Posted on Feb 26, 2018
First South Korean troops arrive - Feb 26, 1965 - HISTORY.com
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The first contingent of South Korean troops arrives in Saigon. Although assigned to non-combat duties, they came under fire on April 3. The South Korean contingent was part of the Free World Military Forces, an effort by President Lyndon B. Johnson to enlist allies for the United States and South Vietnam. By securing support from other nations, Johnson hoped to build an international consensus behind his policies in Vietnam. The effort was also known as the “many flags” program. By the close of 1969, there were over 47,800 Korean soldiers actively involved in combat operations in South Vietnam. Seoul began to withdraw its troops in February 1972.
First South Korean troops arrive - Feb 26, 1965 - HISTORY.com
Posted from history.com
Vietnam War
American History
Military History
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 9
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I didn't realize that they had that many troops there.
COL Mikel J. BurroughsSPC Brett Curry Sgt Albert Castro SSG William Jones Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Wayne Brandon CWO3 Randy Weston Susan Foster SSG Donald H "Don" Bates CPL Dave Hoover Sgt Vance Bonds PVT Mark Zehner SGT (Join to see) Alan K. SGT Mark Halmrast SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SPC Margaret Higgins Sgt Randy Wilber CPL Dave Hoover SSgt James Tadlock
COL Mikel J. BurroughsSPC Brett Curry Sgt Albert Castro SSG William Jones Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Wayne Brandon CWO3 Randy Weston Susan Foster SSG Donald H "Don" Bates CPL Dave Hoover Sgt Vance Bonds PVT Mark Zehner SGT (Join to see) Alan K. SGT Mark Halmrast SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SPC Margaret Higgins Sgt Randy Wilber CPL Dave Hoover SSgt James Tadlock
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Yes, My time in Viet Nam in II Corp area first was mostly Korean Army and soldiers of their White Horse Division we worked with and encountered on a regular basis. We also worked with Korean Army MPs there. Further North , when I was stationed there in I Corp area, at Da Nang it was mostly Korean Marines and once again major large size units. These were all top notch troops and very effective. To a lesser degree there were Korean Air Force but mostly flying in cargo.
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There was a theft of serum albumin from my medical supplies at the 24th Evac Hospital at Long Bihn in 1971. I knew the Koreans used it as an afrodesiac and there had been other thefts of it before. I reported the theft and about a week later, a Korean sergeant, identifying himself as Korean CID, invited me to lunch. I thought he wanted to discuss the the theft, but he wanted me to give him medical supplies to sell on the black market, and I would get 50%. Told him I would think about it and let him know.
I called our CID to tell them what happened and a "sting" was set up. Arranged for the sergeant to pick up supplies and when he had them, he was arrested by American CID.
Heard later that he had been sent back to Korea on a boat. Rumor was that he had also put a contract out on me.
I remember all the excess material from our scrap yards that the Korean soldiers took back with them.
I called our CID to tell them what happened and a "sting" was set up. Arranged for the sergeant to pick up supplies and when he had them, he was arrested by American CID.
Heard later that he had been sent back to Korea on a boat. Rumor was that he had also put a contract out on me.
I remember all the excess material from our scrap yards that the Korean soldiers took back with them.
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I know I’ve posted before about our unit sharing the same base camp with the South Korean 17 th “ White Horse” Div. back in1966 Tuy Hoa AO they were extremely tough professional soldiers and had no equal in night operations in my estimation ,I copied some good methods later as an instructor back at Ft. Polk.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Sgt Roncari, also on the only land approach onto the Cam Ranh Bay Peninsula We had a Base Camp also for the White Horse Division of the Korean Army. our unit, the USAF 12th Security Police Squadron had people posted there also. It was apparent that the Viet Cong were not going through the Koreans and coming by land, that wasn't going to happen. I would agree the Koreans had no equal. We also had worked with Korean MPs and there were not people to screw with. By water and boat that came within 500 Ft of the shoreline We fired warning shot via 50 cal or M60 depending on the post, if they didn't leave our standing instructions were to sink them.
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LTC John Griscom
I had posted before about being stationed in Korea when the "White Horse" Division returned in 1967. Story was that the VC had captured one of their patrols and cut their ears off. Division commander sent out a company with instructions to find the VC and bring back their skins. Korean had no more problems with VC.
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