APPENDICES
I hope these appendices will be useful and interesting, but one purpose of this
work is to preserve a basis for future historians and other writers create an
authentic voice. History books tell how a king , a president, or a prime minister
decided on a course of action and how a general, an admiral, or an air marshall
carried it out. Histories, even those relying on personal accounts by soldiers,
sailors, marines and citizens are long on motive and emotion. Few go into detail
about daily life. I am continually amazed at the sea stories of the late Patrick
O'Brien. Where did he learn the rich detail of shiphandling and day to day life
aboard a warship of the Napoleonic era? In writing stories of the Civil War
I have found great difficulty with the detail of actions of individual soldiers,
the manual arms for example. The following appendices are, in part, to fill
this void. Even the popular television show Mash, done well within the
lifetime of veterans of the Korean War, is full of simple errors which could
easily have been corrected--Radar wore an extinct WW II tankers cap, and nobody
knew how to use a field telephone. In one show a Korean lieutenant spoke perfect
English and wore American insignia of rank. The show was almost over before
I realized he was not an American citizen of Asian extraction.
I hope you read the biographies
of the soldiers who fought at Outpost Queen to see where they came from and
the roads they followed after the truce.
APPENDIX I
Biography
Richard August (Dick) Anderson,
L Co. 180th Inf., 45th Div.
In 1939 I was 16 years old and not bad looking for a kid, left view, right view.
I was working as a theater usher. I was also a member of Company K, 129th Infantry,
33d Division of the Illinois National Guard. I was 17 years old when we were
mobilized on March 5, 1941. My mother signed for me, so I went off to the army
for one year of training. I would be discharged in March 1942. Instead, Pearl
Harbor was attacked and I found myself in the Fiji Islands in February 1942.
I was 18 and a half years old.
I must say that in WW II we were well briefed on all operations as it was fast moving. We had the Japs on the run most times, so everyone knew what to do. The only action I experienced similar to the last months of Korea was on Bouganville Island in the Solomon group where we occupied a six mile radius for 13 months. We just occupied the area while they built fighter and bomber strips. We let what Japs there were, about about 16,000 of them, come to us. Our kill ratio was about ten to one. That perimeter on Bouganville was a lot like Korea, but we all knew where we were and what was going on.
When I was that young I really loved
the military. I would not give my experiences for anything. See ya, goodnite.
God bless all you combat fighters. We are God's warriors for human rights and
freedom.241
Andrew (Andy) Antippas, C Co., 180th Inf., 45th Div.
Mr. Andrew F. Antippas, a native of Winchester, Massachusetts, entered the U.S.
Foreign Service at the end of November, 1960, following U.S. Service as a combat
infantryman in the Korean war and university graduation in 1958. Mr. Antippas
majored in Political Science at Tufts, University and also received a Master's
Degree in Public Administration in 1973 from that University. Following an initial
assignment in the Department of State's Bureau of International Organizations,
Mr. Antippas was assigned to the American Consulate in Douala, Cameroon, as
Vice Consul; Bangui, the Central African Republic, as Third Secretary of Embassy;
and the American Consulate General, Osaka-Kobe, Japan as Consul.
His subsequent assignments, from 1968 to 1972, included political officer in the U.S. Embassies in Saigon, Vietnam and Pnom Penh, Cambodia. From 1972 to 1975 he served as desk officer for Cambodia in the Department of State. Following work on the Interagency Task Force for the Resettlement of Indochinese Refugees at the end of the Indochina conflict and as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Mr. Antippas was assigned to the American Embassy at Bangkok, Thailand, as Counselor for Consular Affairs. From 1979 to 1980 he served as Deputy and Acting Director of the Interagency Working Group on Famine Relief for Kampuchea (Cambodia). After a year's study at the National War College in Washington, Mr. Antippas was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas as Chargé d' Affaires. where he served from 1981 to 1983 and was commended by Vice- President Bush for his efforts in narcotics interdiction in the Caribbean. Before being assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Korea as Consul General in February 1984, Mr. Antippas was sent to Grenada during the U,S. and Eastern Caribbean States' intervention in that island nation where he assisted in the establishment of the U,S, Embassy and served as Chargé d' Affaires.
Mr. Antippas was Consul General in Korea from 1984 t0 1988 and served as Consul General in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from !988 until 1991. He retired from the Foreign Service in 1992.
Mr. Antippas is a three time recipient
of the Department of State's Superior Honor Award as well as the Meritorious
Honor Award. He is married to the former Judith Blewett of Ontario, Canada,
and the father of Mark and Lydia.
(January 1998)
Paul Baril, B Co. , 179th Inf., 45th Div.
Paul was born at Barre, Vermont on July 13, 1927. He was the fourth
of seven children (five girls and two boys). His parents were from Trois-Rivieres
(Three Rivers) Quebec, Canada on the west bank of the St. Lawrence River midway
between Montreal and Quebec City. Most homes in that northern area were built
from brick or field stone removed from farms, and his father was a fourth generation
stone mason. In the quest for higher wages and a better life he moved his family
to Barre, Vermont to work in the granite industry in 1925.
Paul, the fourth child, was born in the States as were three more sisters and a brother. At a young age, Paul helped his father primarily on chimneys and repairs. In 1934, when Paul was seven years old and just entering the second grade, his mother died leaving the responsibility of seven children to his father. In the midst of the Great Depression, and with work only a couple days a week and many mouths to feed, his father moved back to Trois-Rivieres where he hoped to find more masonry work. The children were split up and Paul was taken in by an Uncle and Aunt. He was schooled in French at Sacred Heart Brothers and graduated from 8th grade. Paul then worked with his uncle in the stone masonry trade until he was 19 in 1946.
Paul's had another uncle, his god father, in Barre, Vermont, who was also a stone cutter and mason. He asked Paul to come and work with him, so Paul, looking for opportunity, left his family in Canada (none of whom ever returned to Vermont except to visit) and moved to the USA. The move was difficult as the only English that Paul had learned to read and write was what he had learned in first grade 12 years earlier. He worked part time with his uncle for a while, then got a job as a granite cutter. Masons were in short supply, and he began picking up part time jobs.
The second month in Barre, one of Paul's cousins got a notice to sign up for the selective service draft system. Paul, having been born an American citizen, went with his cousin to register but felt intimidated because he could not read what he was being asked to sign. He received his draft notice in October 1952 and reported for a physical and the written test that had to be read to him in order to answer. He told the interviewer he could read and write French but not English.
No matter; Uncle Sam wanted able
bodied men!
After serving in Korea, Paul returned
to Barre in September 1954 and soon was back at stone mason work plus a job
at Rock of Ages. (who also employed Wayne Pelkey)
Paul married Jane Lupien, a pretty French girl who lived on a big farm a quarter
mile from their present home, on June 11, 1955. They have raised two girls and
two boys. They live in a neat brick home with a four bay brick garage. One handicapped
daughter still lives with them. Now retired, Paul still does part time brick
jobs as special favor to friends and helps his youngest son doing errands at
his busy automotive repair shop.
Paul is a religious person, as was all his family, and he has built a brick arch over a statue of the Madonna in his back yard. He is Chaplain of the Vermont Purple Heart Association. Paul is a friendly and compassionate person whose family always comes first. They still converse in French at their home and his English is still heavily interlaced with French.
To have gone through life here in the States plus the Army with only a first grade training in reading and writing is a testimonial "to a guy that has learned to care and share!"
It has been my pleasure to have
Paul as veteran, friend, neighbor, and fellow member of our church. I may have
missed some important points of his life but he was "a real GI Joe."
(As told to Wayne Pelkey)242
Harold Brown, H Co., 180th Inf., 45th Div.
I am from Holden, Missouri, a little town 45 miles southeast of Kansas City,
Missouri. My mother and her five children, were farming and milking cows while
dad worked in Kansas City. I was 20 when I was drafted in November 1952. I took
eight weeks basic training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas and eight weeks of Fire
Direction Control for 105 mm howitzers. I left from Fort Lewis, Washington on
April 23, 1953 with 3,000 other guys aboard the MSTS General J,H. McRae.
From Tokyo I went on to Pusan, Korea, arriving on May 14th.
When I complained that Harold hadn't told me anything about his life after
Korea, he sat down with a ball point pen and a spiral notebook and told wrote
about a successful and interesting life. Hank Nicol.
When the 45th was scheduled to go home, I didn't have enough points torotate.
I was assigned to the 300th Armored Field Artillery. While waiting to be transferred,
I broke my left leg when moving oil drums from our company area. I was taken
to a MASH hospital, then sent to Japan. While I was in the hospital the 300th
Field Artillery went home also. I left all of my personal belongings at Co.
