Howard R. Hawk
Bio
Howard R. Hawk served in the United States Army as a Korean Defense Veteran. He went to Korea during heightened tensions in 1969. His service came at Camp St. Barbara which is located in the DMZ. This camp was at the end of the supply chain and the furthest east base in the DMZ. Camp St. Barabara, at the time, had nuclear field weapons showing the possibility of invasion. His service was influential in maintaining a presence in a post-war nation. At the time, war and peace were still uncertain. He liked his time in Korea despite the cold and C-Rations. He is proud of his service in helping South Korea stay out the hands of the Communists. Following his service, he used the GI Bill to obtain a college degree in economics which he believes was shaped by his time in Korea.
Video Clips
Arrival in Korea
Howard R. Hawk shares he is a Korean Defense Veteran. He notes he ranked as a Private E-2 when he arrived and specialized in fire direction. He recalls his arrival to Korea and his station at Camp St. Barbara.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejE9D5Kruo8&start=412&end=721
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/howard-r-hawk#clip-1
Embed:
Heightened State of Security
Howard R. Hawk recalls being greeted upon arrival at Camp St. Barbara by the 1st Sergeant who offered the new arrivals with words of wisdom as the North Koreans massed across the border. He notes there was an EC 121 shot down over the East Sea/Sea of Japan and that North Korean guerillas attacked the Blue House in an attempt to assassinate the President of South Korea, Park Chung Hee. He recalls these events only heightened the security concerns in the area. He explains that there were nuclear weapons capabilities at this point at Camp St. Barbara.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejE9D5Kruo8&start=725&end=985
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/howard-r-hawk#clip-2
Embed:
Life at Camp St. Barbara
Howard R. Hawk explains he served as a Korean Defense soldier at Camp St. Barbara which was near the end of the supply routes from the Spring of 1969 until July 1970. He recounts details of the large black market in the villages for American supplies. He recalls army rations being pretty bad in general which led him to eat frequently in the villages.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejE9D5Kruo8&start=1264&end=1538
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/howard-r-hawk#clip-3
Embed:
Legacy of Korean Defense Veterans
Howard R. Hawk explains the role of the Korean Defense Veterans in Korea after the armistice. He recalls a strong desire by the Korean officers to reunite the country by attacking the North. He states they were always prepared for a potential attack by the North Koreans.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejE9D5Kruo8&start=1679&end=1925
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/howard-r-hawk#clip-4
Embed:
Speculation on the Future of the Region
Howard R. Hawk speculates on the future of the region. He offers insight into the motives of Kim Jong Un as well as the Chinese.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejE9D5Kruo8&start=1973&end=2281
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/howard-r-hawk#clip-5
Embed:
Legacy of Korean Defense Veterans and Korean War Veterans
Howard R. Hawk pays tribute to the efforts of the Korean War veterans. He notes that everything these veterans faced was every bit as ugly as what American soldiers experienced in Vietnam or World War II. He discusses the important role the Korean Defense veterans and soldiers stationed in Korea still play today in both the security of the region and the development of Korea as a country.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejE9D5Kruo8&start=2292&end=2569
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/howard-r-hawk#clip-6
Embed: