Comments on: The Defection of PFC Joseph White http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/ Korea From North to South Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:13:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John in CA http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-440845 John in CA Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:06:30 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-440845 I remember my mom mentioning about a Lieutenant Colonel of ROK army defecting across the DMZ. Think this was early 80's I think? No one knows why for sure but the guess is personal reason, getting passed over for promotion, etc. And about the girl problem. I was told even though ROK army is as tough and unforgiving as it might be, they will give a soldier a pass for a few days if he is known to be having a girl problem. The idea behind it is that young kids can get into or cause accidents (shooting, suicide etc) when they are having severe personal problems and unable to do anything about. And girl issue simply tops the list for young ones I guess. I remember my mom mentioning about a Lieutenant Colonel of ROK army defecting across the DMZ. Think this was early 80′s I think? No one knows why for sure but the guess is personal reason, getting passed over for promotion, etc.

And about the girl problem. I was told even though ROK army is as tough and unforgiving as it might be, they will give a soldier a pass for a few days if he is known to be having a girl problem. The idea behind it is that young kids can get into or cause accidents (shooting, suicide etc) when they are having severe personal problems and unable to do anything about. And girl issue simply tops the list for young ones I guess.

]]> By: Arnie Chapman http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-440834 Arnie Chapman Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:44:30 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-440834 I am not a Conspiracy Theorists but........... I came to Korea for the 2nd time in 1982 and ended up in the 2nd Inf Division, 1/9th Infantry Alpha Company ..However, I was originally signed to Brigade HQ in Camp Howze(I believe it was the 3rd Brigade) but ended up being reassigned to Alpha Comapny 1/9th Infantry (Camp Liberty Bell) after an "Incident" in Yongi-Go involving too much alcohol and MP's..(This incident assisted my decision in not re-enlisting....After losing a rank and leaving service in 1983 I ended up going to college and earning a Masters Degree. That night of drinking, in retrospect was the best decision I ever made, despite losing a stripe and and getting fined..No regrets... Anyway, I concur with most of what folks have said reg the strange story of PFC White..However, I think there could be some merit to the NK spy theory. First let me digress...When I got to Korea (2nd time) in the fall of 82, it was 3 weeks after White had crossed over. I ran into my squad Leader from Ft. Carson who had been assigned to a platoon in the same company as White....The rumor regarding a female NK spy, I realize sounds far fetched. However, I was told that this supposed NK Contact was not in the GI Ville of Bonglichon as many have suggested..Instead, it was in the "Not so GI" City of Moon-San, which I believe was 15 miles from Bonglichon/Camp Howze. Also, I understand that the woman he was seeing was not a gal of the Ville but was someone who was considered a College student and hung out at the Korean Cafe's in Moonsan where he would find many eager students interested n learning conversational english...I also heard that White did not spend a great deal of time in the GI Ville (Except for the occasional "quickie"), but instead hung out in Korean establishments.. This might seem like heresay, but the folks who told me this had no reason to lie and were not trying to promote a NK Spy conspiracy at the time. I believe White received assistance crossing the Boarder.. I would love to hear any feedback..esp from Soldiers who served in DMZ I am not a Conspiracy Theorists but………..

I came to Korea for the 2nd time in 1982 and ended up in the 2nd Inf Division, 1/9th Infantry Alpha Company ..However, I was originally signed to Brigade HQ in Camp Howze(I believe it was the 3rd Brigade) but ended up being reassigned to Alpha Comapny 1/9th Infantry (Camp Liberty Bell) after an “Incident” in Yongi-Go involving too much alcohol and MP’s..(This incident assisted my decision in not re-enlisting….After losing a rank and leaving service in 1983 I ended up going to college and earning a Masters Degree. That night of drinking, in retrospect was the best decision I ever made, despite losing a stripe and and getting fined..No regrets…

Anyway, I concur with most of what folks have said reg the strange story of PFC White..However, I think there could be some merit to the NK spy theory.

First let me digress…When I got to Korea (2nd time) in the fall of 82, it was 3 weeks after White had crossed over. I ran into my squad Leader from Ft. Carson who had been assigned to a platoon in the same company as White….The rumor regarding a female NK spy, I realize sounds far fetched. However, I was told that this supposed NK Contact was not in the GI Ville of Bonglichon as many have suggested..Instead, it was in the “Not so GI” City of Moon-San, which I believe was 15 miles from Bonglichon/Camp Howze. Also, I understand that the woman he was seeing was not a gal of the Ville but was someone who was considered a College student and hung out at the Korean Cafe’s in Moonsan where he would find many eager students interested n learning conversational english…I also heard that White did not spend a great deal of time in the GI Ville (Except for the occasional “quickie”), but instead hung out in Korean establishments..

This might seem like heresay, but the folks who told me this had no reason to lie and were not trying to promote a NK Spy conspiracy at the time. I believe White received assistance crossing the Boarder..

