Korea, Part Twelve – Lieutenant Colonel Robert Alan Boxell, Command Sergeant Major Daniel Boone Nifong, and the 83rd Ordnance Battalion: 1968

These photographs were taken during 1968 and 1969 when I was in the U.S. Army stationed in the Republic of Korea for thirteen months.

On 3 September 2016, I was contacted by a representative of the National Archives of Korea, a branch of the federal government of the Republic of Korea. The National Archives of Korea were interested in acquiring my Korean photographs. I was honored by their request, and I donated approximately 900 original color and black-and-white photographs to the Korean people. 

On 2 February 2017, I went to the Republic of Korea's San Francisco Consulate. Jung Yoon-Ho, the Deputy Consul-General welcomed me; I gave him the film and associated documents. The film was then sent to Seoul via diplomatic pouch.

Below are some of the photos that I took while stationed in South Korea. The National Archives of Korea expertly scanned and digitized each image. 

Click on an image to view the full-size photograph.

This was the entryway to the 83rd Ordnance Battalion. This United States military post was located in Seoksu-dong, a small village approximately 20 miles south of Seoul.

An overview of Seoksu-dong village and the 83rd Ordnance Battalion compound.

The 7th Ordnance Company orderly room was staffed 24 hours a day.

Inspecting a Korean fabric manufacturing plant.

First Lieutenant Richard S. Hagins, the operations officer of the 83rd Ordnance Battalion, receives the Army Commendation Medal from Lieutenant Colonel Robert A. Boxell.

Lieutenant York is promoted to Captain. He was the officer in charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team attached to the 83rd Ordnance Battalion.

The beautiful and charming Ms. Nam, the 83rd Ordnance Battalion executive secretary, with the newly minted Captain York.

Captain James R. Hargrove, Executive Officer, 7th Ord Company, receives the Army Commendation Medal from Lieutenant Colonel Robert Alan Boxell. Jim Hargrove now lives in Sacramento, California.

Command Sergeant Major Daniel Boone Nifong is receiving a Certificate of Achievement from Lieutenant-Colonel Boxell. After his duty in Korea, Sergeant Major Nifong went to Vietnam, after which he retired from the Army. Daniel B. Nifong passed away in Harrah, Oklahoma, on 16 December 2011, at 87 years of age. Rest in Peace Command Sergeant Major Nifong.

 

 Lieutenant-Colonel Boxell

John J. Champa, Supply Officer, 260th MP Company, is promoted to First Lieutenant.

Specialist 4th Class Sharp, 260 Military Police Company, receives the "Best Vehicle" award.

First Lieutenant Richard S. Hagins, the operations officer of the 83rd Ordnance Battalion, has the Army Commendation Medal pinned to his fatigues.

Warrant Officer Birdshead is receiving a commendation from Lieutenant Colonel Boxell.

Sergeant First Class Salassi and Lieutenant Colonel Boxell.

A concession arcade opened its doors at the 83rd Ordnance Battalion on 6 August 1968.

I can identify three of the men in this photograph. Far left: First Sergeant Gill, 7th Ord Co. 4th from left: Lieutenant Colonel Boxell. Command Sergeant Major Daniel Boone Nifong is the tall soldier behind the gentleman in the white shirt and gray pants.


Private First Class Brown 260th Military Police Company receives the "Best Driver" award.











The 83rd Ordnance Battalion.


The large building at the top of the photo shows a view of the rear of the battalion movie theatre. The small Quonset hut adjacent to the basketball court was the quarters of the Command Sergeant Major.


This is a view looking east from the inside of the 83rd Ordnance Battalion. The houses are part of the village of Suk Sudong.


A view from a water storage tank located within the 83rd Ordnance Battalion compound. The Quonset huts are within the compound, and a portion of Seoksu-dong village is also visible. The large building seen in the rear of the photo was a stage location for a commercial movie studio.


95% of the buildings within the 83rd Ordnance Battalion were Quonset huts.


The Republic of Korea, American, and United Nations flags are snapping in the breeze in front of the 83rd Ordnance Battalion headquarters building.


The 83rd Ordnance Battalion motor pool.


M35 series 2.5 ton 6x6 cargo trucks. These trucks are ready to roll.


A Quonset hut with a view of the portion of a wall that surrounded and protected the 83rd Ordnance Battalion living quarters.


The 83rd Ordnance Battalion.


The village of Seoksu-dong.


My trusty M151 1/4-ton jeep.


Leaving the 83rd Ordnance Battalion compound.


The 7th Ordinance Company (Special Ammo) living quarters and bathroom facilities.


It is a rainy day at the 83rd Ordnance Battalion. This photo was taken from the front of the mailroom.

Private Robert Sylvester Lawrence at work in the 7th Ordnance Company's orderly room. He now lives in New Jersey.

Robert Sylvester Lawrence.

Neil Mishalov, the photographer, is sitting in a Dodge M37 3/4 ton 4x4 truck. These trucks were built between 1951 and 1968.

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Go Here to view Korea Part One.

Go Here to view Korea Part Two.

Go Here to view Korea Part Three.

Go Here to view Korea Part Four.

Go Here to view Korea Part Five.

Go Here to view Korea Part Six.

Go Here to view Korea Part Seven.

Go Here to view Korea Part Eight.

Go Here to view Korea Part Nine.

Go Here to view Korea Part Ten.
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I visited Japan in 1968 and 1969. Here are some of the photographs that I took while in Japan. 

Go Here to view Japan, Part One.

Go Here to view Japan, Part Two.
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These photos were taken with a Nikon F 35mm camera using a Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com.

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"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera." Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt 

John Muir National Historic Site, including visits to Mount Wanda, and the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline: 23 September 2017

Click on an image to see the full-size photograph.

