From My Service in Korea, I learned…
Bob Henault
I arrived in Korea in April 1974 at Osan AFB and was transported to Camp Coiner and was further assigned to the Military Mail Terminal at Kimpo Airfield. Our barracks were near the passenger terminal and Korean Airlines would park their 2 leased NWA 747s on the corner of our barracks. I walked out the gate a few days later and met an elder Korean gentleman, who owned the small corner grocery and spoke English, as he lived in the USA for many prior to retirement and moving back to Korea. He taught me so much about Korea and the Korean people, that I felt at home from that day on.
After 3 months at Kimpo, our unit moved to Camp Humphreys and on weekends I would travel to different places around the area, but realized quickly that I needed a translator. After 2 months, I was told that I would be moving again, this time to Camp Ames, near Daejeon as the NCOIC of the Post Office on base. Second day there I met a KATUSA MP who asked to play tennis with me, and that day my life changed. I would ask his NCOIC if it would be possible for him to show me places in Korea on weekends that he was off, and he agreed, so several times a month we would visit places with Korean history and I started loving Korea even more.
At Christmas in 1974 he asked me to visit his family with him and I agreed when I met his parents and 5 beautiful sisters, I knew I was in heaven. The family had a Peace Corps volunteer living with them from 1964 to 1972 and they taught the family English, so all were able to speak a little English I started falling in love with one of his sisters, and even told my best friend I met my future wife. In February I asked their father if I could take his daughter to a movie and he said yes, and my courtship of his daughter began. At the end of March, I reenlisted and because I would have to leave for school, I asked permission to marry his daughter and was told if she agreed I had his permission. In April she said yes, so we made arrangements for her to travel to the USA on a fiancé visa when my school was completed and we married in November of 1975 (48 years). And stayed a Walter Reed for 10 ½ years.
In 1986 I was again stationed in Korea as 1SG with the Veterinary Service of 18th MEDCOM in Seoul and since we were responsible for all Veterinary support on all US bases in Korea I traveled to all areas in Korea from the Sea to the DMZ and became an expert on roads and trains system throughout Korea. In 3 years, I saw more of Korea than 85% of the population of Korea. We spent 3 wonderful years in Korea but again had to leave for a school.
In 1993 we arrived back in Korea again as CSM of a Medical Battalion responsible for all Medical clinics on Army bases, from the Sea to the DMZ, and again drove, trained, or flew all over Korea. This time in Daegu for 2 years, before being transferred to a Dental Battalion in Seoul in 1995, responsible for all Dental Clinics at Army bases from the Sea to the DMZ. In 1997 I was selected as the 18th MEDCOM CSM and now had all Army Medical, Dental, and Veterinary responsibilities in Korea.
In 1999 I retired from the Army and was fortunate enough to be selected for a Department of the Army position with the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC) and for the next 15 years was able to enjoy the greatest job I ever had. Allowing me a total of 26 years in Korea and learning how wonderful the people, history, and the country are.
Naneum Hangup-in-ida
What did you learn from serving in Korea? Let us know –
Sharing your experiences from serving in Korea can be a powerful way to connect with others who have had similar experiences. By sharing your story, you may be able to help others who are currently serving in Korea or who are preparing to do so. You can share insights about the culture, the people, and the challenges you faced while serving. Your story can also help to shed light on the sacrifices that service members and their families make in order to protect our freedoms. So, if you have a story to share, we encourage you to take the time to put it down in writing and send it to KDVA.MyServiceInKorea@gmail.com along with any photos that help to tell your story.
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