Orphaned Sergeant Returns Home to Korea

NOTE: Part of my duties in the U.S. Air Force was that of a journalist for various newspapers and magazines. I recently stumbled across a stash of old copies of different publications which have been in storage and thought it would be fun to breathe new life into some of the articles. This article first appeared in “The Mig Alley Flyer,” June 1, 1990 while I was a Senior Airman stationed at Osan Air Force Base, Korea. Thanks for reading!

By most accounts, Sgt. John N. Davenport, a stinger specialist with the 51st Security Police Squadron, Osan AB, had an ordinary childhood. He wrestled in high school, and lettered in both soccer and track. Growing up in Long, Island, NY, he was picked on by other children from time to time.

In comparing Sergeant Davenport with the typical American child, however, most similarities end here. Originally named Johna Blake, he was born and raised in Chechon Children’s Home in Seoul; an orphan whose mother passed away during his birth, and his father’s whereabouts unknown. Luckily, for the sergeant, Perry and Maryln Davenport of New York wanted a son.

Recalling the day he came to the United States, Sergeant Davenport said he never really knew what was happening at the time. No one said anything to him, so it was just like any other he left the orphanage. Little did he know that, this time, his life was about to change forever.

“I can remember a long plane ride. I was wearing a traditional silk Korean outfit and I was confused,” said Sergeant Davenport. “I remember being at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York and seeing my parents for the first time. They gave me a yellow toy car, which I still have today. Somehow, from that day on, I knew they were my parents.”

There were many other folks who were anxious to meet him, he would soon learn.

“When we arrived home, there was a big party for me. Friends, neighbors, relatives….I was shocked,” recalled Sergeant Davenport.

As an eight-year-old in a new country, things were very strange. For starters, he did not speak English. He was also one of only three other children in the neighborhood of Asian descent, which presented additional challenges.

“I had a hard time growing up,” he said. “Other kids picked on me for no reason. It wasn’t until the ninth grade and I started playing sports and made a lot of friends that things got better for me”

After graduating from high school, he attended Suffolk Community College in New York for one year. Then, at age 22, he decided to join the Air Force…something that had always intrigued him. Sergeant Davenport gained a favorable impression of the U.S. military before ever setting foot on American soil.

“As a child, I can remember Army soldiers coming to the orphanage and bringing food and clothes, and taking us on field trips,” he said. “But after being in America a little while and hearing about the things the Air Force did, and seeing people uniform, I said to myself, ‘I want to be a part of that.'”

“I feel it’s been a good experience so far,” said the five-year sergeant. “The education benefits are great and I love the travel. I especially love being stationed in Korea, though.”

Assigned to Korea for only six months now, Sergeant Davenport feels he has learned a lot about himself already.

“The Air Force gave me the opportunity to ‘come home’ and learn who I am. That was the biggest problem I had growing up — I never knew anything about my own culture. I was happy growing up in America, but I was always curious about the place from which I came.”

One of the highlights of being stationed at Osan is the opportunity to visit the same orphanage where he was raised. Even more so, the same woman who raised him is still there.

“Her name is Jane White, but we always called her Mamma Jane. She started that home from scratch more than 30 years ago and has dedicated her entire life to caring for abandoned children. For anyone, especially from another culture, to sacrifice so much, is amazing. If she taught me anything, it’s how to care.”

Even more incredible is the fact that Mamma Jane recognized Sergeant Davenport, instantly, after so many years.

“I could not believe it,” Sergeant Davenport exclaimed. “I walked in the door and she looked up and said hi as if I had just left yesterday…very nonchalant. She didn’t even know I was coming!”

“One thing that sticks out about her is a Korean folk song she still teaches to every child. It’s probably my favorite song to this day. She is just such an amazing woman.”

Sergeant Davenport is amazed by the fact that he was able to visit her again and still thinks of her as his second mother. And although he never had the opportunity to meet his biological parents, he had no doubt about his real parents.

“I am so lucky to have been adopted,” he said. “I go back now and see all the kids the same age I was who my never be adopted because people want newborns. I’m very grateful. I love my American family very much and there is no doubt in my mind that they are my real parents.”

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