In God We Trust
"Much has been written about the Korean War and not much about the Nation and people of Korea. During my stay I tried to explore the landscape and people of the area. I traveled and photographed cities, villages, and people to the extent possible during war times."
- Royce Raven
In April of 2002, a friend by the name of Dee Jacobsen, a Korean War Veteran, introduced me to the Korean War Educator web site. I reviewed the contents of this unique site and was very impressed by its mission. I decided to pass along my experiences and photographs so that veterans and viewers could see more of the Korean War Story, especially the Korean landscape and Korean life style as I saw the country.
I will give a short description of my Army life because it is probably consistent with the majority of the average GI's during the Korean War Era. I was raised in a small town in North Texas. After graduating from high school, I went to work in an aircraft factory. In the spring of 1952, I was drafted into the Army. I went through basic training at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Immediately after basic training I was shipped to Korea via Japan. I was transported from Sasebo, Japan to Pusan, Korea on a small ship named Sgt Bradley. From Pusan, I rode a troop train to Seoul, Korea. Upon arrival at the Seoul Railroad Station, I was loaded into a truck and moved to the Kimpo, Korea area and was unloaded at the 865th AAA AW BN SP unit. From the time I left the United States I had no idea where I was headed.
The 865th AAA AW BN SP was deployed on and around Kimpo Air Base to protect aircraft and personnel from low flying enemy aircraft. Our weapons consisted of Half Track Vehicles with 40mm anti-aircraft guns and quad 50cal machine guns. The Air Base was the forward most base for F-86 Sabre Jets. The base was part of the 5th Air Force and included the 4th Fighter Wing, the 67th Recon Group and an Australian Meter Jet Squadron. The 4th Fighter Wing Pilots were know as the Mig Killers with a kill ratio of about 8 Mig-15's to 1 F-86. During the fall of 1952 and the spring of 1953 communist aircraft known as Bed Check Charlie's continually bombarded the base to harsh the Sabre Jet pilots. My unit got lots of action attempting to shoot the Bed Check Charlie's out of the air.
Much has been written about the Korean War and not much about the Nation and people of Korea. During my stay I tied to explore the landscape and people of the area. I traveled and photographed cities, villages and people to the extent possible during war times. One such trip was to Seoul, Korea. Others were to Inchon and Suwon, Korea.
The saddest part of the war was the hell that the Korean Children endured. I made photos of children when possible.
I was in Korea for 18 months before returning to Texas in early 1954. I went to college and earned a degree in Engineering from Texas A & M University. I worked for Chance Vought Aircraft/LTV Corporation for 39 years. I am now retired and live in my hometown of Bridgeport, Texas.
I am proud to have served my country. If the small amount that I contributed will help the world become more peace loving, the time was well spent.
- Royce Raven
