Major General Lloyd Brinkley Ramsey photograph albums of service in South Korea, 1959 July-1960 May

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Summary

Creator:
Ramsey, Lloyd Brinkley, 1918-2016
Abstract:
Lloyd Brinkley Ramsey was a U.S. Army three-star general who served in South Korea from 1959-1960 as Senior Military Advisor to the Korean National War College in Seoul, South Korea. The three spiral-bound albums house over 300 black-and-white mounted photographs, chiefly in 4x5 and 8x10 sizes, all with typed captions and commentary. The images document the War College campus, Ramsey's quarters, South Korean and American officers in group portraits and in military meetings, dinners, and parties, as well as official tours and visits, including to the DMZ and a U.S. guided missile base; and visits to Seoul streets and tourist sites, rice fields and markets, and to Tokyo, Japan. Ramsey often appears in event photographs. There are a few snapshots of Ramsey's family. Also includes about 20 close-range photographs documenting the violence and bloodshed at student and civilian street protests in Seoul against President Syngman Rhee, known as the April Revolution of 1960.
Extent:
1.5 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language:
English
Collection ID:
RL.11889

Background

Scope and content:

The three spiral-bound photograph albums in the collection were assembled by U.S. Army Major General Lloyd Brinkley Ramsey, and feature over 300 black-and-white gelatin silver mounted photographs, chiefly in 4x5 and 8x10 sizes, with typed captions and commentary by Ramsey about people, events, and settings. The albums measure approximately 11x13 inches. The photographs, mostly taken by Ramsey but also by other unidentified individuals, chiefly focus on Ramsey's service and travels, and include images of the National War College (renamed the Defense College in 1961) and its personnel; many meetings, dinners, and parties attended by South Korean and U.S. military officers and attaches; official military visits to the DMZ and to U.S. installations, including the newly developed guided missile system base. One set of images documents Military Armistice Commission (MAC) meetings held in August and October 1959 between North and South Koreans and American military officers. Ramsey often appears in snapshots of social events and meetings. Other images document Seoul streets, parks, palaces, markets, a women's school, and rice fields; and scenes from trips to Inchon, South Korea, rural areas, and Tokyo, Japan.

The album includes about 20 close-range photographs of violent student riots and civilian street demonstrations in Seoul against President Syngman Rhee, known as the April Revolution of 1960. The photographer is unidentified. Note: these photographs include potentially disturbing images of bloodied and dying demonstrators, and street violence.

Biographical / historical:

Major General Lloyd Brinkley Ramsey (1918-2016) came to South Korea in July 1959 to serve as the U.S. Army Senior Military Advisor to the National War College (later the National Defense College). Born in Somerset, Kentucky, Lloyd began his military career after graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1940. During World War II he served as aide-de-camp to General Harold Alexander, and Ground Commander under General Eisenhower in the North African Campaign. He also served as a battalion executive officer in the 3rd and 7th Infantry; and served as Senior Advisor, Republic of Korea, 1959-1960, and Commanding General, 23rd Infantry Division (American), Vietnam. He served as the Provost Marshall General, Washington, D.C., until his retirement in 1970. He died in 2016.

[Source: Find-A-Grave site biographical note, viewed April 2, 2021]

The Korea National Defense University (Kukpang Taehakkyo) is currently located in Nonsan, South Korea. It was founded in 1955 as the National War College; in 1961 it was renamed the National Defense College. U.S. military officers served as advisors in its earliest years. The university was situated in Seoul from its founding until its relocation to Nonsan in 2017. In 2000 it merged with the Research Institute on National Security Affairs (RINSA) to become the National Defense University.

The South Korean mass civilian protests in April 1960, known as the April Revolution, were organized chiefly by students reacting to widespread vote-rigging in presidential elections by then-President Rhee Syngman. The protests and riots lasted approximately two weeks, and later led to the downfall of the Rhee government that had ruled the country for 12 years.

Acquisition information:
The Major General Lloyd Brinkley Ramsey photograph albums of service in South Korea were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2020.
Processing information:

Processed and described by Paula Jeannet, April 2021. Accession(s) represented in this collection guide: 2020-0064.

Physical facet:
3 volumes
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

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Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

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Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Major General Lloyd Brinkley Ramsey photograph albums of service in South Korea, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.

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