Camp Bonifas

• Named After a Hero: Camp Bonifas is named in honor of Captain Arthur G. Bonifas, who was killed during the 1976 “Axe Murder Incident” in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). • Location: The camp is just 400 meters south of the southern boundary of the DMZ, making it one of the closest U.S. military installations to North Korea. • “The World’s Most Dangerous Golf Course”: Camp Bonifas once featured a single-hole, par-3 golf course surrounded on three sides by minefields, earning it this infamous nickname. • Joint Security Area (JSA) Oversight: The camp serves as the base for United Nations Command Security Battalion-Joint Security Area (UNCSB-JSA), which monitors and enforces the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. • Frequent VIP Visits: Camp Bonifas is the starting point for tours of the DMZ and JSA—hosting numerous U.S. presidents, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries. • North Korean Propaganda: Soldiers at Camp Bonifas have reported hearing North Korean propaganda broadcasts and music from loudspeakers across the border. • Bridge of No Return: The infamous Bridge of No Return, used for prisoner exchanges, is nearby and was the site of the 1976 axe murder incident. • Combination U.S.-ROK Force: The camp is jointly manned by U.S. Army and Republic of Korea (ROK) soldiers, reflecting the combined defense of South Korea. • Observation Post: Camp Bonifas provides direct oversight of North Korean positions, with soldiers often observing North Korean guards and activity across the border. • Peace and Tension: Despite its proximity to North Korea and the history of violent incidents, the camp also represents hope for diplomacy, as the JSA is the only place where North and South Korean soldiers stand face-to-face.