Duane E. Papke
U.S. Army ASA 1966-70
Kangwha-Do MM Vet
During my senior year in High School (1964,) President John F. Kennedy had all 18 year-oId males register for the draft, I was listed as 4-A which would be the first class drafted. I spent the next two years in college, then taking a break from school, I was about to be drafted when I talked to an Army recruiter and qualified for the U.S. Army Security Agency (USASA). On September 12, 1966, I was inducted into the USASA in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I attended Basic Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where I took a Leadership School and completed the Orientation Course on September 30, 1966. I then attended Advanced Individual Training at the United States Army Training Center, Fort Gordon, Georgia. I was then assigned to "I" Company 10th Battalion where I was promoted from Private E-1 to E-2 graduating February 10, 1967. I was given a week Holiday after completing my assignment dream sheet. Of course, Vietnam was in full swing and we all put down our preferences for anywhere else. Before I departed for a 30-hour bus trip to Fairchild, Wisconsin, I received my orders to the DMZ in South Korea.
I spent time with my family before returning to Georgia. Once back, we boarded a plane to Fort Ord, Washington with stops in Texas to pick up additional personnel. I spent the next couple of weeks performing Kitchen Patrol (KP) duty and other cleanup assignment awaiting further orders. We billeted in the old wooden WWII barracks that were coal heated so we had to have a Fire-lookout each night and windows in the barracks were open two inches on the top and bottom for air circulation so carbon dioxide would not build up. The coal furnace provided both heat and hot water so it was imperative to keep the furnace burning. When you woke up in the morning and blew your nose, you would have black soot on your handkerchief. In March of 1967, I finally received my orders and flew to Korea with a stop in Anchorage, Alaska for fuel, another stop in Japan to drop off personnel, and finally to Kimpo Air Force base in Kimpo, South Korea. Once there we received additional shots and were driven via truck to Seoul, South Korea, which was the Headquarters for USASA in this area. I was informed that I would not be staying at Headquarters but assigned to the 226th USASA Operations Company (C), in Kang-Wha Do, South Korea on the DMZ. Once there while working as an MP, I was intrigued by what went on at topside operations which we guarded 24-7. I had received my Top Secret Crypto Security clearance and was cleared for further assignments. I learned there was a shortage of Electronic Warfare Operators who worked with radar. We had enough MP's so I started training in my secondary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) which was located on top of the mountain, above barracks area located in the lower mountainside and valley area. Upon completion of my training, 2nd Lieutenant Ronald W. Kirsher Jr. (Operations Officer) documented that I was a proven operator of outstanding ability with good potential for development and recommended I be utilized as an 98120 Operator instead of my 95B10 MP MOS because of my technical ability. I was originally assigned to Korea for 13 months however I extended my assignment so I could be promoted in my secondary MOS. It would then become my primary career field for the duration of my military career. I was promoted to Specialist 4th class before leaving Korea for reassignment to Headquarters US Army Security Field Station Rothwesten Germany. When I arrived in Frankfurt, Germany by plane, I then had to take the train to Kassel, Germany located approximately 300 Kilometers north of Frankfurt. I soon learned I had to be on the train in a timely manner as they were never late in leaving a train station. Only knowing a very little German at the time and being the only GI on the train to Kassel, it was a trip that I had little sleep, as I did not want to miss my stop. While at the Kassel train station after the train departed, it was dark and I stood there only with a German worker sweeping the area. I had no idea what to do next, and no one was there to meet me. I sat with my bags for a while and then noticed the worker was pointing to a phone located on the wall. I went over and read that all incoming GI's were to use this phone to contact the MP' s at Rothwesten for transportation. Once at the Headquarters, I did work as an MP for a short period of time before being reassigned to Mount Meissner Detachment M, Company A, USASA Field Station located within a short distance to the East/West German border. It is here that I completed my military obligation with almost two years in Germany. While at Mount Meissner I received two letters of appreciation for my support of Project ID-FI and an outstanding briefing for Command Sergeant Major Dials during his visit to our operations from Lieutenant Colonel Nathaniel Alderman Jr., Military Intelligence Commander. I also was promoted to Specialist 5th Class and later was awarded the Certificate of Achievement USASA Europe for outstanding performance of duty during the period of June 1969 to August 1970.
In August of 1970, I was reassigned stateside to Fort Dix, New Jersey where I mustered out of the service on 20-Aug-1970. After training, I spent my entire military career in stationed overseas. I was able to see many areas in the world that I will probably never have the opportunity to go back and see again. I later was awarded a Certificate of Recognition from the Secretary of Defense for service during the Cold War. I am a proud Veteran and am proud to have served my country.
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