|
This page is graphically intense with long load times due to photos. However, the photos and narratives by the men who served at Osan Air Base makes the wait well worthwhile. The opinions expressed are those of the author and in no way represents any official statement of Osan AB or the USAF. 
RETURN TO MAIN TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgement: Special thanks to Jack Terwiel , Capt, USAF (Ret) of the Osan Retired Activities Office and Harry Tezlaf (1965) for his photos of his first tour at Osan. Thanks to photos and narrative of Jim Denham (1961) and Doug Lewis (1962) for coverage of the Matador period. Thanks to Edward A. Lewis for his comments on the start of the Pueblo Crisis; Bill Bayless for his narratives and photos of Songtan during the Pueblo Crisis; and Robert Utts for his photos of the 18th TFW F-105s at Osan during the period. Thanks to Neil Mishalov for his photos of the Bob Hope Show (1968). Special thanks to Jackie Turner, 7th AF Historian, and John Okonski, 51st FW Historian, for their assistance with photos and guidance on the history of Osan AB. Thanks to Gib Foulke, SMSgt, USAF (ret) for his accounts of a "train guard" in 1965. Thanks to Kiyo Noriye, SMSgt USAF (ret), for his narratives and photos of the 8th TFW nuclear alerts (1958-1960). Thanks to Richard (Dick) Seely at USAF Memories for photos and narratives of nuclear alert from Itazuke and the Osan nuclear alerts. Thanks to the 36th Fiends site for the use of its materials dealing with the 36th TFS. Thanks to the 51st FW History Office for use of their photos. Special thanks to Ms. Jin Dal-lae of the Jisan-dong Ward Office for taking the time to research and provide historical materials on Songtan and Pyongtaek. Much of the information on Pyongtaek and the Songtan area extracted from the Pyeongtaek History, Pyeongtaek Si Sa. Thanks to the Songbuk Elementary School for permission to use their photos from their private collection.  View of Osan AB (USAF Photo) THIS IS A WORK IN-PROGRESS AND FACTS ARE BEING ADDED/DELETED DURING THIS PROCESS. THIS IS NOT A COMPLETED HISTORY.
1960: Congregation in front of Shin Hung Presbyterian Church in Seomi-ri. Shin Hung Church is the oldest church in Songtan. (1960) (Songtan Shin Hung Kyohwi 40th Anniversary Edition (1952-1992))  From 1960-1962, the Shin Hung Church operated a kindergarten for local area children. (1960) (Songtan Shin Hung Kyohwi 40th Anniversary Edition (1952-1992))   (L) Pony Cart in front of Han Song Tailor Shop located three shops down towards the Main Gate from the Stereo Club. (Circa 1960) (NOTE: Shops are on an incline. Mr Hwang Song-gi, employee of the Asia Hotel, stated he worked at the shop for a year. Mr. Son Kwang-chil, owner of Hanyang Kalbi, stated his father was head of the "union" of these "delivery" men who were North Korean refugees. His father had seven ponies used in his business.) ; (R) Used Lumber Yard in Shinjang area (Circa 1960) (NOTE: Lumber of any sort was a precious commodity. Many of the new stores were being built with the scrap lumber. According to Kwon Oh-hoon the major salvage yard/garbage dump was in Ojwa-dong (Ojwa-gaol) behind Are Konji-ni. (Source: Verbal conversation Kalani O'Sullivan and Kwon Oh-hoon, 24 Aug 2005.))
The Growth of Chicol Village Area In the early 1960s, housing was at a premium and soon more houses were spreading up the side of the hills towards the "town center" in Songbuk dong. The houses were still a mix of mudwattle houses (choga chip) and mudbrick and stucco houses. However, the shanty town look of the area was slowly disappearing -- though the buildings were still not the sturdiest construction.
 Benjo ditch between houses (Circa 1960) (51st FW Archives)
  (L) Chicol Village area with houses encroaching on rice fields. The rice fields is supposed to be where the Young Chon Hotel would later be built. (Circa 1960) (51st FW Archives) (R) Another view of the houses encroaching of rice fields. Notice the mix of mudwattle homes and more modern mudbrick and stucco houses. The one home with a tile roof stands out while others are with transite (corrugated concrete/asbestoes) or corrugated iron roofs. Notice that most have outdoor cooking areas. (Circa 1960) (51st FW Archives) The houses now spread up the hill to the Milwal-dong area and right towards the Hill 180 gate. In this area, the houses were tightly packed with small alleyways. In the Chicol Village area to the left as one exited the Main Gate, the large Haesong Dance Hall (and later pool hall) that was the first large building outside the gate was replaced by a hotel. In the low lying areas, the rice fields were slowly being reclaimed and houses built upon the old rice fields. This was the Jae Yok-dong area. The communal well was covered over as bars started to line the Shinjang Mall road. The Namsan Village area next to Hill 170 had returned to being an agricultural area. However, it appears that there was no real perimeter as paths were well-worn from the top of the hill down to the base of the hill. The areas past Namsan Village were all rice fields. To the right as one exited the Main Gate, the "Front Gate Town" (Chongmun eup) now was crowded with buildings fronting on the three main roads (1) Shinjang to Mokcheon Road; (2) Shinjang to MSR-1 on the Ridgeline and (3) Milwal-dong Road. By the 1960s, the area adjacent to the road leading to the Hill 180 Gate was crammed with houses of those employed on the base or in the service industry (bars, restaurants, beauty shops, general merchandise stores, tailor shops, and small inns). According to Oh Sun-soo, he started the GQ Tailor Shop in 1962. (NOTE: The GQ Tailor Shop is now under new ownership in 2005.) Shinjang Road to the overpass was not constructued until 1978. There were four paths into the Shinjang 2-dong area. (1) The first was the present Jungang Market Alley that starts at the Shinjang Mall Road and curves left to the Jungang Open Market. (2) The second starts at Shinjang Mall Road and