Search for Korean War MIA's to Renew

On Friday Oct. 21 the Department of Defense announced that the United States and the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed to resume the search and recovery
of remains of American service members missing in action from the Korean War.

U.S. teams will work in two sections of North Korea. Approximately 60 miles north of
Poyongyang in Unsan County. The other area is in the Chosin/Jangjin Reservoir, where it is
believed more than 2,000 Marines and soldiers are buried.

The agreement includes logistics and matters to help ensure the safety and effectiveness of the
teams working in the DPRK.

The search is expected to begin next year as a humanitarian effort, and will be the first since
2005, when relations and increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula forced the American
teams to halt their search.

The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command had teams conducting searches in the country
for ten years before the halt. It is believed that the remains of 225 servicemen have been
recovered since 1996.

More than 7,900 Americans are missing from the Korean War, more than 5,500 are believed
to have been lost in North Korea.

Our country must continue to search with every means available to locate and repatriate the
remains of every MIA. We must demand the full accounting of all those who are MIA.

The families of those who are still missing deserve nothing less than our full, complete and
concentrated effort. Those who are missing must be found to bring closure to the loved ones
of those who never came home.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember" 

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Valor Flight for Korean War Veterans

The Great state of Tennessee is changing the Honor Flight for WWII veterans. They are now
calling it Valor Flight, The Flight of the Not forgotten, and it is for Korean War Veterans.

After honoring over 1,000 WWII veterans, now the flight will be to take Korean War Veterans
to see the memorial, of 19 stainless steel statutes and the memorial wall.

Organizer Steve Celuch says "A lot of treasured memories surface as a result, and we hope
to recreate that experience for Korean Veterans."

The organization is looking for Tennessee Valley Korean War Veterans who live in Madison,
Limestone, Morgan, Marshall and Jackson counties.

More information can be found on the website Valor Flight The Flight of The Not Forgotten

This is a very thoughtful and touching tribute to all Korean War Veterans, one that we hope
every state will follow. They have been forgotten for a long time, and now it is time to show
all Korean War Veterans they are no longer forgotten.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

U.S., China Affirm Military Ties During Hu Visit To Washington

By Carol L. Bowers
American Forces Press Service

Hu is paying a state visit to the United States Jan. 18 to 21, and the statement came on the second day of his trip, which included meetings with Obama and a joint press conference.

"Both sides agreed on the need for enhanced and substantive dialogue and communication at all levels: to reduce misunderstanding, misperception, and miscalculation; to foster greater understanding and expand mutual interest; and to promote the healthy, stable, and reliable development of the military-to-military relationship," Obama and Hu said in their statement.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates recently met with Hu in China during a recent tour of East Asia to discuss security issues. Gates attended Hu's arrival ceremony today.

Obama and Hu termed Gates' visit to China "successful" and noted the United States will in turn welcome the Chief of the People's Liberation Army General Staff Gen. Chen Bingde to the United States in the first half of 2011.

In the joint statement, the two sides also reaffirmed that the Defense Consultative Talks, the Defense Policy Coordination Talks, and the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement will remain important channels of communication in the future. Both sides will work to execute the seven priority areas for developing military-to-military relations as agreed to by Gates and Gen. Xu Caihou, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission in October 2009.

During the joint press conference today, Obama said he also has conveyed to the Chinese president "that that we appreciated China's role in reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and we agreed that North Korea must avoid further provocations."

"I also said that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile program is increasingly a direct threat to the security of the United States and our allies," Obama added. " We agreed that the paramount goal must be complete denuclearization of the peninsula. In that regard, the international community must continue to state clearly that North Korea's uranium enrichment program is in violation of North Korea's commitments and international obligations."

Discussions between Obama and Hu also included other global security issues.

"With respect to global security, I'm pleased that we're moving ahead with President Hu's commitment at last year's Nuclear Security Summit for China to establish a center of excellence, which will help secure the world's vulnerable nuclear materials," Obama said during the press conference.

"To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, we agreed that Iran must uphold its international obligations and that the U.N. Security Council sanctions on Iran must be fully enforced." 
 

