Check out our growing 51st Signal Battalion Korea Roster and the Found Veterans!

View them HERE and HEREand watch them grow!

The information is collected from yearbooks, company and battalion orders, morning reports and other documents obtained as well as from those that contact us. If you were a member of the 51st Signal Battalion in Korea please contact us and send us your information.

Other Emails

We get a number of emails relating to the website and it's existance here, but it is ones like this that keeps us wanting to put in the effort and keeping it online and able to be used and enjoyed by each of you, for whatever reason.

We received an email from a Veteran Representative and it was much appreciated. Basically this is what was enclosed:

Greetings. I am a Veteran Service Officer/Appeals Specialist for the XXXX. As I am reviewing a claim for a medical condition as a result of exposure to agent orange, I usually research for pertinent information to support a veteran's claim. As such, I came upon this site. This site is truly very, very good. An individual or individuals are administering this web site quite admirably! I am actually going to use the material I have read for my supportive argument on behalf on one of your own. Congrats on a very valuable service not only for your prior service members but all vets who served in Korea. And from one Nam vet to all you, welcome home.

"I want to thank you for putting me in contact with XXXXXXXX. His letter and papers I received from XXXX on B co 51st signal contributed to my service claim for prostate cancer that was granted."

Thank you for the responses about our website!

Yearbook Additions!

Yearbooks and Photos can be found in our Gallery linked just to the right of here.

There's another 51st Veteran has contacted us Stephen Patterson who served in the 51st Sig Bn in 1967 and 1968. He was assigned to Hq Co and worked at Battalion Headquarters leaving there in September 1968. He has sent some pictures also that have been inlcuded in our gallery, thanks Stephen! His pictures are HERE

Two more yearbooks are here and online! Thanks to Ray Lusebrink and Richard Moore Richard had several assignments while at the 51st including XO of D Company, CO of Hq Co and as Battalion Adjutant during his 68-69 tour there. Ray got there in 1969 and when he was promoted to 1LT in October he took over Hq Company Commander spot. While all the other books have the year or years on the front of them, this one for 1969 D Company does not, but the inside cover does say ----- 69 -----.

Also thanks to Juan Valdivia for providing the yearbook for D Company 1968 that has been added to our gallery. A great collection of memories for all to review and each addition, whether yearbooks, photos or memorabilia. When you just can't remember something because of the amount of time that has passed, these additions and the possible ability to connect with others that were there are invaluable to us veterans that served in Korea. We are always looking for additions to the site so contact us so that we can include what you have as well.

Larry King, B Company 1968-1969 provided us with another yearbook. Had a few nice phone conversations with him after he contacted us wanting to know how he can share his yearbook on the site too since it was not already there.

We are now at a total of 22 yearbooks.

Several Have Said They Would Send Pictures But Haven't As Yet

Some of you have said you would send us pictures and things to include in the site, but seem to have forgotten about it. PLEASE take some time to look for what you have so that we may continue to add to the site. So many enjoy going through those old pictures from the past and remembering some of those that are in them or the places that so many saw while there. Let's keep adding to it, look for things that would be of interest to those that were there and contact us about including them in the site.

Recent Website Changes

We have now added an additional feature to the website and included many of those that have recently and over time contacted us. To see those that we have included visit the list HERE. We believe that all have been included but if you have contacted us and your name is not on there, please contact us so that you may be included. If you are a first time visitor here, Thank You for visiting and please take a moment to let us know something about yourself by clicking HERE and send us an email. We would like to include you in that list!(/p)

Browse through our 51st Signal Battalion site and enjoy! If you have something that you can add, please contact us.

Another 51st Vet Passed

Received notice from the wife of Lt Todd Wees that he had passed away in 2011 from pancreatic cancer when I tried locating him. Sorry to hear of his passing as well as SO MANY others.