I would love to hear any feedback..esp from Soldiers who served in DMZ

]]> By: William R. Cashwell http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-432218 William R. Cashwell Sat, 10 Sep 2011 22:08:35 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-432218 I was in Korea from Jan. 1973 until Feb. 1974 at Camp Howze and again at Camp Hovey Feb. 1975 until Apr. 1976. What ever his reason for desertion was not very smart and he needs to stay in North Korea. when I was stationed at Camp Hovey we had private go AWOL in the field. It was February and snow was on the ground. I was his squad leader. I was given a driver and a jeep at night told to go and try to find him. I had directed the to turn down a dirt road, and I saw it we went a ROK compound. I heard a rifle bolt slam forward and when I looked in the direction that the came from I was looking at the business. My rectum suck up the seat covers on the passenger seat. What ever happened PFC White he put on himself. I was in Korea from Jan. 1973 until Feb. 1974 at Camp Howze and again at Camp Hovey Feb. 1975 until Apr. 1976. What ever his reason for desertion was not very smart and he needs to stay in North Korea. when I was stationed at Camp Hovey we had private go AWOL in the field. It was February and snow was on the ground. I was his squad leader. I was given a driver and a jeep at night told to go and try to find him. I had directed the to turn down a dirt road, and I saw it we went a ROK compound. I heard a rifle bolt slam forward and when I looked in the direction that the came from I was looking at the business. My rectum suck up the seat covers on the passenger seat. What ever happened PFC White he put on himself.

]]> By: c-launch http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-412731 c-launch Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:48:27 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-412731 I was at the DMZ (III Marine Div) and Panmunjom in March of '83. During a briefing by an Army officer there we were told that PFC White had been denied the opportunity to see his Korean girlfriend (nothing mentioned about all the spy stuff) and became embittered and angry and that this is the working theory about why he defected. I believe this is why he did this desperate but stupid thing. During isolation, longing can become powerful and surreal. Too bad he couldn't keep his head rational. I was at the DMZ (III Marine Div) and Panmunjom in March of '83. During a briefing by an Army officer there we were told that PFC White had been denied the opportunity to see his Korean girlfriend (nothing mentioned about all the spy stuff) and became embittered and angry and that this is the working theory about why he defected. I believe this is why he did this desperate but stupid thing. During isolation, longing can become powerful and surreal. Too bad he couldn't keep his head rational.

]]> By: Connie http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-412705 Connie Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:56:56 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-412705 Like a lot of you who have already posted, I was there in 82. I was in the Division TOC that day, and like most of you, I agree that he defected. I don't know why, and for his family's sake, I wish we did. I think its possible the NKs got tired of dealing with him and killed him, but who knows? As for "an urban legend that was passed around to discourage soldiers from defecting", Most of us didn't need any discouraging. We were perfectly content to stay on our side of the "Z". Like a lot of you who have already posted, I was there in 82. I was in the Division TOC that day, and like most of you, I agree that he defected. I don't know why, and for his family's sake, I wish we did. I think its possible the NKs got tired of dealing with him and killed him, but who knows? As for "an urban legend that was passed around to discourage soldiers from defecting", Most of us didn't need any discouraging. We were perfectly content to stay on our side of the "Z".

]]> By: William A. Morgan http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-382018 William A. Morgan Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:38:42 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-382018 Does anyone remember see the video after his defection or the propaganda leaflets with his picture? Well anyway it appears that the morning that he defected the NK waited until sunrise or close to it to film him still inside of the dmz(foggy that morning) saying that he wanted to defect and that the US should get out of south korea. It seems like to me he was coached on what to say. Now on the propaganda leaflet, the picture taken of him and the two NK girls was shot from a high angle suggesting just as the leaflet, propaganda. I believe he wanted to return home but NK would not let him so they did away with him. Does anyone remember see the video after his defection or the propaganda leaflets with his picture? Well anyway it appears that the morning that he defected the NK waited until sunrise or close to it to film him still inside of the dmz(foggy that morning) saying that he wanted to defect and that the US should get out of south korea. It seems like to me he was coached on what to say. Now on the propaganda leaflet, the picture taken of him and the two NK girls was shot from a high angle suggesting just as the leaflet, propaganda. I believe he wanted to return home but NK would not let him so they did away with him.

]]> By: guitard http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-377896 guitard Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:40:07 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-377896 Found by whom...the North Koreans? Why in the world would they say that someone slit his throat and tossed him in the river? How would that benefit North Korea? Found by whom…the North Koreans? Why in the world would they say that someone slit his throat and tossed him in the river? How would that benefit North Korea?

