By Deadly violence on the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) was not unknown prior to 1966, in fact 29 American soldiers had lost their lives serving on the DMZ in the 10 years prior. For example on July 29, 1963 two US soldiers were ambushed and killed while driving their Jeep near the demilitarized zone:
However, in 1966 a steady trickle of American casualties on the DMZ began; by November, eight US soldiers had lost their lives that year while serving on the Demilitarized Zone. The reason for the upward trend in violence was unclear, but on November 2, 1966 violence would come to the DMZ unlike anything seen before.
On October 31, 1966 US President Lyndon Johnson flew into South Korea for a summit with Republic of Korea President Park Chung-hee. American and Korean forces on the peninsula led by newly installed USFK Commander General Charles H. Bonesteel III were on a heightened state of alert due to the US President’s arrival in the country. However instead of staging an attack against the US President, the North Koreans decided to launch a major ambush operation against a US patrol on the DMZ.
In the early morning darkness on November 2, 1966 while President Johnson slept in Seoul’s Walker Hill Hotel, a eight man US infantry squad was conducting their regularly scheduled patrol of the DMZ . The soldiers were from the 1-23 Infantry Regiment and they were not novices when it came to patrolling. However, even this seasoned patrol was not able to detect the North Korean commando team that was tailing them. The North Korean commandos determined that the best time to ambush the squad would be when their guard is down. The North Koreans set up an ambush a full kilometer south of the DMZ.
US & ROK soldiers guard a DMZ outpost.
As the US squad walked back to their camp satisfied that they had finish their patrol they were nearly instantly gunned down and hit with grenade by a well executed North Korean ambush. Only one soldier was not wounded in the initial attack, PVT Ernest D. Reynolds and he launched an unsuccessful counterattack against the North Korean attackers. Once he was gunned down the North Koreans proceeded to bayonet and mutilate his body. PVT Reynolds was 19 years old and had only been in country for 17 days. Only one soldier survived the attack and in his own words explains how he did it:
Pfc. David L. Bibee, a 17-year-old, was the sole survivor. Wounded by shrapnel in the leg and shoulder, he survived by playing dead. “The only reason I’m alive now is because I didn’t move when a North Korean yanked my watch off,” he told reporters. “And he almost took my hand off getting the watch.” [Fighting Brushfires on Korea's DMZ]
Six Americans and one Korean Augmentee to the US Army (KATUSA) soldier died in the attack. The ambush of the patrol had become by far the biggest incident to happen on the DMZ since the end of the Korean War. The name of the Americans killed in the attack and their home state are listed below:
Johnny W. Brenton – Vermont
Robert W. Burrell – Mt. Ayr, Indiana
Morris L. Fischer – Wisconsin
Leslie L. Hasty – Palestine, Texas
James Hensley – Stockbridge, Michigan
Ernest D. Reynolds – Maryville, Missouri
I could not locate the name of the deceased KATUSA soldier. If anyone reading this knows the name of the deceased KATUSA please leave a comment and let me know because his life deserves to be recognized and not forgotten just as much as the American soldiers killed that day on the DMZ.
This killing of the six Americans and the KATUSA soldier caused front page headlines in the American newspapers that day. As President Johnson boarded his airplane back to the US, the media ran stories such as this about the incident:
“A few hours before President Johnson left Seoul for home today at the end of his Asian journey, six American soldiers and one South Korean of a United Nations Command patrol were killed by North Koreans. . . .This is undoubtedly the gravest incident in the series of clashes near the uneasy zone . . . it was believed to be the most; brutal incident since I953.”(2) “. . . the Communists charged into the United States sector lobbing grenades, using submachine guns, and finally coming to grips in a brief but savage hand-to-hand combat….”(3) “. . . the Communists fired 40 to 50 bullets into the bodies of the dead Americans and mutilated and bayoneted the corpses.
