"The Axe Murders" and Operation Paul Bunyan

18 August 2001 Marks the 25th Anniversary at the JSA

(North) Korean People's Army soldiers attack US Joint Security Force soldiers
on a tree-trimming operation 18 August 1976 at Panmunjom.

Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom

The Red Arrows show the North Koreans and weapons
(Pictures from Korean Ed. of Pacific "Stars & Stripes")

On Wednesday 18 August 1976 at 1040 hours in the morning, a United Nations Command (UNC) work force of five Korean Service Corps (KSC) personnel accompanied by and UNC security force, including the Joint Security Force (JSF) Commander, Captain (P) Arthur G. Bonifas of Newburgh, New York, First Lieutenant Mark T. Barrett of Columbia, South Carolina, and one Republic of (South) Korean Army (ROKA) officer started to prune a large tree in the vicinity of UNC Check Point #3. This tree partially obscured the view between UNC Check Point #3 and UNC Check Point #5. In addition the unpruned tree was also blocking the view of the "Bridge of No Return" from "Freedom House." Shortly after the KSC work force arrived at the tree and began to cut it back, (North) Korean People's Army (KPA) personnel appeared at the work site. For a short time, the KPA security force observed the pruning without apparent concern. Suddenly, the KPA security force commander demanded that the JSF commander cease pruning or there would be trouble. Captain Bonifas did not order the operation stopped. Senior Lieutenant Pak Chul of the KPA, seeing that he was losing control, took off his wristwatch, wrapped it in his handkerchief and put it in his pocket. Another North Korean rolled up his sleeves. Lieutenant Pak then shouted "MI KUN UL CHU KI GI CHA." Translated, it means, "Kill the U.S. Aggressors."; the UNC security force was attacked by a superior force of 30 KPA guards wielding pick handles, knives, clubs, and axes. Senior Lieutenant Pak jumped on Captain Bonifas from the back forcing him to the ground where Bonifas was beaten to death. 1LT Barrett was also attacked. The KPA soldiers used the mattox and axes the tree trimming detail was using prune the tree as weapons. The North Korean attack was broken up when a UNC soldier drove his 2 1/2 ton truck into the fight and over Captain Bonifas to protect him. The UNC Security Force then withdrew but not before two American Army Officers were murdered and, a ROKA officer, three Korean Augmentees to the US Army (KATUSA) and four US enlisted men were wounded.

The UNC's response to the North Korean attack in the JSA was the planning and execution of "Operation Paul Bunyan."

The primary American combat ground unit in the Republic of Korea is the US Army's 2nd Infantry (Indianhead) Division (2ID). Elements of the divison were normally deployed tactically in camps north of Seoul to the DMZ and in from of the west coast about 40 kilometers. On any given day large elements of the division are in the field training for combat - 18 August 1976 was no exception. Upon notification of the murders at the JSA, all units of the UNC including I Corps (ROK/US) Group, all ROKA units, and the 2ID then under the command of Major General Morris J. Brady, were alerted and told to prepare for action. Some 2ID units were in the field training, and were above the Imjin River and its tributaries.

Swollen river around Santa Barbara Range. The river is over 200 feet wide
and over 60 feet deep. Normally the river is only 40 feet wide and 3 feet deep.

This proved to be no small obstacle, for about 20 kilometers east of Panmunjom several bridges over the river had been rendered uncrossable due to high water from the previous three days of rain. The only bridge available to get back south for units training in the Santa Barbara Range area was the bridge at "Little Chicago." By the morning of 19 August 1976 those elements which were required to return to base camps to prepare for combat had done so and were deployed to their war positions to await orders.

[For those of you who have never been to Korea, getting around the country on the ground is not as easy as it would be in the United States. There are always many hills, mountains, valleys, streams, or rivers to cross. Most roads are single lane unimproved and unpaved. If unempeaded, a trip of 20 kilometers can take an hour in a single vehicle. If there is bad weather the trip could take much longer.]

Meanwile, the governments of South Korea, and the United States confired on all possible courses of action. All of us stationed in Korea at the time knew we could not let the North Koreans have their way, or there would be much more trouble later. Once the decision was made by governments involved, the planning for "Operation Paul Bunyan" began. The US Air Force moved in units from the Continental United States (CONUS), Okinawa, and Guam to Korea; and the US Navy moved the 7th Fleet consistinng of the USS Midway carrier battlegroup to Korean Waters.

