My instructor was present as an instructor/judge at Osan Air Force Base when Norris tested for his black belt in 1965. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mpeJZ7F8x8XOkY0.html

Hwang was a stickler for discipline and technique. I had to retest part of my O Dan 6 months after my Shim Sa for not using enough huri (waist) in my techniques. My own instructor C.I. Kim was just as tough. He taught his Dad's with the same intensity as the Koreans were taught in Korea, but it showed in our technique and fighting.

I remember Master Art Pryor was testing my instructor at the time for her 3rd Dan, I believe. It was in her school in Titusville, Florida, and she had Christmas lights in the front windows of the studio. During part of the interview he pretty much told her she needed to take those lights down because it might offend someone that she was celebrating Christmas. I wondered, what in the hell does that have to do with Tang Soo Do? I remember being so irritated by that. I’ve met some really decent masters, and I have met a couple of asses too, I think just because they were in positions of authority and could be asses. I don’t think he’s around anymore.

@@charlessansom4849 I remember Arthur, we tested for our Sa Dan together. He was a bit arrogant. Most Ko Dan Ja were cool but there are quite a few who think they are all that. It's a shame because we were taught to be servants for the members, not to act like overlords.

@@robertdennis550 I met way more decent, humble masters than of the other kind. I think that some people who aren’t anything else in their lives, when they get to be someone that others look up to, or in some position of authority, it goes to their head. Fortunately that seems to be the exception and not the rule. I’ve not trained actively in many years, but my granddaughter is active in Taekwondo, and I often go to the dojang to watch her train, and it sure does make me miss martial arts. Unfortunately I moved away from the town where I was training, and Texas being so large it’s hundreds of miles between So Bahk Do studios, so I don’t train anymore. I sure do miss the National competitions, the sparring, the sweat, just everything about it. I especially miss the camaraderie. Those were really good days.

No that was Russ Hanke. I Believe he was still a Yuk Dan then.

I believe you are correct.

Now. Grand. Mastr. Ci. Kim. Is. Still. Blising. All. Off. Becos. I Is. A. Tro. Master. And. I. Will. Naver. Sa ooo IV v

Oh it absolutely was Russ Hanke. I had to go to his school to retest for a mistake I made during my O-Dan test in 94.

I studied under Grand Master Man Bok Song starting 1973. It was then what best I could describe as Tang soo do. Master from Korea, spoke little English, from Korean military. Master Hwang on all my Certificates but things changed im remembering late 70s? When we started talking Tae Kwon Do. I felt it was political, financially more viable? I still look at my and others training and am proud of our class and feel Tae Kwon do became a type of mut in a dog show and changed not for the better. Still great but away from core. If that makes sense. I still go to other gyms and wonder if most have any credential and see style change. I preferred the original brought to US. By masters like Master song, Both Master Kim's etc . I'd love to ask Chuck Norris his thought as her was a few years before me with These same great men. And went through same changes.

@Rob Koch Have you read Dan Segarra's free ebook on The History Of Tang Soo Do ? - if you friend him on fb he has some great insights on the history.