Fashion Alley (Myongdong Road) and curves to the overpass area to the area of the Songtan Tourist Hotel. After about 100 feet it veered right and followed a curving path to the front of the Shinsong Elementary School in the Songwang area. (NOTE: None of the landmarks that were mentioned existed in 1960s, but many 1960s-era homes still exist that mark this path.) (3) The third path first went behind the house of Mr. Oh Sun-soo to the right outside of the Main Gate. (Source: 1957 Photo of Main Gate area) It continued across to the alleyway at the rear of the Asia Hotel parking lot. It ran along the side of the Milwal hill at the present Prince Hotel and continued down to the area of the Songwang Church (Onnori Church). The path continued until the end of the housing at the base of the hill where the Jaeil Church is now located. (NOTE: The path near the Main Gate remains as the diagonal alleyway from the behind the 7-11 to the Shinjang Overpass Road. The narrow alley at the rear of the Asia Hotel Parking lot intersects with Milwal Road coming down from the Capital Hotel. Older residents say the path went up side of the hill at this point. One street down, there is a narrow side road on the side of the hill to mark this route to the Songwang area. Along this route, 1960s era houses are still seen, though upgraded.) (4) The fourth was a road that started at the Main Gate and went behind a farm house. (Source: 1957 photo of Main Gate area) The path cut diagonally to the base of Milwal Road, then a narrow dirt path rutted by water runoff. At the top of the hill, it veered right as the Hill 180 Gate Road that followed the perimeter. The houses started to be not so cramped along this narrow dirt path until one reached the Hill 180 Gate at Makum-ni. (NOTE: Milwal Road was "straightened to cut directly to the Main Gate. All that remains of the diagonal path is the alleyway just outside the Main Gate today. The road at the Y near the Capital Hotel leading to the Songtan Subway Road would not be built until the late 1970s.) Though the brothels in the area were a major industry, historically, this is not an especially welcome topic for Koreans. Though the Koreans differentiated between the Chicol Village and Chongmun-eup (Front Gate Town), the Americans called the entire area "Chicoville," including the areas in Songbuk-dong near the bus depot and Jaeil theater. By the early 1960s, many of the business structures were made from recycled wood (i.e., scrap lumber and pallets from the base) -- as wood was a precious commodity at the time. (NOTE: There were plywood plants in operation throughout the country, but the supply could not keep up with the demand. The same was true of concrete as the country struggled to rebuild its infrastructure.) The increasingly authoritarian rule of President Syngman Rhee, along with government corruption and injustice, added to the discontent of the people. The elections of Mar 1960, in which Rhee won a fourth term, were marked by widespread violence, police brutality, and accusations by Rhee's opponents of government fraud. A student protest march in Apr 1960, in which 125 students were shot down by the police, triggered a wave of uprisings across the country. Because the US had supported Rhee, there were protests at the front gate of the "Yankee Go Home" variety.
"The election had been held in March and Rhee was re-elected as a dictator, but a lot of the Koreans didn't buy it and rioting broke out all over the country including at Chicol Village. Mobs of people gathered outside the gate and shouted anti-American slogans, "Yankee go home" and that sort of thing, and the ROK Army and police would wade into the crowd and beat hell out of them. We went down to the main gate to watch a couple of times. It was weird to see some of the people we knew in the crowd." (Source: Ed Stirling's narratives (1960) from Retired Activities Office)
An Osan AB Couple Joe Fitzpatrick of Yongsan, Korea wrote in Nov 2005, "I came to Osan in 1959, after radio maintenance school at Keesler and an aborted attempt at Snark missile school at Lowery. NCO's retraining into those schools left us airmen without an assignment. We were sent to Korea for OJT in whatever. I was lucky enough to be assigned to the 6314th Support Squadron, 314th Air Division, under 5th AF."
Joe Fitzpatrick (1960) (Joe Fitzpatrick) "I had two Koreans to do the daily inventory and labor, and another airman (John Brister) to share the other work with me. We were able to work our own hours, as long as we covered 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. Quite often I worked every other day, and spent a lot of off duty time hunting pheasants and taking pictures in the local area." The two Koreans were Yi Chong-Nam (deceased) and Song Tong-Su, who later retired from Base Supply. "I retired in 1981 as an AF Captain also. I knew Maggie Mc Pherson and her crew! I suppose you know of her. A saint, who devoted her life to the Osan Service Club." (NOTE: Maggie V. McPherson is who the McPherson Recreation Center is named for. Starting as a Red Cross volunteer in WWII, she served as a USAF Service Club Director from 1949-1976.) As a Captain, Joe was stationed at ROKAF HQ, Seoul JUSMAG-K from1972-1973 and then served at Camp Red Cloud from 1975-1976. In 2005, he was a civilian at Yongsan. 
Along the way, Joe met the former Chae Yon Im (Terry Fitzpatrick). He wrote, "My wife was a telephone operator at Osan, and later worked at the Airman's Club, Officer's Club and Dining Hall # 2. I was a two striper airman who ran the storeroom in Dining Hall #2. We married at the Base Chapel in 1961 and have been in love for 45 years! Most were not as lucky as we have been!" 
Life at Osan AB Sam Welder of Spring, Tx wrote in Nov 2005, "I was stationed at Osan AB in 59-60, was officially control systems maintenance on the Matador, also was the one who painted several the navy blue that were used for display. I previously painted 57 Chevies at the Norwood plant."
