BEACON HILL: USAG Humphreys Memorial Park

By Sergeant Jessica M. Night, U.S. Army

The United States Army Garrison (USAG)

Humphreys Memorial Park is located on Camp Humphreys in the city of Pyeongtaek (평택시). The Memorial Park serves as a remembrance of those who served the U.S. and Republic of Korea during times of peace and war. It is also a tribute to the essence of service to our countries, which is "sacrifice.” As the motto of the park states: "All gave some, some gave all.” The memorial markers pay tribute to individuals, however the park was established in remembrance of all who served during the Korean War. The individuals recognized in the park include Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin K. Humphreys; CWO William J. Lingle Jr.; SP4 Jack L. White; SP5 Oscar Ramirez; SGT Ronald E. Wells; CW2 Joseph A. Miles; SGT Robert C. Haynes; CPT Edward Dostal; CW2 Guy E. Laughlin Jr.; SSG Granville A.

Morgan; SGT James W. Smith; 1st Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps; Yi Ung Su; James Conley; Thomas Dressel; Leo Meneghetti; Clyde Tinsley; Bryn Everitt; Joe Moore;

Desiderio.

CW2 Benjamin K. Humphreys

The first memorial was placed on USAG Humphreys in 1962 in honor of CW2 Benjamin K. Humphreys from 6th Transportation Company (Light Helicopter). Humphreys served as a Post Special Services Officer and was killed in a helicopter accident on 13 November 1961 near Osan-Ni, Kyung-Gi Do. In 1962, the base was renamed Camp Humphreys in his honor. CWO William J. Lingle Jr., SP4 Jack L. White and SP5 Oscar

Ramirez were also crew members on this fatal flight and are also named on the memorial.

Blackcat 488

SGT Ronald E. Wells was one of three killed on 14 July 1977 when their Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopter was shot down by North Korean ground fire after it accidentally crossed the DMZ. One pilot was injured and captured, which is how we know

Medal of Honor recipient 1LT Baldomero Lopez served in Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps is also remembered at the site. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on September 15, 1950 at Inchon for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a rifle platoon commander of Company A, in action against ene- the story about how they came to cross the DMZ by mistake. Also killed were CW2 Joseph A. Miles and SGT Robert C. Haynes. They were all assigned to the 213th Aviation Company, 19th Aviation Battalion based at Camp Humphreys at Pyeongtaek, South Korea.

Blackcat 511 my aggressor forces. With his platoon 1st Lt. Lopez was engaged in the reduction of immediate enemy beach defenses after landing with the assault waves. Exposing himself to hostile fire, he moved forward alongside a bunker and prepared to throw a hand grenade into the next pillbox whose fire was pinning down that sector of the beach. Taken under fire by an enemy automatic weapon and hit in the right shoulder and chest as he lifted his arm to throw, he fell backward and dropped the deadly missile. After a moment, he turned and

CPT Edward Dostal was one of four killed on 2 March 1977, when their Boeing CH-47C (67-18511) helicopter crashed during a classified operational air mission about 20 miles southeast of Pyeongtaek. They were proceeding from Camp Humphreys to Camp Ames. The other members of Blackcat 511 who were killed were CW2 Guy E. Laughlin Jr., SSG Granville A. Morgan and SGT James W. Smith.

Corporal Lee Jeong Joo

The memorial shown below reads “Corporal Lee Jeong Joo. Rest in Peace. Died on the 13th of May 1970.” He died in a training accident.

Memorial for our Fallen Retirees

This memorial pays tribute to James (Jim) Conley (1939-2004), U.S. Army; Thomas (Tom) Dressel (1948-

2004), U.S. Army; Leo Meneghetti (1943-2005) U.S. Army; Clyde Tinsley (1935-2006) Air Force; Bryn (Pappy) Everitt (1934-2006) U.S. Army; Joe Moore (January 6, 2000); Sabastian Luizzi (March 20, 2000), Garn L. Fullmer (December 2, 2000); Tom J. McEuen (January 2002); and Felteus M. Edwards, U.S. Army

The Tree of Remembrance

The Tree of Remembrance was planted on 16 March 2007 by Mrs. Betty Humphreys in honor of CW2 Benjamin K. Humphreys.

Memorial for Medal of Honor Recipient CPT Reginald Desiderio dragged his body forward in an effort to retrieve the grenade and throw it. In critical condition from pain and loss of blood, and unable to grasp the hand grenade firmly enough to hurl it, he chose to sacrifice himself rather than endanger the lives of his men and, with a sweeping motion of his wounded right arm, cradled the grenade under him and absorbed the full impact of the explosion. His exceptional courage, fortitude, and devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon 1st Lt. Lopez and the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Yi Ung Su

A memorial on the site is dedicated to Yi Ung Su of the 22nd Korean Service Corp in honor of his outstanding commitment to the U.S.-ROK alliance.

CPT Reginald Desiderio of Company E, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on November 27, 1950 at Ipsok, Korea. Desiderio distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. His company was given the mission of defending the command post of a task force against an enemy breakthrough. After personal reconnaissance during darkness and under intense enemy fire, he placed his men in defensive positions to repel an attack. Early in the action he was wounded, but refused evacuation and despite enemy fire continued to move among his men checking their positions and making sure that each element was prepared to receive the next attack. Again wounded, he continued to direct his men. By his inspiring leadership he encouraged them to hold their position. In the subsequent fighting when the fanatical enemy succeeded in penetrating the position, he personally charged them with carbine, rifle, and grenades, inflicting many casualties until he himself was mortally wounded. His men, spurred on by his intrepid example, repelled this final attack. He died that day on November 27, 1950. CPT Desiderio's heroic leadership, courageous and loyal devotion to duty, and his complete disregard for personal safety reflect the highest honor on him and are in keeping with the esteemed traditions of the U.S. Army.