Email received from Greg Maliska, who also is a 51st Sig Bn Vet
With deep sorrow I report that John Socki SP5 1967/68 HDQ CO. passed on 4/10/2017 in Lincolnwood, Il John will be remembered for just being a good soldier and great friend, RIP John, thank you for your time in the " Land of the mourning calm "
HERE

Email notice from Jimmy Kelly's family "I'm writing to let you know that Jimmy Kelly passed away Friday, November 25th, at 4:30 AM", we are sorry for another family's loss.
HERE

Email received from Joan Laufnick
"It is with great sadness, that I must tell you of the death of my husband, Joe Laufnick, on September 10, 2015, due to his liver failing from non-alcholic liver cirrhosis, caused by type II Diabetes. His appeals case for herbicide exposure is still open. He fought for our country, I will fight on for him."
HERE

We received notice from the daughter of Sp5 Saburo Tanisaka that he has passed as a result of a battle with cancer on January 31, 2015. We have added him to our growing list of those that we are aware of that are no longer with us
HERE

Also, it has been reported to us by Jim Morganegg (51st Sig Vet) that another Veteran has passed. SP5 Don E. Bright, 1968-69 Company C, 51st Signal Battalion. You can see the published obit
HERE

Sp4 John Bezold, A Company, passed on Friday, Sept. 29, 2017. Included HERE is more information and his obit.

Those 51st Signal Veterans That Has Left Us

We pass our sympathies on to those family and friends. Sorry to hear another Vet that served with us at the 51st Signal Battalion in Korea has gone.

We have now included list of those Veterans that have passed on that we are aware of and the obit information when it is available to us. Although they are gone, they are not forgotten and remembered fondly by those that served with them.

View the list that we have and if anything is incorrect or needs added, please let us know.

HERE

After Looking For Vets From The 51st And Finding Many Of Them No Longer With Us

I thought some discussion relating to benefits and entitlements for those Veterans and their families are in order. Sometimes these entitlements can lead to more than $2000 and can make a big difference to those left to deal with a Veterans death and can provide those departed Veterans with their just recognition as well.

THESE ENTITLEMENTS CAN BE AVAILABLE ALSO TO THOSE VETERANS WITH A VA CLAIM THAT HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED OR IS ON APPEAL AT THE TIME OF DEATH AS WELL!

"• the Veteran had an original or reopened claim for VA compensation or pension pending at the time of death and would have been entitled to benefits from a date prior to the date of death"

Read more HERE

More Veteran Victories With The VA!

After filing a FDC (fully developed claim), which the VA targets to be decided in a 5 month period, a 51st Signal veteran who was in Korea in 1968 got at least a partial decision back - 12 months later. With documents submitted on filing the claim (VA records, private medical records, military records and several statements in support and numerous documents), the VA admitted exposure to agent orange to the veteran and proceeded with C&P exams for Ischemic Heart Disease and Diebetes II and postponed decisions on other claims. The results of that was 100% disability for the heart disease and 20% for the diabetes, BUT it is not over for him.

Because of the change in law, the heart condition claim was backed up 1 year before the date of filing of a claim. So his backpay for the heart condition was for 2 years while diabetes backpay was for 1 year.

Also, I recently also got word from one of the 51st Signal Veterans that he had won his appeal a few days ago relating to Agent Orange exposure while serving in Korea. It was a lengthy process, but in the end, they conceeded his exposure and his claim was approved!

The support and information provided to him through some contacts here seemed to make a difference in supporting his claim from what he told me. And he thanks everyone for their help and support. Without this site and those like it, many 51st Veterans would be without the resources, information and help needed to prove what we did or what happened while in Korea so many years ago.

He encourages all who have or need to file claims related to their service with the 51st Signal Battalion do so, do not give up, keep going until you get your entitlement. Same thing that several of us has been telling everyone. It's not an easy claim like "boots on the ground" Vietnam Vets have, but you CAN WIN. Your just have to do your part and not rely on the VA or even your rep to find the things you need. They don't know who your buddys were when you were there and they certainly will not find many of the documents and papers that you need to prove and support your claim. Do what you need to do, do not exagerate, tie everything together without contradicting information and PROCEED. It's your entitlement not a handout.

New on Our Website

A big plus for finding information on our website! Our website search feature now include searches of not only the text within the website such as names, but also will search the "PDF" files that we have on the website. That means that many of the documents and forms that are on the website is now indexed so that they can be searched. Take advantage of the new search features to look through our site, hopefully this improvement will enable you to better enjoy and find what you need or are looking for.