H. I suppose they sent them to the 300th AFA; I don't really know where they
ended up. When I was released from the hospital, four months later, they didn't
have any records on me, so I was reassigned to Korea as a Pvt. E1. I was a corporal
at the time. I was assigned to the 2nd Division Arty. I left the 2nd Division
on August 13, 1954, then to Inchon, and boarded the US Naval ship Phoenix
bound for Seattle, WA. From Seattle, by train, to Camp Carson CO where I was
discharged. I took a train to Union Station in Kansas City where my Dad and
younger brother met me. We went straight to the farm he had purchased while
I was in Korea, for a grand reunion with my mother, two sisters and my seven
year old brother who had printed letters, and sent me pictures he had drawn
while I was away. After I was home for a few days, my family decided to have
a hay ride in my honor. Mom invited a girl I had dated back in high school.
She lived in Kansas City, about 45 miles from the farm. I hadn't seen her for
several years. We had quit dating about a year before I was drafted. That hay
ride was the turning point of my life. I found I still had feelings for Mary
Margaret, now my wife.
I couldn't date long distance, and in 1954 that 45 or 50 miles was "long
distance," so I decided to get a job in KC. My uncle had a millwork shop
in KC, and he needed some help, so I started to work for him. I stayed at my
cousin's house in Raytown, MO which was a suburb of KC. Mary Margaret and I
dated for 4 or 5 months and I decided she was the girl I wanted to spend the
rest of my life with. We were married March 12, 1955 in the Troost Avenue Methodist
Church she had been attending. Our "honeymoon cottage" was an apartment
at 38th and Harrison in KC. We had a kitchen, a front room, a bedroom, and shared
a bath with two other apartments which, of course, is unheard of these days.
My uncle sold his business and I was out of a job. My wife's brother was a union
painting contractor, so he talked me into becoming an apprentice painter @ $1.25
an hour. I spent 4 years as an apprentice, slowly climbing up the wage scale.
Our first child, Barbara Ellen, was born in May of 1956 while we were still in the apartment. In January 1955, my wife's parents had died a day apart and intestate. When their estate was finally settled, she and her 6 siblings each received $2,000. We used this to put a down payment on our first home in June of 1956. It was a 2 bedroom house in south KC with a full basement, which at the time seemed huge to us after the apartment. In May 1957 we had another girl, Nancy Jeanne, and in October 1959 a boy, Daniel Paul. I had to add two bedrooms to the house then, with a drive-in garage beneath them. In November 1960 another baby girl, Deborah Christine joined us; August 1963, another girl, Rebecca Louise; January 1966 another boy, James Robert --all born in KC, MO. In 1968 our area was in turmoil with riots, burnings, and lootings. We lived right in the path of one of the marches, and I was worried about the family. We packed up and went to stay on the farm with my parents until things settled down. After that I decided we needed to be out of the city where the kids could play safely. We are a family that believes in prayer and that the Lord answered our prayer. So we prayed about moving to a farm. We didn't have any money except the equity in our house. A few days later we had a man knock on the door and want to know if we would sell our house. We were stunned. It just didn't seem possible that our prayers were answered that quickly. Well, we didn't sell to that man, but decided, instead, to borrow what we could on the house to use on a down payment on a farm. In the meantime, I answered an ad in the KC paper about a farm, 120 acres southeast of KC. When I made the call, I found the farm was on the same road my Dad lived on. We drove the 50 miles to look at it. It was a 16 x 32, very tall old house, with two rooms downstairs and two rooms upstairs, no plumbing, no electricity, no heat, no water, no sheet rock, not livable. For some reason or other, we were interested immediately and came home and began making plans. We applied for a loan, rented our house to our Christian neighbors who had never owned their own home, found a nearby old farmhouse to rent while I fixed up the house we bought, enrolled the kids in the local school, and moved. It took a couple of years to remodel the house and add on to it. I had to drive the 50 miles back and forth to KC to work every day, so it took over two years to get it done. We also drove back and forth to church in Blue Springs, MO which is about 40 miles from us, as I was a deacon there.
In April, 1971, we were blessed
with another son, Charles David, and in July we moved into our new home. We
had four huge bedrooms, front room, big dining room, big country kitchen, two
baths, and a utility room and a half basement. Nothing fancy, just livable.
We heated with wood for several years then put in a ground source heat pump
system. So I no longer have to cut wood. In October of 1972, our youngest son,
John Fletcher was born, completing our big family. In January 1986 my father
passed away, and my mother, who was blind, moved in with us. She lived with
us through 1996, when she entered a nursing home. I retired in 1994 with 40
years in as a union painter. I still keep busy around the farm baling hay, feeding
cows, and working on old tractors. I have had a good life.
O. Doyle Butler, A Company, 178th Inf., 45th Div.
EDUCATION: 1948, Ringling High School, Ringling, Oklahoma.
1948-1950, Murray State Junior College, Tshimingo, Oklahoma.
1954-1957, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma. B. S. Degree, Mechanical
Engineering (Petroleum Option).
MILITARY: Served three years as an enlisted man, paratrooper, and infantry officer at various US posts and in Korea. Received the Bronze Star with V device for combat duty in Korea. Discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant.
FAMILY: Married Imagene Cox, January
25, 1956 who taught at James Bowie Elementary School, Midland, Texas. She is
now retired. Son, Kevin Bryan Butler, born May 1, 1961.
AFFILIATIONS: Registered Professional
Engineer, State of Texas #25243.
Member, National Society of Professional Engineers.
Member, Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME.
Member, American Association of Petroleum Landmen
Colonel, Confederate Air Force.
EXPERIENCE;
1957-1965
Five years as a Field Engineer for Texaco, Inc. in Andrews and Sundown, Texas
and Hobbs, New Mexico. One year as Assistant Operations Engineer in Texaco's
Hobbs District Office. From 1963 to 1965 Overseas with Texaco affiliated companies;
Four months in Libya directing desert drilling operations and 21 months in Indonesia
as Senior Production Engineer.
1965-1967
One year as a Completion Engineer for Adobe Oil Company, Midland, Texas. One
year as Partner in the consulting firm of Nichols, Butler, and Associates, Midland,
Texas.
1967 to Present
On June 1, 1967 formed the Blackrock Oil Company to operate and manage oil and
gas properties in conjunction with appraisal, drilling, completion, and production
on a consulting basis. Since 1967 I have either drilled or reworked approximately
150 wells in the Permian Basin area of West Texas.
Kenneth Cook, C Co., 178th Inf., 45th Div.
I was born in San Antonio, Texas on 15th January, 1932. Attended schools there
through Junior High and one year of high school, but, when the family moved
in 1947, I continued high school in Dallas. I began my working career at the
age of 11 delivering packages for a drug store by bicycle. I bought that bike
on my own by paying six dollars for it, financing it for two weeks at three
dollars a week. In 1951 I was working at the Baker Hotel Garage in downtown
Dallas and not too happy about it. I suspected that Uncle Sam was about to say
"I WANT YOU," so, in September of that year, I enlisted for three years in the
Army. I had developed a strong sense of patriotism during WW II while my brother
was in the Marines. I always felt my time would come to serve my country, and
it seemed this was the right course of action for me.
I served roughly one year in the Transportation Corps, one year in the 45th Infantry Division, and one year in the 1st Armored Division. I had the rank of PFC when I arrived on the front lines of Korea and served as a rifleman, assistant squad leader, squad leader, assistant platoon sergeant, platoon sergeant, and headed back to the U. S. with the rank of Sergeant First Class. During my last year of service I served as a platoon sergeant with the 1st Armored Division and was discharged on the 9th of September, 1954.
On the 14th of September, 1954 I enrolled in Arlington State College under the GI Bill and attended class there for the sum total of six weeks before throwing in the towel and going to work for a Chevy dealer in Grand Prairie, Texas. Six months later I left and went to work for Chance Vought Corporation, an aircraft manufacturer in Grand Prairie. I worked there from 1955 until 1963, leaving to work for my brother who had purchased the Chevy dealership in Winnsboro, Texas. I remained with him until has retirement in 1985 and continued to work for the new owner until I retired in October, 1987. During those years I worked as bookkeeper, salesman, service manager and sales manager.
I retired in 1987 because of a heart condition that had already shown symptoms in 1980. I was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, had open heart surgery in 1988, and was given a new metal mitral valve at that time. When I took my physical for the Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio in 1951 the doctor informed me I had a slight heart murmur, but he didn't think it would ever bother me. Little did I realize that the day would come when the disease would dictate my lifestyle.
Since retirement in 1987 I spend my time doing whatever I think I can get away with without paying too great a price in discomfort the next day. About six weeks ago I began to experience a greater loss of strength and more breathlessness and have found out that scar tissue building up around my mitral valve is restricting the valve from opening completely and the blood flow through my body is restricted. I am now wearing a heart monitor until the 24th of June and then my doctor will decide what steps can be taken to improve the situation. I have increased my heart medication 50% and it may help to make me more comfortable .
