JSA, JSF Co., 1st and 3rd Platoons

Comments: I served as a member of JSF Co., 1st and 3rd Platoons from December 1983 to December 1984. I remember the 23 November 1984 defector incident; KPA trucks rolling on the MSR and dumping rice and supplies near the QRF patrol base; and patrol, ambush, and recon missions.

Keywords: The Infantry assigned to Joint Security Force (JSF) Co., Camp KittyHawk served for ONE YEAR on the DMZ. Once there, we stayed for the entire tour. All Infantry and "Combat Arms" MOS's were posted for ONE YEAR on the DMZ.

The exception to this fact was "Warrior Base" used by 2nd INF. DIV. units from TDC. These Units did the 90 days on the DMZ.

Keywords: MSR, KPA, KATUSA, "down range", QRF site, 4PAPA1, JSF Co., "IN FRONT OF THEM ALL", 1/9 th INF., Camp Liberty Bell, Check Point 4, Guard Posts Collier and Ollet, Rice and Mine Fields. Infantry posing as MP's

1st DMZ Police Force (USMC)

Comments: I was with the 11th Marines From Jan 53 till the war ended- The day after the truce, I was put to work tearing down bunkers and helping lay the yellow marking tape for the 38th paralell- Two weeks later, the 1st Marine Div. put togeather a unit called "the 1st DMZ police force" made up of guys frome all four regts.(1st,5th,7th and 11th) and we patroled our section of the DMZ.It was a company strenth unit (about 100 guys) We carried 45s but didn't have ammo. My squad was sent to Pan mun jon for the prisoner exchange-We were there for 8 days and assigned to a Greek unit that was a netural nation and was in charge of the camp that held the north koreans and some chinese. I was there during the exchange of prisoners, than sent back to the 1st DMZ Police till I was brought back to the states and discharged-There was a 2 page article about this in the stars and stripes

Keywords: DMZ Patrol- Pan Mu Jon-Prisoner exchange

First Commander Dies

Comments: The JSA unit's first commander, Colonel Robert L. Huffaker, died October 3, 2008 at his Bella Vista, Arkansas home. He was 93 years old. Huffaker joined the US Army in 1942 and retired in 1968. During 1952-53 LTC Huffaker was the commander of the newly formed Joint Security Area unit, and participated in the Korean armistice meetings, Operation Little Switch and Operation Big Switch at the truce village of Panmunjom. He provided the early Panmunjom photographs shown at the 2007 JSA reunion in Las Vegas.

Keywords: JSA, Joint Security Area, Robert Huffaker, Commander, Panmunjom

Ron Abigill's response.

Comments: I was stationed with Ron Abigill at JSA from 1967-1968. Although in a different section (escort) I was aware of the incident involving one of our relief trucks (a Dodge 4x4) carrying some 9-10 personell. Some were U.S., and some were KATUSA. The truck was ambused well with our side of the DMV with what apeared to be RPG's, and grenades. Then, the NKA sprayed the truck with AK 47 fire. To the best of my knowledge about this incident, only two US, and one KATUSA survived. This issue was kept very quiet, and did not even appear in "Stars & Stripes.", nor any major US newspaper. I checked. SSG C.L. Ford.

Keywords:

Vets from the November 23, 1984 Firefight

Comments: I just retired and think I am the last one to ware the JSA combat patch. Wore is proudly in two tours of Iraq!!! Any Vets from the firefight please contact me by email Man love to hear from ya'll!!!!!

Keywords: Firefight

U.N.C.S.F JSA/JSF 1990- 1992 2nd Platoon Mad Dogs!

Comments: Just looking to reconnect with some old friends! Found some on FaceBook, now I have to try here.

Keywords: Murszewski, Doogie, Mad Daogs, 2nd Platoon, Vanderpool, Hirshi, Michaud, Glidden, Knapp, Kieffer, Snyder, Sgt Justice, LTC Turner, 1SG Carr

Facebook page

Comments: Hey guys, I wanted to share this Facebook site with everyone.

JSA Veterans http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=34664264915

Keywords:

JSA/Panmunjom Veterans Reunion

Comments: I am making plans for the fourth JSA/Panmunjom Veterans Reunion to be held in spring 2011 in Orlando, Florida. I am choosing Orlando for same reasons I chose Las Vegas for 2007 reunion - abundance of hotel rooms, economical and easy airline fights from most other parts of country, and good weather. I have some ideas for speakers and activities. Marsha will lead another excursion to local shopping mall for the "In Front of the Mall" JSA ladies. Soju will be available in the hospitality room!

