Photos from Bob Williams, (May 2021) a Yang Ju orphan who was adopted in 1968, by a soldier from the 127th Signal Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea
Bob Williams sparing with a soldier 1967-69 at Yang Ju
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Soldier giving out goodies at Yang Ju. Mr. Kwak’s son Chong on left
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Christmas 1967
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Christmas 1967
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Christmas 1967
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At Yang Ju with soldiers 1967-68
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Helping with the little ones at Yang Ju 1967-68
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Summer time in Yang Ju play yard 1968
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Soldier’s families donated supplies 1967-68. Mr. Kwak’s son Chong and daughter Kyong
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Mr. Kwak and the children 1967-68
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Learning the English alphabet 1967-1968
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Bob Williams return to Yang Ju orphanage in 1979 meeting with the then director Mr. Won who is believed to have died in 1980.
==================================================================================================================================Photos from CWO Dean Huff, (September 2019)
(His photos follow:)
I was assigned to the Communications Center at Camp Casey in 1967. Our Company had recently been selected to provide support for the orphanage. It interested me so I decided to support it and became very attached to the mission. I found the orphanage was very overpopulated and needed a special place for the newborn children. We decided to build one.
Obtaining cement from the supply depot, we delivered it to a local building block company and gave them instructions to make them US standards. I demonstrated what I meant by putting one of their cinder blocks on the ground and jumping on it. It crushed into powder. They understood what we wanted and delivered them to the orphanage and the work began. We got river rocks from the nearby creek to use in the foundation. The building was not dedicated until after I left but is sure came out nice. I love the heated floor.
I became attached to one particular child and had planned to adopt her but at the time was unable to do so. My CO was going to take her home with him but he changed his mind.
After leaving Korea in June of 68 for my next assignment in Berlin, I learned that he had defaulted on adopting the little girl that I had become fond and so I discussed it with my wife and we decided that we would be able to do it with the help of the Berlin Brigade Commanding General. She became his guest and was able to travel to be with us. We’d have to adopt her later after returning to the US.
Recently, the girl that I adopted sent her DNA to an Ancestry website because she thought she had a sister. They came back with a 100% match with another female who had also registered. The sisters are now in the process of becoming re-acquainted. I did not know that they were sisters until a few days ago when I got an email with a picture of me hugging her.
I am sending what pictures I have to hopefully enhance the website and perhaps help in some way.
CWO Huff at DMZ. Contributed by Dean Huff
Dean and Soonam. Contributed by Dean Huff
Sonnam at Orphanage gate. Contributed by Dean Huff
Soonam and possibly her sister. Contributed by Dean Huff
Two Sisters. Contributed by Dean Huff
Soonam with Dean at Orphanage. Contributed by Dean Huff
This is the Korean girl arriving in Berlin. You might post this after the news article about her being sent off over the North Pole…..
She arrived safely and was well taken care of by the airlines. Contributed by Dean Huff
Chatting with the kids. Contributed by Dean Huff
Child with Hershey Bar Newspaper. Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage from air (1967). Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage construction from air (1967). Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage construction (1967). Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage construction (1967). Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage donation from dying man. Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage Factsheet. Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage recognition of CWO Huff. Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage lunch. Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage children receive gifts. Contributed by Dean Huff
Blankets for orphans. Contributed by Dean Huff
Playing with children. Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage children playing. Contributed by Dean Huff
Orphanage directors son on left. Contributed by Dean Huff
CWO Wagner. Contributed by Dean Huff
CWO Wagner. Contributed by Dean Huff
Following Photos contributed by CWO Bill Wagner
Contributed by Bill Wagner ©Wagner 012)
Contributed by Bill Wagner ©Wagner 011)
Contributed by Bill Wagner ©Wagner 008)
Contributed by Bill Wagner ©Wagner 010)
Contributed by Bill Wagner ©Wagner 013)
From Dean Huff,
I was assigned to the Communications Center at Camp Casey in 1967. Our Company had recently been selected to provide support for the orphanage. It interested me so I decided to support it and became very attached to the mission. I found the orphanage was very overpopulated and needed a special place for the newborn children. We decided to build one.
Obtaining cement from the supply depot, we delivered it to a local building block company and gave them instructions to make them US standards. I demonstrated what I meant by putting one of their cinder blocks on the ground and jumping on it. It crushed into powder. They understood what we wanted and delivered them to the orphanage and the work began. We got river rocks from the nearby creek to use in the foundation. The building was not dedicated until after I left but is sure came out nice. I love the heated floor.
I became attached to one particular child and had planned to adopt her but at the time was unable to do so. My CO was going to take her home with him but he changed his mind.
After leaving Korea in June of 68 for my next assignment in Berlin, I learned that he had defaulted on adopting the little girl that I had become fond and so I discussed it with my wife and we decided that we would be able to do it with the help of the Berlin Brigade Commanding General. She became his guest and was able to travel to be with us. We’d have to adopt her later after returning to the US.
Recently, the girl that I adopted sent her DNA to an Ancestry website because she thought she had a sister. They came back with a 100% match with another female who had also registered. The sisters are now in the process of becoming re-acquainted. I did not know that they were sisters until a few days ago when I got an email with a picture of me hugging her.
I am sending what pictures I have to hopefully enhance the website and perhaps help in some way.
I served with the 127th Signal Battalion at Camp Casey Korea 1967 thru 1968. I drove for Lieutenant Colonels A. C. Fox and H. M. Federhen, battalion commanders during that period. Both commanders were involved with the orphanage at Tongduchon, and I recall that LTC Federhen attempted to adopt one of the children. I have fond memories that my unit was privileged to provide support for the children of the orphanage.
Hello John,
I served with the 127th Signal Battalion at Camp Casey, Korea in 1967 thru 1968 as Company C training NCO and Company Clerk.
Our Photo Platoon went with us to the orphanage at least twice that I remember and many pictures we taken. If any of those photos are around, viewing on this site would be appreciated !
Thanks John
SP/5 Todd Riggle