Korean War (Exhibit, Frame 3, Text)

Military Mail: Korean War (Frame 3)

This web page, published by the Military Postal History Society, contains the text of Frame 3 of the Korean War exhibit pages created by Bob Collins. They are reproduced and distributed to the public with his permission.

To see exhibit frame images, click on Frame 3 exhibit frame images.

Updated 1/18/2018

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U.S. proposes a POW exchange; Chinese Communists and North Koreans reject proposal

December 28, 1951 - APO #59 - Pusan, South Korea - 7/?/50 - 12/?/53

Return address - UNCACK (United Nations Civil Assistance Command in Korea)

January 2, 1952 — United Nations proposes a POW exchange.

January 3, 1952 - APO #76 - Kimpo Air Base, South Korea - 4/30/51 - 1/1/65

January 3. 1952 - Chinese and North Koreans reject POW exchange.

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First U.S. carrier strike against the North Koreans

January 7, 1952 - U.S.S. Valley Forge - Aircraft Carrier

July 3, 1950, first carrier air strike against North Koreans. Four tours: July 1950 to June 25, 1953, including Inchon landing & 5000 combat sorties between July 3 and November 19, 1950.

Note: Sender part of the Marine detachment aboard the U.S.S. Valley Forge.

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Korean War: January 1952 mail

January 5, 1952 - Navy Number 14011 -- 1st Armored Amphibious Battalion -- 9/30/50 - 2/23/55

January 15, 1952 - Sent to APO #248 - Chunchon, South Korea - 7/?/50 - 9/20/54

Return to writer (addressee returned to U.S.A. on 5/16/52. No record APO #248).

Back Stamps: APO #503 Yokohama, Japan; APO #612 Koje—do, South Korea; APO #709, Chinhae, South Korea.

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Free franking applied to wounded in hospitals

January 18, 1952 - APO #901-1 - Taegu, South Korea - 12/31/51 - 4/21/52

February 1, 1952 - APO #1007 - Osaka, Japan - 10/?/50 - 8/12/54

Free postage (PL—609) also covered wounded bein treated at hospitals in Japan July 12, 1950 to June 30, 1955.

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Korean War: February 1952 mail

February 7, 1952 - U.S.S. Piedmont - Destroyer Tender

Korean service from June 27, 1950, to July 27, 1954. Four combat tours.

February 25, 1952 - APO #18 - Chunchon, South Korea - 10/19/50 - 3/13/52

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March 1952 mail

March 5, 1952 - APO #33 - Taejon, South Korea - 10/13/50 - 4/2/52

March 10, 1952 - APO #59 - Pusan, South Korea - 7/?/50 - 12/?/53

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March 1952 USS Wisconsin mail

January - April l952 - Discontent and rioting among North Korean and Chines POWs at Koje-do POW camp as individual screening of prisoners begins.

March 18. 1952 - U.S.S. Wisconsin - Battleship

Korean service from October 1951 to April 1952; shore bombardment missions.

Note: On the same day this letter was postmarked, after destroying an enemy troop train and a railroad tunnel, the Wisconsin was struck by a 155 millimeter shell from an enemy shore battery. The battleship then destroyed the shore battery with a salvo from her 16-inch guns before continuing her mission. The Wisconsin then continued to support the lst Marine Division with her heavy guns and later returned to her base in Japan on March 19, before sailing back to the United States.

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April 1952 mail

April 3, 1952 - APO #86 - Taekwang-ni, South Korea - 12/29/51 - 3/12/53

April 19, 1952 - APO #248 - Chunchon, South Korea - 9/26/51 - 8/25/52

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April 1952 mail of WW II and Korean War double ace

April 22, 1952 - APO #60 - Suwan, South Korea 4/22/52 - 7/21/55

Condolence letter w/enclosure both signed by Col. Francis S. Gabreski, better known as 'Gabby.' Sent to the widow of pilot John Laskey, killed while returning from a combat mission in his F86 Sabre. 'Gabby' Gabreski enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940 & became the third ranking pilot (Ace) with 28 kills during World War II. His plane crashed during a strafing mission and he became a POW. During the Korean War, he again became an Ace with 6.5 kills, designating him as one of only a few double Aces. He became known as 'America's Greatest Living Ace.' Gabby passed away Jan. 31, 2002.

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Apri 1952 Chinese Communist and North Korean POW riots

April 28, 1952 - Chinese and North Korean POW Riots at at Koji-do end.

April 28, 1952 - APO #612 - Koje-do, South Korea — 3/6/51 - 6/?/54

May 12, 1952 - Gen. Ridgway leaves, and Gen. Clark assumes command.

May 13, 1952 - APO #53 - Osaka, Japan - 3/1/51 - 2/15/54

Free postage (PL-609) also covered wounded being treated at hospitals in Japan July 12, 1950 to June 30, 1955.

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Apri 1952 Chinese Communist and North Korean POW riots

May 26, 1952 - APO #67-1 - Kangnung, South Koren - 7/1/51 - 4/9/54

May 28, 1952 - APO #7 - Chunchon, South Koren - 6/23/51 - 4/11/53

Note: 'Buffaloes' nickname of 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Division.

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May 1952 mail

May 31, 1952 - APO #709 - Chinhae, South Korea - 12/14/50 - 1/11/55

June 10, 1952 - U.S.S. James C. Owens - Destroyer

Korean service February 27, 1952 to June 22, 1952. Shore bombardment and blockade. Struck by shore battery shells on May 7, 1952.

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May 1952 mail

June - October 1952 - Stalemate along front line continues: truce talks are deadlocked.

June 28, 1952 - APO #301 - Taegu, South Korea - 1/23/51 - 10/1/52

Note: Daisy the Dog is the most common Hubba Hubba marking seen. An astute collector mentioned Daisy is always running right to left However, this marking show Daisy running left to right making it a one of a kind example

June 30. 1952 - APO #71 - Wonju, South Korea - 10/11/51 - 12/4/54

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June 1952 mail

July 25, 1952 - APO #25 - Chunchon, South Korea - 5/13/52 - 5/13/53

One of a kind Hubba Hubba marking in the shape of the 5th Regimental Combat Team (R.C.T.) insignia. Attached to 25th Infantry Division from May through October 1952.

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July 1952 mail

July 14, 1952 - Navy Number 14021 - 1st 90mm Gunnery Battalion - 9/15/50 - 4/?/55

July 29, 1952 -- Stalemate along front lines as truce talks continue.

July 29, 1952 - Navy Number 14009 Unit 3 - MAG-33, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing - 10/?/51 - 4/?/55

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July 1952 mail

August 6, 1952 - Marine Pilots from MAG 33 flew 141 combat sorties, a new record.

August 27, 1952 - APO #70 - Chunchon, South Korea - 4/15/52 - 11/2/54

September 11, 1952 - APO #72 - Seoul, South Korea - 6/20/51 - ll/?/53

Note: one of a kind Hubba Hubba marking.