USAG Humphreys (Pyeongtaek)

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  Specialist 4th Class Ron (guest)

  Camp Humphreys was a super duty assignment back in the early 70's. Lots of prostitutes, even to the point of being bused onto the base to all the clubs nightly, and plenty of bars and drug houses. Scene of racial rioting between local Koreans against black soldiers as one black soldier at a club pushed a bargirl into a large rotating fan that cut her hand off at the wrist as she fell forward. Blacks ran thru the village smashing windows in retaliation for Korean bar owners subduing the guilty soldier that caused the whole scene. On base, blacks and whites fought also as the commanding officer closed down the village for a month leaving lots of broken hearts and empty coffers in mamasan's houses of ill repute. Eventually the off limits on Anjung-ni was lifted and all returned to normal somewhat. Lots of black marketing and thefts that ended up in the village. Curfew nationally was from midnight to 4 AM nationwide. Lasr call at the downtown bars was at 11:50 and it gave a GI ten minutes to down a drink and grab a woman and get off of the streets as the streetlights went out and the MPs, both US and Korean, came about looking for curfew breakers. The alleys were a mad dash of people scurrying about, drunk or high, looking for their hootches where their girlfriends lived. Cold in winter to include snow and hot humid summers. Weather like Michigan or Wisconsin. Weekends could be had going to Seoul. Slot machines in all clubs on base. Quonset huts for barracks until 1974. Diesel heat inside via 5 gallon cans. One restroom/latrine/shower in each company area and a cold hike to the toilet in mid winter. Open doors also and was comical to see people using the toilets thru the open doors and also people showering. Good times.

  16 years ago | reply | hide comment
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  thebigbwana

  Lots of women bussed in every night to all the club systems back in the 70's and the place to be if one was single. The town of Anjung-ni had a dozen bars (at least) and all had a different motif. The Folly Club was country western, the Galaxy was standard rock, the 7 Club, Top Hat, and Paradise were solely black clubs and were just north of the main street a few blocks from the main gate to Humphreys. Town was very racially divided as was the army at that time no matter what one says. My platoon sergeant would not have any blacks and another platoon sergeant would not have any whites. Thats just the way it is. Or was. Anyways, this was a good place to be stationed. At that time, Pyongtaek was nothing but a conglomeration of mud huts and ramshackle tin roof buildings and full of rats. Twice during my year, our company went to Pyongtaek and formed a long line and just walked thru neighborhoods killing rats with shovels and axes. In the houses, we would cut out wallpaper to get at rats nests. There was competition between the platoons and squads to see who could kill the most rats. On the way back to Anjung-ni from Pyongtaek, there was a dog farm on the left hand side where dogs were raised for eating. Very sad sight as the dogs would all bark at the traffic and look for help as we passed by. This was still there in 75 as I kept in contact with friends who were there at that time. I still have a list of the drinks from the EM club...........all drinks mixed were 35 cents,beers were 25 cents, and the most expensive drink there was a Zombie and that went for $1 and was used for promotions, parties, ect. Slot machines in the lobby/opening. Although marijuana was frowned upon and illegal, one could smoke outside if they wanted to without any hassle. Just for reference, a pound of Korean grown marijuana went for $3 back then and you could used MPC which is what we used. I realize that the military has changed and there is a different focus. Many of us who were in during the 60's and 70's would never make it in todays politically correct army or marine corps. Squealers are now rewarded with privledges and finger pointing without cause can and does go far whereas the old army let things like this get handled via barracks style. I have seen the first sergeant throw blows with enlisted people that refused to wear their hats or get haircuts and never once the 'top' ever lose a fight. That put the fear in us who thought of trying to do the same down the road. One day someone gave the older Korean workers some chocllate Ex-Lax, telling them it was chocolate candy. The next day the workers did not show up as they were sick from the laxatives. This was all funny until the first sergeant got word from battalion that he needed to do something to teach the candy giving G.I. a lesson. So after finding out who did it, the first sergeant made the G.I. stand in a circle blindfolded and hands tied behind his back surrounded by the entire company. Then the workers were brought in en masse (there were approx 9 of them but only 3 ate the candy) and then the workers got to hit and kick the G.I. until he was curled up on the ground bawling like a branded calf. We all had a good laugh. My son is in the army now and this would never happen nowadays. The money is far better but the good times are not. Awww..........I miss Camp Humphreys.

  15 years ago | reply | hide comment