Download PDF of this full issue: v7n1.pdf (8.2 MB)

GI In Korea Writes: "I Can't Wait To Get Out"

By VVAW

On August 18, 1976, the infamous "Tree-Cutting incident" came close to starting another war in Korea. A group of US troops went into the De-militarized Zone (DMZ) to cut a tree so they could get a better view of North Korean positions, in clear violation of the 1953 Truce Agreements. The North Koreans reacted and in the ensuing fight, two American officers were killed.

The following letter comes from an American GI stationed near the DMZ and tells of the attitude of the GIs who would have been on the front lines if another war had broken out.

"On August 18th, a 3-hour drive from Chun-Chou, south Korean Alpha Battery was out participating in field maneuvers. We were gassing up our trucks to return when the word came down. Our Sergeant told us that we were on orders from high command to be on standby alert. Not practice standby alert, but the real thing. We knew from our training that there are 4 phases of alert. The first, spotting the so-called enemy; second, having contact; third, stand-by; and fourth, war! When we reached Camp Page we were told of two officers being killed on the DMZ. We were all told to assemble in the Section Room for further orders.

"We were told again that this was the real thing, all passes or leaves were cancelled, all personnel were to assemble our combat equipment. As we returned to the barracks we started to discuss how our gas masks weren't in good enough shape to work nor were a lot of our weapons. And in this condition we might have to fight. The sergeants were everywhere telling us, "Don't worry about it. It will probably be an air war with a lot of bombing, not that much infantry or artillery unites (like us) would be used."

"But to us, the enlisted men, who for the most part were in the military due to no jobs and a hope for some benefits to help us in the future, there wasn't much enthusiasm to fight the North Korean people. We had found out first hand that the army wasn't anything like the recruiters told us. It was everything that our friends and brothers told us it would be like--getting the shaft and being used.

The guys weren't all riled up about staying on alert. We just hoped it would be settled quietly and without us having to die. I felt like I was in prison. When you're in prison you don't tell the man you want to go home; he'll just laugh at you. It seemed to be just that situation.

We stayed on alert for one month after the August 18th tree incident. We were sure glad when it was over. I tell you, it ain't worth going into the army. And when you get in and find out what can happen to you--you can die for nothing. I just can't wait to get out."