Originated: 1964
Chartered: December 14, 1970
Original Location: Victoria Hotel, Songton-Si, Korea, 1964 - 1977 (moved to Anjung-Ri for 1 year
in 1969)
First
Commander-in-Chief: H. R. Rainwater
Current Location: Songtan Si, Pyongtaek, South Korea just outside the
main gate of Osan Air Base in the basement level of the Pacific Hotel
Post Name: The post is named after the famous Korean War
Battle of Bayonet Hill in 1951 led by Army
Capt Lewis Lee "Red" Millett who received the
Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during that battle.
According to Ron Davis, past Post 10216 Commander and Past District Commander,
much of the history of VFW Post 10216 was lost in the flood of 2000 which
destroyed the post. All that seems to have been salvaged were some old
water-logged photos and documents.
VFW Post 10216 is one of the longest
continuously operating posts in Korea, starting in 1964 (chartered in 1970).
It was originally located in the basement of the Victoria Hotel from 1964-1977,
then went through several relocations before finally finding a home in the
basement of the Pacific Hotel.
As one enters the Post, there are tables around the room and a pool table.
To the left is the bar. The walls are decorated with pictures of a military
theme and there is a shelf of military aircraft models. The atmosphere is
friendly and a smile greets you when you approach the bar. And there is a
dedication wall to the Tuskegee Airmen in honor of our own Tuskegee Airmen MSgt (Ret) James
”Jim” Price who unfortunately passed away on 20 Jul 2008.
Jim had been with Post 10216 since its beginning.
In
Feb 1998 VFW Post 10216 sponsored now retired Colonel Millett's return
to the scene of his historic battle for the very first time since that
battle on Hill 180. He was invited as the guest speaker during the
annual
Hill 180 Memorial Ceremony that year and on 6 Feb gave a most
memorable and tear invoking speech.
Sponsored by
VFW Post 10216 and the
8th US Army 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment-Korea (BDC) COL
Millett returned to Osan AB every year following through 2003 to
participate in the Hill 180 ceremonies and spend time with the members
of the VFW
post named in his honor.
In 2000 COL
Millett helped dedicate a stone on Hill 180 to the first 6 US personnel
to die at the onset of the Korean War. In 2001 he attended
the Hill 180 ceremony during a 50th Korean War anniversary specifically
honoring his actions. In 2002 the BCD dedicated the 'Millett Room'
in the BCD headquarters building to him. And in 2003 COL Millett
spent time at the Osan BX signing pictures and visiting with the many
service members and family members of the Osan and surrounding military
community.
During each
visit the
Medal of Honor recipient has been honored and welcomed as a distinguished guest of VFW Post 10216.
History information last updated Feb 2011
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