Camp Casey is one of the most recognized camps in Korea that has a long history stretching all the way back to when the camp was founded during the Korean War as the base camp for the Royal Thai Battalion, the 19th Battalion Combat Team, Philippines, the US 45th Division, and the 5th and 7th Marines. On 21 March 1953, 1st Royal Australian Regiment was relieved by 2nd Royal Australian Regiment at Camp Casey, near Tongduchon, and returned to Australia later that month. The establishment of Camp Casey has a very international history that probably most soldiers serving today have no idea of.
Click to enlarge Camp Casey, South Korea. 1953-03. Private Steve Dodd, an aboriginal serviceman of 1 Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR).
Using pictures from various veterans sites I present a pictorial history of Camp Casey. Here is a 1954 image of Camp Casey that was taken just a year after the end of the Korean War and the camp was nothing but a tent city:
The camp was named in 1952 after Major Hugh Casey who was an engineer officer that was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for combat actions during the evacuation of Hungnam, North Korea. Casey died in December 1951 when the light observer plane he was flying in was shot down by ground fire and crashed on a small hill in the middle of present day Camp Casey. This hill to this day is marked by a large white cross that if you look at the picture above the hill had the cross constructed on it back in 1954.
By 1955 the living conditions on Camp Casey improve a bit when the tents were mostly replaced with quonset huts:
If you can believe it, it wasn’t until a few years ago that some 2nd Infantry Division soldiers were still either living or working in quonset huts. There is no one I know of anymore that is living in any quonset huts.
The remnants of the international foundings of Camp Casey were still evident even in 1961 with the last Thai camp in Korea located at present day Camp Castle which is located near Camp Casey:
Here is how Camp Casey looked in 1968. (Click Link for Picture)
Here is what the Camp Casey PX looked like in 1968:
Here is a 1995 image of the old Burger King on Camp Casey that has since been knocked down:
I ate at this Burger King many times before it was knocked down I want to say in 2003.
Here is an image of the PX and commissary area on Camp Casey in 2008:
If you look closely at the PX you will see the remnants of the old PX pictured earlier in this photo essay.
Make sure to click the links and check out the sites that have many old pictures of Camp Casey such as Bruce Richards great site. If anyone knows of any other sites that have some nice old pictures of Camp Casey please leave a link in the comments section. Thanks.
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Below is a listing of the various “A Profile” postings published here on the ROK Drop that I recommend everyone that hasn’t read them yet to please check out as well:
- A Profile of the Western Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
- A Profile of USFK’s Western Corridor Camps
- A Profile of USFK Camps In Dongducheon
- A Profile of the TDC Ville
- A Profile of Bosan-dong Ville
- A Profile of Teokgeo-ri
- A Profile of Uijongbu
- A Profile of USFK Camps In Uijongbu
- A Profile of Closed Out USFK Camps In Uijongbu
- A Profile of Camp Red Cloud
- A Profile USFK Camps In Seoul
- A Profile of the Korea Training Center
- A Profile of the Chinese Tunnel
- A Profile of Camp Mujuk
- A Profile of Camp Page
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5:27 am on April 21st, 2009 1
Hi. I am Maj. Hugh Boyd Casey's nephew. He was my fathers older brother. I was born in 1954 and was named after my Uncle. His father , , my grandfather was Maj. General Hugh J Casey (Pat Casey to his friends)He was Chief of Engineers in the Pacific theater under general MacArthur in WWII.
I have a google alert set up for when ever anything with my name comes up. I was very pleased to see your web sight and to see the recognition for my uncle. Thank you,
Hugh Boyd Casey
1:00 pm on April 21st, 2009 2
Hugh thanks for visiting the site. You should rightfully be very proud of being named after a hero like your uncle.
9:42 pm on April 21st, 2009 3
I defended my first court-martial at Casey in 1999. Most of the officers were still living in quonset huts, the Trial Defense and SJA offices were in quonset huts, and the courtroom was a quonset hut right next to the helipad and that incredibly loud gun that went off at 1700 hours every day. We'd have to stop the trial every time a chopper landed. Panel members in the back row would scrape their heads against the rounded cielings. Finally, our next judge came in and said "enough." He managed to get us a new courtroom and SJA office where the helicopter noise was less deafening.