I married my wife of 46 years in
December, 1955 and we have three sons, one who will be 43 on May 22nd. He is
a CPA with Peat Marwick. The second son who will be 42 on the 8th of May is
a Field Salesman with the Wilson Co, an oil field supply. The 3rd son turned
38 on the 21st of April. He is head basketball coach at Winnsboro High School
and also teaches math. We have four granddaughters, the oldest being 16 (she
was honored to play on her varsity basketball team in her freshman year, and
they won the Texas State Championship.) Also we have three Grandsons, the oldest
being 14, so there is plenty to keep us busy in the next few years.243
Samuel Franklin (Sam) Gann, Medical Co. (attached to A Co.), 179th Inf.,
45th Div.
I was born on December 11, 1929 in Knoxville, Tennessee in the foothills of
the Great Smoky Mountains to Paul & Grace Gann. I am the oldest of ten children.
I attended school in Knoxville and did odd jobs like delivering groceries, mowing
lawns, etc., anything to earn enough money to visit the cinema on Saturday afternoon.
I went to church and, at an early age, began singing, a diversion I enjoy to
this day.
I went to work for the Pepsi-Cola Company, but in 1952 Uncle Sam said, "I want you." I was sent to Ft. Jackson, South Carolina for basic training, then to Camp Pickett, Virginia for infantry and medical training. From there, I went to Fort Lawton, Washington and on to Korea.
I came back to Knoxville and Pepsi, and in 1958 visited my sister in India-no-place and my brother-in-law who worked for the local Pepsi Co. persuaded me to move to Indy. In early 1960 I met my bride, Maggie and we were married in late summer. We have three daughters and a son. Mariann, age 41, works for a local florist and has three boys. Paul (whom we call 'Fritz') age 39, works for himself doing a little bit of everything. He studied construction in high school, and, so, has a general knowledge of plumbing, electricity and wood working. He has one daughter. The third child is Kelly, age 34. She works in the health insurance industry. She has a boy, a girl and two stepdaughters and a stepson. It is fun introducing her family--husband Carl, children Karla, Kristine, Caleb, Kyle and Kayleigh. Our youngest is Whitney, age 30 who is a stay-at-home Mom to two little girls. Our grandchildren, our pride and joy, range in age from ten months to 21 years.
In 1984, I went to work for the
Indiana School For The Blind from which I retired in 1994. Retirement is wonderful.
James M. (Jim) Hein, H Company, 180th Inf., 45th Div.
I completed basic training mid-April 1953. I was allowed six days from the time
I left Camp Atterbury , to report at the train station in Chicago. That left
four days to spend at home with my parents and Fiancee, Barbara Tews. We did
not marry before or during my Military Service, figuring it would be better
to wait and get married when, and if, I returned home.
I was in the inactive reserve with
my MOS remaining the same, 1745 primary, and 1812 secondary. I remained in the
32nd Infantry Division (USAR) until December, 1960 when I received my Honorable
Discharge. I continued receiving annual notices from my draft board until December
1960. They knew where I was, just in case they needed me again!
I remember new replacements walking up the hill to take positions on Outpost
Queen, and I glanced over at the line of new guys coming up the hill. I saw
an old friend, Jim Heck. I called and said "Hi Jim." He returned my
greeting and continued up the hill. I never saw him again while we were in the
Army, but I called when I got back to Milwaukee and learned he had made it off
that bloody hell hill and got back home in one piece. When Barbara Tews and
I were married on November 6, 1954, Jim Heck was one of my groomsmen!
Barbara and I were married November
6,1954. We moved to Lansing, Michigan where I attended Michigan State University.
I graduated June, 1958 earning a BS Degree in Forestry. I started working for
the Conservation Department a day after graduation, 1958, and retired from the
Department of Natural Resources, February 1, 1993. Barbara and I had six children,
five of whom are still living. My work assignments provided many different living
locations through out Michigan, as well as many challenges and opportunities.
Barbara and I continue to reside at the location of my last work assignment,
Marquette, Michigan. We live near the shore of Lake Superior, in Michigan's
Upper Peninsula.
My Korean Experience changed me in many ways. I once was a smiley happy person,
my Army days turned me to be very sober and serious. Prior to my Military Service,
I enjoyed the Christmas season, looked forward to the celebrations and happy
times! Since Korea, when I hear the word "Christmas", I remember Christmas
Hill and I am not filled with a happy spirit, rather, I am filled with sadness,
for I remember the faces of many young men whom I was with who were injured
or killed. I suppose too, I mourn the loss of the young boy I once was, to become
the serious man I became.
I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
on October 19, 1932. I graduated from Washington High School June 1951.
Harris Hollin, B Ba, 145th AAA AW (SP) Artillery, 45th Division.
I was born in Philadelphia in 1931. From age eight I was a helper in a store
run by my dad, and at 16 I began driving his truck. I went to Rider College
in New Jersey with a four year scholastic scholarship (worth $1,500 in those
days). While in school I worked as an attendant in the New Jersey State Hospital
at West Trenton where I earned $130 for a 48 hour week. I joined the army in
April 1951 and took basic and leadership training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Afterward
I became a bayonet instructor and made sergeant (E-5). I went to OCS in the
first class at the AA and guided missile School at Fort Bliss, Texas. On May
2, 1952 I was discharged as an enlisted man and rejoined as a second lieutenant.
At Fort Totten, New York I was assistant S-3 for the 80th Group. I took command
of the Headquarters Battery, 34th AAA AW (SP) Gun Battalion.
I went to Japan where I stopped for a three week course in CBR (Chemical, Biological, and Radiation) at Eta Jima. I shipped out from Sasebo to Pusan and joined Pepper, the 145th AAA AW (SP) Battalion, as S-3. When the ranks of forward officers thinned, I went up to the MLR as a platoon leader in Battery B in charge of two of our quad 50's and two attached PEFTOK halftracks. I participated in the Korean Battle of the Bulge (M-1 Ridge [a bare, ridge line shaped like an M-1 rifle], Hill 931, Christmas Hill, and Hill 1220) from May 2 to July 17. During this time I was promoted to First Lieutenant. After the armistice I pulled back with my unit to below the 38th parallel and left Korea in December 1953.
I returned to civilian and attended night school at the University of Pennsylvania on the GI Bill. I went to work selling business machines and worked my way up to management. After 16 years I changed fields to the pharmaceutical industry and fond other opportunities.
I have lived in seven states and
ten homes. Now I live in Philadelphia in summer and Florida in winter. I enjoy
my three sons, their wives, and my five grandsons, all of whom live within 20
minutes of us.
* * *
Harris Hollin and his wife Sande knew something was not right with their 18-month-old grandson, Matthew. The more they saw the child, the more convinced they were that there was a problem. At first, their son and daughter denied it, but the elder Hollin finally persuaded them to take Matthew to a geneticist.
That's when they learned that Matthew had Fragile X, a genetic disorder that is the most common inherited cause of mental retardation and learning disabilities.
"I never even heard of "Fragile X," said Harris Hollin, 69. "When I heard the news, I told my son, Mitchell and his wife, Cristy, that I would do anything I could to help." In April 1999, Hollin founded the Palm Beach-based Conquer Fragile X Foundation, a national, nonprofit organization that raises awareness and money to find a treatment for the disorder.
"I work full time now," he says, "raising funds for the foundation to distribute through grants and fellowships to support research in the U. S. and Israel."
His volunteer role as a director with Philadelphia's Wistar Institute, one of the nation's top biomedical research centers, helped provide connections with many scientists and medical centers in Israel. Most of the foundation's research is funded there. One of Hollin's goals is to establish a virtual research center to develop a cure for Fragile X. So far, most of the foundation's money has come from the Jewish community, but Hollin hopes to broaden it's support.
Fragile X symptoms include mental impairment, ranging form learning disabilities to mental retardation; attention deficit and hyperactivity; anxiety and unstable mood; autistic-like behavior, including hand-flapping; long face, large ears and flat feet. The disease affects about 2 million people of all races and ethnic groups.
Hollin, who lives in Palm Beach, came to Florida 20 years ago but still maintains a summer residence in Philadelphia, where he and his wife spend about three months a year.
He began his career at age 22, working for Friden, the business machine manufacturing company. He started as a junior salesman while still in college. After his graduation and army service, he became sales manager of operations in Delaware and later was promoted to manager of the Oakland, California branch.
After 16 years with Friden, Hollin joined American Medicore as a group vice president. Medicore was a hospital management organization and he was responsible for supervision of all non-hospital activities, which included several hundred personnel.
He moved to the Revlon organization as general manager of the new health services division. Eventually, he became president of international pharmaceutical operations, responsible for and traveling to companies in 18 countries.
Finally, Hollin decided to go his own way. He purchased a Pennsylvania public pharmaceutical company and took it private. Nine years later, he sold it to Teva, Israel's largest pharmaceutical company.
"After the sale, I decided I wanted to stay active but not necessarily in day-to-day, hands-on operations, so I purchased a few companies around the country with competent management. I acquired a cosmetics firm in New York, and an animal feed company in Arizona, a Florida home furnishings business and a Texas auto after-market organization." After several years of tracking these operation, Hollin decided to divest himself of his investments in 1992.
