tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post2442399932723236886..comments2024-02-23T23:53:54.842+09:00Comments on Gusts Of Popular Feeling: The 1971 Anjeong-ri race riot, Part 2matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10296009437690229938noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-8458877114707146652023-02-07T12:52:16.371+09:002023-02-07T12:52:16.371+09:00I was stationed in Anjeong-ri for the first time i...I was stationed in Anjeong-ri for the first time in 1974-1975. I was born in Yokohama to a Japanese Mother and Black American Father. I was sort of lost in the whole racial thing. I know blacks would want me to dap in the chow line which I learned to do for solidarity and so I wouldn't get my a$$ kicked in the barracks. I went to the UN Club sometimes but mostly in the clubs in club alley. T-Club, Seven Club, Alexander, Galaxy, Maxim, and Top Hat. Now, I'm not a joiner and usually kept to myself, a lone wolf if you will, and whatever girls were interesting. Sometimes I ran into an obviously race particular girl but there were so many for my young a$$ that I could've cared less. Nobody ever mentioned the race riots of 70-71. I heard that a white courtesy patrol officer had beer bottles thrown at him in the UN Club but that was about it.<br />tlpendarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03640353577986574149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-58039423277371933892018-01-01T03:59:59.557+09:002018-01-01T03:59:59.557+09:00I was there with the 19 th Aviation and the Troubl...I was there with the 19 th Aviation and the Trouble actually started in United States and Germany,Philippines and in Vietnam.The actual Rioting started in Seoul Korea. The 19th Aviation was tasked by 8 th Army to bring Armed Infantry from Camp Casey on the DMZ to Seoul to quell the Rioting in Seoul by Black Soldiers. We slept in our Helicopters on the Kimpo Airfield. We stayed for two days. Then were ordered to standby on full alert for the commanding General.The fighting in Anjung Ri took place when the people Rioting at Seoul returned to their Units at Camp Humphries.The ones who were MP'S placed Fragmentation Grenades in the Helicopters on the Flight Line.One of our Units Members opened up the door on Guard Duty to retrieve some water from his ship and opening the front door of the Chinookk the Grenade went off hitting him in the Face Neck and Chest. This was done because we transported thee Troops to stop the Rioting in Seoul.Myself SFC Storey and staff Sgt Gorski Climbed you back Ramp of each Helicopter to search for more Booby Traps .We found several Grenades some set as Booby Traps and some in the Engine Exhausts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11068489005084283252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-61280003974712287062017-03-20T14:00:33.142+09:002017-03-20T14:00:33.142+09:00I have to add that in the MIDDLE Co.there wasn'...I have to add that in the MIDDLE Co.there wasn't any racial issues. We all hung out together because everyone hated the MPs. Especially The Walk as we paroled the village. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09199561542486465449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-56935666643998258592017-03-20T13:54:22.103+09:002017-03-20T13:54:22.103+09:00Thanks for your post. Verifies what I was stating....Thanks for your post. Verifies what I was stating.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09199561542486465449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-78384962019812903712017-03-20T13:53:17.741+09:002017-03-20T13:53:17.741+09:00Thanks for the comments. Most don't believe ho...Thanks for the comments. Most don't believe how bad things were but there were a few times that were great. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09199561542486465449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-56333893176764607162016-10-07T07:23:07.109+09:002016-10-07T07:23:07.109+09:00I was there, assigned to c company , 802nd. engr. ...I was there, assigned to c company , 802nd. engr. Bn. The black soldiers had been throwing hand grenades at the mess hall a few days prior to the riots. In addition the had stolen grenades from the ammo dump. It was not safe for white soldiers in town. The whole problem was due to a weak command. Soldiers were walking around, needing haircuts, wearing torn and dirty uniforms, and doing about what ever they wanted to do. If an NCO attempted to correct them he, as I was, was called before the commander and told to back off. I was sent to a project in Taegue, after I corrected a group of soldiers. The commander told me that his soldiers worked and were expected to get dirty. When I reminded him that we were all in the same army, he sent me packing. I had just arrived from another unit that had been shut down After the riot the village was put off limits. My wife, who was Korean, attempted to bring my son on post because he was having a febrile seizure. The gate guard would not allow her on post, although she presented a valid ID and a US passport for my son. He was six months old. She had to take him by taxi to Suwon and the Korean/German hospital for emergency care. He almost died. I was not notified until the next day. My wife told me the the gate guard was black. When I threatened to involve my uncle(he was an Airforce general) they agreed to transfer me to another unit. The black soldiers were out of control. In 1975 I arrived in Germany, only to see the same problems with the black soldiers. jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14083102677544598337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-4415210278422305082016-07-13T06:43:33.474+09:002016-07-13T06:43:33.474+09:00Keith Strozewski