Other memories: the excellent Katusa snack bar near the 2/72 motor pool, playing "Time Crisis" at the PX mini mall, and "next stop, Ahtasshi!"
10:48 am on April 25th, 2009 4
I just added several pictures to the web page showing Camp Casey in 1954 and 1955.
http://qsl.net/wd4ngb/ccasey4.htm
1:28 am on August 28th, 2009 5
I was a USAF ALO, and lived at Camp Casey in Thorsen Hall 7/68 to 8/69. This was in Headquarters Company. The VA is denying a claim because there is no documents proving I was there. Hard to believe. Many memories and pictures but no official orders. What is interesting is the apparently none of the USAF officers sent there after the Pueblo capture can find any evidence of orders. Any ideas???
11:46 am on August 28th, 2009 6
If I ever have a need to prove my time near the DMZ, I will have a rough time also. My 1st tour was at Casey, but spent 3 months at Camp Kaiser, about 10 miles north of Rodriguez Range. Was all over the Central part of the DMZ. My 2nd tour I was at Stanley, but spent 6 months at Camp St Barbara just west of Rodriguez Range. My unit was never at these camps, just small detachments, with no orders.
12:53 pm on February 4th, 2010 7
I served in Korea from Nov 82 to Nov 83 and was suprised to see civilian vehicles in front of the Camp Casey PX also the picture of the turtle farm looks like it was moved acrossed the main hwy where the 2nd aviation bat was located. When I arrived the farm was on the gate 1 road just beyond the PX and the in processing building and the out processing were located next to each other. It was said you were called a turtle because it took an entire year to get from one building to the other.
12:03 pm on February 10th, 2010 8
The Old Burger King that you have pictured was not torn down in 2003. I believe it was flooded out then destroyed sometime in the late 90's or 2001 timeframe due to the stream that ran in front of it. When I arrived in the Land Of The Morning Calm in January of 2003 they had already constructed a new Burger King/Shopette/Mini-Mall in between the 2-72AR Motorpool and 1-72AR Motorpool. I served in HHC 2-72AR Hellraisers from 03-05 when they furled our colors and dispanded the battalion. I called it quits on my 10 year military career in December of 2005 and have remained in South Korea working as a contractor. I currently live in Seoul and work on Yongsan Main Post. But I met some great people and have alot of very good memories of the time I spent up at Camp Casey in Area I.
6:06 am on March 10th, 2010 9
whats up man i was at 122 signal from may 82- may 83 super houch i forgot about turttle farm im in oregon now i recentley went yo china i liked it alot better but i was not a soilder big differance
11:45 pm on August 26th, 2010 10
Hi, soldiers of U.S. in Korea.
I've just found this page by web search of Camp Casey for its photo.
I'm Korean civilian living in Dongduchon city.
I like to take a walk to the valley around Camp Hovey, but it is very regretful that I cannot walk through the camps toward SoYoSan, the mountain northside of Camp Casey.
Thank you for the photos in 1960's.
Good luck!
7:11 am on November 9th, 2010 11
I was at Casey from 98-99 with the 604th ASOS. That Burger King was damaged in Aug of 1998 from a massive flood. There was a park directly across the street that had so much sediment from the flood that you could walk up to the basketball hoop and sit on it.
10:06 pm on November 26th, 2010 12
I was at Casey from 11/99 to 11/00 and that BK was still there when I left. I stayed in the B's by gate 1, and that was our turn around point on the PT test run.
