Why isn't there A Korean DMZ Group?

2015-09-25T10:11:34-04:00

Korea, The Forgotten Warriors (DMZ Veterans)

September 25, 2015

In a couple of weeks, it will make 24 years since we turned the last American sector of the Korean DMZ over to the Republic of Korea Army, along with our mission of running patrols, guard posts, and observation points! After a 38 year presence on the Korean DMZ since the Armistice was signed in 1953.

Contrary to popular belief or assumption, a Peace Treaty has never been signed with the North Koreans, technically to this day war exists on the peninsula! Incidents still happen along the DMZ as we all know considering the most recent a couple of months back. These types of incidents is not new, and for those of us that have served on the DMZ or even in Korea outside of it, know this! Some DMZ Veterans have been involved in various incidents, many have gone unreported and unknown as the years have gone by. And some “Gave It All”, they made the ultimate sacrifice, they gave their lives to not only protect the southern side of the fragile border there, but to defend their fellow warriors.

DMZ Veterans have always received very little recognition and understanding from those outside of that duty, who never served it. Partly as the old saying goes: “What happens in Korea, stays in Korea.” Which seems quite true, especially to us of those who served on the DMZ. Sadly, other veterans at times have tried to discredit our DMZ Veterans! A while back I had a young Iraqi veteran state the Korea was an easy tour, I asked him did you serve there before 1991 and pull any missions on the DMZ! He didn't reply to my question, and probable because he already figured I knew the answer! Sadly, that same veteran probable spent his time in Iraq hiding in a camp and never had to leave safety of it! He wouldn't state what his MOS was either, if he was combat arms he would have most likely and proudly stated.

Combat Awards and Patches, very few have ever been give out in the 38 years we stood the DMZ. Some incidents have been recognized and a few awards given, many have not as several of us know from personal experience! The one award given, was only a local award to Korea, but all those who served on the DMZ still wear it proudly: Imjin Scout! Mention Imjin Scout to another veteran who has served along the DMZ, and you don't have to state anything else! Imjin Scout is a self-defining term to all DMZ Veterans!

Combat injuries along the DMZ have many times been treated as training incidents or non-combat in general! PTSD is not uncommon either for several DMZ veterans! If you asked why, you had to be there to truly understand the duty and what sacrifices that were expected and were made.

Agent Orange in Korea, another sad issue that seems to be totally ignored just like those that have served in Korea especially on the DMZ! Currently the presumptive dates is 68 to 71 for Agent Orange in Korea! There are many veterans long before and after those dates who are suffering from Agent Orange related illnesses and diseases, along with their children and grandchildren! And yet it is ignored and overlooked! Yet these veterans and their families are forgotten, not only by our Government, but by the very same American citizens that we were will to protect and defend when we served our duty!!!! If Korea was such an easy duty, then why is that our veterans who serve there are dying from their service 20, 30, 40, and 50 years afterwards from Agent Orange illnesses? If Americans care about their veterans as many say they do, then why are these veterans forgotten and overlooked? All we ask is to: “Honor the Promise”........

The ever present dangers of Korea still exists to this day, the dangers are not as severe to our troops for the most part after October 1991, but are still there! As most Americans don't know, realize, or most likely just don't care, we still have a few troops that serve in the JSA (Joint Security Area) forces and face the North Koreans daily at Panmunjom. They stay in danger at all times along with our Republic of Korea troops, and several other UN troops from various nations! Their service also need to be recognized, for they are the representatives of the United States who are willing to sacrifice their lives in the name of Freedom for the Korean people!

On a personal note, I write this in support of all those that served on the DMZ like I did! Our families who are affected by our service! We were soldiers who were called on to perform our duties and we did it proudly back then, and are definitely proud of it now especially since it is a duty of the past! But I ask all out there to recognize and support our DMZ veterans as you do all other veterans who have served in other combat zones! They earned it, they deserve it!!!!!

“Imjin Scout”

Thomas J. Lucken

Response by SGT Pyong Song made Sep 25 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-09-25T10:15:10-04:00

Thank you for your serve!
2001-2003 UNCSB-JSA
SGT. SONG
IN FRONT OF THEM ALL!

Response by PFC Donnie Harold Harris made Sep 25 at 2015 10:23 AM

2015-09-25T10:23:09-04:00

We were up there in 72/73. 1ST of The 9Th 2Infantry Div.

