Gloster Hill Memorial Park — Local services in Paju-si

July 1991. US 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey.

Some fellow military history buffs and I headed out via Humvee to Gloster Hill to see what we could find. Back then there was a much more modest monument at the base of the hill and a Republic of Korea Army post on the other side. Since the ROK Army controlled access to the hill itself we asked for, and were granted, permission to climb and dig on the battlefield.

It was a hot humid climb up a steep grade but once we got to the top we enjoyed the view, then began hunting for artifacts. The ROK army had done most of the work for us already, whole area was laced with trenches, all the ground had been turned over.

We searched with the help of a mine detector and our e-tools, finding shell fragments, stripper clips, grenade spoons and live ammo, both Chinese and British.

After our dig we descended the slope, visited the monument and returned to Camp Casey. We donated our relics to the battalion museum but kept one item apiece (I still have it all these years later, a spent casing from a Chinese rifle).

A once in a lifetime experience. Glad to see the Koreans have maintained and improved this...

It was a pilgrimage of sorts for me. My uncle, Dennis Woodhart, was with and survived this action with the Glorious Gloucesters. To see the place and the monument and tributes to their bravery and sacrifice and to see how the South Korean people was a profound experience. My son is currently serving with US Force Korea. As was said to me, the Korea he defends would not exist without the actions of those who fought here. Thank you to the Korean people for their hospitality and faithfulness to create and maintain...

Gloster park is interesting memorial telling the story of Imjin river battle during the Korean war. Beautiful area is just north from Seoul in Paju. There is good hiking route to Gamak mountain. Just turn left from the temple. Right path is quite...