All units of the 2ID continued to improve their war fighting capabilities by moving to their war positions or locations designated by the Division Commander to support the operation. Battalion Ammunition Officers throughout the division were ordered to distribute their units "Basic Loads" and prepare for resupply operations.

Width of the DMZ in Korea is approzimately four kilometers with
two kilometers are above and below the "Military Demarcation Line (MDL)."

From 18 August 1976 through the morning of 21 August 1976 tensions along the DMZ were particularly tense. The North Koreans tried several times to shootdown US military aircraft patroling just south of the southern boundry of the DMZ. The defensive radar sites were scanning very high amounts of increased activity on the Northern side of the DMZ. Soldiers of the quick reaction force of the 2d Battalion, 9th Infantry (Manchu), 2ID, waited on a helicopter pad just minutes away from the JSA at Camps Kitty Hawk and Liberty Bell. Meanwhile elements of the 2ID Division Artillery were positioned at firing point 4P1 (North of the Imjin River) and at (South of the Imjin River) Camp Pelhem in Munsan Ni/Songuri; the home of the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery (DS). In addition, firing batteries from the 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery (DS) had also deployed to positions close enough to support Operation Paul Bunyan.

Elsewhere in the 2nd Infantry Division area, tensions were very high. All personnel were preparing for combat, even the biggest duds turned into soldiers. The troops were especially interested in what was happening at Panmunjom while we prepared for war, the mood turned from shock after receiving the news of the murders to "Lets go cut that damn tree down." If the North Koreans really wanted to make an issue over it - we would be only to happy to oblige them.

On Saturday 21 August 1976, everything was ready. All units who were to participate in "Operation Paul Bunyan" were in position and personnel briefed." Coordination between ROK military and US military units was well exercised.

At 0645 hours, the UN JSA Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Vierra gave a message to the "Joint Duty Officer" (JDO) to be handed to his KPA (North Korean) counterpart. The message stated that at 0700 hours this day a UNC work force would be entering the "security area" of the JSA and commence to pruning the tree in vicinity of CP3. In addition, the message stated that should there be no interference, the work force would depart the JSA compound."

At 0700 hours, Task Force Vierra entered the JSA security compound and moved directly to the Poplar tree next to CP3. Along with the work force was approximately 60 ROK Special Forces soldiers forming a ring around the 16 engineer soldiers from the 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2ID, cutting the tree. In addition, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry (Manchu), 2ID moved into position as a quick reaction force to support the Task Force Vierra. Behind the 2/9th was a forward observer from the 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery (Steel Behind the Rock), 2ID waiting for orders to fire a massed artillery strike. Behind him were AH-1 "Cobra" gunships orbiting just out of site beyond the ridges, then F-111 Fighter Bombers, and behind and way above them were B-52 Stratofortresses.

21 August 1976 - Task Force Vierra and members of the
2nd Engineer Battalion starting to cut the "Axe Murder Tree" down

As the engineers began cutting the tree, there was little or no reaction from the North Koreans. They were totally taken by surprise, and had no clue about what they should do because of the show of force made by the ROKUS forces was so unexpected.

Waiting for a reaction by the North Koreans as the tree is being cut down.
This group US soldiers includes members of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion,
9th Infantry and forward observers including those from the
1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery (Note: the radios)

Two large branches down, one to go - "TIMBER!"

Reporting - "Mission Accomplished"
Notice that none of the soldiers in the pictures
have any firearms. No automatic weapons are
allowed in the JSA, hence, the mattox handles.

Cleaning up and preparing to move out.

Moving out - Mission Complete

When the engineers had completed there mission of cutting the tree down, Task Force Vierra, the JSA Security Force and all vehicles departed the JSA compound.

2nd Infantry Division engineers cutting down the
Axe-Murder Tree near CP3 during
OPERATION PAUL BUNYAN
(Picture from Sept 76 Issue of "Indianhead")

However, "Operation Paul Bunyan" was not over, only the overt part of the operation had been completed. Over the next few weeks the units of the 2nd Infantry Division and UNC Joint Security Force - JSA remained on a high state of alert to counteract any military action taken by the North Koreans.

View of Command Post 3 and the "Axe Murder Tree" cut down to nine feet. The tree was later removed
altogether. The "Bridge of No Return" is to the right of CP 3

The "Military Demarcation Line" between North and South Korea with the
"Bridge of No Return." One of the most isolated spots in the world.

View of Command Post 3 - the "Axe Murder Tree" has been removed completely. Today,
a monument dedicated to MAJ Bonifas and 1LT Barrett is located where the tree use to be..