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Secretary of Defense says North Korea a Direct Threat

Gates: North Korea Becoming Direct Threat to U.S. http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=62400  By Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service BEIJING, Jan. 11, 2011 –  If it continues on its current path, North Korea could be a “direct threat” to the United States in five years or less, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said here today. Gates has shared with Chinese officials America’s concern about North Korea, and the need for stability on the peninsula. The secretary spoke to reporters at a roundtable following meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Gates told reporters that North Korea is not an immediate threat to the United States. “But on the other hand, I don’t think it is a five-year threat,” the secretary said. “Let me be precise: I think that North Korea will have developed an intercontinental ballistic missile within that time frame.” The secretary thanked Chinese officials for the constructive role they have played in dampening tensions on the peninsula. “They clearly have played a helpful role,” he said. There are two major events that have changed the status quo on the Korean peninsula, Gates said. The first is North Korean leaders continuing their development of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles. “North Korea is becoming a direct threat to the United States and we have to take that into account,” the secretary said. The second event, he said, is “the sea change in the attitude of the South Korean public in their willingness to tolerate the kind of provocations the North Koreans have engaged in for many years.” In March last year, North Korea torpedoed the South Korean ship Cheonan and killed 46 South Korean sailors. In November, North Korea shelled Yeonpyeong Island, killing two civilians and two South Korean marines. “Clearly, if there is another provocation, there will be pressure on the South Korean government to react,” Gates said. “We consider this a situation of real concern and we think there is some urgency to proceeding down the track of negotiations and engagement.” It’s time, Gates said, for North Korea to engage in meaningful negotiations with its neighbor to the south. “We don’t want to see the situation that we’ve seen so many times before: which is the North Koreans engage in a provocation and then everybody scrambles to try to put ‘Humpty Dumpty’ back together again,” he said. “I’ve used the phrase, ‘I don’t want to buy the same horse twice.’ ‘I think we would like to see some concrete actions by North Korea that shows they are serious about moving to a negotiation and engagement track,” Gates added. North Korean officials announced that they are ready for negotiations with South Korea. “Rhetoric is not enough at this time,” Gates said. “I think the North Koreans have to demonstrate that they are serious about negotiation and engagement at this point.” The secretary suggested North Korean moratoriums on missile testing and nuclear testing for a start. “There are several areas where they can take concrete actions,” he said. The secretary leaves China for Japan tomorrow, and will visit South Korea later this week.

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Is Korea the next battle?

North Korea in the recent weeks has become more aggressive and is issuing threats almost daily.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen has said that the danger of war in Korea
is rising and North Korea has increased the tension with its aggression against the South.

Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen has suggested that the U.S. increase it's troop strength
in Korea at least for a period of time while the North is still acting in a belligerent manner.

It is felt that while these remarks were aimed at the North, it was also another call to China, that it
is time to reign in its partner. China has been supporting North Korea and has ignored requests to
step in and do what can be done to contain the problem.

A diplomatic source in Washington said "U.S. officials are hinting that they are willing to risk a
military clash with the North as a kind of warning to China"

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember" 

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

South Korea ask North to allow search for remains

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's president proposed a humanitarian project with rival North Korea on Monday under which the two states would cooperate in repatriating remains of tens of thousands of soldiers killed during the 1950-53 Korean War.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6030KL20100104

The reclusive North allowed U.S. military teams into the country for several years to search for remains of U.S. soldiers killed during the war in a bit of rare cooperation that went on despite difficult diplomatic times.

"South Korea will not forget those who gave their lives on foreign soil," Lee Myung-bak said in a New Year's address.

Lee also repeated a call for North Korea to return to stalled nuclear disarmament talks and said he wanted a new chapter in cooperation between the states, technically at war because their conflict ended with a cease fire and not a formal peace treaty.

He said the recovery project would be an appropriate way to mark the 60th anniversary of the start of the war in which U.S.-led U.N. forces and South Korean troops fought North Korea and China.

"This can only come out of trust between the two countries. It is also a problem that will likely be solved with money," said Kim Yong-hyun, an expert on the North at Dongguk University.

There are about 39,000 soldiers from the South killed during the war whose remains are thought to be in North Korea, the Defense Ministry said. The two states have not had a formal joint repatriation project before.

Destitute North Korea, angered at Lee's moves to suspend massive handouts until Pyongyang ends its atomic ambitions, had cut ties with the South Korean leader after he took office about two year ago. Last year, it warmed to Seoul in what analysts saw as an attempt to win aid for its battered economy.

The two Koreas position more than 1 million troops near one of the world's most militarized borders, while the United States keeps about 28,000 soldiers in the South to support its military.

