisoners of War [POW] were processed by the North for repatriation in accordance with the Armistice agreement. When the POW’s arrived on the North side of the bridge and started to cross the bridge towards the South, it is said that they tore off their clothes and threw them in and around the bridge. The North Korean Allies Prisoners of War [POW] were also repatriated to the North using this bridge.
When I left Korea in December 1958, nothing had changed in the Panmunjom, Korea area. Tensions had built up between both North and South Korea. There were several occasions when the North Korean Military crossed the IMJIM River and then dug tunnels to hide in. Eventually, these infiltrations were repelled by the South Korean Military. After, I returned to CONUS, I kept abreast of the Korean Peninsula and in I believe it was 1968 when the United States Navy USS Pueblo was captured by the North Korean Navy off the coast of North Korea and the crew became POW’s. They also were repatriated though the Freedom Bridge on their return to South Korea and then to the United States.