Matador Missiles Arrive Matadors came to Osan, Korea, when the 310th Tactical Missile Squadron and 58th Support Squadron were activated under the 58TMG. The Matadors were capable of carrying nuclear tipped weapons under the 58th TMG. The 310th TMS operated out of the "Diamond" area. 
(SITE NOTE: (SPECULATION) A question is posed as to why would the USAF deploy a nuclear system to Korea -- that was being phased out starting in 1959 and replaced by the "TM-76A Mace-A." By 1962 the Matador missile had been replaced with the superior Mace and it was removed from service. The nuclear deterent aimed at China was posed by the 3rd BW's B-57s and 8th and 18th FW's F-100s. 
This is the Martin Aircraft (now Lockheed Martin) Matador Ground-Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM). The Matador was developed starting in 1947, and was the first missile ever deployed by the Air Force. The first launch took place on January 19, 1949 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. By 1951, testing was moved to Patrick Air Force Base in Florida (south of Cape Canaveral).
About 1,200 Matadors were built, with production ending in 1957. The weapon was deployed to West Germany, Florida, and Taiwan, and remained in service until 1962. (NOTE: The deployment in Korea falls under the "neither confirm nor deny policy" of the US due to international concerns with the Korean Armistice agreement banning the introduction of any new weapons system into Korea.) The Matador-C was retroactively redesignated "MGM-61C" in 1963. (NOTE: Even as the Matador was being deployed, there were concerns that it was simply too troublesome to move around and fire, and that its radio guidance system was too easy to jam or spoof. This led to an improved version, originally designated "TM-61B", with initial test flights of "YTM-61B" prototypes in 1956. The new missile was clearly derived from the Matador, but it had a shorter wingspan and a longer blunt nose, and so it was redesignated "TM-76 Mace" in early 1958. It entered operational service as the "TM-76A Mace-A" in 1959. The phaseout of the Matador began in 1959 when it was replaced by the more advanced TM-76 Mace missile. By 1962 the Matador missile had been replaced with the superior Mace.
Matador specifications and performanceIn Asia, the 310th TMS at Osan, the 868th TMS at Tainan, Taiwan; and 498th TMG at Kadena, Okinawa helped pioneer the missile organizations in the USAF. 6929th RSM Arrives Syd Kahre of Quincy, CA belonged to a secretive unit that monitored the radio transmissions of the Chinese. The 6929th RSM was part of the USAF Security Service (USAFSS). (See 1963 for photos.) Syd wrote in the Guestbook in Mar 2006: "Brought back a lot of memories. I was at Osan from March '59 until April'60 in 6929th RSM - Chinese. We started work in converted semi trucks. My first night they put me on "guard duty" at the back gate - handed me a .45 and there I was. I spent all night figuring how to operate the thing. They soon had the facilities completed on Hill 170 - "The Hill" . 
Nuclear Alert Returns to Osan: The 8th TFW had been standing nuclear alerts at Osan on a rotational basis since 1958. However, when new facilities were opened at Kadena AB, Okinawa, the alert moved and operations in the Diamond area were closed at Osan and by the spring of 1959, the 8th TFW alerts were held in Kadena on a rotation basis.
 Map of Osan AB Flightline (NOTE: The Diamond A-D where the nuclear alerts were pulled.) Dick Seeley stated a few years back on his old site, how the conditions had changed for standing the nuclear alerts at Osan after their return from Kadena. He stated, "Upon returning to Osan, AB Korea we found a nice new alert facility waiting for us. It was totally self contained and air conditioned too. The alert pads were now enclosed with steel buildings. No more pre-flights in the rain or snow and each pad had a phone. Practice scrambles during inclement weather no longer required us to sit in open cockpits during a monsoon or blizzard depending upon the season. It was a great improvement over our previous facilities. Practice scrambles were initiated with the ringing of a bell. It is interesting see how conditioned one becomes to responding. I had just returned from a tour at Osan and was waiting for a movie to begin in a downtown Fukuoka movie theater. A bell would sound a minute or two before the movie would start. Yep, I came right out of the seat!" 
The alert crews lived in a thirty-two man barracks on the alert pad with latrine and shower facilities. The barracks consisted of four bays with a central shower and latrine. The nuclear weapons bunker was across the street. The alerts would remain at Osan under the 8th TFW until 1964 when the 8th TFW rotated to George AFB, CA to transition to F-4s. The 35th, 36th and 80th had transitioned to F-105s at the time. The Osan nuclear commitment never went away, it only switched units using the 35th, 36th and 80th under the other cover units.
 Syngman Rhee inaugurated as First Republic President on 24 Jul 1948. (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)
The downfall of the corrupt government of President Syngman Rhee (Yi Syng-man) came about in 1960. The last straw was the New National Security Law which gave all power to Rhee's party, abolished the election of local officials, and appointment of Police Chiefs from Rhee's supporters. In March 1960, the Liberal Party managed to reelect Rhee and to elect Yi Ki-bung vice president by the blatant use of force. Rhee was reelected by default because his principal opponent had died while receiving medical treatment in the United States just before the election. As for Yi, he was largely confined to his sickbed-- a cause of public anger -- but "won" 8.3 million votes as against 1.8 million votes for Chang Myon (Dr. John M. Chang).
