" The Axe Murders "

On the morning of 18 August 1976 a United Nations Command (UNC) workforce of five KSCs (Korean Service Corps) personnel accompanied by a UNC security force, which included the Joint Security Force (JSF) Commander, Captain Arthur Bonifas, the on-duty Security Officer, 1st Lieutenant Mark Barrett, and one ROKA officer started to prune a large tree in the vicinity of UNC Check Point #4. A short while after the work force arrived at the tree and began work, Korean People's Army (KPA) personnel appeared at the work site. For a short time they watched without apparent concern. Suddenly, the KPA security force commander demanded that the JSF commander cease pruning or there would be trouble. When Captain Bonifas did not order the operation stopped, the UNC security force was attacked by a numerically superior force of KPA guards wielding pick handles, knives, clubs, and axes. The United Nations Command Security Force withdrew but not before Captain Bonifas and Lt. Barrett had been killed and the ROKA officer, 3 KATUSAs and 4 GIs had been wounded.

" Operation Paul Bunyon "

Quoted from the Briefers' Training Packet.
The following orientation is given while on a tour bus.

"We are now on our way to United Nations Command CP #4. We will not be stopping there, however, we will do a slow drive by past the area. Three days after the 1976 Axe Murder Incident, we performed "Operation Paul Bunyan." which was the most expensive tree trimming operation in history. Inside the JSA we had the regular personnel accompanied by another JSF platoon, 50 martial arts experts from the Republic of Korea Special Forces, and 15 unarmed combat engineers to cut down the tree. Flying south of the DMZ we had B-52 bombers, fighters, and attack helicopters. All forces in Korea to include ROK and U.S. personnel were on full combat alert. As if that was not enough, just off the coast we had the aircraft carrier USS Midway with her full escort. Needless to say the North Koreans did not interfere with the operation this time. (As the bus passes the monument) If you look out the right side of the bus you can see the monument for CPT Bonifas and 1LT Barrett that replaced the tree stump in 1987. Please feel free to take photographs if you would like."




Memorial Inscription

On this spot was located the yellow poplar tree
which was the focal point of the ax murders
of two United Nations Command officers,
Captain Arthur Bonifas and 1st Lt. Mark Barrett,
who were attacked and killed by North Korean Guards
while supervising a work party trimming the tree.

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Inscription and Paul Bunyon information furnished by
Captain Dario N. Lorenzetti
Adjutant
United Nations Command Security Battalion
Joint Security Area

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