He began to devote himself to a
long-standing hobby: collection hand-colored books from the 17th century.
He owns several hundred texts collected from his worldwide travel that illustrate
weapons, biology, botany, travel, architecture, military, comics and sports.
Raymond Kalil, B Battery, 145th AAA AW (SP) Battalion, 45th Div.
I was born on September 29, 1929 in Bayonne, New Jersey, last of five
siblings. I grew up in Bayonne and attended local parochial and public schools
and graduated from Bayonne Junior College. I traveled to California with the
hope of attending the California Institute of Technology. Unable to afford the
tuition, I remained out of school expecting to earn enough to enroll the following
semester. One semester turned into two, then along came the draft. I entered
the Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey in early March of 1951.
Sixteen weeks of basic and advanced infantry training was followed by Leadership
School, then as training cadre. Soon I was sent off to Fort Bliss, Texas for
OCS in the Anti-Aircraft and Guided Missile School. I was commissioned in May
1952 and assigned to the 385th AAA Gun Battalion at Fort Devens, Massachusetts
as acting B Battery Commander. December 1952 brought orders for FECOM, and I
arrived in Korea in Early March 1953 where I was assigned to B Battery, 145th
AAA AW (SP) as a platoon leader of Multiple Gun Carriage M-16's committed "on
line" in support of the 7th and and 20th ROK Infantry Divisions. Following the
Armistice, I was appointed commander of B Battery. In October 1953 I was reassigned
as battalion S-2. In December I applied for early release from active duty for
a return to college.
Returning home I matriculated at
Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania and graduated in June 1955 with a BA degree
in economics. A year later I married my wife and partner Rosemarie. In 1958,
after working as Credits and Accounts Manager of an oil company, I decided on
a career change and taught mathematics at Bellport Senior High School in Bellport,
New York. Eventually I earned a Masters Degree and became an assistant principal.
I ventured off to Tennessee with my partner for a "crusade." May I use that
term? Webster's second meaning is, "A vigorous campaign to promote a cause,"
which is really what it was. That business is Weight Watchers of Middle and
East Tennessee. I made other ventures into commercial real estate and radio.
Now I am retired (or retarded whichever is the case) but continue as a private
investor. I spend my time flying, and with the Korean War Association, the Korean
War Veterans Association, Governor's Council for the 50th Anniversary of the
Korean War, Tennessee Valley Veterans Administration Hospital Board, and the
Tennessee State Guard.
John McLain, Medical Co. (attached to A Co.), 179th Inf., 45th, Div.
I was born Jan. 24, 1933 to Mary Maude (Sandidge) McLain and Carl H. McLain,
the younger of two brothers and one sister. I was raised in Cleveland, Tennessee
and attended three different grade schools. I lived in the country where I built
rabbit gums (traps ) and learned the skills of hunting rabbits and squirrels
at age seven. By age nine I carried a 12 gauge shotgun, hunted by myself, and
learned to clean the game which my Mother cooked.
When I was nine we moved to town, and, after school turned out for the day, I sold newspapers to earn money to see the movies, or pulled ice at a plant which was across the street from where I lived, sometimes from Friday until Monday morning when I had to get to school. Sometimes after school I set pins at a local bowling alley. In the summer there was a strawberry processing plant where I capped strawberry's at night for spending money. That was where I got my social security card.
One of my patriotic memories of WW II: Lots of us went to the train station to pay our respect to men being brought home who were killed in action. I tried to enlist in the Army at 12, ( not a chance ). In 1947 at age 13 I was able to enlist in the National Guards, Service Company, 278th Inf. Regiment. I worked in the motor pool, where I learned to drive a 2 1/2 ton truck. The next summer we went to summer camp at Camp Campbell Ky. I had military driver's license before I was old enough to have a civilian license. At age 14 I was hauling troops to and from the rifle range.
I did graduate from grade school, but, after about three months in High School, I became disgusted and was able to enlist in the Army. I enlisted and left home before My father knew I had gone, I had the fear that he would tell them my age and I would have to come home, but he didn't. He always told us kids what we got into we would have to get out of by ourselves. I always had the fear that someone would figure I was too young, but I got away with it, and I ended up with a total service of 7 years 4 months and 15 days.
I was discharged February 5, 1955, came home, and worked in a funeral home planning to be a mortician, but the owner never gave me on the job training. After three months I went to California, but after a year I came home to marry Ramona Petit. We returned to California and stayed two more years then moved back to Tennessee, we will soon have been married 47 years, We have three daughters, four grandsons, one granddaughter, a great-grand son, and one great-granddaughter.
After returning I worked with Railway Express for six years until it went bankrupt. I drove for a freight company until retirement in 1984, The last 12 years the company allowed me off for a week at a time to fish in the bass tournaments I still compete in.
As another challenge, while I was
working I went to flying school and received a private pilot's license. Since
retirement, I bought a mobile home and spend each winter each winter guiding
bass fishermen in Florida.
Donald W. (Hank) Nicol, B Co. 179th Inf., 45th Div.
First my name: In grammar school I was "Pickle; in high school, "Don;" in the
army, "Nick," and, from five years Down Under, "Hank" (it rhymes with Yank);
I'm not through yet--in Thailand I was "Nikon," about as close as any Thai can
come to my last name. Pickle was a kids' name, Don sounds wimpy, Nick is gangsterish,
and not many people here speak Thai, so I stuck with the one I liked best, Hank.
I was born in Pasadena, California on 26 February 1930, four months after the crash. My father lost his job in a furniture factory, and we moved to the San Joaquin Valley to live one small step above sharecropping. We were poor, but everyone else was, too, so it didn't make much difference to us kids--me and my younger siblings, Kenneth and Norma. My father grew cotton and alfalfa and, sometimes, sorghum. When he was able to buy the place after WW II he planted a small home orchard. We kept two or three Jersey cows. My father milked in the morning, and I milked in the afternoon.
In school I was a great reader and a mathematical klutz. When my mother complained about grades I told her, "C's are average, what's the matter with C's?" At Bakersfield College in 1947 I took the required classes and was bored out of my gourd by economics and psychology. I'm probably poorer today because I've never touched either subject since. I escaped for a while by joining the army as a one year draft dodger. The Berlin Airlift was on during my whole enlistment, but nothing much happened to me, a truck driver for the 502d Replacement Company, 2d Armored Division, Camp Hood, Texas. It was one of the best jobs I ever had--except for having to go into Killeen on winter nights to pick up incoming troops.
After being released from active duty I reluctantly finished at Bakersfield and moved on to San Francisco State. I served in active reserve units, first a truck company, then an artillery battery where I became a corporal and assistant gunner on a 105 crew. Summer training was great sport. I had no real interest in higher education, but completed an army correspondence course. A board of officers allowed me to become a second lieutenant. To escape school, I volunteered for active duty. I went through basic training twice more, but as an officer, so I didn't have to crawl in the mud--but I often did because I couldn't stand seeing anyone beat me at anything. I used a borrowed M-1 and became bayonet assault course champ, not because I was the best athlete, but because I was aggressively competitive. I went to the Associate Infantry Company Officers course at "Benning's School for Boys," then headed for Korea, still without a clue.
I bounced around three companies
of Pagan Red for three weeks, During this time my only action was on the edge
of being bombed by a flight of F-80's that hammered Smoke Valley in the Punch
Bowl sector. I settled into Charlie Company and went onto Poverty Knob above
the Mundung-ni Valley with the First Platoon until I was wounded on 4 March
1953. I was on my way to my first shower in 29 days. I got my shower at the
11th Evacuation Hospital in Wonju two days later--with a plastic bag over my
left arm.
After a month's vacation in Japan I returned, this time to Baker Company for
a mostly uneventful stay on Heartbreak Ridge. For awhile I got away with incompetence
because second lieutenants are supposed to be stupid. Then I was promoted and
became an incompetent executive officer. Then came Outpost Queen, which you
know about if you've read this far.
I developed (pardon the pun) passion in photography during high school, so why didn't I take some pictures in Korea? After being released from active duty, I studied at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara on the GI Bill. I became more competent at photography than at army, but I never made much of a living because I have no business sense--none. I wandered off to New Zealand and Australia where I occasionally worked as a photographer, but mostly as a welder. I loved Australia, but I realized I needed that piece of paper or I would never get past dead end jobs. The easiest way was to migrate back to San Francisco State. After receiving a diploma I still didn't know what to do, so I took my degree into the Peace Corps.
During two years in Thailand I learned barely enough of the language to survive, did nothing to advance the well being of the country, and married Suganya Terchareon, the girl who failed to teach me Thai. And I failed to teach her English, but she learned from my mother after I brought her back.
That piece of paper did me some
good when I passed the test to become a California State Park Ranger. The pay
was lousy (school teachers complain?), but the work was great. Suganya and I
raised two children, Apasara and Surat. After the kids were gone and I retired,
my marriage came unglued. I moved up here to my son's house in Eureka, California.
