A Profile of Camp Page, South Korea

Plenty of veterans of Korea have left comments here on the ROK Drop about their experiences while stationed in Korea.  However, one camp seems to continuously have very fond memories about it and that is Camp Page in Chuncheon:

That is why I have decided to create a “Profile” dedicated just to Camp Page.  I was never stationed on Camp Page so it was interesting to research and learn more about this camp that many have told me was the best kept secret in Korea.  Camp Page was one of the oldest facilities in USFK before it was closed down since construction of the runaway occurred back in 1951 when the city was recaptured from the Chinese and North Koreans. Here is a picture of the old K-47 airfield from Dave Kowalsky’s website:

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However, the airfield was not called Camp Page until 1958 when the 100th Field Artillery Rocket Battalion arrived from Japan. The name of the camp is in honor of US Army Lieutenant Colonel John U.D. Page who was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Navy Cross for Gallantry for combat heroics while serving with US Marine Corps units during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. LTC Page died after only being in country 12 days.

Here is LTC Page’s Medal of Honor citation:

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Lt. Col. Page, a member of X Corps Artillery, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty in a series of exploits. On 29 November, Lt. Col. Page left X Corps Headquarters at Hamhung with the mission of establishing traffic control on the main supply route to 1st Marine Division positions and those of some Army elements on the Chosin Reservoir plateau. Having completed his mission Lt. Col. Page was free to return to the safety of Hamhung but chose to remain on the plateau to aid an isolated signal station, thus being cut off with elements of the marine division. After rescuing his jeep driver by breaking up an ambush near a destroyed bridge Lt. Col. Page reached the lines of a surrounded marine garrison at Koto-ri. He then voluntarily developed and trained a reserve force of assorted army troops trapped with the marines. By exemplary leadership and tireless devotion he made an effective tactical unit available. In order that casualties might be evacuated, an airstrip was improvised on frozen ground partly outside of the Koto-ri defense perimeter which was continually under enemy attack. During 2 such attacks, Lt. Col. Page exposed himself on the airstrip to direct fire on the enemy, and twice mounted the rear deck of a tank, manning the machine gun on the turret to drive the enemy back into a no man’s land.

On 3 December while being flown low over enemy lines in a light observation plane, Lt. Col. Page dropped hand grenades on Chinese positions and sprayed foxholes with automatic fire from his carbine. After 10 days of constant fighting the marine and army units in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir had succeeded in gathering at the edge of the plateau and Lt. Col. Page was flown to Hamhung to arrange for artillery support of the beleaguered troops attempting to break out. Again Lt. Col. Page refused an opportunity to remain in safety and returned to give every assistance to his comrades. As the column slowly moved south Lt. Col. Page joined the rear guard. When it neared the entrance to a narrow pass it came under frequent attacks on both flanks. Mounting an abandoned tank Lt. Col. Page manned the machine gun, braved heavy return fire, and covered the passing vehicles until the danger diminished. Later when another attack threatened his section of the convoy, then in the middle of the pass, Lt. Col. Page took a machine gun to the hillside and delivered effective counterfire, remaining exposed while men and vehicles passed through the ambuscade.

On the night of 10 December the convoy reached the bottom of the pass but was halted by a strong enemy force at the front and on both flanks. Deadly small-arms fire poured into the column. Realizing the danger to the column as it lay motionless, Lt. Col. Page fought his way to the head of the column and plunged forward into the heart of the hostile position. His intrepid action so surprised the enemy that their ranks became disordered and suffered heavy casualties. Heedless of his safety, as he had been throughout the preceding 10 days, Lt. Col. Page remained forward, fiercely engaging the enemy single-handed until mortally wounded. By his valiant and aggressive spirit Lt. Col. Page enabled friendly forces to stand off the enemy. His outstanding courage, unswerving devotion to duty, and supreme self-sacrifice reflect great credit upon Lt. Col. Page and are in the highest tradition of the military service.

Over the years Infantry, Engineer, Signal and Supply units would also call Camp Page home, but the major tenant unit would eventually become the 4th Missile Command with their Honest John rockets.  This 4th Missile Command,Camp Page website has a number of photographs posted from the 1964 time period that are quite fascinating to view.  More pictures were taken by Dave Kowalsky during his tour in South Korea.  Here is the link to Dave’s webpage.  Here is what the front gate of the camp looked like in 1964:

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The 4th Missile Command would remain on Camp Page until 1978 when it was deactivated.  You can see more of Dave’s pictures at this link.

After looking at the historical pictures of USFK installations, I always find it interesting to then go back and look at how the camp looks in modern times.  Here is a nice series of aerial photos of how Camp Page looked just back in 2010:

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Camp Page was closed out in 2005 as part of the USFK transformation plan that will have the US military consolidating forces into major hubs at Osan AB, Camp Humphreys, and the Daegu area.  The last major tenant unit to call Camp Page home was the 1-2 Aviation Battalion that flew Apache helicopters from the base.  It took years of negotiations before the Korean government accepted the transfer of Camp Page back to the Korean government due to pollution concerns.  Those pollution concerns included allegations of Agent Orange dumping on Camp Page that have yet to be substantiated.  Even more troubling if true is that there was supposedly a nuclear accident that happened in 1972 as well.  The nuclear incident appears to have little creditability, but the pollution concerns are legitimate though nothing in regards to Agent Orange has ever been proven.  Even without Agent Orange there is still plenty of other pollution over the years that has accumulated on the base that this veteran actually has a picture of where they used to dump battery acid at on Camp Page:

 camp page battery acid

Here you can see my buddies (1972-1973 tour) making pollution. Digging weeds and spreading Viet Nam Era Herbicide by hand with the help of coffee cans was a high tech operation and the disappearing battery acid trick was great. The orange Acid barrel had no bottom and was full of rocks.

It is stuff like this that I think is the biggest pollution hazards with USFK facilities in Korea, but the Korean media and anti-US groups in the country would rather sensationalize claims about Agent Orange and nuclear incidents to create further animosity between USFK and the Korean public.  However, two years ago the US and South Korea have worked together to develop a way ahead to address the environmental issues with the US paying the bulk of the clean up for the vacated bases even though the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the two countries says the US only needs to return vacated property in a “as is” condition.

Anyway back to more pictures of Camp Page, there were still a few quonset huts that were in use when the base closed, but most of the buildings on Camp Page were of modern vintage in 2010:

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The now densely populated Chuncheon is built up all around the camp so it really was only a matter of time before USFK would have to shut down this camp:

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Like the other camps that have been vacated by the US military Camp Page this year has been pretty much leveled and redevelopment to use the land by the local community has begun.  Here is a passage and picture from the 4th Missile Command, Camp Page site that describes recent developments on the old Camp Page:

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Pam Austin, the photographer, wrote: “There is almost nothing left — the entire air strip has been torn up. The walls around the camp remain, as does the water tower, although the words ‘Camp Page’ have been whited out. The picture of the parking lot shows the new subway station across the street from the camp — the parking lot was built on what was part of the camp. I went through a year ago, and they still had the road signs up that pointed to the base. Those have now been removed. There appear to be some kind of warehouses on the ground, but they are made of really flimsy material. The whole site is fenced off — either with the original camp fence (still with rusting concertina wire on top), or with chain link from a construction company.”

The city of Chuncheon has plans of buying the land from the Korean government to use for a park, additional apartments, or a shopping mall.  Here is what the city is currently using the land for:

What used to be the main street on post is open to the public and links Chuncheon’s central business district to a new rail station where people can ride a bullet train to Seoul. The trip, which used to take two hours, takes only an hour these days.

Faster transport means more tourists, drawn by the area’s lakes, rivers and mountains to hike, ski and golf. Visitors can also check out some of the places where the hit soap opera “Winter Sonata” was filmed.

Since helicopter flights ended, restrictions on land development in Chuncheon have eased and most of the 173 buildings that were on Camp Page have been demolished.

Officials plan to consult the public before devising a long-term plan for the 145 acres of bare land that remains, according to Soon-mu Park, an official with Chuncheon City’s Urban Improvement Department.

About half the site has been earmarked for commercial development and the rest as public space. It’s possible that a park, local government buildings, a fire station and court house will be built there, officials said.

In the meantime, workers are turning one large hangar, once used by the U.S. Army, into a sports complex and another into a gymnasium for disabled people.  [Stars & Stripes]

Camp Page physically is mostly gone now, buried by the rapid development of South Korea.  Like other USFK camps that have been demolished and redeveloped, the memories of the US servicemembers that served on Camp Page will live on.

camp page google earth
Current Google Earth image of Camp Page in Chuncheon

Note: You can read more from the ROK Drop featured series “A Profile of USFK Bases” at the below link:

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Note: Below are comments from the original www.rokdrop.com site that did not import correctly to the latest www.rokdrop.net site.  So I copied and pasted them into this posting for everyone to read.  Leave new comments down below.  If you served on Camp Page please share your memories of the camp in the comments section.

 

In the summer of 1980, my unit (332nd ASA) was kicked off Cp Humphries and someone had the bright idea of sending us to Page. 4th Missile had been gone a couple of years, so we took over their old quonset huts and motor pool. Page made no tactical sense, as the units we supported were pretty far away to the west, and across two sets of pretty high ridges. Not many units on post, WSD-K, an ammo accounting unit, an aviation company, maybe 300 GI’s, tops.

The city of Chuncheon was a revelation after the squalor of Anjeongri. I think Page was one of the few camps that was located right in a big, normal city. The Koreans treated us very well, and for our part, I don’t think we acted too badly.

There were some GI clubs, but not many, and not very wild (the 21 club in the pic above was still open). The only weirdness happened during Team Spirit, when 25th ID staged a few BN’s there. Got to know what a boom town looked like when it happened.

Chuncheon “chicken rib” places were very popular, and it was possible to date and marry normal Korean girls, and many guys did.

All-in-all, the nicest place to be stationed in Korea.

Why was it called Mt. Useless?

I always thought of Camp Page as an old friend. I had a great time there

Why was it called Mt. Useless? American flyers, annoyed by the way this lump lay across their approaches to Chuncheon’s airfield, called it “Unnecessary Mountain.” By the time we got to Chuncheon -1964-65- the mountain was called “Mt. Useless.”

i was shocked in a good way to see club “21″, there was another one called the “rainbow club” i would love to see a photo of that. how well i remember the 21 club. a perfect place for a 17 year old boy with 124 dollars a month and nothing to spend it on.