8th United States Army
I Corps (ROKUS) Group
51st Signal Battalion, I Corps
2nd Infantry Division
Task Force Brady
Armord Task Force - 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry; 1st Battalion, 72nd Armor
2nd Aviation Battalion
52nd Avaition Battalion
1st Battalion, 9th Infantry (Manchu)
2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry (Manchu)
4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry
2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery (DS)
1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery (DS)
6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery (GS)
Task Force Vierra
JSA Security Force
B Company, 2nd Engineer Battalion
D Company, 44th Engineer Battalion
1st ROK Division Reconaissance Company
1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry
1st ROK Special Forces Brigade
38th ADA Brigade
Various US Air Force units (F-4s, F-111s, B-52s)
US Navy 7th Fleet & the aircraft carrier USS Midway

MSG Anthony H. Ball (USAR Retired)
1st Platoon, Joint Security Force
Joint Security Area (JSA), Panmunjom
United Nations Command
Camp Kitty Hawk
Rank at the time of OPN PB - Specialist 4 
SFC Mike Bilbo
2nd Platoon, Joint Security Force
Joint Security Area (JSA), Panmunjom
United Nations Command
Camp Kitty Hawk
Rank at the time of OPN PB - Specialist 4

MAJ Michael E. Brouillette
2nd Platoon, Joint Security Force
Joint Seciruty Area (JSA)
Panmunjom
United Nations Command
Camp Kitty Hawk
Rank at the time of OPN PB - PFC

SGG Bobby Garner
CSC, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Hovey
Rank at the time of OPB - SGT

Thomas Edward Gehring
B Battery, 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery (DS)
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Stanley
Rank at the time of OPB PV2

Sgt. Erich Geppert III
USAF, 3rd Security Police Gp, 3rd Law Enforcement Sq.
Clark AB, Phillippines
assigned to Taegue AB, Korea for Operation Paul Bunyun
Rank in August 1976, AMN (E-2)

SP4 Stephen Herschel
C Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry (MANCHU)
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Greaves
Rank at time of OPB - PFC

SGT Wayne Johnson
A Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry (MANCHU)
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Liberty Bell
Rank at the time of OPN PB - PFC

1LT Pat Kelley
B Company, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Howze
Rank at the time of OPB - 2LT

LTC Wayne Kirkbride ,US Army (Retired)
Adjutant, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry (MANCHU)
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Greaves
Rank at the time of OPN PB - CPT

SGT Bill Labombarde
B Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry (MANCHU)
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Hovey
Rank at the time of OPN PB - PFC

SGT Mark Luttrull
Joint Security Force Company Headquarters
Joint Security Area (JSA), Panmunjom
United Nations Command
Camp Kitty Hawk
Rank at the time of OPN PB - SP4

SSG. Paul Marlatt

B Company, 1st. Battalion, 9th. Infantry (MANCHU)

2nd Infantry Division
Camp Hovey

Rank at the time of OPN PB - CPL

LTC Theo Middleton, USAR (Retired)
Platoon Leader, C Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Hovey
Rank at the time of OPN PB - 2LT

SGT Jack R. Parris
A Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry (Manchu)
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Liberty Bell
Rank at the time of OPN PB - SGT

SGT Charles Pendleton
B Battery, 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Essayons
Rank at the time of OPN PB - CPL

SGT Stephen Sprague
A Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry (Manchu)
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Liberty Bell
Rank at the time of OPN PB - PFC

LTC Eric J. Sprengle, USAR (Retired)
XO, Service Battery, 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Stanley
Rank at the time of OPN PB - 1LT

SFC Rich Stanley, USA (Retired)
4th Patoon (DMZ), 2nd MP Company
Camp Pelham
Rank at the time of OPB - SGT E5

Hershel Stowell
CSC (Recon), 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Greaves
Rank at the time of OPB - SGT E5

SGT Gary L. Travis
A Company (Mortars), 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry (Manchu)
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Liberty Bell
Rank at the time of OPN PB - SP4
1SG Curtis R. VanOver, ARNG (Retired)
B Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry
2nd Infantry Division
Camp Hovey
Rank at time of OPN PB - SGT
No new names are being added to the list at this time. Please communicate with Wayne Johnson to get in contact with other participants.

Since the ceasefire was signed in July 1953, the United States has suffered over 300 casualties in Korea as a direct result of armed conflict with the North Korean Peoples Army.

