Jamie Rivera: South Korea’s importance to the Vietnam War

By Marilyn Lucas, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

Like so many young men, Jaime was drafted into the army in 1967. He attended basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. After a great deal of thought, he decided to add a second year to his service giving him the opportunity for advanced training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Fort Sill was the center of training for the “Sergeant Missile” MGM-29. This was a tactical move on Jamie’s part, as he was sent to South Korea, Camp Colburn (which was considered a secret location) 3rd battalion B battery with 81st Artillery, thereby avoiding the battlefields of Vietnam.  The United States was concerned about the spread of communism throughout Southeast Asia and an alliance was formed between South Korea and the US in hopes of avoiding such an occurrence. 

While the four years of ROTC training at Crane high school in Chicago and a father who served in World War II as an MP prepared him with discipline and respect, it did not cover the feelings of isolation brought on by the war years. His brother was serving in Vietnam at the same time he was in South Korea. Rather than foster these feelings of isolation, Jaime reached out to a fellow G.I. and the two of them began decorating the social room on the post. Putting their efforts together with painting murals and photography, they turned the room into a joyful and pleasant atmosphere; although they did take some criticism over their snoopy murals! This wasn’t enough for Jaime. He started a campaign to raise money for local orphaned  children. Using both the G.I.s at the post and their families back in the states, he changed the lives of many of these Korean children. His campaign raised thousands of dollars. He did not stop with the orphans. He went on to provide support for wounded G.I.’s and their families. Fortunately, Jamie was also able to pursue his photography hobby on the post as there was a dark room to develop film. He photographed Korean children and a great deal of landscape pictures of the individual hamlets. This opportunity set him up for a career pursuit of photography. Upon returning to the states, Jamie enrolled in the Art Institute and completed four years. He developed a fascination with human behavior, facilitated in photography “photo therapy“. 

If the orphanage and wounded soldiers project wasn’t enough activity, he and a group of GIs formed a rhythm and blues band at the post to entertain the soldiers in the social room. Jaime played the drums. The group was so good that other posts were requesting the band to perform at their NCO clubs. Unfortunately, he laughingly said, “their commander put a stop to their traveling musician show as it was not quite what the army wanted them doing while in South Korea”.

The somewhat relaxed atmosphere changed suddenly with the capture of USS Pueblo.  The  focus of the entire post was now directed to the MGM – 29 Sergeant and maintaining security in South Korea. The MGM-29 Sergeant was an American short- range solid fuel surface to surface ballistic guided missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads with a range up to 85 miles developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The sergeant was the third and last in a series of JOL rockets for the US Army, whose names correspond to the progression of army enlisted ranks starting with Private and Corporal. While requiring an eight-man crew, these missiles were assembled within minutes rather than hours. They were also immune to enemy counter measures and rather easy to assemble and maintain. With the USS Pueblo capture, 8 man crews were sent into the fields to man the Sergeant Missiles and protect from the possible invasion of North Korean commandos. These missiles played an integral part in the protection of South Korea. As Jaime explained, the so-called SECRET camp was hardly a secret nor were the missiles.

Like so many GIs returning from Vietnam, Jamie was met with rocks and the occasional spit. He did not let this deter his spirit. After graduating from the Art Institute, he pursued a career in visual arts for 14 years. Following his need to pursue service, he went into social work. He chased his passion for helping youth.

Loyal to his heritage and his passion for service, Jaime became actively involved in the national campaign for the Congressional Medal of Honor for the  Puerto Rican division 65th infantry regiment. They were the first segregated Hispanic unit and the first  unit to serve in the Korean War. Jamie was appointed the state/regional coordinator for the “Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Alliance”. As coordinator, he was responsible for educating the public regarding 65th infantry division. Their goal was to garner the support of people and encourage them to contact their congressman in order to pass this bill. 

From ROTC, to South Korea, to the Art Institute, and the many years of social service, this SP5 has lived a very full life. Jaime received the National Defense, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service, and The  Republic of Vietnam Medals for his service. 

In his own words, Jaime has celebrated life with his wife Enid, who he married while in college at the Art Institute, and their  four children and seven grandchildren.

Jaime, thank you for your years of service to our country. Enjoy your day of honor as you experience Washington D.C…..and We look forward to WELCOMING YOU HOME!