Response by CW3 Eric W. S. made Sep 25 at 2015 10:27 AM

2015-09-25T10:27:29-04:00

If you are like the rest of us, you are trying to forget your time north of the Imjin

Response by SPC Tim Richardson made Sep 25 at 2015 12:59 PM

2015-09-25T12:59:06-04:00

Awesome article....

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 25 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-09-25T14:59:22-04:00

SGT Thomas Lucken I tried to get them to make a Merchant Marine group -- a service whose absence would absolutely cripple US warfighting ability anywhere in the world but here -- with no luck. Hopefully you'll have better luck.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Sep 25 at 2015 3:56 PM

2015-09-25T15:56:48-04:00

Feb 94 - Jan 95 UCNSF-JSA / UNCSB-JSA
MACHATOC NCOIC
In Front Of Then All!
Member of the HMA.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2015 5:19 PM

2015-09-25T17:19:45-04:00

I think one of the responses to your question could be how do you define "DMZ Veteran"? This question/discussion gets a little dicey and at times, heated. For example, I was a tanker who was stationed at both Camp Casey and Camp Howze. Our AO was all over the place north of these bases all the way up to the Z (without violating the treaty). The scouts in our unit actually pulled Z duty and patrolled inside the DMZ. While I was at Howze we were attached to the infantry on the DMZ. We went to our positions on the Z frequently to make sure we knew our routes and coordinated with the infantry so we could support them, etc.. One problem though...we could never bring our tanks up to our positions because it was a cease fire violation. Most infantry guys I know that did Z duty would say your not really a Z vet, your not infantry. However that feeling would change quickly if the excrement hit the fan and they needed tanks to stop the bleeding. To me, it would make more sense to have an Area 1 group which is basically everyone in the hardship area (from Camp Casey and Camp Howze to the Z or the first battle field if it all went down). But honestly, unit groups are good enough for me as we fight as a combined arms unit anyway. My 2 cents.

Response by SGT Daniel Smith made Sep 26 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-09-26T08:33:48-04:00

I Served In Korea , At Camp Stanley , When I Was A Material Storage and Handling Specialist ! It was my first duty station, I earned a greater respect for the Korean War Veterans, and while I was there , we would hear of things happening on the DMZ All the Time !! Thank You For Your Service, For if You Had Not Done What You Did And The Ones Who Went Before You , We Couldn't Have Done What We Did Either , SGT. Daniel R Smith (Ret.) OIF 5 WIA , May 28, 2006 , Route Clearance

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Oct 4 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-10-04T13:31:44-04:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsSSxgdSKoM

Korean DMZ Veterans 1954 to 1991

This is dedicated to all those who served on the Korea DMZ from 1954 to 1991. We did a duty, most never knew about or will never understand! More then a few ...

Response by SPC Perry Martin made Oct 30 at 2015 11:09 AM

2015-10-30T11:09:29-04:00

I served at Camp Greaves from 86-88 with both 1/9th Manchu and 1/506 Currahee. I have my Manchu Mile Belt Buckle and my fondest memories of service and mission. I was NBC NCO as E-1 as this was my first duty station. I ran the mine trails, worked in S-2, trained Katusa's, and prepped for Air Assult School in Hawaii (got bumped at last minute by Col. Driver. I did briefings for all incoming dignitaries and guests for Battalion and spent many a -40 degree night in the field. I marched every Saturday to Camp Liberty Bell and worked my ass off supporting and training Combat Arms Soldiers. I was not 11B but felt a part of the mission none the less. The thing that frustrated me most was talking to other "DMZ" soldiers who were at Camp Casey or Seoul who never walked a patrol claiming their status as DMZ Soldiers. If you were not stationed North of the River you are not a DMZ soldier. Thanks to All who Served it was my Honor to Serve With You.

Response by LCpl Ray Kissel made Oct 31 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-10-31T10:20:45-04:00

I was on Bearhunt 86 with Fox 2/12 35MAU. Heading south to TDC and Camp Casey was a great feeling after being on ops for 2 months north of Uncheon. Yeah, that was real shit.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Oct 31 at 2015 3:46 PM

2015-10-31T15:46:44-04:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oECBj8Du_Oc

Dedicated to those Warriors of 1954 to 1991 That Served on the Korean DMZ

Dedicated to those brothers who served a duty that no others knew about, no others will ever seen or understand! There are some that were physically and/or m...

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Oct 31 at 2015 3:47 PM

2015-10-31T15:47:31-04:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XBCh06ctLw

Korean DMZ Veterans - 1954 to 1991- DMZ Warriors

This video is the 3rd to be made and dedicated to my fellow DMZ veterans! Pictures are pulled from various Korea groups and DMZ brothers! We did our duty as ...

