Stuff You Should Know: Operation Paul Bunyan

Podcast: Stuff You Should Know
Hosts: Josh Clark & Chuck Bryant
Episode Date: December 9, 2025

Overview

In this engaging episode, Josh and Chuck untangle the strange, tense, and at times absurd 1976 incident at the Korean DMZ known as "Operation Paul Bunyan." They dig into the origins and escalation of the event, how a single poplar tree nearly sparked World War III, and the broader historical and political context of the U.S., North Korea, and South Korea at that time. Listeners are treated to insightful explanations, signature witty banter, and reflections on both the tragedy and the surreal spectacle of military brinkmanship over a tree.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Scene: The DMZ and the Korean War (03:43–08:53)

• Division of Korea: After WWII, the Soviets and Americans split Korea; the north became the Communist DPRK, and the south the Republic of Korea. The 38th parallel marked their border.
• Korean War Legacy: The Korean War (1950-1953) ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), about 2.4 miles wide, serves as a buffer and de facto border.
• JSA Dynamics: The Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjom was uniquely patrolled by both sides, leading to face-to-face confrontations, intimidation, and even pranks or intimidation tactics across the border.
  • “If you had to defend yourself physically because you were getting beat up, okay, but you did not shoot, you had to be shot at to draw your sidearm.” — Josh (08:11)

2. The Powder Keg: Backdrop to the Incident (08:53–14:07)

• Military Protocols & Culture: American and UN forces were under strict orders not to escalate violence; North Koreans aimed to provoke them.
• Leadership: Capt. Arthur Bonifas, the company commander, emphasized intimidating presence but calm demeanors: “He wanted big guys down there... But the orders were always to back off if it came to blows.” — Chuck (09:28)
• Previous Incidents: Minor scuffles and provocations were common, but the protocol was always de-escalation.

3. The Tree That Almost Started WWIII (16:41–23:34)

• Poplar Tree Problems: A large poplar tree near the Bridge of No Return blocked critical sightlines between UN checkpoints. When South Korean workers tried to prune it, North Korean guards aggressively intervened.
• Confrontation Escalates: On August 18, 1976, a 15-man UN team led by Bonifas attempted to trim the tree. North Korean Lt. Pak Chul arrived, escalating tensions.
  • “One of the American soldiers saw Pac take off his wristwatch and put it in his pocket... and tried to warn Boniface, but it was too late by that point. And Pac ordered the attack, basically by saying, like, I think he said, ‘kill the bastards.’ Right.” — Chuck (20:13)
• Violence Erupts: Bonifas and Lt. Mark Barrett were bludgeoned to death with dropped axes; the incident was captured on film from a distance.

4. U.S. Government Reckons with Response (23:18–27:20)

• National Shock & Deliberations: This was the first killing of American/UN personnel in Korea since the war, igniting a crisis at the highest levels.
• Kissinger’s Hawkish Stance: Secretary of State Henry Kissinger wanted a forceful, possibly violent, response, but was outvoted due to fears of sparking a global conflict.
  • “If you sent a missile into the JSA against the North Koreans, there was a better than even chance probably that you might spark a nuclear war. World War Three.” — Josh (24:33)
• A Calculated Show of Force: The group ultimately agreed to a powerful symbolic act — cutting down the tree, but with overwhelming military backup.

5. Operation Paul Bunyan: Planning the Showdown (27:25–32:22)

• Code Red Preparations: The U.S. raised forces to DEFCON 3 and staged the largest mobilization on the peninsula since the war. 40,000 troops, nuclear-armed bombers, helicopters, jets, and ships surrounded the JSA.
• Strategic Clarity: The U.S. communicated intentions to China and the USSR, both of whom signaled they would not intervene if North Korea started fighting.
  • “They actually got in touch with China and the USSR and basically said, hey, you know, we're thinking about doing something like this. And China and the USSR both signaled that they were not going to do anything if North Korea started fighting, that North Korea was on their own.” — Josh (35:49)
• South Korean Grit: South Korean commandos brought hidden arsenal, including M16s and even landmines strapped to their chests, without UN command approval.

6. Operation Paul Bunyan Unfolds (41:01–42:20)

• The Felling: On August 21, 1976, at 7 am, military engineers (unarmed) cut the tree to a 10-foot stump using chainsaws, surrounded by overwhelming force on both sides.
• Surreal Symbolism: The stump left behind reportedly resembled “somebody raising their arms in surrender.” — Josh (41:22)
• No Shots Fired: North Korea did not intervene; the major confrontation was avoided, but tensions remained high.

7. Aftermath & Legacy (42:20–48:26)

• North Korean Response: Although unapologetic initially, Kim Il Sung later expressed “regret” after Operation Paul Bunyan, signaling de-escalation.
• Protocol Changes: The JSA was reorganized; the military demarcation line is now strictly enforced. North and South patrols are firmly segregated.
• Commemoration: The tree’s stump stayed until 1986, then was replaced with a memorial plaque bluntly recounting the incident.
• Ongoing Significance: In 2022, both sides planted a “Pine Tree of Peace” at the site for symbolic reconciliation.
• Bizarre Trivia: There's now a one-hole golf “course” where the tree was, dubbed “the most dangerous hole in golf” (surrounded by landmines).
• Historians’ View: Circumstantial evidence suggests the attack was pre-planned by North Korea (e.g., near-instant propaganda broadcasts and prepared memos for non-aligned nations).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the DMZ’s insanity:
  “It was crazy to think that these kind of shenanigans were going on without any further, you know, sort of war breaking out. They all kind of seemingly took it in stride.” — Chuck (07:34)
• Instructions for U.S. soldiers:
  “If you had to defend yourself physically because you were getting beat up, okay, but you did not shoot, you had to be shot at to draw your sidearm.” — Josh (08:11)
• Kissinger on escalation:
  “He wanted his guy Ford, back in there, obviously, so he was outvoted, like he said, thankfully. But he was like, all right, we still need a show of force... they were like, we're cutting that GD tree down.” — Chuck (25:48)
• On the poplar’s fate:
  “I just pictured this poor tree sitting there like, man, I just want to be a tree... I don't want to start World War III or be cut down.” — Chuck (31:42)
• On the tension:
  “It was my estimate, shared by many of the staff, that the operation stood a 50/50 chance of starting a war. And that would have been World War III.” — Maj. Gen. John Singlaub (31:56, cited by Chuck)
• On the aftermath:
  “The plaque on it... just kind of gets across the horrible absurdity of the whole thing.” — Josh (45:46)
• Factoid:
  “The South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, was actually one of the South Korean commandos who took part in Operation Paul Bunyan.” — Josh (46:22)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro, DMZ, and Korean War context: 01:49–08:53
• JSA culture and protocol: 08:53–14:07
• The poplar tree incident: 16:41–23:34
• US response & Operation Paul Bunyan planning: 23:18–32:22
• Mobilization and day-of events: 32:22–41:01
• The operation’s execution: 41:01–42:20
• De-escalation and aftermath: 42:20–48:26

Episode Tone and Style

The conversation is both somber and lighthearted. Josh and Chuck balance grave Cold War realities (“this could have started World War III”) with characteristically wry commentary (e.g., anthropomorphizing the doomed poplar tree). They maintain a tone that is informative but accessible, taking the edge off heavy moments with quick-witted asides and pop culture references.

This summary provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the episode, giving both the big picture and compelling details, ensuring all listeners—new and longtime fans—walk away well-informed about one of Cold War history’s strangest standoffs.