Hello to all my fellow Korean ve...Keith Strozewski<br /><br />Hello to all my fellow Korean vets. I was in Korea from 70-Feb to Mar-72. I was assigned to 21st Finance Section D in Camp Humphrey's. When I got to Korea the Army was giving you a 6 month early out if you extended for a year so I took advantage of it. Then in late 71-72 the Army said anyone in the army for 3 years got 6 months early out. So my buddies that went back to the states got out the same time as me anyway. But I loved Korea. So much to learn and so little time. (2 years) I handled the finance records for ASA, 520th and 19th Aviation. I was there during the riots. What's not being mentioned was all that happened to lead up to the riot. There was always tension between Koreans, Blacks and Whites. All were at fault for the riots. Whether it was on post (between Whites and Blacks) at the EM and NCO clubs or in the village at one of the clubs. It did not happen nightly but occasionally. With the riot in the village everyone knew it was coming. Days before it happened you started to see more and more Korean men sitting out front of stores on the main street. I lived in the village for the two years that I was there and only had to live on base during the riots. The Mama-sans, Bar owners, girls, ASA and Camp Humphreys in general knew it was going to happen but did not know when it was going to start. I used to take out newbies that first came into country to introduce them to the owners of the clubs, the mama-sans I knew, Girls etc. I can't remember the name of the Black soldier that was in our unit but here was his story about what happened to him during the night the riot began. He was in his "hooch" when Koreans came in and pulled all the Black soldiers out and started to beat on them with bats. He got hit twice and a Korean shouted he is 21st Finance quit hitting him. A few of them carried him to the gate and turned him over to the MP's. From the infirmary in the morning he thanked me for taking him around and making sure he was known to all. The Triple 7 was kitty corner from Duffy's and he would frequent both as I would too. I hope things have improved in Korea but I doubt it. No more than in the United States. Respect is the key. <br /><br />A special hello to TommyD of the 545th Med Disp. Wish I could remember everyone but so goes the mind. I used to be called "Zeke" and wore a big round straw hat in the office and out.<br />Still remember the cookouts with Medics, Mp's, cooks (they supplied the steaks) on the small hill (bump) between the Fiance office a the huts. Remember, we used to say we could not live without each other. Mp's to get us out to the village, Fiance to give use the money needed to be out in the village, Medics to give give us a shot when our trip to the village went wrong and cooks to feed us great food on post. <br /><br />A million stories so little time! Be safe my friends.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235841819085713773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-66102825827156064182016-06-13T12:05:17.349+09:002016-06-13T12:05:17.349+09:00Some of what you said is true. I too was there in ...Some of what you said is true. I too was there in 1972, between Jan '71-Feb '72 with 520th Maint Company, 23rd Support Group. CQ do not leave their post to walk through barracks. You said metal around barracks, you mean quanset huts, corrogated metal buidings, half-round. We never called them 'metal around barracks'. The heater was in center of barracks, diesel fueled from a gerri-can which did keep us warm. We took turns being on 'fire watch' all night to regulated the heater so it doesn't get too hot and re-fuel when necessary. Never heard of a Duffy bag. We did have duffle bags 'overseas bag'. I think you meant a nickle-bag, five dollars sounds right. G.I.'s did smoke pot in the barracks and non-pot smokers did wake up high with second hand smoke. I wasn't a lifer, got smart and got out when ETS. <br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09104805846723512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-14865431134444441632016-06-13T08:31:23.723+09:002016-06-13T08:31:23.723+09:00I would like to know if there is a link or email a...I would like to know if there is a link or email address to 7 club I would love to drop a line there and say Hello. I was at Camp Humphrey's 45th Transportation Company September 71-September 1972. I really had a great, we had those old metal around barrack's when we had to attach a 5 gallon of fuel to keep warm. I also remember that POT was very easy find. Duffy bag I was told cost 5 dollars. Most barracks were set up of juicer's or POT Heads, you need to tell the truth when you moved in barracks what side of the fence you were on. My self I love my drinks, I could get high just by walking to the other end of barracks looking for some on CQ. Gregory Morrison SFC, RetiredAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-32136183579316101862016-05-04T10:30:09.476+09:002016-05-04T10:30:09.476+09:00i WAS THERE JAN '71-'72 AT CAMP HUMPHREY w...i WAS THERE JAN '71-'72 AT CAMP HUMPHREY with 520 Maint. Co. We were called on alert, to report at company area. We were then ordered onto back of trucks, many still in