In Memory of all Americans killed in DMZ related incidents in the Republic of Korea since August 1953.

Brown, Capt. Charles W. - unknown unit - d. 08/17/55

Anderson, LTC. DeLynn E. - AFAG - d. 04/20/61

Rimer, Pfc. Richard J. - 15th Artillery, 1st Cav - d. 10/03/62

Johnson, SP4 James A. - 1st Cav - d. 11/20/62

Dillingham, 2 Lt. Jimmy E. - 1st Cav - d. 08/10/62

Dessart, Pfc. Charles T. III - 9th Cav, 1st Cav - d. 07/29/63

Capp, Pfc. Raymond Jr. - 1st Cav - d. 08/19/63

Seiler, Pvt. David A. - 9th Cav, 1st Cav - d. 07/29/63

Larion, Cpl. George F. - 30th Artillery, 7th ID - d. 07/30/63

Hensley, Sgt. James - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 11/02/66

Benton, Pfc. John - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 11/02/66

Burrell, Pfc. Robert - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 11/02/66

Fisher, Pvt. Morris - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 11/02/66

Hasty, Pvt. Les - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 11/02/66

Reynolds, Pvt. Ernie - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 11/02/66

Tyler, SP4 Press Jr. - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 02/12/67

Mueller, SP4 Carl R. - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 05/22/67

Smith, Pvt. Baron J. - 23d Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 05/22/67

Ashforth, SP4 Leonard - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 07/16/67

Boyd, Pfc. Tommy D. - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 07/16/67

Gibbs, Pfc. John L. - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 07/16/67

Boudreaux, Pfc. Philip - 31st Rgt., 7th ID - d. 08/10/67

Czaplicki, Pfc. Donald J. - 31st Rgt., 7th ID - d. 08/10/67

Skaggs, Pfc. Jerry D. - 31st Rgt., 7th ID - d. 08/10/67

Cook, SP4 Billy J. - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - d. 08/22/67

Vogel, SP4 Michael E. - 76th Engr. Bn. - d. 08/28/67

Rivers, Pfc. Curtis - 76th Engr. Bn - d. 08/28/67

Corp, Sgt. Philip N. - 38th Rgt., 2nd ID - 08/29/67

Lund, Pfc. Paul G. - 38th Rgt., 2nd ID - 08/39/67

McKee, Pfc. Edgar A. Jr. - 38th Rgt., 2nd ID - 08/29/67

Arcemont, S/Sgt. Terry G. - 2nd ID - 10/07/67

Hodges, SN Duane D. - USS Pueblo - 01/68

Martin, Sgt. Paul W. - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - 01/24/68

Mojica, Pvt. Salvator T. - 72nd Armor, 2nd ID - 01/26/68

Anderson, Sgt. James L. - USA Support Group, Joint Security Area - 04/14/68

Wood, SP4 Larry M. - USA Support Group, Joint Security Area - 04/14/68

Bisbee, Pvt. Robert R. - 31st Rgt, 7th ID - 04/21/68

Weeks, 2nd Lt. James L. - 2nd ID - 07/20/68

Holmdahl, SP4 Jan S. - 7th ID - 07/20/68

Rymarczuk, SP4 Michael - 23rd Rgt., 2nd ID - 07/30/68

Peterson, Pfc. Terrance A. - 38th Rgt., 2nd ID - 08/05/68

Bass, S/Sgt. Joseph A. - 32nd Rgt., 7th ID - 08/18/68

Hopkins, Sgt. Jerry L. - 32nd Rgt, 7th ID - 08/18/68

Cayer, SP4 Joseph E. Jr. - 2nd ID - 09/27/68

Reynolds, Pfc. Michael B. - 2nd ID - 09/27/68

Nassani, SP4 Stephen A. - 2nd ID - 10/05/68

Turner, Pfc. David L. - 38th Rgt., 2nd ID - 10/23/68

Lindsey, Pfc. Calvin Lee - 23rd Rgt, 2nd ID - 03/15/69

Keren, SP4 Peter M. - 23rd Inf., 7th ID - 03/15/69

McKinney, S/Sgt. George T. - 23rd Inf., 7th ID - 03/15/69

Park, Capt. (Med. Dr.) Benjamin Jr. - 121st Evac Hospital - 03/15/69

Rothwell, Maj. (pilot) James T. - 377th Med Co - 03/15/69

Stoller, SP4 Edwin L. - 377th Med Co. - 03/15/69

Zanchi, SP5 Carroll C. - 377th Med Co. - 03/15/69

Grissinger, S/Sgt. James R. - 7th ID - 10/18/69

Taylor, SP4 Charles E. - 7th ID - 10/18/69

Morris, SP4 Jack L. - 7th ID - 10/18/69

Grimes, Pfc. William E. - 7th ID - 10/18/69

Ballinger, CDR Robert M. - UN Command, Joint Observation Team - 11/20/74

Barrett, 1st Lt. Mark T. - UNC - 08/18/76 - "Axe Murders"