NOW: This is the 14 room Italianate Victorian mansion where John Muir lived from 1890 to 1914; it is located in the city of Martinez. The mansion was built in 1883 by Dr. John T. Strentzel, John Muir's father-in-law.

THEN: A portrait of John Muir's family taken in front of their home. Sitting on the porch of the house are the two daughters, Wanda Muir (1881-1942) and Helen Muir (1886-1964). Their parents, Louie Strentzel Muir (1847-1905) and John Muir (1838-1914) are standing on the front steps of the house. Sitkeen, the family dog, is in the photo. This picture was taken in 1901. Image courtesy of John Muir National Historic Site.

These are the gravesites of John Muir and his wife, Louie Strentzel Muir. They are buried in a small cemetery known as the Muir-Strentzel Hanna Cemetery, whose size is approximately 30 feet by 40 feet. The 1.27-acre parcel of land on which the cemetery is sited was acquired from the Strentzel family in 2000 by the National Park Service. In addition to John Muir and his wife, his in-laws, Dr. John Theophil Strentzel (1813-1890) and his wife Louisiana Erwin Strentzel (1821-1897) are buried in the cemetery. John Muir's daughter Wanda Muir Hanna and her husband, Thomas Hanna (1881-1947) are also buried in the cemetery. Helen Lillian Funk Muir, John Muir's youngest child, is buried in Bellevue Memorial Park, San Bernardino, California. This photograph was taken on 28 September 2017.

The distance traveled was approximately 10.1 miles (16.2 kilometers). The cumulative elevation gain was about 1,398 feet (426 meters). Mile markers are displayed on the GPS generated track. Click on the image to see the full-size map.

In 1988 Mount Wanda Nature Preserve was made a part of the John Muir National Historic Site. 

"Hiking - I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter?' It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply, "A la sainte terre,' 'To the Holy Land.' And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now, these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them." John Muir

A view from the summit of Mount Wanda, 683 feet (208 meters). The hillock to the right of Mount Wanda is Mount Helen. The view is looking west.

"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt." John Muir

Mount Diablo is at an elevation of 3,848 feet (1,173 meters). Looking south from Mount Wanda. 

"I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news." John Muir 

On the trail and looking north. Suisun Bay is visible in the distance. 

"Wilderness is not only a haven for native plants and animals, but it is also a refuge from society. It's a place to go to hear the wind and little else, see the stars and the galaxies, smell the pine trees, feel the cold water, touch the sky and the ground at the same time, listen to coyotes, eat the fresh snow, walk across the desert sands, and realize why it's good to go outside of the city and the suburbs. Fortunately, there is wilderness just outside the limits of the cities and the suburbs in most of the United States, especially in the West." John Muir

On the trail. 

"The world is big, and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark." John Muir

Looking west from the Hulet Hornbeck Trail in Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline. John Muir Parkway is visible. 

"The battle for conservation will go on endlessly. It is part of the universal battle between right and wrong." John Muir

 On the California Riding & Hiking Trail looking north.

"Look up and down and round about you!" John Muir

Downtown Martinez as seen from the Rankin Park Trail. Contra Costa County Courthouse and the Shell Martinez Oil Refinery are visible. The view is looking east. 

"Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of the wilderness. All other travel is mere dust and hotels and baggage and chatter." John Muir

The Benicia-Martinez Bridge is visible as is the site of the US Army's Benicia Arsenal, the city of Benicia and Suisun Bay. At one time, not too long ago, there was a fleet of as many as 340 old military ships anchored on the east side of the bridge. The fleet of ships was known as the "mothball fleet." If you look carefully, you will be able to see the one remaining military ship. The government has said that by the end of 2017 the mothball fleet will be history. Click Here for pictures of the now gone, but not forgotten, mothball fleet that was once anchored in Suisun Bay. This view is looking east.

"There are no accidents in Nature. Every motion of the constantly shifting bodies in the world is timed to the occasion for some definite, fore-ordered end. The flowers blossom in obedience to the same law that marks the course of constellations, and the song of a bird is the echo of a universal symphony. Nature is one, and to me, the greatest delight of observation and study is to discover new unities in this all-embracing and eternal harmony." John Muir

The Alhambra Pioneer Cemetery, Martinez.

"Bears are made of the same dust as we, and they breathe the same winds and drink of the same waters. A bear's days are warmed by the same sun, his dwellings are overdomed by the same blue sky, and his life turns and ebbs with heart pulsing like ours. He was poured from the same first fountain. And whether he, at last, goes to our stingy Heaven or not, he has terrestrial immortality. His life, not long, not short, knows no beginning, no ending. To him, life unstinted, unplanned, is above the accidents of time, and his years, markless and boundless, equal eternity." John Muir

Contra Costa County Court House is located in Martinez, the county seat of Contra Costa County.

"The bat­tles we have fought, and are still fight­ing for the forests is a part of the eter­nal con­flict between right and wrong, and we can­not expect to see the end of it. So we must count on watch­ing and striv­ing for these trees, and should always be glad to find any­thing so surely good and noble to strive for." John Muir

This chart shows the elevation changes encountered during this ramble. Click on the image to see the full-size graph.

"A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.” Dorothea Lange 

"Photography has not changed since its origin except in its technical aspects, which for me are not important." Henri Carter-Bresson

"There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer." Ansel Adams

"The important thing is not the camera but the eye." Alfred Eisenstaedt

The first volume of the San Francisco Bay Area Photo Blog contains galleries of photographs that were posted on the Internet between 2002 and 2011. Click Here to view those photos.

   A Sony camera was used to take these photographs.

Question or comment? I may be reached at neil@mishalov.com