As a 18 yr old from South Carolina, I was awstruck from the time I left SC, on my trek towards ChunChon via Alaska, Japan, and Korea. I was there as an MP from Oct 1975 until Nov 1976. Had a ball, met many new folks from all over the USA and Korea. I stayed in the Q. Huts some but mostly lived off post. So sorry to hear of its closing. Camp Page was a great place, and the page on Facebook is very good. Appreciate this site too!

I was stationed at the 226 in 1977/78. I remember running past the binjo carts during the morning pt, a smell i will never forget.I had a great time while I was there. Bought a killer stereo from the main px.

Great site. I was there for about two weeks of 1951.

  1. I think it was known as K-47 then.

K-47 was the air strip, the base was still Camp Page.

I was stationed at Camp Page from 1985 to 1987, assigned to the Weapons Support Detachment (WSD-K) as its communications officer. During my time there, the Camp Page Consolidated Club was transformed into the Page II Club — same Quonset hut structure on the outside but completely renovated on the inside. Many of the Quonset huts used for barracks were gutted and renovated as a transitional move to permanent buildings. The first permanent barracks building was completed near the south end of the post in 1986, and it housed enlisted soldiers. The big red and white water tower that still stands on Camp Page in the 2011 pictures was constructed during that time on the site of what used to be a snack bar. It was a marvel of construction, as the tank and the structure supporting it were built from the ground up, piece by piece. They drove piles into the ground to support the foundation, built the foundation, and then built the supporting structure a few feet at a time, constructing a scaffold around it as the structure grew. When the tank itself was built, it was done plate by plate – lots and lots of welding done by workers who were precariously perched on the scaffolding and sometimes hanging on swings strung from the scaffolding. The permanent barracks and the new water tower were the beginning of a major capital improvement project for Camp Page that really changed the look of the post in a lot of ways (based on the pictures I’ve seen).

Regarding units: In my time on Camp Page (1985-1987), the largest units on post (excluding USAG CP) were the 128th Aviation BN (Blackhawk), a ROK aviation unit (Huey), and WSD-K. Just before I arrived, WSD-K administratively changed hands from 19th Support Command to Eighth Army Special Troops (EAST). According to my fellow WSD-K officers, the detachment held a transition ceremony during which they fired their obsolete 19th SUPCOM “flower” patches from their 75mm ceremonial cannon. Anyone who was stationed on Camp Page during this period knows which cannon I’m talking about, as it was fired every afternoon at retreat.

Regarding Chunchon: The clubs mentioned by others – “Club 21” and “Rainbow” – were there in the ‘ville, in addition to three other USFK-sanctioned clubs (their names escape me at the moment). Directly across the street from the main gate, on the right corner, was an excellent tailor shop. Up the sidewalk from that was the Charlie Shop, where they would embroider literally anything you wanted onto anything that would fit into their sewing machines. They could also make trophies and commemorative items. On the left side across from the main gate was a Tae-Kwon-Do studio and a small mom-n-pop restaurant that made the best yaki mandu (fried dumplings) – 10 dumplings in a bamboo box for 1000 Won ($1.19 — the exchange rate was 843 Won to the dollar when I arrived). The city itself was alive and bustling, the resort areas were nice and accessible, and for anyone looking to explore it, there was plenty to see and do in Chunchon.

Regarding Camp Page: USAG CP did a great job in making the post as pleasant as possible. Along the main streets there were several trees which really greened up the place during the warm months. We had a nice movie theater (“Top Gun” was shown in first-run when I was there). The consolidated clubs – the original, the transitional, and the Page II Club – were all well-run and welcoming. We had a crafts center, multiple snack bars, an education center, a small PX, American Express Bank, a gym, baseball diamond, and a swimming pool (at least for a while). There was a gravel perimeter road around the airfield that, combined with the paved roads inside the fence lines on the rest of the post, made a great 2.25-mile running track. Even when the capital improvement projects started up, the folks running the post did everything they could to keep the construction from being too disruptive. Given that Camp Page was considered to be a hardship post (unaccompanied assignments), and that most of the buildings were the original “T-“ temporary structures, we still had it pretty darned good compared to many other posts in the country (and I visited a lot of posts while I was there). I have some very good memories of Camp Page, and it makes me feel a bit old that the post and almost all of the “future” construction that was done there has since been wiped out by the bulldozers. Time marches on…

I have fun memories of that are especially outside the gate. Going to the restaurants the college playing basketball and the underground mall. But while I was there on Camp page I did develop skin problems and I have a large tumor like cyst that on my left hand between my thumb and index finger.

Served at Camp Page ITO from 1998-99. Miss Dak Kalbi, Yaki mandu at the KSB, and the city of ChunCheon. Had a great time and thoroughly loved that area of Korea.

very interesting…

I served at the MSA. Spent lots of time at Camp Page and the city. Great times.
tbodura@aol.com

I was stationed at Camp Page from Jan 75 – April 79. I had loved both Korea and Camp Page.i miss the place and the people. Was thee any body there during my time. I spent the first 2 1/2 years in the 1st/42nd FA and than went down the street to WSD/K until April 79.I’ll get back on here to check other comments. Glad I ran across this site.

Stationed at Camp Page 86-88 hq battlion 128 ahb. The clubs; 21,king,ranibow,flamingo,seven and cafe parking were and always will be (if only in memories) great places to just hang out with fellow soldiers and friends. There was a DJ @ the Rainbow named Mr. Pak and two girls named Sunnya and Myungha I will never forget. The camp itself was ok, I stayed off post for the most part. The night life was always wild and the redzone was something else. I would love to go back there sometime.