. . .The patrol ambushed by the North Koreans fought back so fiercely until it was wiped out that one of its members ., . PFC [Private First Class] Ernest D. Reynolds . . . who had been in Korea only 17 days . . . will be nominated posthumously for the Congressional Medal of Honor. The only survivor of the patrol was PFC David L. Bibee . . . 17 years old. He was wounded but escaped death by playing dead. “The only reason I’m alive now is because I didn’t move when a North Korean yanked my watch off my wrist.”(4) [New York Times]
Though Reynolds was nominated for the Medal of Honor he was ultimately post-humanously awarded the Silver Star for his action. However, what was lost in the headlines was the rationale behind North Korea’s strongman leader Kim Il-sung to authorize such an ambush. As it turned out the ambush during the US President’s stay in Seoul would be the first in a series of major provocations by North Korea between 1966-1969 in order to test the commitment of the US-ROK Alliance during the height of the Vietnam War. The ultimate goal of the North Koreans was to create a communist insurgency within South Korea using specially trained soldiers of the notorious 124th and 283rd Army Units to infiltrate the DMZ and recruit sympathizers in South Korea.
The bloodiest shootout on the Demilitarized Zone was just the first of more blood spilled yet to come for US & ROK units stationed on the DMZ in a conflict that would become known to those who fought in it as the “Second Korean Conflict“.
5:44 am on April 3rd, 2008 1
About in the later part of the 50's, the 60's and 70's about 40 American GI's a year got killed in Korea. Accidents, suicide, murder etc… but 40 a year.
1:25 pm on April 3rd, 2008 2
This is just the first in a series of postings I have planned about these little known DMZ shootouts that hopefully will prove to be interesting reading that will help people remember all the soldiers that died with little fan fare during this period along the DMZ.
11:39 pm on April 3rd, 2008 3
Sadly, it is true the Korean War is rarely talked about at least in American discourse. Thanks for posting, and may these brave troops and all other troops be honored for service.
9:07 pm on May 1st, 2008 4
[...] in the 10 years prior. For example on July 29, 1963 two US soldiers were ambushed and killed whilehttp://rokdrop.com/2008/04/03/dmz-flashbacks-the-bloodiest-dmz-shootout/Brentsville event shares Civil War history InsideNoVa.comRe-enactor Bryan Fischer builds a fire as [...]
5:04 pm on May 1st, 2008 5
Good story. I like the old korean guys who try to talk to me and tell me their stories from when they worked alongside my grandfather. I can't understand them but I listen anyway. Sometimes I find out from a KATUSA that the guy has been explaining to me the whole time how he likes the way his socks taste when he is drunk. Then I realize he is a homeless crazy man and not a veteran…So I move on and honor their memory anyway.
1:16 pm on May 20th, 2008 6
[...] have been many flashpoints on the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) over the years with patrols being ambushed and even American barracks being bombed, but there has probably never been a North Korean attack as [...]
11:47 am on October 14th, 2008 7
[...] • Found on Windows Live, Yahoo! Search DMZ Flashpoints: The Bloodiest DMZ Shootout Apr 3, 2008 … For example on July 29, 1963 two US soldiers were ambushed and …. -dmz- [...]
11:22 am on March 16th, 2009 8
I was stationed in Korea in 1966 and had lunch with President Johnson the day before the attack which killed the 6 American soldiers and one KATUSA. I have my original Stars & Stripes when the attack took place. I was stationed at Blue Lancer Valley and it always seemed like we were on alert.
8:45 am on April 18th, 2009 9
Served with Co A 728th MP Bn 66-67, 8th Army had to build a special compound off of 121 Evac Hospital to house all the NKA pw's. Two guys I went to high school with were wounded on the DMZ during that time.
3:11 pm on October 8th, 2009 10
Ed: I was stationed at the 121st Evac in 66-67. Was a surgical tech. Operated on a number of the NKA POWs that were captured (they were always shot up). Used to spend weekends with the 1st Sgt of the MPs on your compound. His hooch was just off of the swimming pool.
