Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Inside view of No Gun Ri

Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001 | 10:22 a.m.

Mike O'Callaghan is the Las Vegas Sun executive editor.

Editor's note: After hours, days and weeks spent in the Pentagon, National Archives and Korea, a final report on the No Gun Ri incident of July 1950 was released 10 days ago. Today, Mike O'Callaghan, one of eight "outside observers," shares some of his observations with Sun readers. These views were shared with Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen in a memo written Dec. 13, 2000. Also serving as one of the observers was Las Vegan Col. Young Oak Kim, a retired military hero of both World War II and Korea.

"THE ARMY'S report is thorough and fair and was written by men and women seeking the truth. They aren't diplomats, politicians or journalists, but Americans who have honor and want the whole truth about No Gun Ri known. ...

"During the past 13 months I have been impressed by the work of the Army investigation team led by Lt. Gen. Michael Ackerman. They followed every lead to a reasonable conclusion, or in some cases, because of the passage of 50 years, the inability to reach a definite conclusion. Following our interviews in both Korea and Washington I was amazed at the patience of U.S. investigators seeking only the whole truth despite roadblocks of time and some Korean and American reluctance to be forthcoming.

"Yes, sadly there were some civilians killed but the exact number losing their lives to U.S. ground and air attacks can't be determined. There is no evidence that it ever reached the high numbers given by some people but nevertheless the loss of even one innocent life is tragic. There were no mass graves and little information of the names and burial places of individuals was presented. Common sense, aerial photography and personal observations would put the number killed some place between 20 and 50. This is not a small number of deaths no matter what the situation.

"No solid evidence was presented which shows that a 7th Calvary officer or noncom gave an order to fire on the civilians. There is little doubt some soldiers assumed there was such an order given.

"Look at the complete report before accepting the claim by some that such orders were given. There is no solid evidence to back up such claims, which have resulted from conveniently cherry-picked quotes to make a point.

"One soldier said he did fire his machine gun at the civilians but 'nobody gave me orders.' Even this witness altered his story between interviews this past May and July. Passing time and recent publicity has cast a shadow over the testimony.

"The investigation also revealed that the first few days in combat for this unit were hectic and disorganized. These soldiers and officers weren't well prepared to face combat in a strange country that had already collapsed in front of a superior enemy force. They did the best they could and heroically slowed down the enemy advance long enough for support to arrive. ..."

There was much debate over issuing a U.S. apology for what took place. It was my opinion that we express regret for the loss of life but an official apology by our nation can't be justified.

Also debated was the demand by Koreans for monetary compensation. It was my opinion, "There isn't a clear-cut reason for monetary compensation to be paid to those now making claims. Who would receive payments and where would they begin and end?

"Thousands of American soldiers, who were drafted to save the ROK and the claimants, died in combat. Their wives or parents received six months gratuity pay and $10,000, period. The man who reaped the farm crops to pay off a mortgage; worked on the railroad to feed his family; or was a lumberjack and supported a widowed mother and siblings didn't come home. There was no opportunity to have lawyers plead for millions of additional dollars or any foreign government to pressure U.S. diplomats and Congress to provide the money."

I agreed that a memorial for all civilian Koreans killed during that war would be appropriate. My first choice was a scholarship program, but understood those who favored a monument.

The time and effort put into this project was rewarding. The other seven observers were distinguished in many fields of endeavor, including diplomacy, history, journalism, education, politics and military. Some of them have national and international reputations and four were ground combat leaders in Korea. Working with these Americans was my biggest reward when at the same time providing a public service.