(from the November 1969 edition of The Hallmark)

The Republic of Korea is a land of beauty, tradition and modernization. Its name means high (ko) and clear (ryu), symbolizing the country's towering mountains, clear blue skies and rushing streams.

Covering only 85,000 square miles (about the size of the Carolinas), Korea varies in terrain from semi-barren rugged mountains in the north to flat rice paddy land in the south.

Located in the midst of this is USASA Group Korea which, in addition to a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, includes several outlying companies and their detachments.

Group Korea traces its history to the 501st ASA Communications Reconnaissance Group. In May 1951, the 501st was ordered to Korea from Camp Pickett, VA, to support the Eighth U.S. Army.

During the Korean War, the 501st participated in six campaigns and by the end of the war. July 27, 1953, it had received the Meritorious Unit Citation of the United States Army and the Republic of Korea's Presidential Unit Citation.

In 1957, the Group was redesignated the 508th USASA Group. This new name was to last a little more than 10 years. It has been officially known as the USASA Group Korea since December 1967.

Today, the Group's Headquarters and Headquarters Company is only 20 minutes from the Eighth U.S. Army and 15 minutes from downtown Seoul.

In addition to the companies and detachments, there is an aviation section attached to the group. It is fondly known as "The Teeny Weeny Airlines" because of its versatility under extreme conditions.

Company B has a detachment which has the distinction of being the northernmost unit in Korea. Although men stationed there are not authorized combat pay, they do have the opportunity to observe an occasional fire fight.

The ASA Operations Company, Pyong Taek, has two isolated detachments: Alpha on the west coast and Bravo on the east coast of the Republic. From Seoul, there are two flights weekly to Detachment Alpha, but it takes eight hours of driving over hazardous mountain terrain to reach Detachment Bravo. Imagination is the only limit when it comes to seeing and doing things in Korea.

Traveling by horse and carriage is no longer necessary. Today, one can go anywhere in the country by bus, rail, air or ship.

A popular way to see Korea is by taking the package tours sponsored by the Ministry of Transportation. There tours include transportation, lodging, meals and sightseeing.

Agency personnel will find cities with modern, air-conditioned theaters showing American, British and Korean films. Other diversions to be enjoyed are drama, dances, symphony orchestras, opera, baseball, fishing, hiking and swimming.

Western meals can be found at all western-type hotels and at many restaurants in the cities and resort areas. Prices depend on the elaborateness of the meal and the quality of the restaurant. For those interested in oriental foods, Chinese, Japanese and Korean restaurants can be found in the larger cities.

Popular gathering places are the Tea Rooms. Here one can sit at a table, chat with friends, listen to music and enjoy either tea or coffee.

Wherever ASA personnel are stationed, post activities are plentiful and at one there is even the "Holy Hole."

Located at Kangwha-Do, the "Holy Hole" appears to be an extinct volcano shaft, although legend has it that the first Korean came from it.

ASA's Operations Company Kanghwa-Do, by the way, is located on the island of Kanghwa. At present the Operations Company is accessible only by ferry. A bridge, however, is currently under construction and should be completed sometime in 1970.

No matter where you are stationed in Korea, the tour is bound to be exciting and challenging. The knowledge that you have contributed to the essential mission of the command in this land of beauty steeped in tradition and forward in modernization will truly be a rewarding experience.