James Mazour, JSA 1973-74 3212 Orchard Circle West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 515-226-9475

Keywords: JSA, Joint Security Area, Panmunjom, reunion, Korea DMZ

New Web Site Up!!!!

Comments: hay guys i got a web site up with over 240 pictures from the dmz in a slide show go to www.freewebs.com/dmzvets you have to google it then click on ABOUT ME web page once your at the site check out the slide show sign the guest book leave a message read about me tell your friends about the site all are welcome if you have question email me at dmzpatrolleader@yahoo.com see ya Keep the faith brothers

Keywords:

Comments: JSA was my first duty station when I left OSUT at Benning. I served 1980-81 with 2nd plt. Maddogs. I went to Korea a private and left a SP4. Also attended PNCOC CA at Story Barracks. I highly enjoyed the duty and going down range was something else! When the JSA got 4 plts. in 81 I went to the 4th plt. Forgot the PSG name but my sqd ldr was Sgt Savusa.

Keywords:

Merry Mad Monks '98-'99

Comments: Great site and some great memories! Truly one of the best group of officers I served with in the Army. Some of those times spent at the Monastery were unbelievably fun. Would love to hear from any of you and catch up.

signed,

Brother Clean

Keywords: Monk-in Ceromonies, "Ride the Snake", Music Monk

Barbarian 88-89

Comments: Just found this site. Nice trip down memory lane. And are they some great ones. Saw a few names that I remember. Funny on how I could relate with all the comments throughout.

Keywords:

JSA History

Comments: I enjoy reading here about JSA from different timeline perspectives. I was there 1965 - 1966 when we simply called it JSA. Later it became Camp Kitty Hawk, etc. Also, were GIs still living in quanset Huts with the old potbelly stoves? What about the mosquito tents? Anybody remember Ko-U-H; the barber; the old movie theater; hobby shop? Guess all those places are gone now. Can someone post the JSA timeline from a true veterans perspective? I was really proud to wear the JSA emblem.

Keywords: JSA 1965 - 1966

JSA memories

Comments: At the time, i thought it was the worst place to be in the world, I hated Korea. Now, years later, I realize it was really the best time of my life. Sonjuree, yonjego, Itaewon.... a lot of wild stories to tell, some pretty unbelievable to someone who never experience Korea at JSA. I was there during the transition from Camp Kitty Hawk to Camp Bonifas. I was there when the new, modern Check point 4 was built. (old now to those serving). A gigantic tent was constructed that covered the construction of the building... it was really neat. flipping of N. Korean guards.... especially "smiley" anyone remember him? he spoke better English than the katrusa's, and he was KPA. Always smiling real big and trying to get everyone to talk to him.

I remember Der Schwantz.... Kreckler... How are ya man? You crazy German.... lol.... get in touch if you read this. :) Called Defranco one Veterans day, a few years back.

Anyway, i was at the JSA May '86-APR '87. So much PU$$EE. Korea was a crazy place! I always wondered how it might have been, if i married that girl in YonGIgo. Never sure if it was a mistake not to marry her. She was a pretty thing.

Oh well, just reminicing here about Korea, would be fun to visit the place once more. NK is still as crazy as it was in '86.... It just get's more notice now... but nothing new really. Remember the propoganda leaflets, and the 24hr. broadcasting...... And us playing 24 hr. Heavy Metal for the KPA. I wonder if they enjoyed it?

Keywords: "The Casual Gang",

First International JSA Reunion

Comments: The April 2009 JSA veterans 10-day tour to Korea was a great success. I can not thank enough JSA veteran Raymond Jones (69-70) of Winslow, Maine for organizing this top notch tour of the Republic of Korea. Wow! has it changed from when I was there in the early 1970's. The only disappointment was the current JSA command organized tour to Panmunjom. which did not include a stop at the DMZ site of the Easter Sunday 1968 ambush of a JSA truck by North Korean infiltrators that resulted in the deaths of four American and Korean JSA enlisted soldiers. Our tour group was there on the 41st anniversary of this incident, and it would have been very appropriate for the command to have allowed our tour to honor the deaths of these four enlisted soldiers who died on a dark and lonely road in the DMZ so many years ago. We just drove past the site in a bus without stopping. Instead, the current JSA command took our group to the site of the August 1976 axe murders incident where two JSA officers were killed by North Korean guards for a short memorial. Among JSA American and Korean veterans, the deaths of JSA enlisted soldiers are JUST AS IMPORTANT as officer deaths. However, it is my opinion that the current JSA command does not share this view.

