By Becky Coffield, HUSC Historian 2021-2022
Maude Hall
Named for Lieutenant General Timothy Maude. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he served as the 2ID Adjutant General from June 1985-May 1986 and as the G-1 May 1986-June 1987. LTG Maude was serving as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel and was killed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He served for more than 35 years and understood the human spirit and that the well-being of the Army (Soldiers, Civilians, Retirees, Veterans, and their Families) is linked to our readiness as a force.
Vandal Hall
In honor of Lieutenant General Thomas Vandal, a former Eighth Army commander and Combined Forces Command Chief of Staff from February 2016-January 2018. During his tenure, Vandal implemented a multitude of initiatives to improve the health and welfare of Soldiers and KATUSAs, with a vision of providing them premium training and increasing combat readiness. His long-term implementation was to consolidate adaptable training resources, including a virtual constructive gaming simulation environment, housed in the largest facility in the US Army, thus the simulation center was constructed. LTG Vandal passed away October 7, 2018, after a battle with cancer.
Freeman Hall at 2ID HQ
In 2018, the 2nd Infantry Division dedicated its new headquarters building honoring General Paul L. Freeman, which was previously headquartered at Camp Red Cloud. Freeman served as an Assistant Military Attaché to China and later the US Military Mission to China and staff of the China India Burma Theater during World War II. He commanded the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, when the Korean War broke out. He led the 23rd Regimental Combat Team in the battles of the Twin Tunnels and Chipyong-ni in 1951. Having been wounded, he returned to the US to recover. In 1955, he returned to Command the 2nd Infantry Division. After two division level commands and special assignments, he received his fourth star and the duties of Commander in Chief, US Army Europe in 1965 and then Commanding General of US Continental Army Command until 1967.
Vessey Complex at UNC and USFK HQ
Named for retired General John W. Vessey, Jr., the first commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command. After several Commands in Germany, Laos and Thailand, receiving his fourth star, he served concurrently as the Commander of UNC and USFK and as the Commanding General, Eighth Army from 1976-1979. In 1980 he served as the Vice Chief of Staff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Vessey retired on September 30, 1985, several months before the expiration of his second term as Chairman. He was the last four-star World War II combat veteran on active duty and, with forty-six years of service, having served the longest of anyone then in the Army. Shortly after Vessey’s retirement, Secretary Weinberger appointed him to the Integrated Long Term Strategy Commission. Vessey also served President Reagan and his successors, Presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton, as a special emissary to Vietnam on the question of American service personnel missing from the Vietnam War. He was a long-term member of the Defense Policy Board and the Defense Science Board, chairing several of the latter’s task forces and studies. In recognition of his service to the nation, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992.
Desiderio Army Airfield
Named in honor of Captain Reginald B. Desiderio who was killed in action near Ipsok, Korea, November 27, 1950, and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Airfield A 511 located at Camp Humphreys was renamed and memorialized on September 22, 1971. Desiderio was the Commanding Officer, Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, who died after being wounded several times and refusing to be evacuated while defending a command post of Task Force Dolvin against enemy breakthrough. The enemy penetrated their position, he personally charged at them with carbine, rifle, and grenades, inflicting many casualties until he himself was mortally wounded. His men, spurred on by his intrepid example, repelled the final attack.
Brian D. Allgood Army Community Hospital
Named for Colonel Brian D. Allgood, an Army Surgeon who was killed when the Blackhawk helicopter he was in was shot down by enemy fire northeast of Baghdad, Iraq on January 20, 2007. Among other notable assignments, Allgood was the Commander of 18th Medical Command/ 121st General Hospital at Camp Yongsan, Korea 2004-2006.
Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel
Dedicated to the four US Army Chaplains who perished in the United States Army Transport Ship Dorchester sinking in the Atlantic Ocean on February 3, 1943. Lieutenant George L. Fox, Methodist; Lieutenant Alexander D. Goode, Jewish; Lieutenant John P. Washington, Roman Catholic; and Lieutenant Clark V. Poling, Dutch Reformed. They moved among the men to calm them, to offer prayers, and to pass out life preservers stored on the upper deck without regard to religious beliefs. In an astonishing act of courage and brotherly love, the four chaplains gave away their own life jackets. As the ship went down, survivors in nearby lifeboats saw the four chaplains, linked arm-in-arm on the deck, praying together. Of the 902 aboard the Dorchester that night, only 230 survived. In December 1944, the four chaplains were posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart. Congress authorized "The Four Chaplains Commemorative Medal" in 1960, and Secretary of the Army Wilber M. Brucker awarded it to the four chaplains' next of kin on January 18, 1961.