8:32 pm on November 27th, 2010 13
I wast stationed at Ccmp Casey 70 to 71 2nd Admin JAGC, I was a court reporter legal clerk enjoyed the pictures
1:39 am on December 13th, 2010 14
I just found this site this morning and in a way happy and in a way sad. I retired from the army 1 January 1987 after spending 241/2 years in it. My first tour was Korea, January 1963- January 1964. I was with Aco 40th Armor in at the old Camp Beavers about 10 miles up the main road above Camp Casey. In June 1963 my company was moved to the 1st CAV Division across the Imjim River around the corner from old RC#3. Our mission was to support the CAV units 8th and 9th, if the crap hit the fan. I did 2 more tours, 73-74 with C troop 4th 7th CAV, and then 76-77 with C company 1/72nd Armor in Happy Valley. I have only about 5 pictures from any of those days because my ex wife threw all of my things away in 87 during the divorce proceedings. After retiring, I thought very seriously about moving to Korea for I liked the people and I wanted to get away. But, I met my 2nd wife and still here. It is hard to visualize the the differences between each of my 3 tours to Korea and the way it is now in the same areas. I could go on and on about the differences, but won't unless someone mails me about them. I want to thank you so much for having this web site for "Old Soldiers" like myself to be able to reflect back on the good days of our youth, I was just 17 when I arrived in Korea on my 1st tour. Vic Pitts, 1SG USA RET, Kings Mountain, N.C. vctpit@aol.com
10:23 pm on January 7th, 2011 15
I have already put up one post but wan to add this one as well. The turtle name "Turtle Farm" was given to the replacement station because when you arrived there you had a long slow year ahead of you before going back to the states. That year could feel like a long time if you didn't keep busy and consentrate on your job, as I did. My 3 tours in Korea went fast to me because my units were either Tank Battalions or a CAV units and we spent a lot of time in the field or on the DMZ. One of you mentioned Rodriqez Range, I spent a lot of time during my last tour on that range doing live fire training. I left Korea the last time in July 1977, 2 months after I left there one of the tank commanders I had in my platoon, I was the platoon sergeant, was killed on Rodriquez from an M16 round from an infantry man that was also a part of the live fire exercise. He was like a brother to me and I'll never forget him. In 1987 when I retired, I was going through a divorce at the same time, and I had thought real hard about going back to Korea to live because I had made many good friends there, but I met someone here and we now have been married for 23 years. I still wish I could have made at least one more trip back to Camp Casey and the other areas that I had spent time in to include across the Imjim River on the DMZ. Once again thank you for having this web site. Vic Pitts 1SG U.S.A.RET in N.C.
4:11 am on June 9th, 2011 16
[...] A Pictorial History of Camp Casey | ROK Drop Apr 21, 2009 … Make sure to click the links and check out the sites that have many old pictures of Camp Casey such … [...]
10:40 pm on June 13th, 2011 17
Thanks for your site. I served at Camp Casey in 74-75. 702nd Maint. Bat. It is just amazing how it has changed. When I was there they didn’t even have a black top highway going to Seoul until the latter part of my tour. I only saw one or two cars in the ville at that time. I took a trip back to Korea in 2000 and couldn’t believe how modern it was now. They still had a quansit hut standing as a storage shed and I told the private that was giving me a tour of the camp that we used to sleep in those and I don’t think he believed me. Although I had a Kimchee over night pass and always slept above the savoy club. You talked about the drinky girls and back then they were all Koreans and you could have a short time for $3.00 to $5 bucks and a over night was about $10. Many times I went home with them for free. They were just poor girls trying to make a living and if you treated them good they would treat you good. At 17 years old I had some of the best days of my life there. I probably would have re-enlisted to stay there but I couldn’t stay in country because I got busted for black marketing beer and whiskey. They didn’t believe in free trade and still don’t today from what I could see.
2:52 pm on November 1st, 2011 18
I was in Korea Sept 70 thru Apr 71. I remember hanging around Tokori village, had a few suits made and even took in the community bath house for 100 won. I’ve been looking around these sites trying to find out the name of the original camp I arrived at in 9/70 and then shortly after moved over the bridge into the DMZ for a few months then back to (I believe it was) Camp Hovey. The girls back then were called business girls and had to carry a VD card if they were to accompany a GI. The prices were $3 to $5 and you could have a steady girl for $90 a month. I think I did get hustled just before leaving the country by a girl saying she was pregnant. When I didn’t fall for it she never actually was. I have to say being stationed in Korea was a good experience in life I’ll never forget. Looking at the pictures of the areas now has sure changed. No paved roads when I was there. Grass houches and delapidated outhouses that drained into the river.