Bonifas, Capt. Arthur G. - UNC - 08/18/76 - "Axe Murders"

Haynes, Sgt. Robert - 2nd Aviation Bn- 06/14/77 - Helicopter shot down

Miles, CWO Joseph - 2nd Aviation Bn - 06/14/77 - Helicopter shot down

Wells, Sgt. Donald - 2nd Aviation Bn - 06/14/77 - Helicopter shot down

Anderson, SFC Thomas L. - 2nd Infantry Division - 12/07/79

Hilemon, CWO2 David - 17th Avn. Brigade. - 12/17/95

United States Forces Korea

REFERENCES:

Atkinson, Rick, The Long Gray Line - The American Journey of the West Point Class of 1966, Houghton Mifflin, Boston, 1989. Chapter 16 - "The Poplar Tree" tells the story of Major Arthur Bonifas at Panmunjom and the events after his death dealing with his family.

Benbow, David., DMZ Killed in Action List, The National DMZ Veterans Organization.,

Bilbo, Mike, "Excerpts from 13 - Month Diary", UNCJSF-JSA, 1976, copyrited by Mike Bilbo, 2001. Thank you for your trust and dedication to tell the story of 'Operation Paul Bunyan." Mike was an active participant in "Operation Paul Bunyan at the Joint Security Area - Panmunjom.

Indianhead, unofficial monthly newspaper of the 2nd Infantry Division, September 1976.

Johnson, Wayne, for providing many of the photos which appear on the Mike Bilbo Diary page, many of which are new to the public. Thank you for your trust and dedication to tell the story of 'Operation Paul Bunyan." Wayne was an active participant in "Operation Paul Bunyan" at the Joint Security Area - Panmunjom.

Kirkbride, Wayne A., DMZ - Story of the Panmunjom Axe Murder, 2nd Ed, Hollym International Corp., Elizabeth, New Jersey, 1984. Single best source on "Operation Paul Bunyan." Major Kirkbride was an active participant in "Operation Paul Bunyan" in and around Panmunjom on 21 August 1976. The book is based on his personal experiences and interviews with key personnel including the 2nd Infantry Division Commander, and 8th Army Commander. Out of Print

Kirkbride, Wayne A., North Koreas Undeclaired War 1953 - ,Weatherhill, 1995. Another good book by Major Kirkbride on Korea and problems created by North Korea.

Kirkbride, Wayne A., Panmunjom - Facts About the Korean DMZ, Hollym International Corp., Elizabeth, New Jersey, 1985. A pictorial history of the Korean Demilitorized Zone. Book includes all the major events that have occurred along the DMZ and at Panmunjom up to the point of the books publication.

Luttrull, Mark, for providing comments and input about "Operation Paul Bunyan." Mark was an active participant in "Operation Paul Bunyan" at the Joint Security Area - Panmunjom.

Pacific Stars and Stripes newspaper, 19 - 22 August 1976 (Korean Edition), the 5 minute newspaper that never provided enough information on anything to those service personnel stationed in Korea.

Singlaub, John K.., Hazardous Duty: An American Soldier in the Twentieth Century, Touchstone, Simon & Schuster, 1991. Book By Major General Singlaub, the Chief of Staff, United States Forces Korea in 1976 - 1977.Chapter 12 concerns the strategic and high level operational conciderations of "Operation Paul Bunyan." Chapter 13 continues to explain in detail the situation in Korea and about General Singlaub's relief of duty in Korea, and essentially a forced retirement by President Jimmy Carter all because of politics. Most of those stationed in Korea at the time knew the situation better then the President and his advisors - the book displays American politics at its not so finest hour. A must read for those interested in the far east and especially Korea. Well documented.

Sprengle, Eric J., Personal Experiences of the webmaster who was a member of the 1st Battalion, 38th Field Artillery (DS), 2nd Infantry Division at the time of "Operation Paul Bunyan" in August 1976.

Awarded