I'm still here, but Surat has moved on to become an Idaho State Park Ranger.
Apasara manages a book store in San Diego. I have no grandchildren. Neither
of my offspring is cooperating. Surat seems to have enough girl friends but
is still unmarried. "Pas," who is married, likes kids but doesn't want one of
her own.
William (Bill) Oelkers, H Co., 180th Inf., 45th Div.
I was born on Long Island in Sayville, NY, on May 3, 1932. Sayville is on Long
Island, about 50 miles east of New York City. Two days after the Korean War
started in 1950 I graduated from Sayville High School. On November 10, 1952
I was drafted and had basic training at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. Then I went
to Fort Dix for 16 weeks Heavy Weapons training. From there I was sent to Fort
Lewis, WA, for about seven weeks, and I finally arrived at H Co.,180th Infantry
on June 30.
After arriving back home in mid-October, 1954, I returned to work with my father and brother in our small construction business, mostly home alterations. I joined the Sayville Fire Department in late '54, played in the band, served in all the office's, and was Chief in '77 and '78. I retired from hard work in 1988, and took a job with the Fire District as a dispatcher (an easy job with good benefits).
I never married, and I'm sort of
a town unofficial and a supporter of high school football. I've been going to
my school's games for 60 years.244
Gunnar (Guns) Osterberg, C Co., 179th Inf. 45th Div.
I was born on March 10th, 1932 in a little town in northern Michigan called
Ironwood. It is right near Lake Superior and the Wisconsin border. I had everything
as a kid growing up there except money. It was a Huck Finn life in the summer
and frosty frolics in the winter. My dad was a good auto mechanic, but had a
romance with "John Barleycorn" and "Jack Daniels". When
he was doing his romancing, he didn't work, which found my sister, my mother
and me on the dole, called in those days, "Relief." Funny thing though, I didn't
know we were poor, we had a family. While attending high school and at age 16
my parents decided to sell all and move to California. We, like the family in
"Grapes of Wrath," had a 1937 Pontiac with a mattress on top, and
away we went. We ended up in Burbank California where I finished my last two
years of high school. I played all sports in Michigan, but settled on basketball
at Burbank High. After graduation I went to work for an aerospace company in
Burbank and was learning to be a tool and die man, when, in September of 1952,
I got my "greetings" letter. Once I got through with the heavy boo-hooing
and pulled myself together, I decided to make the most of my new occupation.
I was sent to Fort Ord and then on the USS Breckenridge to Japan and then Inchon.
(Yongdong-po? lord I had forgotten that one stop that got as much play as "See
I got no yo-no".) [He is referring to a snatch of song based on "Tampico."
"Sasebo, Sasebo, on the way to Yongdong-po--"] I went up to a blocking position
to join C Company and then onto Heartbreak Ridge.
I rotated in April of 54 on a 30 day voyage to New York City where I marched in the parade of the 45th Division's returning its colors [to the Oklahoma National Guard]. I finished my two years at Fort Lewis doing the same infantry games of sleeping out below the stars.
I found that the army was two of the worst years of my life, but yet at this old age I find many positive things it did for me. (This is another story.)
I returned to my aerospace employment, met and married my wife, drove in a 53 Mercury all the way to Acapulco on our honeymoon, and started to community college full time. All this in the first year out of the service. The college didn't last too long, and I again went back to work. My tool and die experience helped me get a sales job with a twist drill company out of Chicago and this led to my sales career in the specialty steel industry that went for just about forty years. Thirty two years with mills in Pittsburgh and Baltimore selling stainless steel raw material (Sheet, plate and strip). I was the West Coast sales manager for one company for 22 years covering eleven western states. I went through two buy-outs, and they finally pushed me out on an early retirement at age sixty one. I then started my own mill rep business called Monarch Metals, where I was to have more fun than in all the previous years. I retired at age sixty seven.
I will have been married to my wife
Barbara 47 years in June. She is the best thing that ever happened to me. We
have a boy 41 and a girl 38. We have three grandchildren from our son and darling
daughter-in-law. They are all boys ages 16, 14 and 12.
Wayne Pelkey, F Co. 180th Inf., 45th Div.
I was born on 6 November 1931 in Barre, Vermont. I was the was second son with
a brother 3 years older and a younger sister 8 years younger. I Grew up in the
depression years in Websterville, Vermont, a quarry town where most small homes
were owned by the granite companies. We did not have flush toilets until I936
when I was five, and many in town died or were very sick from typhoid fever.
I remember the WPA digging the water and sewer lines by hand, and my folks inviting
two in for Thanksgiving; one later became President of the Seaman's Savings
Bank in New York City and his wife an officer in Avon Products. We always kept
in touch and a big memory for me was to visit their big estate in Port Jervis,
New York in 1948 where he let me drive his big Packard.
My father was a hoist operator at
the local quarry and my grandfather, who lived with us, was a blacksmith. My
father earned extra income on second jobs by doing plumbing, carpentry and electrical
wiring. This was very handy for me in later years as I learned the principles
of each trade from him while I helped on weekends or non-school days.
My mother was a good pianist and played in the silent movie theater in town
from 1925-1930. She was a very fastidious person and demanded everything be
spotless and organized. She was valedictorian in class of 1926 of Spaulding
High School in Barre. That is probably why my brother and I never dared take
a report card home that was not all A's. She actually cried when I got a B in
music, but I could not carry a tune in a five gallon pail.
My brother graduated in the top ten from the same high school and had a scholarship in mathematics (he could do trigonometry in his head) but could not pursue it as the needed an additional $450 to enroll, and that was not available. He went to work in the quarries, was married in 1948 and had five children; one of whom was valedictorian of same high school.
I was a typical grade school kid. I delivered newspapers, raised chickens for the eggs and meat during WW II, was in Cub and Boy Scouts working on a lot of Merit Badges, took piano lessons at $.25 a week at the Holy Ghost Convent, earned extra money shoveling snow and mowing lawns, and was always tinkering on my bicycle, lawnmower, or saw rig.
I graduated from Spaulding in 1949 and was pro-merito to please my mother. While a freshman in high school at age 13, I bought my first car (1929 Essex Super Six) for $10 and drove it in on an abandoned quarry road, that is when I could get it to run after all my tinkering. I worked at a Mobil service station after school and at 16 bought a 1934 Plymouth for $110. It transported me and five or six other kids the eight mile round trip to school and back instead of hitchhiking or walking . I took this same car to New York two weeks after my 1949 graduation and vividly remember stopping to take a photo of the Merritt Parkway as it was the first four lane road me and my pal (the one who hitchhiked to Camp George in 1953 to see me) had ever seen. And I remember 20 plus crossings on the Staten Island ferry and Coney Island and 10 cent beers we could not legally purchase in Vermont
After graduation, I did not use my scholarship to University of Vermont as my father had a stroke at age 46, and I felt my family needed me at home. My first job at the local quarry was at the bottom of a 300 foot pit shoveling mud and chips at the great figure of $.56 per hour and a 45 hour week. I can recall the thirst for water as I would not drink from the open water bucket with a dipper as most men chewed tobacco because of the granite dust. After three years, I had progressed through various jobs in the pits to a maintenance position keeping records of new carbide drilling bits.
Then Nov. 11, 1952, ( Armistice Day--a paradox) I was drafted and left for the induction center at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, then to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for 16 weeks of infantry advanced basic. I had only four days at home and that by way of "in transit" time because I took a plane from La Guardia. to Chicago and met the scheduled troop train to Fort Lewis, Washington. I have previously told you about the story from that point on to my discharge in Aug. 17, 1954.
After discharge, I went back to
work at my old job, was advanced to a better maintenance position and in 1957
was named the first full time safety director. I even got rid of those open
water buckets and got closed-insulated water cooler with paper cups; this was
only a start for many improved changes for "the guys in the pits. At this
position, I took several correspondence and campus courses in industrial psychology
at Colby College and continued home study courses to have enough credits for
equivalent two years of college.
I took flying lessons on the GI bill and advanced from where I had left off
in 1952. I bought my first airplane, a1946 Piper J-3, for $300 to complement
my new 1956 Chevy. Fifty-nine was a big year for me as I was promoted to Assistant.
Purchasing Agent in April, and I married Irene Fontana whom I had been dating
for 5 years. She was a secretary for DES at the State of Vermont but did not
continue an outside job after our first child; I wanted my kids to experience
a different way of life than what I had.
I was active in Jaycees and worked up through local chapters to become State President in 1964. This included a General Motors public relations program for use of a brand new Buick car to be exchanged every 5,000 miles. I had four new cars that year and an orientation PR trip by the US Air Force to Tullahoma, Tennessee; Dobbs, Georgia; and Cape Canaveral, Florida to witness a satellite launching.
