OinK! Only in Korea!: Based on true events that happened in and around the Demilitarized Zone, Republic of Korea circa 1980. - Softcover

Osterhout, David H

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0997676000 ISBN 13: 9780997676006

Publisher: O-Zone Press, 2016

Synopsis

In 1980, between Vietnam and Desert Storm, America was experiencing a seventeen-year period of relative peace. One of the few places a young army officer could find adventure was on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea, Freedom's Frontier. Day two after arriving in country, Lieutenant Osterhout reported to the 1st of the 9th INF at Camp Greaves, the pointy end of the spear that was the American contribution to the forces in the DMZ. Minutes after his arrival, he was in a truck on his way to Panmunjon. Later the same week he was wounded by a North Korean booby trap.

Lieutenant Osterhout's daily routine was anything but ordinary: A shooting incident occurred every ten days and there were thirty-three combat dearths during the year. The casualties came from small arms fire, minefields, short rounds, and drownings, amongst others. The patrols were long and cold. The guard posts were desolate. Guarding the Freedom Bridge was unrelentingly boring, until enemy frogmen shattered the monotony. The most feared affliction was river blindness: going down to the river and getting your eyes shot out. Peace, in the DMZ, had a strange definition.

However, it is an interesting story, like the ones told around the kitchen table or over drinks. When told, people become quiet, and listen. The reader will be completely entertained and amazed at what happened to one man in the Land of the Not Quite Right. Go to any bookstore and you will see racks of books about Vietnam, World War II and Iraq/Afghanistan. Noticeably missing are books about Korea. This is an exceptional military tale not only because it takes place in Korea, but it is also about a peacetime military and the sacrifices soldiers make even when they are not at war. OinK! Only in Korea! is a must read for veterans and there are millions of them who served in Korea during the time of the truce. This book brings to people a story that should be told and that will allow the lieutenant to finally lay his peacetime war to rest.

About this title

About the Author

David Osterhout grew up in east Texas and graduated from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Criminal Justice, He joined the Army as an Intelligence Officer and was stationed on the DMZ in Korea. After a career changing injury, he attended Southwest Texas State University receiving a degree in Accounting. He was hired by the Texas Department of State Health Services and worked in the administrative offices of the state hospital in San Antonio, Texas. While in San Antonio he attended Our Lady of The Lake University and received a Masters of Business Administration. Four hospitals and 32 years later, he is an Assistant Superintendent, with retirement right around the corner. After the 911 attacks on the World Trade Center, he joined the Texas State Guard and had the honor of commanding the 39th Military Police Brigade during relief operations for hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Colonel Osterhout is now assigned to the Texas State Guard headquarters. A two-time cancer survivor, he lives in El Paso, Texas with his wife Cheryl and his two little rescue dogs, Lucy and Wilson.

Review

"This book was the most interesting book I have read in years." - Army Dependent "I love this book." - Army Medic "Reading this book brought back a flood of memories." - Korean Veteran "I laughed out loud." - Korean Veteran "I didn't feel like I was reading a book, rather I was listening to a story told by a friend who shares some of his deepest thoughts and unique experiences." - Retired Army Major "I found myself unable to put this book down." - Retired Army CW3 "Wonderful memoir." - Clinical Psychologist "I found this book to be funny and heartbreaking; realistic and tough, with no holding back." - Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel "This book was one of the best and most entertaining I have read in a long time." - Sergeant Veteran."

Edition details

• Publisher: O-Zone Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0997676000
• ISBN 13: 9780997676006
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 324