I forgot OB beer and Jungle juice….

oh and oscar and sonjo and Yaki mandu at the jinhe house

I was stationed at Camp Page the entire year 1968, assigned to the 4th Support Co. Many good memories of the people I met and worked with there. Also many good memories of the Korean people.

At Page Jan’72 – Feb ’73. In the aviation section, ‘Rocket Airlines’. Great memories.

At Camp Page from Oct 70 – Nov 71 As a UH-1 Crew Chief assigned to Rocket Airlines. I had a lot of great times. However when it came time to go home I didn’t let the door hit me in the ass!

I was stationed at Camp McCullough (MSA) north of Camp Page in 1970 and guarded who knows what for 1/42 artillery. I cannot find one thing about it anywhere on the net. Does anyone know how to find something about it?

Bill I was at MSA 42, Camp McCullough from Aug 1969 to Oct 1970.
Email me.
tbodura@aol.com
Tony

Cousin Bruce! Those were the days my friend!

#26 – Yes, cousin Greg, indeed they were. Did I get the details right? Did I miss anything worth posting in this thread about the old post?

I serve in the 1/42 field Artillery from January 1976 til December 1976, and I serve with William Abell. Members of the unit called me Hero. Our first Sgt. was Albert Mack. I still have fun memories of my stay at Camp Paige and would love to visit Chuncheon. Good to hear from a old soldier.

hello was there 1965 to 1966 4th missile command as a pfc wire section loved south korea had a good time.

I served three tours at Camp Page between June 1970 and Mar 1977. I also served as Det Sgt of Camp McCullough with 1/LT Richard A. Ward in 1970 and 8 months in the EAF at Camp Colbern in 1973. My last duty asgmt was Op Sgt, 4th USA Msl Comd in 1977. I went back on a visit in 1980 and there were Korean Contract Police on the gate.

I was stationed at Camp Page from July 1970 to August 1971 and served in the 161st Engineer Co. I was an explosives/demolition specialist although I ended up working as the company clerk. When I arrived our CO was Cpt. Jerome Darga and when he rotated out the new CO was Cpt. Charles J Mills. Mills was an amazing young officer a genuine Airborne Ranger but was totally approachable and well liked by the officers and men. We had a large KATUSA compliment and some of us became friends with some of the KATYSAs and went out into the local community with them and saw a much different side of Chunchon than that presented in the usual GI hangouts. Our company area was directly across the street from the water tower and actually included the water tower because we had a water purification platoon in the 161 Engineer Co. We also had an ADM(Atomic Demolitions Munitions) platoon and I was briefly assigned there when I first arrived. But I was scarfed up by the CO when he found out I could type because his company clerk was leaving in a couple of weeks and he was not getting a replacement. The orderly room was a very tense place at first because the Cpt. Darga and 1st Sgt. Eugene hated each other. It got so bad that the 1st Sgt. was actually courtmartialed and got reduced in rank and reassigned to another post. The next 1st Sgt. was Sgt. MacLaughlin and he was a genuine good guy and very interesting person. For the most part Camp Page was a good post. There was a nice movie theater right on the post and I still remember the day that the movie M*A*S*H came to town. We really hooted and hollered at that one as you can well imagine. For the most part I have good memories of my time at Camp Page

I was stationed at camp page May 1969 to June1970 as SP5 company clerk for 7th batallion, 5th artillary under First Sergeant L.C.Woods and Captain John C Taylor. I felt very lucky to be assigned there instead of Vietnam Nam. With the exception of the snow it was great duty. Spent a ton of time in the NCO club perfecting my pool game. Often visited the Hawk missile sites with the CO and first sergeant as well as the DMZ. Still wonder about the agent orange exposure at the sites and DMZ.

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Bruce K. Nivens
Bruce K. Nivens
8 years ago

GIKorea: Thanks for bringing back the Camp Page material.

Bae Il Byong
Bae Il Byong
8 years ago

I was with the 332nd MI BN (EW) (former 332nd ASA) from July 82 to July 83. I actually heard the hijacked Chinese airliner land on the short Camp Page airstrip, which was for cargo planes, and ran out to see this big plane sitting there with no idea of what was going on. Later I was part of a group that established a landline to the plane for communication with the hijackers. Pretty thrilling stuff at the time.

Weeks later, I witnessed the plane taking off, after virtually all unnecessary equipment was removed from the plane to make it light enough to take off from the short strip. It really revved up prior to taking off and just made it.

I did enjoy my time in Chunchon and Camp Page and feel very fortunate to have been stationed there and not
Camp Casey and the 2nd Div. We had more freedom to leave the post since we all carried a permanent pass card with us and weren’t stuck on post waiting for the few available passes like those at Casey. The Korean locals all seemed to enjoy us being there and we did have the chance to meet “regular” Korean women, not just the ones that hung out at the bars. I wish I had extended there for another year instead of PCS’ing to Fort Lewis and the real Army again.

Greg Bogert
8 years ago

In camp page as Air Force weather support for the 17th aviation Apache unit from 1995-1996. Many memories at the rainbow club. Don’t miss those chants from the army units during early morning PT calling for Air force personnel to wake up. good times.

