CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea -- In 1962, K-6 was renamed as Camp Humphreys in honor of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin K. Humphreys, a pilot assigned to the 6th Transportation Company, who died in a helicopter accident on Nov. 13, 1961.
On March 9, John Humphreys, a grand nephew of Benjamin K. Humphreys, visited Camp Humphreys for the first time.
For the visit, the United States Army Garrison Humphreys Public Affairs Office organized a tour of post and the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
The first stop at the DMZ was Panmunjeom at the Joint Security Area, which is the only portion of the DMZ where South and North Korean forces stand face-to-face, and includes the Military Armistice Commission and Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission.
The second stop was the Bridge of No Return that crosses the Military Demarcation Line between North and South Korea. This was used for prisoner exchanges at the end of the Korean War in 1953.
The third stop was Propaganda Village, which lies within the DMZ. Corporal Diego Muniz from the United Nations Command Security Battalion - Joint Security Area guided the tour.
"Our mission is unique and special, and not many people can experience things like this," Muniz Muniz. "I like the fact that I can change people's mindset about Korea. People come in here not knowing anything, but they are blown away when they leave."
The tour continued at Camp Humphreys. John Humphreys and his guests visited new construction sites and the airfield, then were greeted by Col. Joseph P. Moore, USAG Humphreys commander, at post headquarters.
Humphreys and Moore then visited USAG Humphreys Memorial Park, which is a memorial to those who have served both U.S. and Korea during times of peace and war, and paid tributes to Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin K. Humphreys, Chief Warrant Officer William J. Lingle Jr., Spec. 4 Jack L. White and Spec. 5 Oscar Ramirez.
"This tour was great for me, because I knew a bit about Camp Humphreys but never got to see it in person. It is nice to know that my great uncle's legacy is being appreciated, and seeing the camp being expanded and having a bright future is amazing," Humphreys said. "It was fun being on the airfield, because I know it was the basis for Camp Humphreys. It was also exciting on a personal level to see all of these facilities operating at Camp Humphreys. Also, it was great for Col. Moore to offer us 30 minutes of his time to meet with us and talk. I very much appreciate the staff at Public Affairs Office and Col. Moore for giving us this wonderful opportunity."
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