Zoeckler Station
Dedicated to Lieutenant Colonel William R. Zoeckler who was a former commander of the US Army Security Agency Field Station Korea from July 16, 1971 to January 31, 1972. LTC Zoeckler guided ASA Korea through two major reorganizations and stayed at his post until he reached his limit of endurance and passed away from cancer in CONUS April 22, 1972.
Burke CYS SKIES Center
Dedicated to Colonel (Ret.) Lloyd “Scooter” Burke, Medal of Honor recipient for bravery in the Korean War. Burke served in three wars for over 35 years in the US Army and later retired as a congressional liaison.
Turner Fitness Center
Named for Sergeant First Class Charles W. Turner, 2nd Infantry Division Medal of Honor recipient, who organized his unit for defense on September 1, 1950, and then observed that the attack was directed at the tank section 100 yards away. Leaving his secured position dashing through a hail of fire, he mounted a tank, manned the exposed turret machine gun and destroyed seven enemy machine gun nests. Although severely wounded he remained at the gun shouting encouragement to his comrades. During the action, the tank received 50 direct hits, while he fought back as hard as he could, until a burst of enemy fire cost him his life.
Collier Community Fitness Center (Super Gym)
Honored for Corporal John W. Collier, Medal of Honor recipient (posthumously) for his action during the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter September 19, 1950. CPL Collier neutralized an enemy machine gun position, moved to an exposed position ahead of his comrades, assaulted and destroyed the machine gun nest. As he returned down the hill, an enemy grenade landed in their midst. As he shouted a warning, he selflessly threw himself upon the grenade and smothered its explosion with his body, saving others from death.
Sitman Physical Fitness Center
In honor of Sergeant First Class William S. Sitman, a Medal of Honor recipient who went above and beyond the call of duty in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations, February 14, 1951. Sitman, a machine-gun section leader of Company M, was attached to Company I, under attack by a numerically superior hostile force. During the encounter when an enemy grenade knocked out his machine gun, a squad from Company I immediately emplaced a light machine gun, and Sitman and his men remained to provide security for the crew. In the ensuing action, the enemy lobbed a grenade into the position. Sitman, fully aware of the odds against him, selflessly threw himself on it, absorbing the full force of the explosion with his body. Although mortally wounded in this fearless display of valor, his intrepid act saved five men from death or serious injury and enabled them to continue inflicting withering fire on the ruthless foe throughout the attack.
SFC Ray E. Duke Library
Named for Sergeant First Class Ray E. Duke, Medal of Honor recipient. Upon learning that several of his men were isolated and heavily engaged in an area yielded by his platoon on November 11, 1951, he was ordered to withdraw, but he led a small force in a daring assault which recovered the position and the beleaguered men. Another enemy attack in strength resulted in numerous casualties but Duke, although wounded by mortar fragments, calmly moved along his platoon line to coordinate fields of fire and urged his men to hold firm in the bitter encounter. Wounded a second time, he received first aid and returned to his position. When the enemy again attacked shortly after dawn, despite his wounds, Duke repeatedly braved withering fire to ensure maximum defense of each position. Threatened with annihilation and with mounting casualties, the platoon was again ordered to withdraw when Duke was wounded a third time in both legs and was able to walk. Realizing that he was impeding the progress of two comrades who were carrying him from the hill, he urged them to leave him and seek safety. He was last seen pouring devastating fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants.
COL Dean Hess CDC
Honored for US Air Force Colonel Dean E. Hess, who was an ordained minister and pilot responsible for the “Kiddy Car Airlift” that rescued 950 orphans and 80 staff members out of Seoul as the Chinese advanced during the Korean War on December 20, 1950.
CPT Jennifer M. Moreno School Age Center
Named for Captain Jennifer M. Moreno, US Army nurse assigned to an Army Special Operations Command cultural support team who died in a roadside bomb attack with three other Soldiers in Zhari, Afghanistan on October 6, 2013.
SFC Paul R. Smith Youth Center
Named for Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, who was a United States Army Soldier, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. While serving with B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division in Baghdad, Smith’s team was attacked by a group of Iraqi insurgents, and he was killed by Iraqi fire during the firefight. Smith was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during this battle.
