Military Mail: Korean War (Frame 5)
This web page, published by the Military Postal History Society, contains the text of Frame 5 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 5 exhibit frame images.
Updated 1/21/2018
May 12, 1953 - The 1st Marine Division was withdrawn from their front line positions.
May 14, 1953 - APO #301 - Yongsan, South Korea - 2/3/53 — 1/1/65
May 16, 1953 - APO #7 - Tackwang, South Korea - 4/11/53 - 9/16/53
May 20, 1953 - APO #301 - Yongsan, South Korea - 2/3/53 - 1/1/65
Note: Recognize the sender? It's David G. Philfips, known for his auctions and involvement in the American Stampless Cover catalog. After the death of E. N. Sampson, Phiilips took over editorship and publication of this fine series of books.
May 29, 1953 - APO #94 - Taejon, South Korea - 4/21/53 - 5/1/55
June 7, 1953 - APO #301 - Yongsan, South Korea 2/3/53 - 1/1/65
June 8, 1953 - United Nations, North Koreans, and Chinese delegates sign agreement on prisoner exchange. South Koreans refuse to accept the terms and 10 days later they released 27,000 prisoners in the custody of the U.N. Command. However, a month later they decided to accept the terms in their entirety.
June 13, 1953 - APO #248 - Yongchon, South Korea - 8/25/52 - 8/?/53
June 21, 1953 - Chinese assault front lines to gain territory near Kumsong.
June 21, 1953 — Navy Number 12867 Unit 1 - 11th Marines, First Marine Division - 9/15/50 — 4/?/55
June 25, 1953 - U.S.S. Caperton - Destroyer
Korean waters with TF77 and TF95, June 2, 1953 to October 9, 1953.
July 13, 1953 — Final Chinese offensive begins, gaining very little ground.
July 16, 1953 - Navy Number 12867 Unit 7 - Headquarters, First Marine Division - 9/15/50 - 4/?/55
July 19, 1953 - APO #909 - Kwandae-ri, South Korea - 3/4/53 - 8/2/54
July 20, 1953 - APO #54 - Osaka, Japan - 3/1/51 - 8/14/57
Free postage (PL-609) also covered wounded being treated at hospitals in Japan July 12, 1950 to June 30, 1955.
July 27. 1953 - ARMISTICE SIGNED and all fighting ceases at 12:00 midnight.
August 21, 1953 - Sent to APO #707-1 - Sangmudai, South Korea - 10/1/52 - 1/?/54
Back Stamps: APO #503 Yokohama, Japan; 7-BPO Yokohama, Japan; APO #301 Yongsan, South Korea; APO #707 Pusan, South Korea.
August 5 to September 6, 1953 -— United Nations POWs released (Operation Big Switch).
August 25, 1953 - APO #970 - Taegu, Seuth Korea - 4/21/52 - 3/2/54
September 6, 1953 - The exchange of POWs willing to be repatriated was completed at Panmunjon.
August 5 to September 6, 1953 - United Nations POWS released (Operation Big Switch).
August 27, 1953 - APO #970 — Taegu, South Korea - 4/21/52 - 3/2/54
August 28, 1953 - APO #970 — Taegu, South Karea - 4/21/52 - 3/2/54
September 6 1953 - The exchange of POWs willing to be repatriated was completed at Panmunjon.
October 12, 1953 - APO #102 - Taeju, South Korea - 8/5/52 - 2/21/55
October 26, 1953 - APO #264 - Hyanggyo, South Korea - 9/?/50 - 10/?/54
October 29, 1953 - APO #67 — Kangnung, South Korea — 1/15/52 - 4/9/54
Extremely late example of a soldier using an airmail stamp when none was required.
November 11, 1953 - Navy Number 14012 - 1st Combat Service Group — 9/15/50 - 11/30/55
November 25, 1953 - APO #64 - Kunsan, South Korea - 4/3/51 - 1/1/65
UNLISTED CRASH COVER (per the leading authority on such covers).
After flying from Korea, the plane carrying military mail landed at Hamilton Air Force Base, located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay south of Novato, California. The C-46, while leaving for Irving, Texas, crashed in 20 feet of water upon takeoff. The mail was recovered in a wet condition, dried, and the handstamp 'DAMAGED IN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT' was applied. On the back of the cover is the name and address that was transposed to the cover because of wet ink from the cover directly under it in the mail sack. This was another cover sent by the same soldier in Korea to another female college student at a different college in New Jersey. (I cannot help but wonder if this caused any troubles for the soldier who had signed the letter 'All my love, Don') A very unique crash cover.
January 14, 1954 — U.S.S. Frank Knox - Radar Picket Destroyer
Korean waters from early July 1950 through 1954; three combat tours, Inchon invasion, patrol action; in 1954 was involved in transporting Chinese POWs who refused repatriation to Taiwan.
February 13, 1954 - APO #301 - Yongsan, South Korea - 2/3/53 - 1/ 1/65
Note: JACK (Joint Advisory Commission to Korea) - CIA cover name - involved in interviewing Communist Chinese & North Korean POWs Who didn't want to return to their home countries.
February 23, 1954- APO #301 — Yongsan, South Korea - 2/3/53 - 1/1/65
Note: UNKRA (United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency). Since the sender was a civilian working for a United Nations organization, 6¢ postage was required for airmail.
From the Armistice signing on July 27, 1953, until late 1954, front line troops remained mostly in place, and the Cease Fire is holding.
May 19, 1954 - APO #20 - Chunchon, South Korea - 3/7/52 - 2/21/55
September 21, 1954 - APO #971 - Yangdungpo, South Korea - 3/30/51 - 4/15/55
Withdrawal of front-line combat troops begin in earnest in 1955.