 Syngman Rhee The fraudulent election touched off civil disorders, known and celebrated as the April 19 Student Revolution, during which 142 students were killed by the police. Thousands of university and high school students, as well as professors, teachers, parents and others, staged one of the most spectacular demonstrations against the government. This became known as the "Righteous Student Uprising of April 19th." Martial law was declared and troops were mobilized -- however, the troops remained neutral refusing to take action against the students. Riots continued every day until April 26 when President Syngman Rhee tendered his resignation followed by the members of his cabinet. The First Republic collapsed in a violent uprising. Foreign Minister Chung Chung-huh becomes head of a caretaker government. The next day all four members of the Yi family died in a suicide pact. This account has been challenged by some who believed Yi's family was killed by his bodyguards in hopes of enabling Rhee to stay on. On April 28, 1960, a DC-4 belonging to the Civil Air Transport (CAT was operated by the US CIA) spirited Rhee out of Korea barely one step ahead of a lynch mob. Kim Yong Kap, Rhee's Deputy Minister of Finance, revealed that Rhee took $20 million of the government fund. Rhee, his wife and an adopted son lived at 2033 Makiki St., Honolulu, Hawaii. Yoon Bo Soon took over as interim President on 1 Aug 1960 until new elections could be held. (Source: Kimsoft: Who Was Syngman Rhee?, Lee Wha Rang, 20 Feb 2000.)  Yoon Bo Soon assumes Presidency on 1 Aug 1960. (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)
But instead of a rebirth of the nation in the Second Republic, it too spiralled downward and became mired in nepotism, corruption while crime grew out of hand. The police were powerless. Under the leadership of President Chang Myun (Dr. John M. Chang), a new government was unable to correct the economic problems or maintain order. The military had remained out of the politics in the downfall of Rhee and only intervened when Chang's regime went from bad to worse.
1961: Songbuk Elementary School (1961) (Songbuk Elementary School)
 Seojong Elementary School. (1961) (Seojong Elementary Photo Display (2005)) Chicol Village It was purported that Chicol Village provided about 80 percent of the income for the area through its bars and prostitution. The remainder of the income came from subsistence farming. Approximately 70 percent of the population was clustered within 1km of the base. The main agricultural center was in Sojeong-ni which had the railhead connecting it to Pyongtaek and Suwon. Intercity buses was the norm for transportation as cars was a luxury item that only the wealthy and Americans could afford. Oxcarts and a few Korean-pony carts were seen transporting items in the streets. In the fields, the oxen were used to till the soil. The following from Jim Denman's Korean Tour.     (NOTE: Left: Notice the ox-cart that was a common site. Right: These buses were the newer intercity express buses. The older country buses were school bus types that had tires mounted on the rear in case of a blowout -- a common occurrence.   (NOTE: Right: For another view of theater go to "1958.") Life on Osan AB The following are from Jim Denman's Korean Tour. Jim Denman was with the 310th TAC Missile Squadron (TMS) in 1961. The 310th Tactical Missile Squadron and 58th Support Squadron were activated under the 58TMG. The 310th operated out of the "Diamond" area -- which is the same location that the 8th TFW of Yokota AB, Japan had previously performed their nuclear alerts. The Matador was designed to carry the W-5 warhead (MGM-1). The warhead came in a variety of yields:+ 6, 16, 55, 60, 100, 120 kilotons. It could be either airburst or surface detonated. It was produced by modifing the MK-5 bombs. The warheads for the Matador were retired between Jul 1961 - Jan 1963. There were 65 Matador warheads produced. (Source: Complete List of All U.S. Nuclear Weapons The Matador possessed about the same size and looks as a contemporary jet fighter. A booster generating 57,000 pounds of thrust for 2.4 seconds got the 12,000-pound missile airborne and up to a flying speed of 200 mph from a zero- length launcher. Powered by a 4,600-pound-thrust J33-A-37 engine, the missile (designated TM-61A) carried a 3,000-pound warhead over 650 mph to a maximum range of 620 miles. The Matador missile, unfortunately, never performed adequately. Throughout its service, observers criticized the Matador for its low in-flight reliability, high CEPs, and questionable control over long distances. A 1956 study noted that USAF did not develop Matador according to procedures and military requirements, but rather devised the missile around existing components and techniques. Further, at the time the Air Force initially deployed the Martin missile, the weapon had not demonstrated operationally acceptable performance and required major modifications. The Matador's guidance system presented another problem because the guidance radar's range proved less than the missile's flying range. This guidance system required a ground-based operator to track and guide the missile, which, with line- of-sight communications, limited guided range to 250 miles. In late 1954, USAF added a guidance system called Shanicle and re-designated the missile TM-61C. In this system, the missile automatically flew a hyperbolic grid. Based upon results of 74 TM-61Cs launched on the Atlantic missile range between April 1957 and September 1960, USAF calculated the missile's overall reliability at 71 percent and CEP at 2,700 feet. However, these accuracy figures included student launches; instructors achieved CEPs of 1,600 feet. But Shanicle still limited the range of TM-61C to that of line-of-sight transmissions; moreover, this guidance system could be jammed. To break this dependence, the Air Force installed a third guidance system. ATRAN in the TM-61B variant, nicknamed Mace. (Source: GlobalSecurity.org: Matador The Matador surface-to-surface missile came into use with the 1st and 69th Pilotless Bomber Squadons, the designation anotther artless attempt to make the roles and missions more palatable to the Army. About 1,000 Amatadors we4re built; they were succeeded by the Mace, which was retired in 1966. (Beyond the Wild Blue, History of the US Air Force 1947-1997m Walter Boyne, p128.) Jim Denman's corrugated iron barracks was located on Hill 180 -- and was later replaced by a two-story barracks with latrines at the ends. The unit operated from two hangars adjacent to the Diamond area. He has some interesting comments attached to his photos of Chicoville (Chicol Village).   (NOTE: Left: Picture taken just outside the Main Gate into "Chicoville." Right: Jim's complaint of no hotwater was common at ALL bases/camps.)   (NOTE: Left: The old structure appears to be a plywood Jamesway building. Only the roofs were corrugated iron. Sides were normally covered in layered wood slates, but these appear to be completely covered in corrugated iron sheets. The new barracks were poured concrete slabs on the ends with prefab walls and floors. These structures were susceptible to fire because of the prefab construction materials. One end was the entrance and the other end was a fire exit. Latrines were at the end. Right: The comments of Hill 180 are an urban legend. See "1951" above for story.)     38th ADA Bde Established The 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Headquarters was established at Osan AB on 25 May 1961. The unit was deactivated on 31 July 1981. Controlled the Nike-Hercules and Hawk batteries under the 44th ADA around the peninsula. Deactivated when the last of the Hawks were turned over to the ROK.  38th Brigade Patch: Hand of Power, but according to Kenneth Wisz (E Btry 2/44th ADA 38th AD Bde, Kimje, Korea), "it was better known as 'the fist of shit'." The partition line represents the division of the Korean Peninsula by the Demilitarized Zone. The gauntlet represents the protection offered by the brigade, the lightning bolt the swift retaliation against any hostile air attack. US Military Aid The US military aid to South Korea from 1950-1959 amounted to $1.292 billion. On 8 Feb 1961, the US and the ROK concluded agreements with respect to US economic, technical, and related assistance to Korea. These agreements (which supersede the 1948 aid agreement, the 1952 economic coordination agreement, and the 1953 reconstruction and financial stabilization agreement) provide for a special mission to Korea to discharge the responsibilities of the US stipulated therein. (The agreements were to be entered into force on 28 Feb 1961.) (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p109, Command Historian's Office, USFK/EUSA) Korea Military Situation As in previous years, the major expenditures for PACOM under the Military Assistance Program (MAP) was to Korea. The 1961 objectives was to supply the ROK with conventional artillery, small arms, anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missiles and to replace obsolete tanks. Training was provided to two ROK SAM battalions during FY61. The US asked the ROK government if it was willing open discussions on providing Nike and Hawk equipment to ROK units. The US ambassador favored going ahead with Hawk units, but wanted the Nike deferred. However, despite the COMUS-K agreement with the 8th Army Commander that the ROK should be provided only Hawk units, at the end of FY 61 provisions were for one Nike battalion and three Hawk battalions. (1961 CINCPAC Command History, p97) In Aug 1961, SHARP EDGE held amphibious forces landings in the Pohang area. The ROK was asked to provide air cover for the landing which was widely publicized in the ROK to garner public support of the US forces. Exercise COUNTER PUNCH (similar to Exercise STRIKE BACk) was held in Mar 1961 as a CPX/FTX to test the posture of the UN/USFK forces to defend Korea in case of resumed localized hostilities. (NOTE: This would evolve into the USFK's LENS Exericse and later joined with the ROK's Ulchi Focus Exercise to become Ulchi Focus-Lens.) Exercise Turn Back was conducted in Nov and affected all US/UN and ROK units down to the division level. Exercise Korea 61-II took place in Oct and Nov to practice the establishment of a combined Special Forces operating base to support guerilla and counter-guerilla operations. The Status of Forces Agreement became a "hot potato" with the Commander US Forces Korea unwilling to discuss the matter, though the State Department stated that "in principle" it was committed to negotiations. After the coup, the State department wanted the situation to "return to normal" before starting negotiations. According to the 1961 CINCPAC Command History, pp 154-159: In 1960, when the Republic of Korea raised the question of a Status of Forces Agreement, the US reluctant to discuss it. The question, including the matter of criminal jurisdiction over members of US Forces, came up again in March 1961. CINCPAC favored negotiations to establish formal agreement on matters of exit and entry, customs and taxation, but recommended against any action that would give the impression that the US was willing to discuss criminal jurisdiction. However, after a high level decision that the US should no longer refuse to negotiate full Status of Forces Agreement with the ROK, the US Ambassador to Korea informed the Korean Prime Minister that the US would open such negotiations. However, the Ambassador was told to warn the Koreans that the US would not pay for any facilities used by US Forces in Korea, and that the subject of criminal jurisdiction was a delicate matter on which no agreement could be reached unless there was assurance that US personnel would have rights comparable to those afforded in the US. In actual practic, the US would expect to exercise jurisdiction over most cases involving members of US Forces. Military Junta Seizes Power The plan to seize power was stated by the intelligence chief of the junta, Colonel Kim Chong Pil (later Premier and one of the three Kims in Korean politics) stated that the plan to effect the coup originated with nine officers, subseuently enlarged to twenty-four, who succeeded in winning the support of some 90 percent of the entire strength of the armed forces. The plan was first made before the May 1960 "student revolution," but when this occurred it was decided to give the regime of Dr. John Chang a chance. When it became evident that this Government was incompetent, two earlier dates were fixed for teh military coup, but it was twice postponed. The 7,000 troops taking part were mainly reserves, none being moved from thefront line. It ws claimed that competent US sources" had advance information about the coup but disbelieved it, and after the subsequent arrest of General Chang Do-yung, he was alleged to have confessed that he asked the UN Commander, Colonel Carter B. Magruder, to use American troops to suppress the revolution, deciding to participate in the coup only at the eleventh hour and at that, according to some reports, at gunpoint. (Source: The Republic of Korea, W.E. Reeve, 1963, pp148-149.) In May 1961, a group of military officers carried out a coup and overthrew the ROK's Second Republic. Led by Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Chang Do-yung, the junta seized power in a pre-dawn coup. Gen. Carter B. Magruder, Commander-in-Chief of UN and US forces in Korea, calls on all forces under his command to support the only recongized government of the ROK. On the morning of May 16, some 1,600 troops, spearheaded by the Marines, moved into Seoul and occupied strategic points after minor clashes at the Han River bridge. The revolutionary junta suspended the constitution, dissolved the National Assembly, forbade all political activities, imposed press censorship, and banned student demonstrations. (For a more detailed account of the