CYS Coiner Youth Sports Complex
Second Lieutenant Randall E. Coiner was a member of Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed in action while fighting the enemy near Sokkogae, North Korea (Battle of Pork Chop Hill) on April 16, 1953. For his leadership and valor, Coiner was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
MSG Henry L. Jenkins Medical Clinic
Memorialized for Master Sergeant Henry L. Jenkins for his heroism in WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam War. MSG Jenkins served as a medical aideman and was awarded the Bronze Star, two Combat Medic Badges, two Purple Hearts and two Silver Stars for his bravery and devotion.
Carius Dental Clinic
Named for US Army dentist, Major Marvin W. Carius, known for turning out “combat choppers” under fire. He was killed in action while serving with the medical company, 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division at the frontline during the Korean War. Carius was awarded the purple heart posthumously for his wartime service. The Carius Dental Clinic name was brought down from Yongsan to Camp Humphreys to continue to support the needs of Eighth Army.
General Paik, Sun Yup Auditorium
In honor of retired Republic of Korea General Paik, Sun Yup, the first four-star General in the South Korean military. Paik successfully executed Operation Rat Killer in March 1952, a task to eliminate opposing forces in Jirisan, Republic of Korea, a southern mountain region. In recognition of his success, he was promoted to Lieutenant General, and Task Force Paik was transformed into ROK II Corps. He was promoted to Four Star General in January 1953. After the Korean War, General Paik held many military and government positions, became an author, and served as an Ambassador (Republic of China on Taiwan 1960, France 1961, Canada 1965). As Minister of Transportation from 1969-1971, General Paik started the construction of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway and resolved the hijacking of a JAL (Japan Airlines) plane by Japanese Red Army terrorists at Kimpo Airport in 1970. Paik then initiated the effort and participated in the construction of the war memorial in Yongsan in 1990. General Paik died at the age of 99, on July 10, 2020, just four months before his 100th birthday.
Bang Jeong-Hwan CDC
Bang Jeong-Hwan was the father of children’s literature in Korea. He started the children’s literary magazine Eorini, which remained in print from 1923 to 1934, and helped establish children’s literature stories, songs and plays for children as a distinct genre. Original stories, adaptations and translations Bang contributed to the magazine reveal his intimate awareness of the ways in which economic difficulties of life can affect children and corrupt their innocence. Rich with lessons, these works reinforce the view that the good will ultimately triumph over evil and seek to restore the purity of childhood. In addition to such literary endeavors, Bang Jeong-Hwan continually sought ways to improve children’s life both culturally and materially. He organized theater festivals and public readings as part of the larger cultural movement for children and was instrumental in instituting Children’s Day in Korea, first observed on May 1, 1922. He also started several organizations for children, including Cheondogyo Children’s Association (Cheondogyo sonyeonhoe) and The Rainbow Society (Saekdonghoe). Along with Kim Gijeon and Lee Jeongho, Bang Jeong-Hwan is considered an early champion of children’s rights in Korea.
Balboni Sports Fields
Named for Private First Class Joseph W. Balboni, a 24th Infantry Division Soldier who received the Distinguished Service Cross during a battle near Anju. Armed with a browning automatic rifle, PFC Balboni opened fire against a sudden fanatical attack by 600 Chinese Communist Soldiers and continued firing on the advancing enemy while Company E withdrew. He was killed in action on November 5, 1950, as he covered the withdrawal of his unit.
Gilliland Youth Center
Named for Corporal Charles L. Gilliland, Medal of Honor recipient, Purple Heart recipient and Missing in Action Soldier from 7th Infantry Regiment.
SPC Ross A. McGinnis Warrior Zone
Named for Specialist Ross A. McGinnis, who was a United States Army Soldier, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Adhamiyah, Iraq, December 4, 2006. While serving with 1st platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division (Attached to 2nd BCT, 2ID), as a M2 .50 cal machine gunner on mounted patrol. McGinnis’ platoon was on mounted patrol in Adhamiyah to restrict enemy movement and quell sectarian violence. During the course of the patrol, an identified insurgent positioned on a rooftop nearby threw a fragmentation grenade into the Humvee. Without hesitation or regard for his own life, McGinnis threw his back over the grenade, pinning it between his body and the Humvee’s radio mount. McGinnis absorbed all lethal fragments and the concussive effects of the grenade with his own body. McGinnis, who was a private first class at the time, was posthumously promoted to specialist.
Sentry Village
Named for the definition, meaning a guard, a Soldier posted at a given post to prevent the passage of authorized people.
Bibliography
"10th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General John William Vessey, Jr.” (www.jcs.mil/About/The-Joint-Staff/Chairman/General-John-William-Vessey-Jr/). October 9, 2021.