2:57 pm on November 1st, 2011 19
Anyone reading this can email back with any comments. I was in CoB1stBn23dInf2ndInfDiv USAR PAC. This is followup from 1st post on 11/1/11
5:29 am on December 30th, 2011 20
Stationed at Camp Casey (Turtle Farm) 2d AG Co in ’82 to ’84. Appreciate the pictures. Brings back memories. Recognized some of the club names even after all these years. But….the landscape sure has changed.
7:36 am on January 6th, 2012 21
I was station at Camp Casey from 1962 to 1963 with the 31st Artillery B BATTERY Honest John rockets. I have a lot of picture I took while over there AND WOULD LIKE TO POST THEM TO THIS SITE , But I’m not sure of how to do it need a little help on this.
My commanding officer was Cap’t Moore. I’d like to hear from anyone who was stationed with me there.
email uticave@aol.com
Thank you,
Tony Scalise
8:04 am on January 6th, 2012 22
Tony I love posting old pictures on this site. If you would like me to post the pictures just send them to me on e-mail. My e-mail address is gikoreaonline at yahoo dot com. Thanks.
10:04 am on February 24th, 2012 23
Thanks for the memories. I was stationed at CP Casey from Feb 87 to Feb 88. It was a good assignment and I’d do it again. I was a Mechanized Infantry Squad Leader assigned to 5-20 Sykes Regulars (M) and our motorpool was right next to the CG’s Mess. I was fortunate to have met good leaders, peers, and KATUSAs. Everyday after work we’d meet at Mom’s Place, our BN club. I think it was formaly named the Buffalo Solider Club. I wonder if Mom’s Place is still there? During training, Mom would beat us out to the field site to set up a snack tent. Seems like she had our ops map memorized and knew where we would be everytime we stopped-she was there waiting to exchange an MRE for ramyon, chico pie, and a coke. Anyway, after that year, I extended for a second tour, this time at CP Humphreys and was asigned as the Directoriate, Security, Plans and Operations NCOIC until 89; that was another good assignment and great people there.
11:42 pm on March 28th, 2012 24
Went to CBR school at Camp Casey in September, 1968.
Believe the exact dates were September 16 thru September 20, 1968.
Was stationed at Camp Knox,6th Bn 80 Arty, A Battery.
Had heart attack in July, 2010. VA has been denying claim because we were below the Imjin River by about 3 miles.
I think they will have to honor the claim in the long run.
I would like to find anyone who could possibly lead me to the place that I can prove my attendance at the CBR school in 1968.
I do have proof that I was their on September 20, 1968 as I was fitted for lens for my gas mask.
However, I would like other verification from someone if that is possible.
If you can help, I would certainly appreciate it. Also, if I can possibly be of help to anyone I’ll be glad too.
A number of us were involved in details for building bunkers and clearing vegitation for defensive line that was built in 1968. Again if I can be of help in verifying our unit’s involvement and the use of Agent Orange to kill the vegitation I would be glad to help.
God Bless
8:49 pm on May 13th, 2012 25
I WAS STATIONED IN CAMP HOWZE FROM OCTOBER 70 AND MOVED TO CAMP CASEY IN EARLY 71 WHEN THE 7TH WAS MOVED BACK TO THE STATES. I WORKED IN THE MESSAGE CENTER (NO COMPUTERS BACK THEN). HAVE HAD CONTACT WITH DALE MUNGER AND DAVID SCOTT SINCE THEN BUT WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANY OTHERS THAT I SERVED WITH DURING THAT TIME. I VAGUELY REMEMBER SOME GOOD TIMES IN TDC. THE SUMMER REMINDED ME OF THE HUMIDITY BACK HOME IN LOUISIANA BUT I’VE NEVER BEEN SO COLD IN MY LIFE AS THE WINTER I SPENT IN KOREA.
8:52 am on June 16th, 2012 26
I was stationed at West Camp Casey 67-69 at HHQ & Band. I was the Education Specialist at the West Camp Casey Education Center. We lived in quonset huts and had a very cold winter morning wake-up before the house boys got the kerosine heaters up and running! Many good memories from my time in Korea and the people I met. Thanks for your site – the pictures are great to see.
