As one of countless children born during the Great Depression, the conflict in the divided peninsula of Korea that began on June 25, 1950 was the war of my generation. Although this war was as much 'hell' as all other wars there are also moments of amazing events on a different scale that stick in one's memory.
I was born in the small town of East Mauch Chunk (now part of Jim Thorpe, PA). One hot summer day as our squad was returning from an intelligence gathering mission in North Korea, we came upon a group of civilian refugees fleeing South to get away from the ever-present devastation. You can imagine my consternation when I noticed one elderly man wearing a sleeveless basketball jersey with "East Mauch Chunk High School" blazoned across the front of the shirt. To see that half-way around the world from 'home' was awesome. Amazing!
Another experience that has haunted me for over fifty years took place not in Korea, but at Tachikawa Air Base in Japan. My buddy, Jim Strait, and I were returning to Korea after spending a 10-day R&R leave in Kyoto. As our flight on a huge C-124 transport was preparing to load, Jim and I were called to the flight desk and told we were being taken off the manifest and would be assigned a later flight. Seemed that all other members on the flight were Air Force personnel, and in order to avoid two landings in Korea, as Army soldiers we were replaced by other Air Force men. That flight took off at 1632 hours (4:32 p.m.) and crashed four minutes later. Bursting in flames when it fell, all 129 men aboard were killed and not identified for some three weeks. So, who died in place of me and Jim? Jesus died for us 2,000 years ago, and that day two unknown Airmen died in our place in Japan. Amazing!
Then there are the men you served with, friendships that have lasted for over fifty years. Some that are still renewed annually at reunions and visitations, phone calls, e-mails, letters - and, funerals. I remember my first five months in Korea going without a shower (as did others), and still we remain friends. Amazing!
America now realizes that the conflict in Korea was a war, not a 'police action'; not a Forgotten War, but a Forgotten Victory. It was a victory because the beloved people of South Korea were saved from being subjugated by a communist regime from North Korea, and its Russian and Chinese allies. South Korea is now a thriving democracy while their northern kinsman continue to suffer under a dictatorship. The armed forces of the United States and South Korea, along with nineteen other United Nations, despite heavy losses on all sides, gave new life and liberty to a people unduly attacked and nearly destroyed. Amazing!
A couple of weeks before our Detachment Dog, 330th CRC, located along the Sea of Japan far up on the East Coast of North Korea was overrrun by advancing Chinese troops in an attempt to capture more land in that area before the caese fire. The 84 men in our unit evacuated by truck convoy down the Inje Pass, and after several days, we arrived at the 326th CRC where we were temporaily housed and resume operations. As a result our detachment, "The East Coast Homesteaders", in effect, ceased to exist and in four months we would join the 330th C/R Company when it took new residence outside Seoul. Along with men of the 326th that night of July 27, 1953, we celebrated the 'end' of hostilities.
I still have a copy of the Tuesday, July 28, 1953 Korea Edition of the Pacific Stars and Stripes with the banner headline, '"TRUCE SIGNED" and the large print at the fold, "Korea Fighting Ends", followed by the formal announcement datelined Panmunjom, July 27. There are many articles dealing with the war and its end. One states that "1.5 Million Yanks Served in FE During Korea War". Another quotes General Mark W. Clark telling his command "we cannot turn our backs on the conflict and go home after an armistice is signed." I also have as a momento a copy of the August 4, 1953 Time Magazine article "THE TRUCE: At Last".
Fifty years have passed since that joyous day. Our beloved ASA command and its satellite companies contributed much to end the war. Our 330th received eight of the ten battle stars awarded by the 8th Army in Korea. I don't know about other ASA units but I'm sure each were recognized for a job well done. Perhaps, our historian, John Garrah, can set this record straight.
What can one say after 50 years? My first thoughts are of eternal gratitude to Amighty God, our Creator and Redeemer. Without His guidance and direction we as a group of ASA Korean War Veterans would not be united today. I delight in sharing with all members of ASAKorea memories, love and concerns, and, especially, attending reunions each year. Let's face it, men, as the title of that song of our youth states, "Time waits for no one, it passes you by..."
I know I have been blessed with the men I served with in Detachment Dog, and those I befriended in other assignments. Many of these friendships have lasted over fifty years, and, prayerfully, will continue as long as God gives me breath and a healthy brain.
So, my prayer for you and myself this day is that God in Christ will keep us in His grace. That we may be true to His calling and remember the words of the Psalmist, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." The Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine on you and your families, this day forth, and even forevermore, Through Christ our Lord. Amen and Amen.
God Bless America! God Bless ASA Korea! Remember July 27, 1953!
See you in Buffalo in September.
Your Buddy, Rev. Charles "Preacher" Knappenberger, Chaplain ASAKorea