Conflict between the two Koreas would inflict severe damage to the two states and devastate the economies of North Asia, which make up one-sixth of the global economy.

JPAC, the U.S. unit charged with finding remains of war dead, sent 33 missions to North Korea from 1996 to 2005, leading to the identification of more than 20 sets of remains, U.S. military officials said.

The United States in 2005 ended the recovery missions by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command as tensions were rising in nuclear negotiations with North Korea. There are about 8,100 U.S. servicemen not accounted for from the Korean War, JPAC said.

Norman Treadway

It is with great sadness and regret that I report on the passing of Norman Treadway. An American Hero.

Norman enlisted in New Jersey and was assigned to several Military Police (MP) units during his tour in Korea. He faced danger many times and served with honor and distinction.

It was through his tireless and never flagging fight that on 3 Feb 2004 the Secretary of Defense
approved implementing instructions and criteria for the Korea Defense Service Medal (KDSM) for
members of the Armed Services who have served in the Defense of Korea.

Authorization was retroactive from 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined. Bringing about recognition for the "Forgotten War", and all who served in defense of our friends in the Republic of Korea (ROK).

He was still fighting to have the US recognize a medal that the ROK had designed and manufactured to honor their American friends and helpers. The Republic of Korea Service Medal. Due to some arcane law, a medal from another country can only be awarded to US military if the same award is made available to that country's military. This medal was made solely for Americans and was not offered to South Koreans.

I never met Norm, but I feel he is a brother in arms, a fellow veteran; and a man among men.

My deepest sympathy and personal condolences, as well as all those of the American Cold WAr Veterans, to his family and many friends. He will not be forgotten.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
"We Remember"

The Tree Trimming Incident,Korea, Cold War Deaths

One incident I believe I left out of the list was the infamous "Tree Trimming Incident".

On Aug 16, 1976, The United States and the UN Command decided that one particular tree
in the DMZ was blocking the line of sight from two checkpoints.

A workforce of South Koreans was sent out to evaluate the tree as to the best way to remove
it. They were approached by Communist guards who told them to leave the tree alone. The UNC
decided to trim the tree as a comprimise.

North Korea had been attempting to "stir up trouble" for the US and UN forces. Almost half
of the Korean Peoples Army was massed close to the border of the DMZ. And almost daily
issued reports of American brutality and wrong doing. Kim Il Sung was determined to embarrss
the U.S., and starting in March there were more incidents of shooting along the border. On Aug.
5 North Korea declared the South Korea and the United States had completed "war preperations", and ready to attack. Claiming the United States was the "problem" on the
peninsula.

On Aug. 18 a workforce of 15 (3 officers, 5 laborers and 7 security forces) was dispatched
at 1030 hours to trim the tree. According to reports the next six minutes were very dramatic.
Two KPA (Korean Peoples Army) officers and nine guards approached to work force.

When imformed the tree was only to be trimmed one Communist offier agreed, and some
of the guards began giving advice on how to trim the tree. At 1050 hours the Communists
orderd the work to stop, and threatened the UNC force. Thirty guards suddenly appeared
and attacked Captain Arthur Bonifas, the detachment commander. Witnesses saw the guards
bludgen Capt. Bonifas with the blunt end of an axe as he lay on the ground.

The communists also attacked First Lieutenant Mark Barrett and several other Americans
with clubs and ax handles. Pictures show groups of seven and nine communist guards striking
the Americans with their hands and feet as well as clubs.

Bonifas and Barrett died at the scene and several more Americans were injured.

Several options in put forth in Washington, as to how to respond to this attack. First the
area along the border was raised to Defcon 3 and troops were ready to mobilize and deploy.
Other plans were to fly unmanned B-52 bombers over the North, the movement of nuclear
and conventional artillary and mechanized forces to the border.

F-111's and B-52's were moved to bases closer to Korea, a carrier task group was dispatched
to the area.

The tree was cut down and removed, and General Richard Stilwell issued a strong protest
to President Kim. The U.S. did receive a very weak apology for the incident.

The deaths of two American officers should never be forgotten, and these are just two more
of the Forgotten Heroes Of The Cold War. There are many more, some whose stories may
never be told.

Let us not forget any longer. There are still thousands of Americans Missing In Action from
Korea, demand your legislators act now to demand a full accounting and return of all the
POW/MIA or their remains. This is a blot on our history that should be cleaned properly.
Bring our troops home and give closeure to their families.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Vice Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"