Call Sign Purple Three: Patrolling the Us Sector of the Korean Dmz

by Mark Heathco

Although a cease-fire agreement was signed in Panmunjeom on July 27, 1953, fighting between North and South Korea never stopped. The hot war was replaced by a low-intensity war. Terrorism, assassinations, infiltration of spies, and the like replaced tank battles and artillery duels. Until 1993, the United States patrolled its sector of the DMZ (demilitarized zone) in South Korea. In Call Purple Three, author Mark Heathco, who pulled 385 missions inside the DMZ during his military career, describes the preparation for a dangerous patrol in August 1985. This memoir follows the soldiers as they arrive at Warrior Base, refit for war, move to the tent area, prep their gear, receive a patrol operations order, study the patrol information, rehearse, undergo inspection, and finally execute the patrol itself. They encounter many dangers and obstacles-even a North Korean or two-as well as navigating the minefields that lace the patrol sector. With great detail, Call Purple Three provides keen insight into the Korean DMZ at a time when the world thought all was well in Korea, but in reality chaos was just a hair trigger away. This insider's memoir offers an understanding of what these soldiers did and the sacrifices they made.

210 pages, Paperback

First published June 19, 2013

Reviews

[Jeffrey Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having visited the JSA (Joint Security Area) and Panmunjom numerous times as a feature writer for The Korea Times from 2000-2003, I have always wondered what it must have been like for the men serving up along the DMZ, what former U.S. President Bill Clinton called, "the scariest place on earth."

Now, Mark Heathco in his riveting and intense memoir of patrolling the DMZ, Call Sign Purple Three: Patrolling the US Sector of the Korean DMZ, tells readers what was like having to patrol the area known as “no man’s land” between the two Koreas.

We follow Heathco and his team as they prepare for a day mission and night ambush along the US sector of the Korean DMZ. From equipment checks to learning call signs and codes, we are with Heathco and his team every step of the way. Although this might seem just a routine patrol along the DMZ, Heathco reminds readers that there is nothing routine about these patrols that “at any time while on patrol inside the DMZ, you could be shot dead, and there is not a damn thing you can do about it.”

Although there are no U.S. patrols now, Heathco reminds readers that at one time these patrols were a part of the U.S. commitment providing peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and since the end of the Korean War, starting as early as 1965 with numerous DMZ incidents, this peace and stability has been threatened numerous times.

“This is what the tour in Korea is about: the DMZ mission,” writes Heathco, “A lot of soldiers say they’re on the Z, but very few can say they patrolled inside the Z, where you could lose your life in a matter of seconds.”

For anyone who has ever been curious about the US commitment for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula or what it is like serving along the Korean DMZ, this book is a must read.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are few memoirs from this particular slice of history -- the US Army mission to patrol WITHIN the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. Call Sign: Purple Three is a moment-to-moment description of how a unit moves from arrival at Warrior Base to completion of their first patrol within the DMZ. Heathco is very specific about procedure, equipment, tactics, and the daily ephemera of living in Tent City. His book is a wonderful resource for military buffs, or those who know someone who was part of that mission.

It is an excellent opportunity for the wives and children of soldiers who were assigned to patrol the DMZ to learn more about that (unaccompanied, male-only) tour.

[Thomas Lucken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark gives a riveting review what life was like for many of us on the Korean DMZ! A reality of serving that many have never known about.

[P.A. Rudders · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I said in my review of the author's previous book, Defcon 4, the Korean war and the Cold War type conflict along the Demilitarised Zone, or DMZ, between the North and South is a largely forgotten one, and little known or understood by most of the world. In this respect, it is much like the conflict between the British Army and the IRA terrorists during 'The Troubles' at the same time. 

Just as Russian tanks and personnel vastly out-numbered their NATO counterparts in Germany and the rest of Western Europe during the Cold War, North Korean forces also out-numbered the American and South Korean forces in the ration of 12 to 1, making for a frightening prospect should they decide to invade, a very real possibility at the time. As well as the military situation on the ground, the author also highlights the psychological and propaganda aspect of the war, mentioning the regular blasting of North Korean music along the border for the American patrols to hear. Not only did they face the threat of full-scale invasion on a day to day basis, but had to be constantly alert to infiltration and tunnelling from the North to the South. Despite the cessation of open hostility, lives were lost on a regular basis, and those on patrol were most at risk, both from the North Koreans and hidden mines.

This is a book written very much with the military or veteran reader in mind. The author has spared no effort in his attention to technical and operational detail. I'm also pleased to say, included are dozens of photographs that supplement the vivid picture the author has created, detailing what it was like for the infantry patrols of the time, in this case, the mid-80s. Although heavy on description and minute detail, it is written in the first-person and is interspaced with lots of excellent dialogue between Sgt. Heathco (the author) and other military personnel he served with. This gives much of the book an easy to read conversational style, providing context to much of the military description. As you would expect, some of this dialogue might appear raw to the point of crudity for anyone who hasn't served, like when Sgt. Heathco is explaining the toilet arrangments for some men on their first patrol. Through this and some of the regular conversation, the author brings emphasis to the human and personal side of the conflict rather than just an 'account' of it.

Although a well deserved 5 stars, for the benefit of the civilian reader, or indeed non-American military, I would have preferred a glossary of American military acronyms and terminology at the beginning rather than the end of the book. I would also have prefered the excellent photographs to have been evenly spread throughout rather than all being placed roughly in the middle. But these really are minor considerations. Overall this is an exceptionally well-written book with an authenticity that could only come from someone who has lived every moment of what they're writing - a poignant and fascinating insight into just what it meant to be on a real patrol along and in the DMZ.

 

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not know what to make of this book at first. I had picked it up thinking that it told of a specific incident on the Korean DMZ. Instead, I got a very detailed portrayal of what goes into the planning and inspection of an American patrol in the DMZ. The writing is succinct and detailed. It is apparent that the author is well versed in writing action plans. Overall, it is a very good job, though the target audience may be limited.

[Corey Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Commend the author Mark Heathco, I served in the Republic of South Korea with Mark and his rendering of our time there and in the DMZ is spot on.Mark if you get the opportunity to read this review I want to say thank you for telling our story.