In 1959 I became active in elective and appointed local and state politics serving on airport commission, planning board of Barre Town, 12 years on the school board, 36 years on Fire District, and I am still on a joint Barre City/ Barre Town services committee plus on the church finance committee.
In 1962, we moved from our "'five
year honeymoon cottage" to a new home on top of a hill overlooking Barre.
Then our first son was born in 1964 and our second in 1968. Both my sons graduated
from college at my insistence and have good jobs. Still no grandchildren much
to my disappointment.245
Edward R. (Dick) Rode, A Co., 179th Inf., 45th Div.
I was born in new York City in October 1930. My father was a superintendent
in apartment buildings and as such was constantly moving from one building to
another. By the time I was ten we had lived in seven different locations, all
in New York City, and I had attended 4 different grammar schools. In 1940 my
father got a job in the defense industry and we stayed in one place for the
rest of my growing up. After graduating from high school I went to the Academy
of Aeronautics and majored in aircraft design. It was a two-and-a-half year
program that concentrated on technical subjects without any of the humanities.
I was deferred from the draft while attending school but was reclassified 1-A
on the day I graduated. Because of that I could not take the job offer I had
accepted with North American Aviation in Los Angeles. I was drafted in July
of 1952 and took basic with a bunch of other misfits in Fort Dix, New Jersey.
I sailed to Japan on the USS Breckenridge and went through Camp Drake and then
to Korea. I landed at Inchon and went to the repo-depo at Yongdong-po, by train
to Chunchon, and then to Heartbreak on April 6th. I came home with the 45th
and marched up Broadway in New York before being separated in 1954. I then went
to work for Republic Aviation in June of 54 where I helped design the
F-105 fighter-bomber. I married Dorothy O'Connell in January 1957 and have five
children: Jane, Richard, Mary, Jane, and Catherine. I have no grandchildren,
just dogs and cats my kids either dump on us or we pet-sit for. In June of 58
I left Republic for Grumman Aircraft where I remained for 33 years as a Structural
Design Engineer. I went to night school under the GI Bill and received a BS
in E-2, A-6, and F-14 aircraft; satellites; the Lunar Module; and the Space
Shuttle. In 1975 I became involved in Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing
and retired in 1990 as Director of Computer Aided Manufacturing. Since then
I have enjoyed my retirement and keep busy being the Treasurer and computer
guru for my Elks Lodge.246
Dr. Robert T. (Dr. Bob) Schorr, 1st Battalion 179th Inf. [See Appendix
III for his account of casualty care.]
I was born in Los Angeles in 1928 and grew up in New York State. My father,
(an MD), brought us back east when his father died two months after I was born.
His mother lived in New York City, and we lived in rural Pawling, New York where
his office was in our house. With the onset of the Great Depression, he could
not make a living and took a job as medical officer for the CCC (Civilian Conservation
Corps), which employed young men who worked on roads, and in forests. As a young
boy, I watched him do minor operations, and became enthralled by the practice
of medicine. When his grandmother died in 1938, she left my dad a bit of money
to build a house in Chappaqua, New York, but we left when WW II got underway.
We eventually wound up in Bayonne, New Jersey, and I went to Rutgers University.
I received a Phi Beta Kappa upon graduation in 1947, and entered the University
of Pennsylvania Medical School that fall. I graduated first in my class in 1951,
took an internship at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I applied for
an Army Reserve Medical Officer appointment to avoid being drafted as a private
when I finished my internship, on June 30, 1952. Within three weeks, I was commanded
to report for induction, and wound up in October, 1952 with the First Battalion,179th
Infantry Regiment, 45th Division.
After finishing my military service, I took my surgical training at the University of Michigan where I completed the necessary 4 years of training, before going into practice working with a Kaiser Hospital group in San Pedro, California. I stayed there only two years (I wanted to work for myself) and went back east to work in North Carolina and Virginia for seven years, before returning to California.
I have closed my office practice
as a General Surgeon. I have had several national publications in the last four
decades, and expect another to be published soon. I now live in San Diego, with
my second wife. My three living children are in various places of the country
(my first born died after we returned to California). I have inherited three
children from my second wife, who all live nearby in San Diego. My only other
interest in life is baseball, an entirely different story too long to get into
now.
William Reece Smith, F Co. 180th Inf. 45th Div.
In Korea I was called Little Reb' (for my home state, Virginia), or sometimes
"Smitty." Now most people call me Reece, my middle name. My dad named me Reece
because a shoe salesman promised to give a pair of shoes to me. I don't remember
a new pair of shoes until I went in the army. When they gave me three pairs
I didn't know what to do with them.
When I got back to the states I was assigned to a regimental combat team out of Fort Devens. Massachusetts until September 1955, and was in the active reserves until 1961. From 1955 to 1959 I followed construction work, mostly general labor, anything I could get. In 1959 I went to work for Olin Matheson Chemicals Company. I was also married Maggie that year. We have two children, Reece Jr. and Lisa Gay (named for my mother) and three grandchildren.
I worked at the hydrazine plant and helped make fuel for the first mission to the moon. The plant was closed in 1972 for the pollution which still has not been cleaned up. That's one of the reasons my daughter says everyone who lived in Saltville any length of time is crazy because of the pollution, a great deal of which is mercury. You know, the mad hatter's disease, because they used mercury to cure beaver pelts.
In 1972 I went to work for Sunstrand, now called Bristol Compressors. Because of ill health I was put on disability in 1978. I used to fish and hunt, but since then, when my health allows, I "tinker." Until my health got too bad I was very active with my local VFW and went to conventions every year. I'm a lifetime member of all the veterans' organizations I know of.
Most of my hunting time was spent on "grouse" or pheasants. If you could see where we live you would think you were back in Korea. I worked night shift most of the time because I have a lot of trouble with night. It reminds me too much of Korea. Usually when I got off from work I hit the mountains to hunt or trout fish, although sometimes I had to go home just because I was so tired.
Parkinson's has made my speech bad,
but my hearing is even worse. I lost most of my hearing in Korea from gunfire
and artillery shelling along with other noises. I searched for years and years
and finally found out the 179th relieved us on Christmas Hill. I was very relieved
to leave but really felt for you guys. It was certainly no place for a young
man, or anyone, for that matter. My nerves were not very good either, and still
aren't, but who's not nervous in the middle of war. I still have nightmares
and night terrors about Korea, but I am so glad you all wrote about Christmas
Hill. You did a wonderful job, and I'm glad to know all of you.
Herbert Stern Jr., C Co, and S-2 1st Bn. 179th Inf., 45th Div.
I was born in Beaumont, Texas on October 16, 1927. The family soon moved to
Lake Charles, Louisiana and then to New Orleans, the city I regard as "home."
I attended Louisiana State University where I earned my Bachelor of Science
degree in 1950.
I enlisted in the army in April 1951 and took basic and leadership training at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, then OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia. I was assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas and ordered to Korea in late November 1952. I served with "C" Company, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division as platoon leader and company commander then in First Battalion Headquarters, first as S-1, later as assistant S-3. I was discharged on my birthday, 16 October 1953 and married Marge, a girl I had met while at Fort Hood.
We trekked back to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for my continuing work toward a masters degree from LSU. I worked for ten years with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission as a research biologist. During this time I took additional graduate work at North Carolina State University.
In 1966 Marge, our collie dog, and I packed up and headed for Cape Cod where I had landed a job with the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (now the National Marine Fisheries Service-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in Woods Hole. For me, who preferred firm ground under my feet, it was a dramatic change. I went to sea as a fisheries research biologist--not only on American vessels, but on Russian and Polish ships as well, while we studied the fisheries of the North Atlantic. Later I served as an administrator and in planning before until October 1994 when I "hauled it in" when I hit the majestic 65. I stayed in the Army Reserve for enough time to earn retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel, and I am active in the Reserve Officers association and served as Department (Massachusetts) President in 1987-88. I was a member of the Falmouth Finance Committee and served as Treasurer of my neighborhood civic association.
Marge and I now live in South Florida,
but I am looking at other places along the southern Atlantic coast. Maybe we'll
pull up stakes one more time.
* * *
APPENDIX II
HEADQUARTERS
7th ROK DIVISION
12 June 1953
SUBJECT: LETTER OF APPRECIATION
TO: B COMPANY, 145 ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY BATTALION
I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your tireless efforts and wholehearted
cooperation. You have shown in the performance of your missions to insure the
fire support to the infantry elements of this division since your attachment
to this division on 6 February 1952.
Particularly, the M-16 was a great factor in the repelling of enemy patrols,
destroying fire positions, and supporting our infantry elements in the achievement
of their assigned missions [illegible]. You have set a fine example of the cooperation,
needed in combat, between US and ROK armies. You have also made a great contribution
toward the achievement of the combat missions of this division.
Thank you very much for your distinguished achievements and my heartfelt praise
for all the members of your unit,
Signed
KIM YONG BAI
Major General ROKA
COMMANDING
* * *
APPENDIX III
CITATION AND REPORT ON CASUALTIES
DR. ROBERT SCHORR,
1ST LT. MC.