“Brian Duane Allgood, MD, COL, United States Army.” (www.west-point.org/users/usma1982/39050/). October 10, 2021.
Briscoe, Charles H. “Republic of Korea General Paik Sun-Yup.” Veritas, vol. 6, no. 2, 2010, pp 57-61. (arsof-history.org/articles/pdf/v6n2_rok_sunyup.pdf) October 8, 2021.
“Charles L Gilliland.” (www.cmohs.org/recipients/charles-l-gilliland). October 7, 2021.
“Dean Hess.” (military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Dean_Hess). October 8, 2021.
Fichtl, Marcus. “Thomas Vandal, former commander of Eighth Army and 2nd ID, dies.” (www.stripes.com/thomas-vandal-former-commander-of-eighth-army-and-2nd-id-dies-1.550968). October 9, 2021.
“First Division Museum, SPC Ross A. McGinnis.” (www.fdmuseum.org/about-the-1st-infantry-division/medal-of-honor-recipients/spc-ross-a-mcginnis/). October 7, 2021.
“Honor the Fallen, Army Capt. Jennifer M. Moreno.” (thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-capt-jennifer-m-moreno/6568521). October 8, 2021.
“Honor the Fallen, COL Brian D. Allgood.” (thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-col-brian-d-allgood/2507125). October 9, 2021.
“Honor States.org, Randall E Coiner.” (www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=193334). October 8, 2021.
Lee, Jisun. “The History and Celebration of children’s Day in Korea.” (www.ivisitkorea.com/the-history-and-celebration-of-childrens-day-in-korea/). October 7, 2021.
“Lloyd Leslie “Scooter” Burke.” (www.cmohs.org/recipients/lloyd-leslie-scooter-burke). October 9, 2021.
“Lt. Col William Zoeckler Obituary.” (www.newspapers.com/newspage/304847753/).
“LTG Timothy J. Maude, USA.” (pentagonmemorial.org/biographies/ltg-timothy-j-maude-usa/). October 9, 2021.
“Military Hall of Honor, COL Lloyd Leslie Burke.” (militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=89). October 9, 2021.
“Military Hall of Honor, CPL John Walton Collier.” (militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=1143). October 8, 2021.
“Military Hall of Honor, PFC Joseph Balboni.” (militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=288566). October 7, 2021.
“Military Hall of Honor, SFC Paul Ray Smith.” (militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=34). October 8, 2021.
“National Medal of Honor Museum, Duke, Ray E.” (mohmuseum.org/medal_of_honor/sitman-william-s/). October 8, 2021.
“National Medal of Honor Museum, Turner, Charles W.” (mohmuseum.org/medal_of_honor/turner-charles-w/). October 9, 2021.
“National Medal of Honor Museum, Sitman, William S.” (mohmuseum.org/medal_of_honor/sitman-william-s/). October 9, 2021.
“Paul L. Freeman, Jr.” (military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Paul_L._Freeman,_Jr.). October 9, 2021.
Pearson, Richard. “4 Star GEN. Paul Freeman Dies.” (www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1988/04/21/4-star-gen-paul-freeman-dies/2f4b08fc-29ff-4e81-b3e9-1f3916382549/). October 10, 2021.
“Reginald Benjamin Desiderio.” (www.cmohs.org/recipients/reginald-b-desiderio). October 10, 2021.
Tan, Michelle. “Newly retired 3-star, former commander of 8th Army, 2nd Infantry Division, dies.” (www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/10/09/newly-retired-3-star-former-commander-of-8th-army-2nd-infantry-division-dies/). October 9, 2021.
“The Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation.” (fourchaplains.org/). October 9, 2021.
“UNC and USFK Open New Headquarters Building.” (www.usfk.mil/Media/News/Article/1563387/unc-and-usfk-open-new-headquarters-building/). October 9, 2021.
“Veterans’ Memorial Project, Marvin Wilbur Carius.” (uiaa.org/veterans/marvin-wilbur-carius/). October 8, 2021.
Yang, Hyun-gyu. “MSG Henry Jenkins Patient Centered Medical Home memorialization ceremony.” (korea.stripes.com/community-news/msg-henry-l-jenkins-patient-centered-medical-home-memorialization-ceremony). October 8, 2021.
Zavala, Sameria. “Simulation Center opens in memory of the former Eighth Army Commander.” (www.army.mil/article/223031/simulation_center_opens_in_memory_of_former_eighth_army_commander). October 8, 2021.
Comments