4:29 am on June 22nd, 2012 27
I have posted on here a few times, but never gets old reading the stories from others that were stationed in Korea for they bring back some great memories for this old man, well I’m 67 but my body feels more like 87. I did a little over 24 years in the army before retiring, and in that time did 3 tours to Korea, 63-64, 73-74 and 76-77,this one I volunteered for, and never have regretted it. I did 2 tours in Germany, 1 tour in Alaska, 3 tours at Fort Riley Ks. and 2 tours at Fort Knox, not to mention my basic and AIT there. I ahve been retired now for a little over 25 years and miss every minute of my time in, especially my tours in Korea. The first tour I was in the 40th armor in the 7th ID for 4 months then my company was moved to the 1st CAV Div. on the DMZ and we wee the only tank company on the DMZ since the cease fire and the company was brought back to the south side of the river a few years later. My 2nd tour was with C trp 4/7th CAV 2nd ID just a few miles from the DMZ, but in the vill that I was familiar with form my first tour. Then my last tour was C co. 1/72nd armor in “Dragon Valley” in Camp Casey. I have so many memories from those days I could write a book literally and would if I knew how to go about it. Anyway, I hope this site will remain up forever and that more people will read it and add their experiences on here for there is a lot of history on here and I know more could be added. It also helps a lot of us old soldiers remember our youth, for me I was 17 when I did my first tour. Thank you again for your wonderful web site. I also thank all of the present and past fellow soldiers for posting on here and serving our country. Vic Pitts, 1SG U.S.A. Retired, N.C.
5:15 am on June 22nd, 2012 28
Vic, I am glad you enjoy the site. You should think about posting pictures and short stories on the Internet from your time in Korea. The website Flickr.com is a good place to do this and from there I can share them with the readers on this site.
5:32 pm on July 5th, 2012 29
glad to see some pics from the old camp casey, did 2 tour jan 82-83 and aug 84-85. i remember when they first opened the burgerking.. it was crazy, long lines.. but good food. i was with Aco 122 signal both tour and attended pldc on my second. being a member of the 2ID was the proudest part of my military service, and ill never forget it… be safe fellow worriors and raise-up 2nd “D”…
4:02 am on July 6th, 2012 30
I would like to post many pictures of the old days on here but all of the ones I had, my ex wife threw away prior to our divorce. I do have a few plus some that were sent to me from old friends I found on the internet. I will try to figure out how to do it and include the stories behind them. The pictures are from 1962- 1977 and from the 7th ID, 1st CAV Div. while it was there, and the 2nd ID.
11:53 am on December 30th, 2012 31
Looking for anyone stationed at Camp Casey 1971-72 time frame. I was in D Company. and worked in the Direct Exchange (DX) Shop. Some of the guys I remember are (not sure of the correct spellings) Jeff Carlton, Mark Swager, Ted Sheilds, Gary Gilimen, Gordon Becker, Terry Leigh, Terry Lee, Conrad Garcia. Remember more but not their first and last names. Looking to reconnect with some good friends.
11:04 am on January 27th, 2013 32
Was stationed @ Camp Casey, Korea 82-83 and Camp Humphrey’s 85-86. I was amazed to see the changes that have taken place. I thoroughly enjoyed each tour there and would repeat it if I had the chance. I would love to revisit this place one day. Is POP’S still there @ Dongducheon anyone? I will submit the photos that I have soon. I just stumbled upon this site today.
10:08 am on March 29th, 2013 33
Hi
Nice site. it’s interesting to read the account of the “Western Corridor”. I was with the 1/79th Arty, 7th ID 1967-68. I was in HHB at Camp Hartell and our gun batteries were on the other side of Charlie Block at Camp Paine. While the bulk of the 7th was in the TDC area the arty units were direct support for the 2nd. When I read above about Rodriquez I think it’s what we called Camp St Barbara in those days. About 10 years ago I located a 1/79th Battalion Commander who took over shortly after I left. He sent me this hour-long home movie of out unit both at the compounds and in the field.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTvlS21rqX0
I was there during the Blue House Raid and the Pueblo and it reminds me of what’s cookin today.
2:21 pm on March 29th, 2013 34
I spent many months at St Barbara. It is located about 1/2 mile west of the Chinese Tunnel, and Rodriquez Range is about 1 mile east of the Tunnel.
http://brucerichards.com/army/baekuiri-5.jpg