coup, refer to The Republic of Korea, W.E. Reeve, 1963.) The Park "spin-doctor" version read: "Military Revolution Committee: A group of Armed Forces officers led by Gen. Park Chung Hee staged a bloodless revolution at dawn on May 15, 1961, and overthrew the Democratic regime which had exposed its extreme inability. The revolutionary force, which declared its public pledges that the military was determined to save the nation from the imminent danger it faced and solve the livelihood of millions of people who were on the verge of starvation, assumed the legislative, judicial, and administrative powers for two years and seven months, while launching a drive to purify social discipline, reinforcing the nation's anti-Communist posture, and undertaking development programs for the national land which had long been left unattended due to the indifference and enervation of the successive regimes, thereby providing a turning point for the modernizattion of the fatherland. This committee was reorganized into the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction three days after the revolution or on May 18 and existed until the establishment of a civil government on Oct 15, 1963, as the highest ruling organ of the state. (Source: The Road to National Survival, The Maeil Kyungje Shinmun, 1977, p26)  Park Chung-hee. (Pyeongtaek City) (Source: Pyeongtaek History (CD), Pyeongtaek Si Sa)
On 23 May 1961, the militry junta rejected part of a draft agreement ot return Korean military forces to UN operational control. The UN Command, headed by US Gen. Magruder, demanded that the Korean troops pulled from combat units to take part in the coup be returned to their positions at once. Korean forces technically are under Gen. Magruder's authority, and the UN Command terms their withdrawal mutiny. On the same day, Premier Chang Do-yung, leader of the military regime, announced that he would leave immediately for Washington for talks with President Kennedy. the move was seen as a step to bypass the US Embassy in Seoul which opposed the coup d'etat. On 25 May a joint statement by the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction (SCNR) and the UNC returns operational control of ROK armed forces to CINCUNC who would use OPCON only to defend Korea from Communist agression.
World Events President Eisenhower left office in January 1961, warning of the threat of unwarranted influence by the military industrial complex. The Cold War continued under President Kennedy, with an unsuccessful invasion of Cuba, the "Bay of Pigs," and the East Germans constructing the Berlin Wall.
1962: Congregation of the Shin Hung Presbyterian Church in Seomi-ri. Shin Hung Church is the oldest church in Songtan. (4 Aug 1962) (Songtan Shin Hung Kyohwi 40th Anniversary Edition (1952-1992))  Congregation of the Shin Hung Presbyterian Church. (4 Aug 1962) (Songtan Shin Hung Kyohwi 40th Anniversary Edition (1952-1992)) Songtan Central Presbyterian Church (1962) The Songtan Central Presbyterian Church (Songtan Jungang Kyohwi) was founded in 1962 on the present site at the top of Hobak Hill in the area known as Goo-chang-teo near the Kyongbu Railroad tracks.  The intercity bus terminal looking west. The MSR-1 runs left to right. (This area is now where the Kookmin Bank is.) Note on top of the hill on the far right is the area where the Songtan Central Presbyterian Church is located. (1971) (Edward Caler) In the photo above, we believe the building on the top right is the Songtan Central Presbyterian Church. The photo is of the bus depot located where the present Kookmin bank is located. The MSR-1 runs from left to right with Pyeongtaek to the left and Osan-ni to the right. The photo looks west towards the Hobak Hill area were the Songtan Central is located at the top of the hill next to the railroad tracks at the base of the hill. To the right just outside the photo is the road to the old Mokchon crossing that is now closed. In 1984, a new church was built on the site with the congregration services below and the Pastor's office on the second floor. Across the small parking lot are the church kitchen facilities with a day-care center above. As of 2006, the Pastor was Rev. Choi Byung-nam who resided with his family on the grounds. There are approximately 300 in the congregation (not including children) as of 2006.   Songtan Central Presbyterian Church (Sep 2006) (Kalani O'Sullivan)  Daycare Center (Sep 2006) (Kalani O'Sullivan)  Songbuk Elementary School (1962) (Songbuk Elementary School) Education On 6 Jan 1962 the Songtan Godung Gomin Hakkyo (church school) (established on 11 Nov 1955) merged with the Songwang hagwon (academy). The Songwang hagwon (academy) then merged with the Songwang Middle School on 17 Mar 1962. At the time, this was set up in military tents alongside the Songshin Elementary School which was formally established on 1 Jan 1963. (SITE NOTE: This would later become the Taegwang Middle School. The roots of the Taegwang Middle School are traced to the Kwangmyeong Gongmin Hakkyo (church school) that was established in 1953. We haven't established the location, but Taegwang Middle School authorities state it was in the same area as the Taegwang Middle School today -- probably near the high ground near the Songwang Church (Onnori Church) in Shinjang 2-dong as the remainder was still rice fields. Most likely it was set up in tents donated by the American military as building materials were scarce. On 12 Mar 1968, the Taegwang hagwon changed to the Taegwang Middle School and supplanted the Songwang Middle School with permanent structures next to the Songshin Elementary School.) Life on Osan AB Ron Bound of Papillion, NE wrote in Nov 2005, "... Brought back lots of memories of my tour at Osan in '62 - '63. There was an orphanage out the 'back' gate at Osan. We used to go out there and make bricks and helped build new building." In the early 1960s, the common construction material for the farmers and poor was mud bricks to build mud-wattle houses with rice thatch roofs. We also have photos of an orphanage off-base taken by Dan Klopten in 1959. Our search continues. (SITE NOTE: See 1963: "Orphanage Off-base." As of 2006, we have not been able to locate this orphanage nor do any of the longtime residents we have interviewed remember such an orphanage. However, we have photos of this orphanage. Jim Collyer of Boston, MA wrote in Nov 2005, "Was in korea at Osan stationed with the 2184th Comm Group from 1964-1965. Did a lot of work at the Garden of Children Orphanage." However, the Garden of Children Orphanage was located in Pyeongtaek in 1970 -- not immediately off the base. This suggests that the orphanage had moved.   In 1961, the 8th TFW received the F-102 Delta "Dagger" which it flew until 1964 along with the F-100s. The F-102 was flown by the 68th Fighter Interceptor Squadron of Itazuke AB, Japan from 1957 to 1965 after which the unit transitioned to the F-4C in 1965. Frank Foulke was a MG-10 Weapons Specialist.