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Nov 26 at 2015 12:40 PM

2015-11-26T12:40:41-05:00

The powers to be like to change up people's Posts to make them look like questions, but seem to ignore questions!!!! How ironic!!!

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Nov 26 at 2015 12:41 PM

2015-11-26T12:41:36-05:00

2015 - 2ID Korea DMZ Vets Revisit the Past:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogevcJGuook

2015 - 2ID Korea DMZ Vets Revisit the Past

Past veterans of the 2ID, revisit the DMZ several years after they had served on it. In 1991, the last American sector was turned over to the ROKs in October...

Response by SGM John Perret made Dec 24 at 2015 6:23 PM

2015-12-24T18:23:58-05:00

I'd be interested in joining that group!

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 24 at 2015 7:11 PM

2015-12-24T19:11:31-05:00

CSC 1/31 INF. 1975-1976, first 5 months were at Camp Liberty Bell, Then in Apr the rotation thing started and were moved to Camp Casey, not long after that the ax murders happened. A good time was not had. Bearcats

I was a forward observer for the 4.2 mortars

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Dec 24 at 2015 7:25 PM

2015-12-24T19:25:24-05:00

This is a first in a series of videos that Doug Voss and I are working on. Doug served up on the DMZ in 68 to 69, I several multiple times in the 80s.....

The 2nd Forgotten Korean War "Incidents" 1954 to 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKX-mdvT7Jg

The 2nd Forgotten Korean War "Incidents" 1954 to 1991

“Incident” is another word for combat action on the DMZ. Our orders were to keep North Korea at bay without escalating these incidents into a larger war. The...

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Jan 19 at 2016 6:31 AM

2016-01-19T06:31:33-05:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKy4GR0eXXk

The 2nd Korean War (Incidents) - 50s/60s

Various articles and pictures from incidents that happen in Korea 50s and 60s, mainly up on the DMZ! Many who never served in Korea believe the War was over,...

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Feb 2 at 2016 9:52 AM

2016-02-02T09:52:45-05:00

Well damn, can't get the so-called Powers to be of Rallypoint to answer to this question or help in creating the group! I guess since none of them ever served on the DMZ either in JSA or before Oct 3rd, 1991. They just don't give a damn. Tired of trying to communicate this to them!

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Oct 6 at 2016 7:13 PM

2016-10-06T19:13:40-04:00

Never could get a response out of the powers to be of Rallypoint on answering this year old question!!!!!!!!! As usually and again, DMZ veterans are forgotten and tossed to the side! Been happening since July 27, 1953!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Response by 1LT Gary Harper made May 29 at 2017 4:43 PM

2017-05-29T16:43:26-04:00

I served in the DMZ on Guard Post Turner for six months in .1970-71. I was the Field Artillery forward observer attached to the 32nd Inf. I have not kept up with events over the past 46 years, but, when I left the DMZ in March, 1971, we were supposed to be giving up the US sector to the South Koreans. I was one of the last to leave. What happened after that? Did we take over that sector again?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 24 at 2017 6:45 AM

2017-12-24T06:45:03-05:00

Good question Thomas.

Response by SGT John Cesano made Mar 23 at 2019 8:33 PM

2019-03-23T20:33:08-04:00

Came over from Fort Ord for a year’s fun at Camp Greaves, C 1/9, Manchu Infantry, ‘83-‘84, and was moved from a mortar platoon to act as the S-2 Intel Analyst. We lived a year north of the Imjin River, took the Z mission in the three winter months, spent a lot of time and ran many recon and ambush patrols in the Z, and all earned our Imjin Scout Badges. Thanks for the attempt to get Rally Point to recognize our service and carve a niche out for us on their site.

Response by PFC Stephen Marchisen made Jun 29 at 2020 7:56 PM

2020-06-29T19:56:02-04:00

Well Sgt. Perhaps we will just have to do it ourselves.

Response by 1SG Fred Hermstein made Mar 4 at 2024 3:17 PM

2024-03-04T15:17:09-05:00

tom, you nailed it. A Solider can be wounded, killed and taken prisoner of war and nothing. Sad. I have friends and family who served in Just Cause, Desert Storm, Iraq, and in Afghanistan who received blanket combat badges and combat patches without one enemy engagement. I love these guys and I am glad they served, but there is definately a double standard.