civilian clothes, and taken to the main gate where we were issued baseball bats axe and pick handles, but no firearms. We were told to defend the camp of a possible 'take-over' from Korean protestors. We were told, if attacked, to strike legs and arms only. My First Sergeant's name is Hart and we spent most of the night on our feet, forming a human barricade. Sergeant Hart said ''With a show of force, we can scare them off''. I don't recall the exact day or month, but I think it was a weekend because I was watching a movie at the theater when lights came on and someone said 'Report to your units'. I thought it was only another drill, where we fall-in for muster formation with helmet and web gear and afterwards, draw weapons from armory. This is the first drill time we didn't draw weapons. We had our M-17 gas make on our web gear, someone mentioned tear gas might be used at the main gate. The road leading from our compound to the main gate zig-zagged, with bunkers lined with sand bags, yards apart and the road was made of hard packed dirt. I thought to myself, 'so, this may not be the first such alert''. I was young and did a lot thinking that night and so were everyone else at the gate. We whispered to one another but only when necessary to do so. It was <br /><br />foggy, straining to see or hear anything. Just before sunrise, trucks took us back to our units. I was one of many with civilian clothes, helmet, web gear and baseball bat. <br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09104805846723512083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-51977576876001194342016-05-04T04:29:01.604+09:002016-05-04T04:29:01.604+09:00I am Gregory Morrison, I was SP5 and I was assigne...I am Gregory Morrison, I was SP5 and I was assigned to 45th Transportation Company, first I was to say I did meet a nice young lady named Lee she worked at the 7 Club. She was not a business woman, would love for her to find this note of mine. I was assigned to Camp Humpreys from 1971-1972. They several clubs all of which has been dated above. My personal experience was very rewarding, does anyone remember Happy Mountain, did you know you could turn right out the main gate and meet a village totally different than outside Camp Humpreys all these ladies did not have a VD card. <br /><br />Won was 400 too a a US Dollar, US dollars were not authorized to be spend downtown. If you were luckly you could get a better exchange rate when they changed colors. They called in Holes in fence. Brown doors anyone remember?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-74094828330961232472015-04-08T14:20:55.771+09:002015-04-08T14:20:55.771+09:00I was there in '75-76 played in a soul band ca...I was there in '75-76 played in a soul band called "Godfather Part II". I remember the clubs and the 4:1 rule. Also played in a country band "cross country jam". I pretty well lived in the village...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03961745400459899106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-87130904344788463532015-02-11T15:13:03.215+09:002015-02-11T15:13:03.215+09:00The Anjongi race riots of 1971 almost cost me my l...The Anjongi race riots of 1971 almost cost me my life. I was assigned to ASA as a 72-B commcenter specialist.<br />The night the riots broke out I was in my hooch with a half dozen white soldiers from the same unit. As a black soldier I never noticed the discrimination at the heart of the routing. Most of my friends were white and we pretty much hung together. <br />The riots caught us all off guard. When we found out about it the morning after the first night, several of my so called friends left me and went back to the safety of Camp Humphries leaving me to fend for myself. <br />One soldier white soldier from Wisconsin refused to leave me behind. Must be something he learned in Vietnam. He became my friend for life. <br />We hid out in our hooch for 2 days thanks to a sympathetic Korean woman to whom I owe my life. <br />We were airlifted out of the vill on the 3rd day by an ASA chopper in a scene straight out of a war movie. The Korean gangs were closing in on our hooch as the chopper lifted myself and my friend to safety. I never met the pilot, but I thank him for saving us.<br />The incident was not covered by civilian or military media who probably never knew about it.<br />But I never forgot the courage of my friend who was prepared to give his life to help protect me.<br />And my deepest gratitude to the pilot who flew the unauthorized mission that saved my life.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16658594854696342654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-51914656444408498852014-11-15T18:00:20.201+09:002014-11-15T18:00:20.201+09:00I was s camp humphreys from 74-76. I remember the ...I was s camp humphreys from 74-76. I remember the UN club was where the brothers usually hung out, the NCOs and country dudes hung a duffys, the heads hung at the T Club. I'm white, but played drums in a soul band called The Godfather band. We didn't have racial tension in the band and I hung at the UN club a few times. Lucky me...lived in the vile and toured most of the country playing music from Taegu and Pusan up to Camp Casey. Great memories.