Matador Missile (Early 1960s) 310th TAC Missile Squadron The 310th TAC Missile Squadron (TMS) handled the Matador Missiles in 1962. The following is from Doug Lewis' Pictorial: A little explanation is in order if you weren't in Korea around 1960-62. Osan was about 10 minutes south of the DMZ via Mig-19. It took 15 minutes to do an alert countdown by the book so technically we were dead 5 minutes before we got the first bird off the pad. So, you have to improvise. The crews got so good and knew there birds so well that from a no power situation, they could have the first one off in 45 seconds!! That included starting up the 60kw generator which had the throttle preset to the proper speed and the overspeed switch tied down (to keep it from overspeeding on startup). I was on a maintenance crew so I didn't go out on A diamond very often. Assault by American K-9 Handler According to the Pyeongtaek History, an American K-9 handler in Jang-ri on 3 May 1962 set his K-9 on a female farmer, Shin Dok-san who he claimed was attempting to steal something. Allegations that he then assaulted her with a knife requiring her hospitalization. Outcome of this incident unknown. (Source: Pyeongtaek City History CD, "Pyeongtaek Si Sa.")
Military Junta Eliminated: Park Chung-hee Elected PresidentIn 1962, Park Chung Hee attempted to extend the military junta for four more years. However, the direct opposition of the move by John F. Kennedy caused Park to back down. On Feb 21, Chariman Park Chung-hee announced return of power to civilian government in 1963. On July 27, he announced that the transfer of government to the civilians would be made within the year. At the same time, he made it clear that he would retire from active military duty and run for the office of president in the forthcoming election. In the election 84.9 percent of the 13 million eligible voters elected Park Chung Hee as president. (Source: Park Chung-Hee History))
Cumulative Costs to US in Assistance and Supplies As of 1 Jan 1962, the US government had provided Korea with foreign assistance amounting to $4.62 billion since the end of hostilities in WWII. This help included $3.056 billion for economic and technical assistance and $1.564 billion for military supplies and services. (These figures do not include the costs to the US of maintaining its own military forces in Korea either during the post war occupation period or during the period of UN action and involvement.) (Source: The US Military Experience in Korea 1871-1982, p112, Command Historian's Office, USFK/EUSA) Korea Military Situation In the past, the major expenditures for PACOM under the Military Assistance Program (MAP) was to Korea. However, in 1962, the major expenditures went to the Republic of China due to growing tensions in South East Asia. The revised MAP program strengthened the Republic of Vietnam and Thailand, but seriously impaired the program for Korea, and especially crippled the programs for China, the Philippines and Japan. The revised program contained practically no force improvement and had grave implications for the US and UN defense posture in PACOM. No provision was made for the GPA-57 radar, which was desparately needed for air defense. Overall, there was a $12 million cut in MAP aid to the ROK. The issue of the War Reserve Supply Ammunition -- Korea (WRSA-K) was surfaced and Korea, China, Republic of Vietnam and Thailand were set to the following level: Army smal arms -- 90 days; Other Army ammunition -- 60 days; Navy and Air Force ammunition -- 60 days. For Korea the predominant factors were the size of the North Korean threat, the common border between North and South Korea and the time required because of the long supply lines. (SITE NOTE: The WRSA-K was eliminated for Korea in 2004, but the ROK did not react to support its own WRSA-K requirements -- hoping that the US would somehow continue to supply them their ammunitions at cut-rate costs. In 2007, there were negotiations still ongoing, but the ROK had only 10 days of ammunition if a real shooting-war broke out.) SAM for Korea had the FY62-67 MA Plan for Korea provided for one HAWK battalion in FY 63, one in FY64, and one in FY67. It also provided for one NIKE Battalion in FY63, and one in FY66. This program was delayed until the DOD authorized the release of classified information to the ROKA. In Nov 1961, the OSD authorized the release of HAWK system classified information and in May 1962, the US and ROK government signed an agreement on the security of information -- thus enabling CINCPAC to release secret NIKE and HAWK material to the ROK. It was discussed whether US military should man the two Nike battalions in the ROK, however, the JCS recommended that the US NOT assume responsibility for the SAM in Korea planned under the MAP. The F-5A was scheduled for introduction into Korea in place of the previously programmed F-104G. However, The ROK claimed their capabilities would be degraded by substituting the F-5As for the F-104Gs and CINCPAC recommended reinstating the F-104Gs. But OSD overruled this and stated that decision was firm and that the F-5As were programmed for Korea in place of the F-104Gs. (NOTE: This was a wise decision -- and the F-5Es are still flying in Korea.) During 1962, US/ROK forces conducted seven combined exercises, three were command post exercises (CPX), three were fied training exercises (FTX), and one was an amphibious type. The Status of Forces Agreement became a "hot potato" with the Commander US Forces Korea unwilling to discuss the matter, though the State Department stated that "in principle" it was committed to negotiations. After the coup, the State department wanted the situation to "return to normal" before starting negotiations. According to the 1962 CINCPAC Command History, pp 138-139: When the Republic of Korea in 1960 reaised the question of a Status of Forces Agreement, the US at first avoided the issue but later relented, agreeing to negotiate certain matters, but specifically excluding payments for property claims and the delicate subject of criminal jurisdiction. Negotiations were interrupted by the 16 May 1961 military coup and threafter the US, although recongizing an obligation to negotiate, refused to participate in discussions until the ROK government returned to normal. Cuban Missile Crisis Between October 16-29, 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis pushes the United States and the Soviet Union to the brink of nuclear war. It was described in Robert Kennedy's insider account, Thirteen Days, which ended in Premier Khruschev agreeing to remove Soviet missiles from Cuba.