John White
John White
8 years ago

I was stationed at Camp Page Korea, 4th USA Missile Command in 1973, Can anyone help me to find out anything about a Helicopter rash that happened that year. I recall that a Lieutenant was piloting the craft , he had flown down to Osan AFB and picked up his wife and child who had just arrived in country , He was bringing it in for a landing as I had just exited my Quonset hut which was only 250 yards from the Helicopter Landing site. I remember approaching the air strip as he was not more than 6’to 8′ from touching down , there were no strange movements of the craft, it had struck nothing, when all of a sudden it exploded in the blink of an eye. I still can get that site out of my mind. I could see the Lieutenant’s face as he was attempting to land.

Pat Davis
Pat Davis
8 years ago

I was there as the Xo Of HHB 4th Missle Command. From what I remember is that this was a check down flight and that Carlson took his wife and child to view the Han River. 1/LT Pat Davis.

Amador D. (Ponch) Hinojosa
Amador D. (Ponch) Hinojosa
8 years ago

I was assigned to HHB 1/42nd DIVARTY Commo Section from November 1975 thru January 1977. I really enjoyed my time in Korea and at the time I was pretty young and didn’t know how to appreciate the country or culture. But I do now and thinking of going back to show my wife and daughter how truly beautiful Chuncheon is and the culture. I was very fortunate to have met a beautiful Korean lady that tried to teach her culture and language and I have always remembered that and her. Until we meet again my Beautiful Country of the Morning Calm.

Steve Labuski
Steve Labuski
8 years ago

Was stationed at Cp Page from 1983-1985 with the 332d MI Co. I have many good memories of Cp Page – I liked the fact that it was located in a real Korean city, and not a GI town like Anjeong Ri ( though I had a lot of fun there too ). I was at Cp Page when the Chinese airliner was hijacked. Our unit was located right next to the airfield, and I couldn’t believe how loud it was. That airstrip was not made for commercial airliners.

Dean Barrett
Dean Barrett
Reply to  Steve Labuski
8 years ago

Hey, Steve! Dean Barrett here (Bae Il Byong post above (DLI Korean name)). Remember me? 332nd MI CO from July 82 to July 83. Ft Lewis, WA after that till Sept 84. Civilian ever since. Now in Kansas City, MO.

Just saw your post. You’re the first one to post that I actually know. Just visited your Facebook page just to make sure I would recognize you…I did. I remember you were from Worcester, Mass (or Taxachusetts, as you put it).

I vividly remember the Chinese airliner landing at Camp Page. An exciting episode in an otherwise pretty mundane series of events in the ROK.

Good to know your still alive and kicking. I keep in contact with Bob Repp but he’s the only one I’ve been able to track down. Maybe others will eventually appear at this web site. Let’s hope.

Take care!

Mark McIntosh
Mark McIntosh
Reply to  Bae Il Byong
7 years ago

Was at Page with the 332nd in early 80’s. Best place in Korea by far. Now live in Waegwan/Camp Carroll and work MWR. Chunchon is the best place I’ve lived in over 25 years here.

Mary
Mary
7 years ago

Hi, my Dad served as the Commander at Camp Page between 1983-1984. He passed away 3 years ago. I’d love to connect with anyone who knew him. Thank you!

John White
John White
7 years ago

To GI Korea and XO Pat Davis
In your research and in your recollections were there any other helicopter crashes at Camp Page From April of 1973 and the following 6 mos.

John White
John White
Reply to  GIKorea
7 years ago

Almost a year ago you researched the Helicopter Crash I had asked about that occurred in 1973 near Camp Page. I recently reviewed the information and just want to say thank you for your time. Sorry it’s so delayed.

Steve
Steve
Reply to  John White
7 years ago

hi John.. I had forgotten about that.. I was in the ADM team at the time and was call out to the crash site.. it was a water site and we paddled out to the site.. cold and the top of the Huey was sticking out of the water. Sad we could do nothing to help.

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

73-74 Camp Page 4th missal command ADM team.. had a good time in Chunchon. got my Black belt in Tae Kwon Do met some great people and visited some nice families..

Robert Hoffman
Robert Hoffman
6 years ago

Hi. 226th signal corps at Camp Page from ’70 to ’71 then finished up at the MSA. Hey guys, I made it through ‘Nam. Didn’t get blown to hell. I also did not make E-6. If any of you are left, contact me.

Dr. Tim Pivonka
Dr. Tim Pivonka
6 years ago

I served as the Dental Officer for both Camp Page and Camp Long from April 87-May 88. I was the Project Officer for the construction of the new dental clinic and opened it in October 87. I lived my first 7 months in one of the old quonset huts. No a/c. Played on the post travelling softball team and flag football for the MP’s, basketball for WSD-K. Great times. Stayed super busy taking care of people offering services that they normally would have had to go to Yongsan for.

Dr. Tim Pivonka, COL (Ret.)