HEADQUARTERS
UNITED STATES ARMY FORCES, FAR EAST
CITATION FOR THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL
First Lieutenant ROBERT T. SCHORR, O2097243, Medical Corps, United States Army,
distinguished himself by meritorious service as Medical Company Surgeon, 1st
Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, in Korea, from 17 July to 27 July 1953.
Lieutenant SCHORR demonstrated outstanding devotion to duty and professional
skill when his Battalion Aid Station was subject to enemy artillery and mortar
fire. Realizing the necessity for immediate treatment and expeditious evacuation
of the wounded, he deftly administered treatment and accelerated the the removal
of cases for further care in in safer surroundings. One particular night, while
the while the area was being enveloped in hostile fire, Lieutenant Schorr resolutely
moved into forward terrain where the wounded lay exposed to the enemy's action.
Without thought of himself and despite difficulties imposed by darkness a fog,
he devotedly attended to thirty-six casualties. His prompt action and applied
medical skill were instrumental in assuaging pain and saving the lives of many,
Lieutenant SCHORR's loyalty, exemplary courage and his commendable achievements
enhanced the success of the battalion's mission. reflecting credit upon himself,
the Medical Corps and the military service.
* * *
BATTLE CASUALTIES
by
1st Lt. Robert T. Schorr MC USAR
An inevitable accompaniment of armed conflict is the battle casualty. The proper
management of combat injuries necessitates the military surgeon's awareness
of the types of injuries sustained, and the lessons learned in previous wars
concerning their treatment. This report is an attempt to document the types
of trauma seen in an infantry battalion aid station in a period of relatively
stable trench warfare in Korea.
Most studies on battle casualties have emanated from medical installations of
a semi-permanent nature, where equipment and personnel are available for the
accurate diagnosis and early definitive therapy of the casualty. In this report
are collected cases seen by the author at the most forward echelon, and only
descriptive diagnoses are included where the extent of the external injuries
could not be readily ascertained at the time of injury. Thus a penetrating wound
of an extremity need only to have pierced the skin, though it may also have
fractured a bone or injured a nerve.
Battle casualties are considered to be only those injuries resulting from the
action of an armed enemy. They may have been inflicted by a variety of weapons,
but in general may be grouped as wounds from missile shell fragments (MSF) or
wounds from gunshots (GSW). MSF wounds are inflicted by mortar, artillery, grenades,
the direct fire weapons on tanks, and shells from the various types of recoilless
rifles. GSW are those produced by rifles, machine-guns and other automatic weapons
("burp gun"). No pistol shot wounds were seen other than those accidentally
inflicted. In addition to the wounds of penetration and perforation, other men
were injured by concussion or blast effect, chemical burns (e.g., white phosphorus),
and in vehicle accidents when the carrier was upset by enemy fire. These latter
types of injury were uncommon in my experience.
TABLE I
BC MSF GSW
LAC CONT BURNS KIA SWA LWA
257 237 17 2 5 1 27 45 187
BC-battle casualties, MSF-missle shell fragments wound, GSW-gunshot wound, LAC-lacerations,
CONT-contusions, KIA-killed in action, SWA-seriously wounded, LWA-lightly wounded.
Table 1 includes not only our own soldiers, but also the wounds suffered by
Korean civilians who lived and worked with our soldiers and were subjected to
similar hazards. The overwhelming majority of wounded was, of course, soldiers.
It is interesting to note that the ratio of SWA to LWA was 1:4, a figure exactly
comparable to that seen in previous wars. 91% of all wounds were associated
with missile shell fragments, which is relatively high compared to the 75 %
incidence previously reported. In the cases reported here, 138 0r 53.3 % had
only a single wound.
TABLE 2
SITE OF INJURY NUMBER PERCENT
EXTREMITY (upper and lower) 202 78
SCALP, FACE, AND NECK 84 32.4
THORAX 36 14
SKULL 9 7
ABDOMEN 14 5.4
In table 2 is recorded the sites of injury and the relative incidence of each.
It will be noted that over three-fourths of the individuals suffered extremity
wounds in keeping with previous experience. When first seen, there were 26 compound
fractures in the total of extremity wounds (12.7 %), although probably more
were noted after X-ray examination at a surgical hospital. The incidence of
chest wounds is actually less than shown in the table because of the inclusion
there of wounds incurred by the Korean laborers who were not protected by any
body armor. This same state is applicable to skull wounds.
TABLE 3
Soldiers KIA Soldiers SWA
EXTREMITY WOUNDS 11 27
other than traumatic amps)
TRAUMATIC AMPUTATIONS 4 6
TRAUMATIC DECAPITATIONS 4 0
THORACIC WOUNDS 12 5
ABDOMINAL WOUNDS 3 7
SCALP, FACE, AND NECK 1 14
SKULL PENETRATIONS 7 10
PERINEUM AND GENITALIA 0 3
FRACTURE (CP) LONG BONE 6 12
WOUNDS IN TWO OR MORE 16 25
ANATOMIC SITES
NUMBER 18247 37
Table 3 is comprised solely of soldier casualties, and illustrates again the
marked preponderance of extremity wounds over other anatomic sites. One striking
difference is noted between this group of severely injured and the total group,
and that is the markedly increased incidence of multiple wounds in the group
of severely wounded. It would appear that the patient's condition and prognosis
bear a direct and inverse relationship to the multiplicity of the wounds.
DISCUSSION
The casualties reported herein were unselected cases treated at an infantry
battalion aid station. They are not consecutive, however, in view of records
lost incident to the combat situation. They do represent a typical cross-section
of casualties seen in Korea during the period of static warfare in the last
18 months of the war.
As has been pointed out on numerous occasions, the types of casualties and the
frequency of wounds varies with the tactical situation. Thus, more casualties
will be inflicted during an attack or an enemy probe than in the usual static
defensive situation, and this also occurs when occupying a poorly constructed
position. Thus, the tactical commander and surgeon work together in the planning
of of an attack in order to insure that the expected toll of casualties will
be efficiently handled. In this study most of the casualties reported were not
related to close hand-to-hand combat, which must be expected from the low incidence
of gunshot wounds (9%).
The surgeon who first sees a casualty is concerned primarily with saving a life.
His efforts, therefore, are not directed toward definitive therapy, but rather
towards maintaining the patient's condition during the chain of evacuation until
the installation is reached where definitive therapy can be administered. The
battalion surgeon classifies the patient as seriously or lightly wounded in
action depending upon hs clinical estimate, and this impression is frequently
changed by the time the patient is examined at a point farther to the rear.
Furthermore, many patients, including several in this report, leave the aid
station alive though seriously wounded, and the battalion surgeon must consider
them only SWA when he is convinced that the wounds will prove lethal (and this
is frequently confirmed subsequently). It is felt that discrepancies in reported
wound site in previous papers is due to the fact that these reports were in
installations that saw only the wounded requiring evacuation from the combat
zone, and that no figures were compiled for men killed in action.
I found a fracture incidence of 12,7% as opposed to the 40% figure reported
from past experience. Another big variation in my figures was the relatively
high incidence of single wounds--53.3 % as opposed to the 35% previously reported.
Of the 36 thoracic only 12 penetrated the pleura, an incidence of 4.7 % of chest
penetrations.
From these figures it is not possible to infer any statistical superiority for
the armored vest. However, from a clinical standpoint, many of the wounds, superficial
when seen, would certainly penetrated the pleura but for the protective vest.
One case bears mentioning in slightly more detail with this point in mind. On
a combat patrol ambushed by the enemy, this soldier, sprayed by an automatic
weapon, suffered wounds in both arms , but his chest was uninjured though he
was struck in this region , while his vest was partially shredded. In view of
cases such as this, and others similarly reported, I feel the efficacy of the
armored vest is well established.
While comprising only 20% of the total army strength, the infantry sustains
70% of the casualties in a war. The role of military surgeon is manifold, but
has three primary objectives: (1) the preservation of life, (2) the rapid return
of the wounded to active duty, (3) the rehabilitation of those whose disability
precludes their return to duty. In addition, however, the role of the physician
entails not only the prevention of complications incident to wounding, but also
to foster methods to reduce the number and severity of wounds inflicted on military
personnel. At the level of the infantry battalion, the surgeon must limit himself
to the first primary objectives. This paper attempts to show what the physician
can expect at this echelon.
None of the psychiatric casualties has been included in this study. This was
done not to minimize their importance, but rather to focus the attention on
the largest group of battle casualties, the killed and wounded in action.
SUMMARY
Two hundred fifty-nine battle casualties seen in an infantry battalion aid station
in Korea are reported. The incidence of various types of wounds is discussed.
The anatomic sites of wounding for soldiers KIA and SWA are presented. It is
felt that these figures are representative of casualties seen at the front,
and differ from reports emanating from rear installations.
