Digging for heroes from the past

Photo By Ferdinand Detres Jr | Soldiers of the 501st Sustainment Brigade hand out white gloves to prevent contamination of any remains they find on the top of Hill 487, Chilgok, South Korea, April 22.  

27, SOUTH KOREA

04.22.2015

Story by Sgt. Ferdinand Detres Jr 

501st Sustainment Brigade

DAEGU GWANG'YOEGSI, South Korea - All Soldiers who arrive to South Korea to fulfill their military obligation have a chance to take advantage of learning a different culture. Some might take cultural classes, while others prefer to visit historical sites and visit the many venues the country has to offer.

However, not many can say they came and participated in a historical event that would bring pride and further solidify relationships with the U.S. and the Republic of Korea. Soldiers from the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command and the 501st Sustainment Brigade were involved in such an event from April 22-24.

Armed with pick-axes, shovels, and boxes of meals-ready-to-eat, Soldiers took the roughly 40 minute hike up Hill 487. For three consecutive days, these U.S. Soldiers assisted ROK Army Soldiers excavate the remains of unidentified Soldiers from the Korean War.

Hill 487 was a significant defense line in the Battle of the Nakdong River in 1950. The U.S. and South Korean military forces fought against the North Koreans resulting in many casualties; many were never recovered from the hill.

Although its name heeds the imagination to just being a small hill, those who have climbed it to recover remains describe it otherwise.

"It was pretty hard to climb this mountain...very hard!" said Kim Young Chan, chaplain assistant with the 501st SBDE’s Special Troops Battalion. "To some it may seem meaningless, but when I start digging and think that these mountain sides hold our ancestors who fought for our country, it makes me proud. Our efforts today are minimal compared to what our ancestors, heroes, and grandparents dealt with."

The journey up the hill has many areas that are still undisturbed from human touch after the war. Much of the path up the mountain is visibly beaten solely from people repetitively walking to its summit purely for recreational purposes. Although some do trek up it for educational research or in memory of a loved one who fought at that site.

Spc. Naomi Schwab, a medic with the 501st STB said," I had no idea what to expect when coming out here. The climb to the top of the mountain was very challenging but fulfilling. I am honored to be a part of this excavation mission, its part of our history. I am proud we are able to pay homage to the fallen who otherwise would have gone without any recognition."

Pak Chan Kun, range coordinator with the 501st STB and a member of the 37th Korean Service Corp, has participated in the excavation every year since 2008.

"I feel good and proud of working here, it is non-stop digging for eight hours every day but this operation strengthens the spirits of both the ROK Soldiers and U.S. Soldiers," said Pak.

Last year, with the work from U.S. and ROK Army Soldiers, there were 270 remains recovered from the mountain.

"This year during the six week operation, 40 remains were recovered and there’s still one more week of digging to go," said Cpt. Lee Jinahee, commander, 8th Company, 2nd ROK Battalion.

Soldiers who are digging are told to wear white gloves in order to avoid contaminating any remains they find which might pick up their own DNA. Although, the goal is to completely dig one side of the mountain at a time, it is understood that most of the remains are found where a Soldier might have taken cover from enemy fire.

"Some of the remains were found with the assistance of war veterans that are still alive," said Tong Su Yun, an administrative assistant with the 501st STB and a member of the 37th Korean Service Corp. "Some are too old to walk so they need to be carried to the top where they then give us an idea where we might find someone."

The most important artifact that gives an idea of what side the Soldiers fought on are the boots. By looking closely at the soles of the boots, they are able to closely guess if the Soldier was South Korean, North Korean or an alliance Soldier; that is if the boots are found with or near the remains.

"Once the remains are found we put them in a box and wrap them with a Korean flag," said Cpl. Moon Soon Won, squad leader, 8th Company, 2nd ROK Battalion. "The remains are then sent to a lab where it can take up to six months to identify who they belong to so we can return them to their families."

The excavation mission on Hill 487 might be coming to its end this year but it’s nowhere near complete. Next year there are plans to begin excavation on yet another part of the mountain.

• Date Taken: 04.22.2015
• Date Posted: 04.27.2015 05:43
• Story ID: 161338
• Location: 27, KR