]]> By: Manchu1-9 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-377895 Manchu1-9 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:21:01 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-377895 GI Korea "passed around to discourage soldiers from defecting" I was there the night it happened,to your quote,maybe urban ledgend,maybe not,young and dumb as he might have been,and there were many,you'd have to have your head up your ass before you got to the turtle farm to believe the propaganda,Me thinks it was the furry end of a tube that got him to chogie,I also heard he fell out and Top was on his ass to,but that furry end of a tube got him to cut a chogie more than Top J. Moore's right,he did shoot the lock,he did yell out in Korean so they wouldn't wax his ass. And yes,the Wild bunch was A-1/31st Regiment was the Polar Bears Just as is Cobra is C-1/9th KEEP UP THE FIRE! GI Korea

"passed around to discourage soldiers from defecting"

I was there the night it happened,to your quote,maybe urban ledgend,maybe not,young and dumb as he might have been,and there were many,you'd have to have your head up your ass before you got to the turtle farm to believe the propaganda,Me thinks it was the furry end of a tube that got him to chogie,I also heard he fell out and Top was on his ass to,but that furry end of a tube got him to cut a chogie more than Top

J. Moore's right,he did shoot the lock,he did yell out in Korean so they wouldn't wax his ass.

And yes,the Wild bunch was A-1/31st

Regiment was the Polar Bears

Just as is Cobra is C-1/9th

KEEP UP THE FIRE!

]]> By: J. Moore http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-358932 J. Moore Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:11:26 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-358932 Yes Joe defected. No more, no less. He shot the lock off the gate and left. The story posted is pretty good but leaves out a lot of the details of that night. I don't know if Joe had a Yobo or not. One of the reasons Top was on his ass was about PT. The boy could not run at all. Always falling out of runs and if I remember right he failed a PT test. He was quiet, kinda strange but otherwise seemed allright. Rumour had that they found him floating in the Imjin river in '85 when I was back there a second time. That will be one night that I will never forget. CQ82 you are so wrong. I was there, I talked to the guys in my unit that morning on the guard post. I heard the Company Commander tell the rest of the officers and others what happened. I drew his and the XO's sidearms from the armoury that night. Joe left on his own of his own will. BTW, the Wild Bunch was Alpha Co. Not the whole battalion. Yes Joe defected. No more, no less. He shot the lock off the gate and left. The story posted is pretty good but leaves out a lot of the details of that night.

I don't know if Joe had a Yobo or not. One of the reasons Top was on his ass was about PT. The boy could not run at all. Always falling out of runs and if I remember right he failed a PT test. He was quiet, kinda strange but otherwise seemed allright. Rumour had that they found him floating in the Imjin river in '85 when I was back there a second time.

That will be one night that I will never forget. CQ82 you are so wrong. I was there, I talked to the guys in my unit that morning on the guard post. I heard the Company Commander tell the rest of the officers and others what happened. I drew his and the XO's sidearms from the armoury that night. Joe left on his own of his own will.

BTW, the Wild Bunch was Alpha Co. Not the whole battalion.

]]> By: SemblenceOfSanity http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/comment-page-1/#comment-329643 SemblenceOfSanity Wed, 27 May 2009 22:47:49 +0000 http://rokdrop.com/2007/02/23/the-defection-of-pfc-white/#comment-329643 I was stationed at Camp Howze (Bongilchon) from Feb '83- Feb '84, by that time PFC White's "defection" was talked about very little. In fact, the "tree trimming incident" of years prior was talked about 100 times more often than White. For about 8 months of my year there, I was the bases' C.C.I., working out of the base dispensery and had a close working relationship with all of the "working" girls, mamasans', and bar owners in the 'ville. At that time there was anywhere from 110 to 150 working girls in Bongilchon on any given week (including "yobo's"), and I did my best to keep track of them. As for the theory that white's yobo was a North Korean spy, I have to laugh. What a waste of time for an intel agency to have a spy posing as a working girl in a town where officers were prohibited from "partaking" in the women there. A very small number of NCO's on that base had access to sensitive intel, and even fewer numbers of privates. I can say that a lot of the girls did pump me rigorously, but not for information :shock: . I was stationed at Camp Howze (Bongilchon) from Feb '83- Feb '84, by that time PFC White's "defection" was talked about very little. In fact, the "tree trimming incident" of years prior was talked about 100 times more often than White. For about 8 months of my year there, I was the bases' C.C.I., working out of the base dispensery and had a close working relationship with all of the "working" girls, mamasans', and bar owners in the 'ville. At that time there was anywhere from 110 to 150 working girls in Bongilchon on any given week (including "yobo's"), and I did my best to keep track of them. As for the theory that white's yobo was a North Korean spy, I have to laugh. What a waste of time for an intel agency to have a spy posing as a working girl in a town where officers were prohibited from "partaking" in the women there. A very small number of NCO's on that base had access to sensitive intel, and even fewer numbers of privates. I can say that a lot of the girls did pump me rigorously, but not for information :shock: .

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