| ASA KOREA HOME PAGE Army Security Agency in Korea |
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| These pages are a place for ASA Korea Members to share photos, memories, current events,etc |
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| WHO WE ARE. . . ....AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO VETERANS WHO SERVED WITH THE ARMY SECURITY AGENCY (ASA) IN KOREA - ALL YEARS OUR STORY: In 1995, two veterans (Andy Kavalecs and Dalton Harper) who served in Korea with the 501st CRG in the early 1950s decided to try to organize a reunion to take place in 1996. After a great deal of effort, several pals were located and announcements were placed in veterans magazines. Enthusiasm soon was apparent and plans were made to gather in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1996. Attendance was not very great, with only 66 paid attendees and several interested guests on hand; however, the first reunion produced a hard working nucleus of dedicated vets who volunteered as a governing board to further expand the budding association. This basic board was supported by generous donations from those in attendance. That donated money was to sponsor and operate the activities of the then named 501st ASA (Army Security Agency) Korea 1950 thru 1960. Word of tthe 501st ASA (Army Security Agency)Korea 1950 thru 1960 association spread quickly, and interest and membership grew at a tremendous rate. The second reunion in Carlisle, Pennsylvania attracted over 225 guests, and subsequent reunions in Madison, Wisconsin (1998), Pensacola, Florida (1999), Sturbridge, Massachusetts (2000), and Camp Hill, Pennsylvania (2001), Frankenmuth, Michigan (2002) and Buffalo, New York (2003), Hunt Valley, Maryland (2004), Williamsburg, Virginia (2005) King of Prussia, Pennsylvania (2006) Lincolnshire, Illinois (2007)and Charlotte, North Carolina (2008) Buffalo, New York (2009) were well attended and enjoyable. In 1997 the organization filed for and received tax free status from the IRS, and was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a tax-free, non-profit veterans association. As publicity of the association and its membership expanded, numerous requests for membership were received from those who served in the ASA (Army Security Agency) in Korea after 1960. It was decided and voted on by the membership in 2000 to change the name to ASA Korea. This allowed everyone who served in the ASA in Korea to qualify for membership. This move was deemed necessary to pave the way for continuation of the group for the future. According to its Constitution, the purpose of ASA Korea is: to promote unity and friendship among its members; to foster and sustain loyalty to God, Country, and Community; to aid and advance the health and welfare of our members as described in our Bylaws; to assist in locating comrades and renewing old friendships; and to hold an annual reunion in a locality as chosen by the members, Board of Directors, and Site Selection Committee. Dues for membership is $10/year, November 1 to October 31 annually. Life membership is available at $60 over the age of 65, and $100 under the age of 65. (Five years paid annual membership qualifies for free lifetime membership. Click here to join today. Members will receive the COMMUNICATOR (our newsletter) and will have access to our information locator files of approximately 3,000 ASA Korea veterans. |
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| LAST UPDATE - MARCH 2010 Site designed and maintained by The Webmaster Copyright 2002 - 2010 All Rights Reserved |
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| We are not responsible for original photos sent to ASA Korea |
| The 501st CRC unit moved by train to Camp Stoneman California - 1951 Submitted by ASA Korea Member Harry Bowser shown third from right, second row from top (with pitcher and glass). |
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| VETERANS DAY SALUTE Thanks to ASA Korea Member Jerry Van Wagner |
| 14th ASA KOREA REUNION, BUFFALO, NY - Oct 1-4, 2009 Click here for NAMES and MORE PHOTOS |
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| I have read and heard so much in the movies, and magazines and papers and on TV, about world War II, and Viet Nam, and how our soldiers were treated when they returned from those wars, compared to how our present day soldiers are treated upon homecoming, that I decided to write how a soldier (myself) from the “Forgotten War” came home. It was in May, 1952, when a ship bringing a load of soldiers home from war in Korea, a war that saw more than 54,000 U.S. and Allied troops killed in three years, landed in San Francisco. There were no bands, or police escorts, or parades, nor were there any protesters, and I don’t even remember a Red Cross Truck with coffee and donuts. Just transportation to the train station for the cross country ride for two days to our separation point at Indiantown Gap, in Pennsylvania. We were to be here a couple of days for physicals and debriefing, prior to Discharge, so two of the guys from the 329th, and myself decided we would have one last fling. One of the fellows was from this area, I seem to remember his name was Whalen, and he was from Shamoken, Pa. Anyway he knew his way around this area, so that last night at the Gap, we caught a bus for Harrisburg to celebrate our survival of the war. First we had an all you can eat shrimp dinner at one of the clubs, and then we proceeded to take in the floor shows at a few other clubs. Although with all the food, and moving around, none of us got drunk, we did manage to miss the last bus back to camp. So we got out on the highway and hitchhiked. Fortunately a bunch of soldiers going back to camp stopped for us, and even though it was crowded with nine of us in the car, we were grateful for the lift. The next day we received our Discharge papers. The date was May 23, 1952. From the Gap, I took a bus to Harrisburg, and a train from there to Pittsburgh. Since I had not notified anyone of the exact time I would arrive, and being flush with back pay, I took a cab the fifteen or so miles from the train station in Pittsburgh, to my home in West Mifflin. When the cab dropped me off, and I walked up the familiar driveway to the house, I didn’t get the kind of reception I was expecting. The House was empty! A note explained that everyone had gone to West Virginia to attend my Grandmother’s funeral. I managed to get there in time to be a pall bearer, after which we all drove home together. When we finally arrived home, I shed my uniform, and without any fanfare, my Civilian life began ! ASA Korea Member, Chuck Kellly |