NEW UPDATE ON THE ROSTER! Now hundreds of new names added from the yearbooks. Not all have been included from the yearbooks yet but the rest should be done before long. Check them out and view the roster from the link at the top right corner of this page.

A Few Emails Received

Thought I'd post a few emails of information we have received.

Joseph (Joe) Laufnick
I was in the 51st Sig Bn, A Co. from Sept 1970 to Aug 1971. When I was discharged, I had the rank of E 5.

Greg Berleue
What a great web site, thank you your efforts and the efforts of all those who have provided so much information it is so greatly appreciated. I was assigned to B Co. from Dec 1970-Feb 1972. I worked at a couple different remote sites, mostly with the ROK Army. We operated and trained ROKs how to use the Tec7 (?) and TRC 24 equip. Then turn the site over to them. We would then jump to another site where equip. was brought in and it would start all over again, set up, train and turn over the reins. I was assigned to Okinawa from Mar 72 - May of 73, then back to Korea till May 75. I worked at hill 412, 468 and 754. Myself and another fellow by the name of James Jim Nipper installed the fly swatters on the edge of the hill at 468 overlooking CRC and the Uijongbu area, we then constructed the 2x4 frame work to house several stacks of ANGRC 50, TD352s TD206 gear configured as a terminal. We then set up and hardwired the frame with 26 pair that ran to the dial exchange on CRC. The set up at 468 was like the hub of a communications wheel for most all outsites within the 51st Sig Bn area of coverage. Jim was easy going and fun to hang out with, I learned a lot from him. If your out there and tuned in Jim - just want to say howdy from Virginia.
As Bob Hope said on the "Z" Thanks for the memories. take care and God bless.

Holly Brown
Granddaughter of SGM Wilfred Dare
(after my responding back to her to ensure her that it was her "Papa" that we served with in Korea)

Howdy!
Did you feel the world move?? That was me jumping for joy that we are talking about the same person!!! Yay! That is my Papa!
My Papa saw me when I was baby but I have no memory of him... He asked to see me but he died before I arrive...I was only 7 years old. I have always felt a strong connection to my Papa. I travel as often as I can to his grave, in Augusta, Ga.
I will email you again soon to set up a time call. This made my day and my Dad's! My Dad is my Papa's son and he lives with me. It put a smile on his face!
Take care,
Holly

Good evening! I just got back from Indiana. While was there I found my Papa's copy of the year book that you sent me. I also spoke with my Grammy, my Papa's wife while he was in the Army.

Thomas Miller
my name is Thomas Miller and I was stationed in Korea from June '68 to June '69 at B Co 51st Sig Bn

Robert Williams Sgt
I was in Company A with Lt. Upton 1965-66

Frank J. Panetto
Hi, I was at 51st Signal Korea in 1969

And even a few vets that were there with other units, which of course are always welcome!

Michael R. Wood
Radio operator for I Corp (GP) stationed at Camp St. Barbara in 1968 and 1969. Was on some of the remote sites that were operated by 51st Signal Battalion at times. Remembers even having chow trucked in while on assignments there.

Albert E. Slade
Was in Korea from February 1956 to June 1957 and served in B Battery, 49th Field Artillery Battalion, attached to the 7th Division.

Korean Veterans Get Together After 45 Years!

Article Published In Fountain Valley News - Colorado

This is an article that was written and submitted to the local newspaper where the get-together took place. To go directly to the newspaper article, click HERE.

_{(Clicking on article below and enlarging it may make it easier to read - click your back button to return)} .

Get Your Korean Defense Service Medal!

Thanks Gary Lundholm (C Company, 51st Signal Battalion) for reminding us to get this included on our website.

Many of the Korean Veterans that served with us are unaware that they may be entitled to additional medals and certificates that have never been awarded and do not reflect on official military records. One such medal that was authorized after many of us left the service is the Korean Defense Service Medal. To find out how to get yours click HERE.

Updates Coming Soon!

Updates to our Roster, additional Morning Reports and more coming soon!

