My Time in Korea with the U.S. Army

Korea

As I stepped off the plane in Seoul, Korea I experienced an immediate culture shock. Prior to landing in Korea, my world travel consisted of a trip to South Carolina, Fort Jackson to be exact, and passing through Seattle on my way to report in at Ft. Lewis, Washington for my flight to Seoul.

Up until that point, most of my life had been spent in New York City and nearby New Jersey. Having spent most of my enlistment at Fort Monmouth, I was quite content to stay there so being sent to Korea was unsettling, to say the least.

Given a choice, I would not have gone to Korea, but looking back, I did enjoy the experience. Being exposed to a vastly different culture, one which I came to admire, and seeing a different part of the world was eye opening for this 21 year old from New York City.

Being assigned to AFKN Radio and TV was enjoyable and far removed from the dangers in Viet Nam, plus I was getting valuable experience in TV production, something that would enable me to get a good job after being discharged.

As much as we all complained at the time, we did have it very good, televising USO Tours and entertainment shows for TV and, in our off time, parting in the bars in Seoul’s Iatewon district.

The most memorable event was the day we were told to pack up our cold weather gear because we were going to Panmunjon to cover the release of the crew of the USS Pueblo, whose Captain and crew were POW’s in North Korea for 11 months.

I’ll always remember the discomfort I felt as we ride across the Imjin River, separating South Korea from the north. We were entering the DMZ (demilitarized zone), a technically neutral area between the two countries.

Adding to my anxiety was the fact that I learned, in the case of an attack, the bridge was wired to explode. I would have preferred not to know his while riding north across it:-)

Spending most of my time until that day in a and around Seoul with the occasional trip to a remote village to see the countryside, this was a real eye opener. Unlike the NCO Clubs in Seoul, up there, the men were in uniform and carried weapons. I began to understand just how uncertain conditions in South Korea were and, for that matter, still are.

Being part of that historical event is an experience I will never forget. From the angry look on the faces of many of the crewmembers returning, having been for all practical purposes, left there to suffer for a year, to the almost unintelligible press conference lead by Commander Peter Bucher.

It was apparent, from his speech that he was tortured both physically and mentally during his captivity. I remember he kept repeating how the North Korean’s were “good with their feet.”

To add insult to injury, when he returned to the US, rather than apologize for stranding him and his crew there or, at least thanking him for his service the Department of the Navy chose to recommend a Courts Marshal for his having surrendered the ship, how insane.

My few days at Panmunjon was, to say the least, eye opening in many ways. I will never forget the tension I felt being in that very isolated place, just spitting distance from North Korea.

The entire time I was stationed in Korea, there was a veil of uncertainty, not really knowing what the North Koreans would do at any given time. Not much has changed in the past 40 years.

Today, Jim Donovan is the internationally published author of several best-selling self-help books, a motivational speaker and business consultant. Learn more at www.jimdonovan.com

[Ed. Note. I met Mr. Donovan earlier this year, back in June. He was interested in our mission for this site and he inspired and pushed me to keep going until we got this site up. He still pushes, in a positive way, to keep moving forward with our mission for this site. Being a veteran and a friend, he understands why we created this site; as an outlet and way for all you readers who served to express your gratitude to the military.

I suggest that if anyone is looking to make some extra money, on the side, to check out his book, "Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck". It's a quick, easy & very understandable read for anyone. Today, he also launched a new venture: http://www.riverrunconsulting.com]