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Story by: Sgt. Lee Hyun-bae
CAMP CASEY, South Korea – Throughout its 60 year history, Camp Casey has left its mark on the Republic of Korea. The camp, which originally supported soldiers who fought in the Korean War, is now the northern-most installation of the 2nd Infantry Division, home to the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 210th Fires Brigade and U.S. Army Garrison Casey units.
The camp, established in May 1951 and filling a mile-wide by three-mile long valley near Dongducheon, was officially dedicated in 1952 in memory of Maj. Hugh B. Casey, who died when his light observation plane was hit by ground fire in December 1951 crashing just west of what would become 2nd ID headquarters.
Throughout the years, the camp built a close relationship with Dongducheon city.
The U.S. Army occupies roughly 42 percent of the Dongducheon area, accounts for 30 percent of the Dongducheon economy, and plays a vital part in the nation’s defense, the city’s mayor said.
“Soldiers in Camp Casey are playing very important roles defending the Republic of Korea. Dongducheon city hall is trying to keep good relationships between citizens and U.S. soldiers,” said Dongducheon Mayor Oh Sea-chang. “I want to extend my congratulations on Camp Casey’s 60th anniversary, and hope we get along together well like we have for past 60 years.”
Not only has the relationship with the host nation community blossomed over the years, but so has the landscape for soldiers and more recently, families.
Retired Col. William M. Alexander, the 2nd ID museum director, said he has seen many changes to the camp in the 30-plus years since he originally laid eyes on it.
“I first came to Camp Casey in 1979 and there were no [heaters] back then, so everyone gathered around this middle stove with their gloves on at winter times,” said Alexander.
He added, back then there were no Warrior Family Days and the troops worked more hours than they do now.
“Soldiers in Camp Casey worked six days a week and Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army and Republic of Korea Army soldiers didn’t have any vacation. There were no weekend passes and no civilian clothes were allowed on camp.”
Some of the perks Americans have now like a community activities center and swimming pools were not available on Camp Casey in the ‘70s, he added.
“When there were no fast-food chains in Korea, the first Baskin Robbins opened in March 1980 on Camp Casey, and I still remember seeing a long line despite the cold weather,” said Alexander. “At that time, there were no cars on camp besides the brigade commander’s. That was the only [personally owned vehicle] that we could see on Camp Casey.”
Over its history, the camp was home to the Royal Thai Battalion; the Philippines’ 19th Battalion Combat Team; the U.S. 45th Division; and the 5th and 7th Marines during the war; and the U.S. 35th Division, 25th Division, and 7th Division after the cease-fire.
In 1971, the 7th Division returned to the U.S. and the 2nd ID occupied Camp Casey.
The 2nd ID headquarters remained on Camp Casey from 1971 until moving to Camp Red Cloud in 1992.
“We’ve started collecting stories like Alexander’s on our Division Facebook page as a way of connecting past and present soldiers in the digital age,” said 2nd ID Commander Maj. Gen. Michael Tucker. “Old soldiers can post photos of their Quonset-huts and new soldiers can show off their off-post housing. Boy, how times have changed.”
Tucker said the social media exercise will help current troops appreciate what they have now, while introducing them to their legacy.
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.07.2011 23:08 |
| Story ID: | 66653 |
| Location: | CAMP CASEY, BUSAN GWANG'YEOGSI [PUSAN-KWANGYOKSHI], KR |
| Web Views: | 540 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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