SFC (RET) Leonard Franklin
SFC (RET) Leonard Franklin
6 years ago

I served at camp page from 1981 to 1982 my unit was Area II support detachment want to hear from anyone who was there during that time. I worked in the motor pool during my tour there also any MP’s who was there at that time would like to hear from you also

Joel Aparicio
6 years ago

I was stationed at Camp Page from 1997-98 as an Apache Helicopter Crew Chief in 1/2 Aviation. I have some fond memories there. I was also awarded my first “real” medal when I was the HAZMAT officer for the entire base and passed a 2nd ID inspection with 0 defects. The contamination rumours are sad to hear but not surprising after getting drunk one night with Page’s head intelligence officer and learning a T.S. level secret that provided info as to another hidden stratigic importance to Page for 2nd ID. I won’t discuss it further as I used to hold a T.S.clearence during and after my service, and honor to this day the classified info I still hold. Anyways, it was a small but interesting place I’ll never forget. Looks so much more deteriorated in these photos, but in the last photo the tallest barracks on the right used to be mine. Also the photo of the guard shack at the front gate reminds me of when my then gf was driving a refueling HEMITT and knocked the shack of it’s foundation when we were returning from a gunnery and held up the entire 1/2 Attack from entering for like 3 hours. Lol

Jimmy Angel
6 years ago

I was Stationed there, 1976-77, 226 Signal. (Jimmy Angel) (The Jesus People). I Salutte You Comrades. Ive thought of & Prayed for Yous for 41 Years. Happy Veterans Day! God Bless!

John Hayes
John Hayes
6 years ago

John Hayes work two tours in Korea. Station at Hq Camp Page 1987-1989. It was kept secret. Consider as a hardship tour. It wasn’t hard at all. See everyone come and leave because we provide administrative support for whole camp. Enjoyed it and one of my best time in the Army.

Rob Durkin
Rob Durkin
6 years ago

Was there for 17 months, ’89-90 as a 20-21 year old. Had some great memories I wouldn’t trade for anything. Can’t tell you how much I’d love to go back but it looks like things have changed, kind of heartbreaking to find out the camp is gone. But it’s a beautiful country and a beautiful city, and even if the Koreans didn’t always feel the same about us I really loved it there. These kids today who don’t want to enlist have no idea, the memories they’ll never have by staying in their small little world their whole lives.

Doug Thompson
Doug Thompson
6 years ago

Was stationed at Camp Page in 96. Met a lot of wonderful people there. I was an MP. Loved the mom n pop shop outside the gate. Was a great place to stop after a night at the club. The people were very nice. My room mate was with ROK army. Such a great guy, got to know his family and he showed me all over town. Miss those days in my life. Learned a lot and a better person for it.. Loved the SOJU lol. Doug Thompson on FB if you remember me.

dan gardner
dan gardner
6 years ago

I was the last @ d co.501 avn. 92 to 93. After I left they switched from cobras to apaches i still have the hanger plaque given to ssg adams and myself

Jey Barbour
Jey Barbour
6 years ago

As a 20 y.o., I was stationed at Camp Page from Aug. ’72 – Sep. ’73, in 226th Signal Co, worked at the Comm Center, MOS 32F2T, which of course we didn’t have but that’s the Army way! Loved my time there, spent a lot of it biking (new Korean 10-speed, drew a crowd everywhere I stopped!) the area, hiking the mountains and hanging out in the ‘ville. Had a Korean girlfriend, a runaway from a rich family in Seoul, that I ran into 15 years later in Raleigh, NC, working for the same company! I brought back 1600 slides that I took and processed myself there, which I dragged around for 40 years. Almost threw them away but decided to save all I could, and ended up with 800 or so. Did a lot of chopper flights, ferrying crypto cards from camp to camp, so I have a few pics from the air. We used to drive to Seoul and stop at the Halfway House for a beer, at the bridge across the river (Han, maybe?) I also have the 226 Yearbook, with pics of most of the people who were there with me. Does anyone know the name of the teahouse on the circle at the top of the hill? Spent a lot of time and money there, but it was fun. They served the original craft beer, OB… you had to let the chunky parts settle to the bottom. And yaki mondu (sp?), those scrumptuous fried dumplings! We lived on Ramen when we were out on field exercises. One time the missile guys fired one that was bolted to a trailer and it dragged it across a field! Wish I had pictures of that. Lots of fond memories of quanset huts, the Yoboseyo Club, Rainbow Club, 21, Tae Kwon Do, street food, hundred year old bikes piled 10 feet high with (fill in the blank), mama-sans, papa-sans, “G.I. number One!”, hellish summer and freezing, snowy winter. Loved every minute of it!

Frenchie
Frenchie
6 years ago

Hope I’m not the one Left from the 161 engr. At page. I was there from December 1960 to March 1962. Would like talk with anyone from then. I remember a very pretty Korean girl in our Taylor shop. Miss im. Anyone have fotos from then? Blessings all. Thanks for serving.

Jeffery Hayes
5 years ago

I was stationed in B Company, 1/42nd FA from November 1967 until February 1969. I was a SSG, Senior Assembly Specialist for the Honest Johns there. I was there when the Imjin River flooded and we were all moved up to a Korean grade school play grounds until the waters resided. I was also there during the time that the USS Pueblo was absconded and when things heated up with a threat of a huge amassing of North Koreans backed up by thousands of Red Communist Chinese. I was on the NRAS team and received authorization for the deployment of our Nuc’s. We deployed to field locations and set up MSA’s for the possible assembly of those Nuc’s. 1st Sergeant Bobby J. Elikns was our First Sergeant, and by the way Top, when I went home on emergency leave, there really was a silver thaw at home that kept me from getting back in time. I did call Ft. Lewis and told them so I really wasn’t AWOL. You owe me a stripe.
I thoroughly enjoyed my 27 months at Camp Page. I was also the drummer for a local band we had there called ‘The Early Morning Reign.’ Eddy Coleman and Baugh and others were also members. We played at the NCO/EM and Officers clubs on the weekends. I also did Monster make up as a part of my moral office duties. My nick-name was Drac. I really hated leaving there, left many good friends both GI’s and Koreans.