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03961745400459899106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-58216836395162443762014-08-16T03:14:47.641+09:002014-08-16T03:14:47.641+09:00I was stationed at Camp Casey 1/73 Armored battali...I was stationed at Camp Casey 1/73 Armored battalion in 1974. I was a white 17 year old kid when I first arrived. I can still remember being indoctrinated on day one about the separate arrangements off post. In Tongduchong, I was warned to stay out of the section known as "the Crack". That was where the brothers hung out and you could expect a whuppin if you went there. The separation of races had been going on for some time I guess because it was well entrenched in 1974. I was rather naive at that age so I just accepted the situation without much thought. Both blacks and whites warned newbies to hang with them or be branded a traitor ( n-lover or uncle Tom etc. ) Each side had it's own "dap" which was basically an extended handshake that you greeted someone in your group with. That was probably brought over from Vietnam as this was in that era. Integration efforts had not worked, at least at that point. The clubs in the ville were still divided by race, white, black, Puerta Rican. I can only guess that over time this atmosphere changed but I have learned that racial bias and stereotyping are hard to change.<br />I was only 18 when I arrived at Fort Bliss to find that the racial grouping , while still present was not nearly as bad as it was in Korea. Needless to say, I did a lot of growing up while enlisted 1974 - 1980.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12771188212448968129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-36623432163528836052014-04-30T00:32:23.972+09:002014-04-30T00:32:23.972+09:00Phil R
I was an MP at Casey and NCO of the Walk wh...Phil R<br />I was an MP at Casey and NCO of the Walk which patroled the village of Tongduchon (also know as Dongduchon by some. July 72 was the worst of the race war and we were in the middle of it. Groups of Afro-American GIs were jumping white GIs and using straight razors, or beating them. Whites started to go to the vill in groups and continued the conflict. I called for an ambulance more than a couple times with soldiers sliced up or beaten. The worst night we (the MPs) shut down the village with all our company and some infantry assigned to help (with ax handles). Tensions were high for a few weeks with scattered fights and attacks but nothing like the main riot. Shortly after the main incidents I was sent by the Provost Marshal to the North side (which was mostly Black GIs and Korean) to try and start intigration the part of the vill. I went in on patrol with two other MPs (Johnny O and Charlie B) both Afro-Americans. Tension was very high, for me anyway as I was the only white in that part of the North side. Going through one club, the music stopped as we crossed through the club and exited. And I can say I trusted Johnny and Charlie with my life. Really good guys. I guess growing up in northern Cal I never dealt with race issues (that I saw) I encountered in Korea. Seemed that blacks hated whites and whites hated black and Puerto Ricans were in the middle but they all hated the MPs. But there were some really great times too.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03297378755410453678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-20115303091781416562014-04-20T08:10:51.339+09:002014-04-20T08:10:51.339+09:00TommyD
Very little activity here. But I have to s...TommyD<br /><br />Very little activity here. But I have to say this the blacks in 1970-71 formed an organization called the Dubois after W.E.B. DuBois 1868-1963 one of the founders of the NAACP who was opposed to black leaders of the time such as Booker T. Washington. Washington had the philosophy that blacks should elevate themselves through education whereas DuBois preached elevation through violence. Leading DuBois to resign from NAACP in 1934. He was considered to be a Communist and finally renounced his American citizenship in 1961 and then officially joined the Communist Party. He died in 1963 at age of 95. I would like to comment to Mr. Robert Gardner that just because when he returned to Camp Humphreys in later years and the U.N. Club was the only one that catered to blacks,you must realize that is where the blacks went. If they had integrated and made white friends all the clubs would have most likely accepted them. Just saying.<br />TommyDTommyDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994912103976284262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-71383185450283752942013-06-02T11:00:27.745+09:002013-06-02T11:00:27.745+09:00TommyD here, The clubs had their regulars. The Top...TommyD here, The clubs had their regulars. The Top Hat was where the 545th Med Disp. the APO, the Finance group always went intermingled with others. Triple 7 was strictly a black club. Everyone just thought that was the way it was and excepted it until the triple 7 was closed. Some thought the medics were to blame because we had a preventative medicine dept. that not only checked out the VD cases but also checked the chlorine residual of the ice and water at the clubs and could shut them down if they were not adding chlorine to the water. The problems that evolved were unfortunate and should have never happened if the army had been more disciplined.TommyDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994912103976284262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-72863589887192929502013-04-29T09:39:29.449+09:002013-04-29T09:39:29.449+09:00Was there May 70 May 71 I was the supply sergeant ...Was there May 70 May 71 I was the supply sergeant of 545th Med Dispensary. It