3:20 pm on October 8th, 2009 11
I was a surgical tech with the 121st Evac and was assigned to the medical team to be on call for Lyndon Johnson, so we were confined to the hospital. I helped to pull WP grenade fragments out of Bibee's legs. Since we were the main hospital unit in Korea at that time, all the American, South Korean, and NKA wounded and dead passed through. Was there in the Spring of 67 when NKA infiltrators blew up 2nd Infantry Div barracks. We worked a long day on all the wounded.
3:33 pm on September 21st, 2010 12
PVT Ernest D. Reynolds was born October 13,1946 in maryville,Missouri to Lowell D. and Joyce A. Reynolds. In 1958 the famly moved to Northeast Kansas City,Missouri. Ernie went Whittier Elementery, Graduated from Northeast high school in 1964. Is mother Joyce still lives in house where he lived over half of his young life. Ernie was nominated for the Medal of Honor and awarded the Silver Star, The Purple heart and in 1986 the family was in Seoul for the dedication of the Reynlods Range. This is my uncle. Ernest was not from….. Virginia
12:06 am on November 25th, 2010 13
I served in Korea 1955-56 with 17th FA Bn. Robert Burrell was from my home town and was a friend of mine, although younger. He was a great guy.
Also, in later years, my oldest son married into his family.
5:35 am on September 13th, 2011 14
Lea Ann (Smith)
If PVT Ernest D. Reynolds Mother Joyce is still alive and would like a copy of the 15 pictures I took. Please send me an email address.
6:00 am on September 13th, 2011 15
For some reason, the comment I posted prior to the one above was not displayed.
What I said was I took 15 pictures of a Memorial service we held at Tachikawa AB Japan where the 6 Soldiers were brought on their way back to the United States for burial. If any Family members or friends will like a copy, send me a email address.
Dave Avery
USAF (Retired)
1:09 pm on November 10th, 2011 16
Thank you for posting this article. Sgt James Hensley (who was from Stockbridge, Michigan and not Washington) was my uncle and I’m glad to see that that these brave men are being remembered 40+ years after the fact.
@ Dave Avery – I would like copies of those pictures if at all posible.
9:26 pm on November 19th, 2011 17
I would like to correct the information about PVT. Ernest Dean Reynolds. He is actually from Missouri.
Please not this account of his role in the incident: REYNOLDS, ERNEST D. (KIA)
The following is from http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=23819
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously) to Ernest D. Reynolds (US-55881470), Private, U.S. Army, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations, while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division. Private Reynolds distinguished himself by gallantry in action on 2 November 1966, in the Republic of Korea, by sacrificing his own life in the defense of his fellow soldiers. Private Reynolds was a member of a patrol operating near the southern boundary of the Demilitarized Zone in Korea when his patrol was attacked and overrun by an armed patrol of the North Korean Army. Prior to the attack, as rear security man, he had occupied a concealed position and opened fire upon the enemy, and he continued to fire until he himself was killed. His indomitable courage, determination, and profound concern for his fellow soldiers, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
2:32 am on November 27th, 2011 18
I took 15 pictures of a Memorial service we held at Tachikawa AB Japan in November 1966 where the 6 Soldiers were brought on their way back to the United States for burial. I also help carry Pvt Reynolds Coffin onto our aircraft. If any Family members or friends will like a copy, send me an email address.
Dave Avery
USAF (Retired)
5:02 pm on December 1st, 2011 19
Leslie L. Hasty was my 2nd cousin.
He was from Palestine, TX, not Virginia.
Thanks for posting this and thanks to Mr. Avery for the pictures.
5:44 pm on December 1st, 2011 20
Thanks to everyone who left a comment. I have corrected the hometowns as requested. Dave would you be interested in posting the pictures here on the ROK Drop? If not I understand. Thanks again for commenting and lets not ever forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving in Korea.
