Bio: Humphrey, Brian C. - Army Spec. 4 (Military Notes - 1982)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Humphrey

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 10/14/1982

Humphrey, Army Spec. 4 Brian C. (Military Notes - 1982)

When the Korean Armistice was signed after one of the bloodiest wars in history, the armies of both sides moved back from the positions they had near the 38th parallel. Though a permanent peace treaty has never been signed, American soldiers remain stationed south of the 155 mile long Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). Army Spec. 4 Brian C. Humphrey, Chili, is among those who help maintain peace on the Korean peninsula that is divided into two nations.

Humphrey, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald H. Humphrey, Sr., Rt. 1, Chili, is a motor transport operator with the 802nd Engineer Battalion, Eighth Army, Seoul.

“It’s my job to haul engineer equipment such as graders, bulldozers and any equipment designed for construction,” Humphrey said. “In itself, it’s really not a difficult job, but here it’s a real challenge. In some parts of the country the roads are rough. In others, they’re crowded with vehicles and pedestrians.”

Since 1953, soldiers of both sides have faced each other across the barren, deserted DMZ, and a delicate peace has been maintained. When asked if there was any fear in being only 70 miles from “No Man’s Land,” Humphrey replied, “I guess there’s always some amount of fear the closer you draw to the DMZ, but in time you become more relaxed about the situation.”

Humphrey, who arrived in the “Land of the Morning Calm” in August 1980 and is serving his first Korean tour, said, “I like Korea very much. I’ve extended my tour to stay here. I guess what I like most about this country are the people and the beautiful countryside.”

A 1978 graduate of Granton High School, Humphrey enlisted in the Army in October of that year. “The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make since coming here has been trying to learn the language. I’m glad the South Koreans try so hard to learn English; it really makes things a little easier at times.”