Keywords: Panmunjom, Joint Security Area, JSA, JSA Advance Camp, Camp Kitty Hawk, Camp Bonifas, Korea DMZ

First International JSA Reunion

Comments: Next month (April 2009) 10 American JSA veterans will be returning to Korea for a 10-day tour of the country and the first international JSA reunion, which is being organized by Raymond Jones of Winslow, Maine. The group consists of veterans who served in this elite unit during the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's decades. Their tour will includes visits to the capital of Seoul and a number of historic sites along the DMZ, including the Iron Triangle, a North Korea DMZ invasion tunnel, and a VIP tour of the international truce village of Panmunjom. The international reunion will reunite them with KATUSA and ROK veterans who also serve in this unit. This unit will always be "In Front of Them All."

Keywords: JSA, Joint Security Area, Panmunjom, Camp Bonifas, Camp Kitty Hawk, JSA Advance Camp, Korea DMZ

Looking for Old Friends A1/9 Camp Liberty Bell

Comments: I want to thank the men I had served with during my tour on the DMZ with Alpha One Nine Manchu. I am especially thankful for the leadership of then Captain William G. Kotulan. I would gladly follow him to the "gates of hell" if the mission required it. I would like this group of warriors at a reunion one day. Feel free to contact me...COLD STEEL ALPHA ONE NINE.

Keywords: Headquarters Platoon Sergeant and Unit Supply NCO "Gordon's Guerrillas"

JSA/JSF 86-87

Comments: Great site and family of folks that served in a unique assignment. Any one out there from 86-87 let me know. Loved the tour!

In front of them all!

SFC JT

Keywords:

JSA MP 93-94 Arnett

Comments:

Keywords:

JSA 79-80

Comments: Looking to contact anyone who served in 1979-1980.

Keywords:

1983-1984

Comments:

Keywords: WAS FRIENDS WITH ROD RANDALL, RICHARD SHERIDAN, AND ROYCE WILLIAMS

Looking for Info and Pictures

Comments: My name is Tracy Johnson, my father was Col. John L. Patrick, Jr. He was XO at Camp Bonifas '80-81, and in command in '88-89. He was at Yongsan '81-84 (if memory serves my dates). My father lost his battle with pancriatic cancer earlier this year and I'm looking for stories, photos, anything anyone would be willing to share. I grew up looking at photos of and plaques from "his guys" as he affectionately called them, you Merry Mad Monks!... but my sisters and I did not receive any of his memorabelia from those years. I'm hoping to recoup memories I can share with his grandchildren. Anything anyone can provide would be wonderful! Thank you, and God Bless.

Keywords:

True JSA OLDBOY....!!!

Comments: THERE'S ONLY ONE AND ONLY ONE TRUE JSA OLDBOY. SCOUT PLATOON JAN 1999 - NOV 1999 ( SAW GUNNER/RTO ) MACHA-TOC CLERK DEC 1999 - FEB 2001 ( HATED THAT PLACE BUT NO REPLACEMENTS TO GET OUT SOONER ) COMMAND GROUP DRIVER/SECURITY ESCORT NCO FEB 2001 - JAN 2003 LIKE NO OTHER...TRUELY!!! IN FRONT OF THEM ALL !!! RIP TO SGT COWLEY AND GET WELL SGT MCPETERS.....WASN'T THERE LONG ENOUGH TO ENJOY THE HMMA......BUT DID TAKE MY OUTH.....THANK YOU CSM GOGUE.....LIKE NO OTHER...OH...MR. KIM AND THE PMJ RESTUARANT....KIMCHI CHIGE ..PLEASE AFTER ALL THAT SOJU..MISS THAT PLACE. SGT LUIS A GONZALEZ

Keywords: SGT G., "GONZO"

IN FRONT OF THEM ALL!!!

Comments: Man I love coming back to this site. The names of people just bring back the flood of memories and good times.

Snyder and Taylor - two crazy SOBs, I miss rappelling down the cliffs near Bonafis.
Middleton - I've still got pictures of you, me, and Groch eating Krystals in Nashville.
Knapp? Whatever happened to Knapp? I'm still playing Battletech. Bastard got me hooked on games like that.
And Doogie.... Damn that cheap champagne at the Dragon club.
SFC.Casse - Hope your still ridding, Hawg
SSG. Bugsby - Last I heard was working private security.
Bisner - I hope my "twin" is doing well.
Hirschi - You still owe me 100 bucks, but I'll let you get off with buying me a beer.
Padgett, Kieffer, Garrett, O'Brien, Vanderpool, Foster, and the rest of you guys: I hope your all doing well.

I miss all the runs down to Seoul. Staying at the Dragon Hill, drinking till you cant stand at ms. Polly's, picking up chicks at the MTV Club, and hiding from the MPs.

Keywords: Maddogs, Hawg, 2nd platoon, 90 to 91