US: “So we need to cut off a tree” South Korea: “okay, how many people do you need to cut it off?” US: “a whole military force, land, sea, and air support”
I knew Bickley. He was a total badass that day, accounting for at least one KPA death. He caught an axe by the blade in hand, saving one of his buddies life. Everybody I knew that worked with Bickley had absolutely nothing but tremendous respect for him and his actions that day. He deserved far more than simply a Purple Heart for his hand and a UNC Certificate of Appreciation. I was in 2nd Plat and he was in 1st Plt, with another buddy of mine Terry House who also arrived in-country and to the JSA the same day as Mark Luttrell, Bob Munck and myself. Chobany was the 3rd Plt platoon leader, and it was his platoon that was on QRF that day. He ordered the QRF to stop at the entrance to the JSA while he waited for permission to enter from Capt Bonifas, who was already dead at that point. And Lt Barrett was an unknown. By that time Barrett had already jumped the small retaining wall to the left of some of those pictures, which was actually about a 15 foot depression. Barrett wound up saving the life of PFC George who had first jumped that wall and gone in there, followed by around 4 KPA guards. Barret then jumped and drew the KPA attentions to himself while George escaped, not knowing Barret was still in there. Barrett was finally found about 90 minutes later, barely alive, but he died en route to the 121st medical facility in Yongsan.
We are English and visited the DMZ. The saga of the tree was explained to us. It was moving and very poignant. The fact that the DPRK stood by and watched, unlike the response to having the tree trimmed speaks volumes.
I've lived there for four years, and while I was there, they sunk a ship bomb an island as well as multiple missiles and nuke tests. As the guy said, it's a circle diplomacy thing with that country; it's the only way to deal with them without millions of casualties.
I was in country from February 1976 to June 1977 with the 2d Bn/44th Air Defense(Nike-Herc) 38th Air Defense Brigade and I remember this day. I had had duty the night before and awoke to this that afternoon when I turned on the radio. It made for a very interesting time. There were also firefights just about nightly in the DMZ along with infiltraters being captured or shot up along the shores. I was back in country from June 1979-80 and was just outside of Seoul on Camp Colburn when President Park was assassinated. Another interesting time. I was going to Seoul one night and my gut said not to go. I didn't and on the news that night was a story about Korean MPs going to arrest a general involved Park's death and a firefights happened. This was near where I was going to go. I'm not going to talk about the riots I used to see in Seoul.
I think and have always said, North Korea is a problem that is eventually going to have to be dealt with. The problem is, the more you sit and wait, the longer you make that inevitable issue a bigger and bigger problem. Also China is key to this. When will China tell the Kim's enough is enough and change the government.
Who ever gave the order to trim that tree did know what they would face . We sent our men to be killed from the get go . If I was to be in charge I would order for that tree to be trimmed with a force of armed men . The Korea war was a political war . When you ever have that then the war cant be won .
Show of force, we plan on testing some old nukes anyways. Launch a few updated innert minute mans near North Korea as a show of the capabilities of the US to destroy NK in a single instant.
Like he's really going to perform maintenance on that vehicle… 🤣
Wait, wait, wait. Hold up.
So basically, two sides fought again all over for a tree?
US : we need to trim that tree.
NKS : well not on our sight.
US : so you've chosen *"remove the tree"*
US: “So we need to cut off a tree”
South Korea: “okay, how many people do you need to cut it off?”
US: “a whole military force, land, sea, and air support”
I knew Bickley. He was a total badass that day, accounting for at least one KPA death. He caught an axe by the blade in hand, saving one of his buddies life. Everybody I knew that worked with Bickley had absolutely nothing but tremendous respect for him and his actions that day. He deserved far more than simply a Purple Heart for his hand and a UNC Certificate of Appreciation. I was in 2nd Plat and he was in 1st Plt, with another buddy of mine Terry House who also arrived in-country and to the JSA the same day as Mark Luttrell, Bob Munck and myself.
Chobany was the 3rd Plt platoon leader, and it was his platoon that was on QRF that day. He ordered the QRF to stop at the entrance to the JSA while he waited for permission to enter from Capt Bonifas, who was already dead at that point. And Lt Barrett was an unknown. By that time Barrett had already jumped the small retaining wall to the left of some of those pictures, which was actually about a 15 foot depression. Barrett wound up saving the life of PFC George who had first jumped that wall and gone in there, followed by around 4 KPA guards. Barret then jumped and drew the KPA attentions to himself while George escaped, not knowing Barret was still in there. Barrett was finally found about 90 minutes later, barely alive, but he died en route to the 121st medical facility in Yongsan.
Isn’t it amazing how un-united the United Nations organization is? Even today.
We are English and visited the DMZ. The saga of the tree was explained to us. It was moving and very poignant. The fact that the DPRK stood by and watched, unlike the response to having the tree trimmed speaks volumes.
I've lived there for four years, and while I was there, they sunk a ship bomb an island as well as multiple missiles and nuke tests. As the guy said, it's a circle diplomacy thing with that country; it's the only way to deal with them without millions of casualties.
11K views and no comments...?
A scary story, How the madness of North Korean Killed somenes only try to cut a tree.
I was in country from February 1976 to June 1977 with the 2d Bn/44th Air Defense(Nike-Herc) 38th Air Defense Brigade and I remember this day. I had had duty the night before and awoke to this that afternoon when I turned on the radio. It made for a very interesting time. There were also firefights just about nightly in the DMZ along with infiltraters being captured or shot up along the shores. I was back in country from June 1979-80 and was just outside of Seoul on Camp Colburn when President Park was assassinated. Another interesting time. I was going to Seoul one night and my gut said not to go. I didn't and on the news that night was a story about Korean MPs going to arrest a general involved Park's death and a firefights happened. This was near where I was going to go. I'm not going to talk about the riots I used to see in Seoul.
3 years late but.. thank you for sharing with us. I hope you have found peace in your life now ❤
Ive read somewhere that the current south korean president was one of the south korean army soldiers sent for the operation
Never back down from a bully.
Finish the war.
There was a movie about that bridge, it was a sk and nk guards who were friends but the nk guards was killed at the end of the movie.
it was not only american soldier help south korea but also filipino soldier was also deployed to help south korea
Guys what are the differences and similarities between the Korean War and the Vietnam War?
Deterence and show of force. Do not pawn off our days problems to our children. Today is as good as any day to fight.
Have you served?
Thanks for this important piece of history...very informative
I think and have always said, North Korea is a problem that is eventually going to have to be dealt with. The problem is, the more you sit and wait, the longer you make that inevitable issue a bigger and bigger problem. Also China is key to this. When will China tell the Kim's enough is enough and change the government.
NO APPEASEMENT !
That just invites more aggression.
Maybe one day a leaders will come that see the value of peace/freedom and cooperation with other like nations. One can only hope for.
Neither! Both represent a “reaction” and the killer for Kim syndrome is “total ignoring”.
Informative
O met a United States Army sergeant who spent time there. It can be scary and dangerous.
Who ever gave the order to trim that tree did know what they would face . We sent our men to be killed from the get go . If I was to be in charge I would order for that tree to be trimmed with a force of armed men . The Korea war was a political war . When you ever have that then the war cant be won .
All this because of a tree
Show of force, we plan on testing some old nukes anyways. Launch a few updated innert minute mans near North Korea as a show of the capabilities of the US to destroy NK in a single instant.
What do we think of the us president walking willingly over the dmz in hand. vs kim walking over ours.