1963:Songtan Area Rises to Songtan-myeon January 1, 1963: Songtan-myeon (district) was raised to the status of Songtan-eup (town), Pyeongtaek-gun (county) by Law No. 1117 (Promulgated on November 21, 1962) This meant that a rural area of Kyonggi-do (Province) but was elevated to a main town. It was at this point, that Chicol Village ceased to exist and the name "Songtan" officially replaced it.Sadly, this was only an administrative change and conditions did not improve much except for a minor improvement in educational facilities. Even sadder, one can see that the mechanics were in the works to create the legalized "kijich'on" (camptown) system. In June 1962, by joint action, the Ministries of Justice, Interior, and Social Welfare and related agencies established 104 "special districts" of prostitution. In this way, the American "camptowns" could be classified as "special tourism zones" which were off-limits to Koreans. At the same time, the red-light districts were off-limits to the Americans. The cultures were separated in the chase for the almighty dollar. At the time, the major source of foreign currency exchange for Korea came from the American soldiers spending their paychecks downtown. During this time, the prostitutes of Korea were praised by the Park Chung-hee regime for their actions to bring in much needed foreign exchange. (NOTE: From smallest to largest elements of population centers: (1) A "chakun maul" is a farm hamlet; (2) a "chollak" is a rural hamlet; (3) a "ri" is a small administrative area within a town; (4) a "dong" is a village within a city's limits or an administrative district within a city (I-hwa dong). The "dong" is further subdivided into a "ga" on large districts (Yongsan-dong 5 ga); (5) a "myeon" is a sub-county (or a administrative subdivision of a "gun") (Seodan-myeon); (6) an "eup" is an administrative town (Songtan-eup); (7) a "gu" is a ward or borough administrative district within a city (Yongsan-gu); (8) "gun" is a county (Okku-gun) which may be larger in area, but smaller in population than a "shi" (city) (9) a "shi" is a city (Pyongtaek-shi).) (10) a "do" is a province (Kyonggi-do).Education On the positive side, there were increases in the amounts of middle schools for children in the area. In the Songtan area, the increase in population was also reflected in the change in status to Songtan City (eup). The Songtan Girls Middle School was established in 1963 -- and later the attached Songtan Girls High School was formed. The Songshin Elementary School (Kungmin Hagkyo) was established on 1 Jan 1963. On 28 Feb 1963, it received its first principal. On 16 Jun 1963, the school was established with 6 grades. (NOTE: By 1979, it had 63 classes as the population exploded. However, this influx of students was from the Miracle of the Han that moved factories and people into the area from the overcrowded Seoul area. However, by 2005 falling populations in the agricultural areas have caused rural school closures in the surrounding areas and the student population was split away to other under-utilized schools. In 2005, the classes had dropped to 24 classes.) Alongside the Songshin Elementary School in 1963 was the Songwang Middle School in tents. At that time, much of the surrounding area was still rice fields and had not been reclaimed. This would later be supplanted by the Taegwang Middle School in the same area after the rice fields were reclaimed. (NOTE See "1953: Education" for Taegwang Middle School history.) The structures in the rural schools were normally two story concrete structures with a long open hallway leading into classrooms on each floor. The school conditions were primitive and the shortage of education materials was still a problem. Though things were improving educationally, the large percentage of the rural children were still not afforded the opportunity of a middle school education simply because of the lack of schools. In some rural areas, there were boarding facilities for those students who lived too far away. In 1950, there were over 2,839 elementary schools, but by 1960 there were 2496. In 1950, there were 166 middle schools in the country, but by 1960 there were 1,053. By using two-year teaching degreed teachers for elementary schools, the numbers of elementary school teachers increased from 19,729 in 1950 to 61,605 teachers in 1960. In 1962, normal high schools were upgraded to two-year teachers colleges where elementary school teachers were trained. In the same year, institutions training secondary school teachers were upgraded to four-year colleges of education. In 1945 there were 1,186 middle school teachers but by 1960 there were 13,053. (Source: Ministry of Education: 1945-1950.) The completion of the six-year compulsory education plan enabled all relevant age group children to enroll in schools, and the number of secondary school students tripled compared with that of previous years. With the trend toward the universalization of secondary education, the higher education population increased more rapidly than that of any other level of education. Such a rapid growth of school population inevitably resulted in over- crowded classrooms, oversized schools, a shortage of fully qualified teachers and educational facilities, and excessive competition in the college entrance exam. (Source: Ministry of Education: 1960s.) Milwal-dong Area In 1963, the area was sparsely populated and there was still not many homes in the area. The lower areas that comprise the present day Shinjang 2-dong area were still rice fields. Later the rice fields would be reclaimed to form Songshin Elementary School in 1965 -- and later the other rice field would be reclaimed to make the Taegwang Middle School. Photos in 1965 showed that there was only the Jaeil Church on the hill and only few houses near the Hill 180 perimeter fence, but the base of Milwal-dong (Shinjang 2-dong) was filled with houses. Marshall Parker stated, "The best I remember there were just two gates being used in 1964--1964. There was just a guard shack at the gate on hill-180. (NOTE: The main gate is the other gate.) And there were two Quonset Huts on top of 180 were the women that worked on the base stayed. ... I do rememb |
