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The photos on this page were taken by Robert Evilsizor who was Commanding Officer of Company "A", 839th Aviation Engineer Battalion during the construction of K-55, Osan AB in 1952. The photos were sent to me by Maj. Curley Knepp.
FORMING THE
RETAINING WALL
FORMING THE RETAINING WALL
FORMIING THE RETAINING WALL
PLACING CONCRETE
BACKFILLING
COMPLETED WALL
THIS BUILDING IS STILL STANDING ON OSAN AB TODAY. IT HOUSES BASE SUPPLY AND THE U.S.ARMY CONTRACTING COMMAND KOREA. OSAN OFFICE, THE RETAINING WALL AND LOADING PLATFORM ARE ALSO STILL THERE. THE TRACKS ARE ABOUT 18" HIGHER NOW. NOTICE THE INSCRIPTION ON THE WALL BELOW THE FUEL DRUM, IT IS STILL TERE.
WAREHOUSE AREA
AIRSTRIP PREPARATION
PILE DRIVING FOR BRIDGE
AIRSTRIP DRAINAGE CULVERT
AIRSTRIP DRAINAGE CULVERT
CRUSHING ROCK
MIXING CONCRETE FOR K-55
MIXING CONCRETE FOR K-55
PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE
PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE
CO "A" MESS HALL SLAB
BATTALION AREA
WHEN ROBERT WAS "CO" OF THE 839TH IN
1952 HE WAS A VERY IMAGINATIVE PERSON WHO ALWAYS LIKED TO HAVE AN ON GOING PERSONAL PROJECT. THE PILE DRIVING JOB
WAS HIS AS WELL AS THE ORIGINAL K- 55 CONTROL TOWER. HIS APPROACH AND EXECUTION OF THE PROJECT WAS UNIQUE TO SAY
THE LEAST. INSTEAD OF POURING 4 CONCRETE ANCHOR PIERS AND FABRICATE THE TOWER IN A VERTICAL POSITION HE CHOSE TO ASSEMBLE THE TOWER HORIZONTALLY AND THEN PLACE IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION USING TWO CRANES TO RAISE IT AND BOLT IT TO THE ANCHOR PIERS. THE NEXT THREE PHOTOS SHOW THE TOWER BEING PUT IN PLACE. HE DID WAIT THOUGH TO BUILD THE ENCLOSURE ON TOP AFTER THE TOWER WAS IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION.
K-55 EARLY CONSTRUCTION
K-55 NEARLY COMPLETED
HOUSING FOR INCOMING PERSONNEL
THE 839TH WAS VISITED ONE TIME IN 1952 BY PEOPLE FROM THE USO. IT SURELY WASN'T BOB HOPE BUT THEIR PRESENCE WAS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. THERE WERE 2 DANCERS,
1 ACCORDIAN PLAYER AND THE MASTER OF CEREMONIES WHO WAS A JUGGLER. IN THE BACKGROUND YOU CAN SEE A COUPLE OF GUYS WITH HORNS. ROBERT WAS ABLE TO FIND 5 OR 6 GUYS WHO WERE AGREEABLE TO PLAYING FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS INCLUDING SENDING OFF ROTATING PEOPLE BY PROVIDING AN ENTHUSIASTIC VERSION OF "SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY" WHICH WAS POPULAR AT THE TIME. ROBERT PLAYED TENOR SAX .