Sorry to have been a while in getting some more included for our website, I have a good excuse, but that doesn't matter really. Now I can get back onto getting some of the updates and additions that have been delayed in getting to you on the website. I now have some more morning reports to scan, scrub names from and get added to the roster and gallery area. I also have some new pictures sent by some to be included in the gallery area that others have given for us to view.

Also, a few of the Veterans recently had a small gathering in Colorado Springs, CO and perhaps some will be shared on that as well shortly.

Wonder What 51st Signal Looks Like Now?

There are some pictures just taken by 51st Sig Veteran Denis Oneial that just returned from a trip to Korea. You can view them in our gallery, a direct link by clicking HERE

Why Vets Love The VA Medical Facilities and Claims Process

Now we will tell of one persons recent VA Medical procedures where his claim and treatment was involved. It should be noted that in the last five weeks, he has had seven appointments, some he saw doctors, some he did not. He has to travel about 100 miles round trip just to get to these appointment so you can imagine the expense, time involved, not to mention the waiting time while at the facility.

Just this past week he was scheduled to go in for a psychological evaluation. Because of his wife's health issues he made sure that the appointment would not conflict with a surgery that she was to have performed that coming Thursday.

Read about his experience HERE

Difficulties Obtaining Records? Read This!

We thought it would appropriate to put on the website one veterans experience that relates to obtaining records from various sources. The report covers considerable years with his attempts. A period of time of about 12 years and although there are gaps of time between the attempts, the reason for the gaps are explained. It also gives some opinions about the experience along the way of the veteran giving a good idea of what he went through and what other veterans may have or be experiencing when they too attempt to get records to support claims or for other reasons. In it are listed the names of those the contacted, who they were associated with and the results of each of the contact.

Hopefully others do not have the problems that he did and perhaps reading this can help prevent some problems or point out how inefficient the system is for the veteran in obtaining records that may support a claim. It is long but may be worth the read.

This Veterans Records Quest

Forgotten Veterans - recognition still not received

Those that were there remember about their service, those that came before and after never knew the full story - and still don't. It's beginning to look more and more like they never will. There were few news stories simply because of concerted efforts to prevent it. Social and political times just couldn't deal with "a second war front" or the threat of it in Asia. Those that came back didn't want to talk about it and those that did found their experiences fell on deaf ears, and still do for the most part.

Here you can get an idea of just a very few the happenings that I have found that give only an inkling of what transpired on a daily basis to those that were there. There are MANY, MANY more, undocumented, unreported and untold.

Incidents like the Body Recover would have been excluded in the figures of deaths by combat because it could have been listed as "accidental" rather that combat related because of the cause of death determination. There are figures out now that, while most likely still does not include all, give figures that are substantially higher by as much a three times what the official reports claimed. Very often government just didn't want information to be known and often information was released or reported with "spin" on it.

NEW! We are now including some forms that may be useful to our Veterans!

Go to the forms section HERE and you can see the forms we offer on our website for the convenience, education and information for ALL veterans, not just our Korean Veterans.

We have been made aware that a number of veterans have errors on their records!

Or they need or want to change something related and are entitled to changes. Also included now in the site are some of the forms and instructions relating to those issues. They are not intended just for Korean Veterans, but for ALL veterans who may need information relating to these issues. The forms and information relating to this are at the bottom of our forms page.

View it HERE to see if the information and forms there for help, guides and information. Go to the bottom of the page and look under Correction or Change of Military Records

About This Site

After doing much internet searching relating to Korean Veterans and more specifically the 51st Signal Battalion, we found that there is little available during the time period of many veterans they were searching for, that of the late 60's and early 70's. It seems to have been almost left out of history entirely. What we did there to this day goes unrecognized and lost with much of the government documents destroyed over time or was never recorded to begin with. What is available is outdated or hard to sift through to gather information and with a great deal of misinformation.

We believe many units are in this position, so this site is decided to all those that served in Korea during that period of time. We will not exclude ANY veteran and welcome their comments and participation regardless of when they served or where they served. All veterans deserve the respect and gratitude of the nation, the people within it as well as those in the countries that we sought to defend and protect.

The site is here for you veterans of Korea, their families and anyone who is interested

Special thanks to those that contributed information, documents, pictures and albums necessary to provide the website to you. Send us yours so we can include and share them with others!

Thank You!

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