was a volatile time to say the least. Relations between black and white GI's was not good. I am white. I had no ill feelings toward the afro-american GI's but the polarization was there. A black friend P. Officer was told by another black J. Stewart that he was either with them or against them. I am sure he was told this because he was friends with a white GI mainly me. I was in the Top Hat Club when it was overrun by blacks at the time the Triple 7 was closed. I managed to get out the door and J. Stewart grabbed me and said Dunn you best get away from here. Johnny had been the manager of the Top Hat most of the time that i had been there I am not sure when he moved to Duffys. I wonder if Johnny is still alive. He was maligned in the article I believe. I am not saying that the blacks had no basis for feeling discriminated against but it was the time of black power and they were caught up in the movement.TommyDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07994912103976284262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-80161847698040176542013-02-28T05:30:42.405+09:002013-02-28T05:30:42.405+09:00I was stationed at Camp Humphreys from May 1970 t...I was stationed at Camp Humphreys from May 1970 to June 1971 and I remember the riot was during my R and R in Japan in the first two weeks of April. The night of the attack of the Frags was I think in May.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15930482810793548971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-30897148559401953092012-05-21T15:24:30.970+09:002012-05-21T15:24:30.970+09:00Thanks for the comment! It's always nice to re...Thanks for the comment! It's always nice to read first-hand accounts of what happened...matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10296009437690229938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-86067494879562038772012-05-21T14:35:37.947+09:002012-05-21T14:35:37.947+09:00I was an African American soldier stationed at Cam...I was an African American soldier stationed at Camp Humphreys from 1970 - 1971. I was assigned to the 19th Aviation Company, a Ch-47 Helicopter unit. Racial problems were a common occurrence on base as well as in the village. At that time the primary entertainment for the G.I.'s was the main club alley and consisted of for clubs. The "T" Club, The Lower 7 Club, The Triple 7 Club, and Duffy's. Of the four clubs only the Triple 7 Club catered to the Black G.I. This was done by the type of music played and the friendliness of the club girls. Black G.I.'s could go to the other clubs but service was bad and the girls refused to dance or be seen with the Black soldier for fear of being blacklisted by the White soldiers. The trouble escalated when the owner of the Triple 7 Club closed the club for renovations. The Triple 7 Club was not as well appointed as the other clubs, but the owner promised to improve things if the Black G.I.'s would patronize it. When the club reopened it was on the same level of appointment as the other clubs, but without notice it abruptly closed. It was later discovered that the other club owners had pressured the closure because they didn't want a club that catered to Black G.I.'s in the alley. It must be understood that this was indeed an alley, very congested and not easy to navigate through. The entrances to the clubs were all on the alley and so all the traffic made entering the clubs difficult. Blacks, Whites, and Koreans were in very close contact with each other. With all the racial tensions created by the actions in the clubs this close contact in such a closed confined area was just a bomb waiting to explode. When the Triple 7 Club was closed, the Black soldiers were left with no place to go in the alley since their treatment in the other clubs was made plain. This was the start of the conditions that lead to the riot. The village was put off limits for a short time and the cause of the closing of the Triple 7 Club was investigated. The conspiracy of the club owners was discovered but nothing could be done, but the military did institute some changes. The clubs were required to observe a 4 to 1 music arraignment, for every four rock songs played one soul song was played. I rotated back to the states in May 1971, I heard about the riot while home on leave and knew of some of the men who where involved. It was a sad time in our military's history with Vietnam and all. I was reassigned to Camp Humphreys in 1975 -1976, things were better but the ghosts of the past were still present, the clubs were still there and practicing pretty much in the same manner. The one club in the village that catered primarily to Blacks, the U.N. Club was in another part of the village away from the main club alley.Robert Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256483457533503352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946845.post-22476016024373795752011-07-08T13:53:03.937+09:002011-07-08T13:53:03.937+09:00Amazing documentary work. Very interesting read.
...Amazing documentary work. Very interesting read.<br /><br />I've heard mixed things about Moon's book but now I want to track down a copy.<br /><br />My parents (American) lived here in Korea in 1974. My dad was on loan from the US Dept. of Agriculture trying to perfect "Tongil Rice" in Suwon. I don't think he ever stepped foot on a US military base at the time but now I need to ask him. The 70's camp-towns make Itaewon ca. 2011 sound like Disneyland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com