Allen B. Keller, 32°
2914 Ontario Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21234-1113
AKeller@coldwellbankermove.com

Brother Keller (lower right) and other members of the 38th Infantry Regiment placed signs along the southern side of the demilitarized zone in Korea as they left the combat zone after the signing of the Korean Armistice on July 27, 1953.

July 27, 2003, marks the 50th anniversary of the armistice that ended the "police action" in Korea. It has been called the "Forgotten War," but to those who served there in combat, the memories will always remain.

I arrived in Korea almost one year to the day after graduation from high school and soon met our adversaries the North Koreans and Chinese. I was assigned to the 38th Infantry Regiment, First Battalion of the Second Infantry Division, that had recently taken up positions on the "Hook" sector. The sector was so named because it protruded outward allowing the enemy to observe our positions from three sides.

Heavy fighting that included strong exchanges of artillery fire and patrol action into no-man's-land occurred nightly before my outfit arrived and continued daily until we finally were relieved. The enemy suffered heavy casualties, and we did not escape without our share of dead and wounded.

I should say at this time that the helicopter was being used for the first time in warfare, not as an offensive weapon, but mainly to transport the wounded to field hospitals and to hospital ships offshore. Wounded soldiers were taken from the battle zone by jeeps equipped with stretchers to landing pads located behind the Main Line of Resistance (MLR) and then transferred to a helicopter. It was reassuring, to some degree, to know the helicopters were there because their use saved the lives of many GIs.

An issue of Stars and Stripes, photographed by the author, announces the signing of the Korean Armistice.

The period from April 10 to June 30, 1953, found my regiment receiving replacements and engaging in a vigorous and aggressive training program. Upon completion of this exercise, the regiment managed an overnight foot march to another area about 25 miles away. The 38th Infantry Regiment started another five-week training program, returning to the line on July 13. We were located in the center portion of the 2nd Division's defensive line, west of Kumwha. The Chinese main battle position was on much higher ground. By this time everyone was aware that truce talks were underway.

During this time, right up until the fighting stopped, the Chinese were very aggressive in their efforts to overrun our fortifications. We held our positions, but the Chinese lost many men during those last days of the war. These actions proved to be the last engagements of any size for the 38th Infantry Regiment. On July 27, 1953, at 10:00 am, the truce was signed. Sometime during the morning of the 27th, I received a copy of the Stars and Stripes newspaper with headlines announcing the truce signing. I photographed that paper laying on the back seat of a Jeep. (photo below) At 10:00 pm (2200 hours) of the same day, the ceasefire was declared. We were ordered not to fire unless attacked. The Reds did not attack, but they did lob shells into our positions, and they were returned one for one. Most of the infantrymen remained in bunkers, caves, or foxholes during that 12-hour period. No one wanted to become the last casualty of the war.

Under the provisions of the truce, both sides were to withdraw two kilometers no later than 72 hours after the signing. We went to work immediately dismantling bunkers and other fortifications. Notice our weapons are still nearby (facing page photo). For three days, roads were churned to dust as hundreds of trucks carted off tons of equipment and ammunition. As we left and moved down the scarred slopes, we placed signs along the southern side of the demilitarized zone.

Their arms still at hand, U.S. troops begin to dismantle a bunker after the ceasefire was declared in Korea.

The time had not yet come when we could completely relax and forget the dangers of war. New main battle positions had to be prepared. Bunkers and trenches had to be dug, miles of barbed wire strung, and feeder roads prepared in a race to complete the job before the arrival of winter.

I rotated out of Korea in January 1954 and received my discharge at Fort Meade on February 22nd, the day before my 21st birthday. On July 27th of this year, 2003, I reflect on that night 50 years ago when I witnessed from the trenches the end of the Korean Conflict. I am proud to have served my country. God bless America!

Allen B. Keller was raised a Mason in January 1959 and installed as Worship Master of Mt. Nebo Lodge No. 229, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1971. Now a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 116, Towson, Maryland, he is an active member of the Boumi Shrine and the Scottish Rite Bodies of Baltimore. Professionally, he is a realtor for Coldwell Banker.