CARY
CARY
5 years ago

While I was there, they had tore up a portion of the ramp on the runway and dug up old beat up helmets (one had medical bandages wrapped on it), empty peach tins and 105mm casings with 1944 date stamped in them.

CARY
CARY
5 years ago

I was stationed here in 2002 with A Co. 602ASB and have photos of the installation. Can they be added to this page some how?

setnaffa
setnaffa
5 years ago

Why was Camp Page named after an officer with poor eyesite?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_U._D._Page

I wish I was that brave…

J6Junkie
J6Junkie
5 years ago

LTC Page had balls of steels many times over.

Phillip morris
Phillip morris
4 years ago

Hi everyone. I served at camp page in 1964 into early 65. I was assigned to the 4th USA Missile Command. I worked on the Honest John fire crew. I was a missile specialist in charge of arming the war head. As An 18 year old it was quite the experience.i really enjoyed my time at camp page. I remember having to use the military Monopoly money (scrip) every so often they would change the color of the paper money. I also remember being issued the ration books each month to purchase items from the PX. I didn’t smoke so I would sell my cigarette coupon to another guy. I remember living in the Quonset hut. I remember one time we had to take our mess kits to the mess hall to eat because the catusas rok army guys were stealing all the silverware. Each time we went thru the main gate into Chunchon on a pass we could check a board on the window of the guard shack that showed pictures an the names of the girls that had tested positive for VD. I remember we would buy a six pack of beer at the PX to take with you to one of the clubs in Chunchon.you would give it to the club owner.they would give you a token for each beer. Each time you wanted a beer you gave them back a token. Almost never got the same brand beer you purchased from PX. So many memories. The best memories are the time spent with the guys especially in the field on training missions. Seeing the Honest John lighting up the sky at night awesome site. I would love to hear from anyone that was in my command in 1964.

William Abell
William Abell
4 years ago

My address is 25 Howard Dr., Brandenburg, ky 40108

William Abell
William Abell
4 years ago

People who have server in 1975 – 1979, please call me at 270-547-0767. All are welcome. Dorsey give me a call if you get this.

Shane Noble
4 years ago

Stationed at Camp Page from 1984 to 1985 WSDK loved it there even though about everyone got busted at one time there were like 20 guys on extra duty.

LARRY KLINGLER
LARRY KLINGLER
4 years ago

I was stationed at Camp Page Oct 64-Oct 65. Was anyone with the 36th Signal Detachment

Ralph LaBrosse
Ralph LaBrosse
4 years ago

This post is for Tony (Andy) Bodura. I was at Camp Page from Nov. 74 to mid 1976. You asked what you were guarding at your Camp.
I was a computer for the then Honest John rocket (Nuclear). I was assigned to a headquarters BN with 2 firing batteries. My job was to check the firing batteries data before a missile could be launched. We run practice missions all the time. We also had nuclear accident drills on a regular basis, though the U.S. Government always maintained there were no nuclear missiles in S. Korea.
If I had to guess, I’d say you were guarding those missiles or the launchers.
Hope that helps.

Ralph LaBrosse
Ralph LaBrosse
4 years ago

Hi,
This post is for John White. I was stationed in S. Korea at Camp Page from Nov. 1974 to 1976. The Copter crash happened in 1975. The Copter was flying across a river when it hit some power lines and went down. I sure, because a friend of mine was one of the medics that was on scene.

Rascal1212
Rascal1212
4 years ago

Flew into Camp Page many times 68-70. Very much liked being there. Had to drive back to Osan many times and always an adventure. Much later in life 2000-2005 used to stop there when MC riding for gas, food, rest on the way to the East coast. Very beautiful area. FF to present Hwacheon and and area up to there is beautiful. Lots of water. Further along is the Dam of Peace.

Theoni Elizabeth (formerly Thomas Edward) Harrisburg, SP/4.
4 years ago

I got to Page in 1976 with the 329th ASA Co. The Rainbow Club name was English for Number Honey Club Mu Ji Gae. (Mu Ji Gae was Commie for “change frequency,” and designated Spook (as in intel) territory. Just to the right as you left the gate, was “Mom’s” where you could get fried egg sandwiches cooked on a truck fender hammerd flat. Ermy J. Montovani walked in there one night and asked for “Eggie Sandwich” which of course is Live Baby on Toast. The proprietor flipped, and screamed “NO NO GI! You don’t want Eggie Sandwitch, you want Egg Sandweechee!” Montovani was one of the Sig Maintenance people who Were There (main gate at Camp Casey, months later), when the “BURNING MEMORIES” patch incident happened: a jeep towing a generator drove on post just as the generator truck burst into flames higher than the local buildings. It was a real step down to leave Camp Page for Camp Casey.

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

WSD-K, 87′ to 88′, worked in the S-2 as the lowest ranking intel dweeb. Interesting first assignment and learning experience. I’ve never seen so many Article 15’s issued in one unit. Regardless, I managed to dodge trouble somehow. There was a “vault ghost” reported by some soldiers probably due to fatigue, long shifts, and/or too much Soju. I always loved those stories. Oh and, thank you Captain Asscrack for making me sleep out in the snow. LOL. “Not enough cots or room in the tent.” I’d have your bars if I wasn’t such a naive kid at the time. Thankfully I had great leadership after WSD-K. Oh, we had wonderful KATUSAS. You guys rocked!

Michael mcbride
Michael mcbride
3 years ago

I was stationed at camp page 93-94. Cco 1/501 avn. Had some good times at the king club and eating the Yaki mando

mike Bombacie
mike Bombacie
3 years ago

I was stationed at Camp Page from August 69 thru Sept 70 as part of 7/5 HHB. I was a radar tech that worked on the AN/FPS 69 on the hill above C co. and the IFF units at the Hawk batteries. Had the pleasure of living in those old Quonset huts with “Diesel Dan” heaters in winter! and roasting in summer!! The “ville” wasn’t much back then, mostly dive bars and dirt roads!! I’d love to hear from anyone who was around back then, so email me at: mikebombacie@yahoo.com

Ken
Ken
3 years ago

DELETED AS REQUESTED.

Ken
Ken
3 years ago

DELETED AS REQUESTED.

Ken
Ken
3 years ago

DELETED AS REQUESTED.

Ken
Ken
3 years ago

DELETED AS REQUESTED.

Ken
Ken
3 years ago

DELETED AS REQUESTED.

Ken
Ken
3 years ago

DELETED AS REQUESTED.

Ralph LaBrosse
Ralph LaBrosse
3 years ago

This is for the person who emailed me asking I if I was really stationed at Camp Page, then went on an angry rant about me not be stationed there. I was stationed there. From Nov. of 1976 to June of ’77. I was with the Headquarters and Service Battery for the 1st Bn 42 field Artillery. We were a small group – 6 to 8 people. We were Computers for the Honest John Rocket.
Anyway, don’t email me again. All others who are civil that I was stationed with and remember me, are welcome

Reginald Wactor
Reginald Wactor
3 years ago

Reginald Wactor stationed at Camp Page from Jan. 83 thru Jan. 84 in the 332nd MI Co.(EW) in the common plot. BEST time of my life.

rocket man
rocket man
3 years ago

Was stationed at Camp Colbern Jan.72-Jan.73. We were the “sister unit” of the 4th missile command. We had the sergeant missile at Colbern. We came up to Camp Page a couple of times to do firepower demonstrations. The sergeant missile had a range of 85 miles (wink,wink) so we were further south. Stayed in the “huts” while we were there. Page was huge compared to Colbern and we were out in the boonies on a mountain side. Enjoyed the short stay there and met some really friendly people there.

peterkish
3 years ago

Stationed in Camp Page 4th Supt Co…58-59 SFC Tongy supply sgt 1sgt Joe Scarwicki…those were the daz…saw the CC capt Skindrovic the big Russian…in France in 65 he was then a Lt/Col …..me and my old buddy Thurmond Ramsey I called him Woody wood pecker….shock of red hair and ruddy complexion….and our medic S/sgt Taylor….on our way to APG to the LWL……65-66 and then off to Nam…..

Mike Vandiver
Mike Vandiver
3 years ago

Mike Vandiver. 226 Signal Company Dec. 1966 to Jan. 1968. Company Clerk. On last plane to leave Kimpo for USA after capture of Pueblo. Like to hear from others who were there.

Kent Bergstrom
Kent Bergstrom
3 years ago

Kent Bergstrom. (nickname Doc) 78-79
I was SP4 alone in the Pharmacy to serve Campp Page. Good duty.
Downtime Inc. MC

Andy Gasior
Andy Gasior
2 years ago

Stationed at Page 84-85 with 128th Avn Tomahawks(witchdoctors). Sorry to hear A-306 is gone. Was there for there transition from UH1 to UH60. Miss the guys in the unit , been trying to find a few with no luck.

David Foster
David Foster
2 years ago

David Foster 83-85 332nd Mi Co Loved it there, Korean Voice Intercept Operator

Jeffery hayth
Jeffery hayth
2 years ago

Was part of 332 ASA move from Humphries summer of 80 looking for friend from CA I was in his wedding he married a school teacher Kevin Wolfe???

John Leick
John Leick
2 years ago

I have found it interesting that I have found no material talking about the MSA outside of Camp Page where no one was housed at Camp Page. There were about 60 personnel guarding the underground bunkers that housed nuclear missles. I was there from late 1967 thru 1968 as dog handler

Lewis Chapin
Lewis Chapin
2 years ago

I served at Cp Page Jul 70-Aug 71. I was the chief of the Counterintelligence Office, S2, 4th Missile Command. Lived in the quonset huts which were attached to the O Club where the officer’s dinning facility was. Really enjoyed Cp Page, the bowling alley, movie theater, library. Chuncheon, with the lakes and mountain were beautiful. Enjoyed my 13 months there. My roommates were CW4 Joseph Crawford and LT Ferris F. Barnes III. My boss was CPT Larry Bond.

Larry Klingler
Larry Klingler
1 year ago

Was stationed at Camp Page 64-65 with 36th signal detachment, 0nly 13 in our unit. Remenber the bit flood that was within a foot covering the our barracks

Steve Cape
Steve Cape
1 year ago

I was stationed there from 77 to 79 Area II support MP desk sergeant. Had a great time there. Beautiful country and people!

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