1:56 am on December 2nd, 2011 21
I have no problem with sharing the 15 pictures I took if I have the email address to send them to.
7:26 am on December 2nd, 2011 22
Dave thanks my e-mail address is gikoreaonline at yahoo.com
9:30 pm on December 2nd, 2011 23
I would like copies of the photos please. My email is MBA.cism@yahoo.com.
9:09 am on December 3rd, 2011 24
My condolences…Thanks…
4:07 am on December 5th, 2011 25
S. Daniels
Windows mail says that your email address is not a valid one?
4:08 am on December 5th, 2011 26
GI Korea
The pictures are on the way, let me know when you get them
11:32 am on December 10th, 2011 27
Hi Dave, My name is Melody Reynolds. Sister of Ernest Dean Reynolds. My Mother Joyce just passed this year. February 26th. I wish she would have had the opportunity to see the pictures. I am definitely interested in the pictures and would love to share them with my brother Roger and sister Sharon. So kind of you to share! mreynolds33@kc.rr.com
4:18 am on December 11th, 2011 28
Hi Melody
I’ll email you a copy today,my condolences to you and your family. How did you know I was looking for you? The reason I ask is I contacted The Kansas City Star newspaper asking for their assistance in locating Ernest’s family. I too have one last request, could you please email me a picture of Ernest’s grave site,his coffin was the one I helped carry onto my aircraft and I’ve always felt a special bond with him.
Thanks
Dave
1:51 pm on January 3rd, 2012 29
I am Shanna D.’s cousin, if you email them to me I can get them to her and the rest of the family. My email is jhorn86@yahoo.com. Thank you very much for this article. My uncle, James Hensley, was killed 20 years before I was born, but things like this help me remember and honor him.
7:54 pm on January 17th, 2012 30
Has there been much violence at the DMZ zone during the 90′s and up until present day..?
9:16 pm on January 17th, 2012 31
Well… there was the sinking of the ROK Navy frigate Chonan and the artillery attacks on YP-do…. the nKs shot down a US helicopter in 1994…
2:39 am on January 18th, 2012 32
Did everyne that wanted copies of the 15 pictures get them, if not let me know.
Dave
8:58 am on January 26th, 2012 33
Does anyone know why the 1st of the 9th infantry was not listed as a unit that was in the area of the agent orange spraying during ’67 and ’68?
9:42 am on February 13th, 2012 34
The name of the KATUSA soldier that was killed 11/2/66 in the ambush was:
PFC.Myong Hwan Oh
He was around 20 years old.
He was attached to A co. 1/23 2.Inf. Div. Camp Wally.
As was I.
9:57 am on February 13th, 2012 35
I knew the men in the patrol that was ambushed that night on 11/2/66. I had only been in Country 15 days and only knew the men for 2 weeks. I was on a seperate patrol on te Z that night, we were about a mile away and heard the attack. My Patrol was the first to be on scene. I can tell more, but only if the relatives wish to hear more. Reynolds was indeed a brave soldier and did perform an unselfish act to help his fellow comrades that night.
12:40 pm on February 13th, 2012 36
A thanks to you Jim for your service and the rest of the posters that served their country.
7:14 am on February 14th, 2012 37
@ Jim Owens,
I would like to hear more please. My family weren’t told many details and some things are still a mystery. My email is mba.cism@yahoo.com (all lower case). Thank you.
@ Dave Avery – Even though Windows Mail said it was an invalid address, I still received the pictures. Thank you so much for sending them. They have been shared with uncle Jim’s brothers, sisters, and my cousins.
4:28 am on May 3rd, 2012 38
I just got a message that rokdrop exists. Wonderful! This is an open invitation to all who post here to also post DMZ information on the Korean War Educator’s Topics-DMZ pages. Information and photographs more than welcome. My e-mail is lynnita@thekwe.org.