APPENDIX IV
OPERATIONS REPORTS
I have tried to copy these reports
exactly including capital letters in strange places. I corrected a few obvious
misspellings (i before e) but probably made a few typos of my own. I have included
these reports to show future historians how useless army records are. From this
report and the one following from the 179th Infantry one would think Outpost
Queen was a picnic in the park. No mention is made of the First Battalion of
the 180th having one hell of a fight on Outpost Texas a mile or so to the West.
Bill Oelkers comments, "Paragraph 1 a Operations, subparagraph 2, For 2 July:
The 1st Battalion battle receives exactly two sentences just as the 2d Battalion's
does for 15 July. The report does not reflect that 83 GIs died on those two
dates."248
* * *
HEADQUARTERS
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT
APO 86
5 August 1953
SUBJECT: Command Report (Reports Control Symbol CSGPO-28, R1)
TO: Commanding General
45th Infantry Division
APO 86
ATTN: Division Historian
1. Attached herewith in compliance with SR 525-45-1 dated 24 March 1953 and
Circular Number 67, headquarters Eighth Army, dated 7 may 1953, is the Command
Report of this organization for the month of July 1953.
2. When enclosures are withdrawn the classification of SECRET on this letter
of transmittal will be changed to unclassified in accordance with paragraph
18b, AR 380-5.
FOR THE COMMANDING OFFICER
[Signed]
PATRICK F. AHERN
1st Lt. Inf.
Asst. Adjutant
1 :
Comd Rept, original
copy.
One copy airmailed to
Chief, Army Field Forces,
One copy retained for file.
SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION
HEADQUARTERS
ONE HUNDRED EIGHTIETH INFANTRY REGIMENT
APO 86
5 August 1953
SUBJECT: Command Report for the Month of July 1953 (Reports Control Symbol CSGO-28,
R1)
THRU: Chief, Army Field Force
Fort Monroe
Virginia
To: The Adjutant General
Department of the Army
Washington 25, DC
1. During July the regiment moved from the reserve area at Inje to Line MINNESOTA
in the X Corps sector. The Regiment actively defended its sector until relieved
by the 179th Infantry Regiment on 19 July. Upon relief the unit moved into Corps
reserve at Tokka-li, Korea.
a, Operations
(1) A vigorous training program had been planned and put into execution prior
to moving back on line on 2 Jul 53. Upon receipt of orders to relieve the 5th
ROK Regiment of the 7th ROK Division, training was suspended and the regiment
prepared to move out.
(2) At 0415 on 2 July 53 the regiment assumed responsibility of Hill 1220, key
terrain feature in X Corps sector. Friendly action was confined to security
patrols and minor clashes across the regimental front. At 0500 on 15 July an
estimated enemy Battalion attacked Co K OPLR positions. Ground action ceased
at 1025 with friendly forces in control of the disputed terrain. At 0030 hours
18 July, Co B with attachments from Co D and Co I were engaged by estimated
2 enemy companies. Enemy withdrew at 0759 hours with friendly forces holding
their positions.
(3) On 19 July, Regiment minus was relieved on line and moved to Corps reserve
in Tokal-Li area. Reorganization and replacement of key personnel and equipment
was immediately initiated. Training plans were drawn up and put into effect.
(4) Second Battalion was attached to the 5th RCT on 18 July and given the missions
of blocking and counterattacking for that sector. The battalion stayed in this
position until relieved by the Third Battalion on 25 July. Upon relief, the
battalion rejoined the regiment at Tokko-Li and began reorganizing and replacing
key personnel.
(5) The 3rd Battalion, immediately upon relieving the 2nd Battalion, assumed
the same missions of blocking and counterattacking. The battalion remained in
this role until after the cease fire became effective. On 29 July the battalion
reverted back to regimental control.
b, Intelligence.
(1) Elements of the 536th Regiment of the 179th CCF Division and the 99th Regiment
of the 33rd CCF Division disposed laterally from DT030430 to DT065413, and in
depth from DT052415 to DT055450. No reliefs of enemy units were made during
the month of July.
(2) Nine (9) prisoners of war were taken by "I" Company on 18 July 1953, were
briefly interrogated and then sent to the 508th MISP-IPW team for further interrogation.
(3) CIC attachment continued a vigorous campaign to rid the regimental area
of all unauthorized personnel. Fifteen unauthorized Koreans were evacuated out
of the area, and twelve KSCs were discharged as undesirable.
c. Personnel.
(1) At the close of the month the authorized strength was 152 Officers, 27 Warrant
Officers, and 3476 Enlisted Men; present for duty were 130 Officers, 7 Warrant
Officers, and 3648 Enlisted Men.
(2) A total of 846 gains were reported during the period; 38 Officers and 752
Enlisted Men received through the pipeline as replacements; 35 Enlisted Men
returned from hospitals; 21 Enlisted men as administrative gains.
(3) Losses during this period totaled 782: 19 Officers and 377 Enlisted Men
were battle casualties (5 Officers KIA, 13 Officers WIA and 1 Officer MIA; 112
Enlisted men KIA, 225 Enlisted Men WIA and 40 Enlisted Men MIA; 33 Enlisted
Men were non-battle losses; 19 Officers, 1 Warrant Officer and 333 Enlisted
Men were administrative losses.
(4) Post Exchange supplies valued at $82,160.44 were drawn and issued by the
Regimental PX Officer.
(5) Received 381 sacks of regular mail, 41 sacks of air-mail and 56 sacks of
insured mail.
(6) Three Enlisted Men were tried by Special Courts Marital. One Special Court
Martial was left pending against an EM.
(7) Three SIWs during the period.
(8) Nine enemy POWs.
(9) During the period 79 Enlisted men and 7 Officers went on R & R to Japan.
(10) Awarded during the month were: 2 Silver Stars; 12 Bronze Stars for Valor;
26 Bronze Stars for Meritorious Service; 20 Commendation Ribbons; 126 Purple
hearts; 5 Good Conduct Medals; 694 Combat Infantry Badges; 5 Combat Medical
Badges.
(11) The Red Cross reported 12 cases brought forward and 115 new cases opened.
A total of 118 cases were closed and 19 cases carried forward at the end of
July.
d. Logistics.
(1) During the month of July, logistical support was furnished to elements of
the 180th Infantry as follows:
(a) Planning and supervising movement of elements of the regiment from Inje,
DT281134 to MBP positions.
1. Although bad weather conditions prevailed, movement was made according
to schedule.
(b) Operations during the period 2 July 1953 to 19 July 1953 were characterized
by the following conditions for logistical support:
1. Rugged geographical features within the sector.
2. Adverse weather conditions.
3. Limited road net.
4. Intense enemy operations.
Successful logistical support was given to all elements of the regiment in spite
of above the above conditions.
(c) Planning and supervision of movement of elements of the regiment from MBP
positions to Tokkal-Li. DT163253.
1. Replenishment and repair of equipment were made immediately as a result of
lateral transfer of property with the 179th Infantry Regiment.
2. Inspection of vehicles, weapons, individual clothing and equipment, signal
supplies, and other supplies was held after the regiment moved into reserve
area.
3. Logistical support of elements of the regiment was being made on training
and reserve mission.
(2) Supervision was intensified on the implementation of cost consciousness
and supply economy throughout the regiment.
(Signed)
Thomas H. Beck
Colonel Infantry
Commanding
* * *
OPERATIONS REPORT 179TH INFANTRY
on 3.3, NND PROJECT NUMBER NND78510,
by CC/RB on 23 July 1994. The
(This Operations Report of the 179t Infantry Regiment for July 1953 is from
a faded, mimeograph copy. It was declassified by executive order 12356, section
3.3, NND PROJECT NUMBER NND78510, by CC/RB on 23 July 1994. The National Archives
reproduced it, Penn Rabb restored it to approximately to legibility, and I retyped
it with the aid of a magnifying glass and some imagination. Question marks denote
letters or numbers beyond guesswork.)
* * *
SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION
Headquarters 179th Infantry
APO 86
SUBJECT: Command Report for the Month of July 1953 (Reports Control Symbol CTGPO-38,
R1)
THRU: Commanding General
45th Infantry Division
APO 86
TO: The Adjutant General
Department of the Army
Washington 25, D. C.
1. During the month of July the 179th Infantry Regiment performed four (4) separate
missions. For the period 1 to 11 July the regiment continued the defense and
improvement of Line MINNESOTA from DT100400 to DT246308. On 11 July at 0620
hours the 179th Infantry Regiment was relieved by 223d Infantry Regiment, reverting
to Corps Reserve in TOKKO-LI vicinity DT162256 and conducted training as prescribed
by higher headquarters. On 16 July at 0555 hours, 1st Battalion was attached
to the 5th Regimental Combat team and departed to relieve the 180th Infantry
Regiment of sector responsibility from (illegible) to (illegible).
2, Operations
(1) At this time the first battalion reverted to control of parent unit. During
the period 191330 July to 2722(??) continued the defense and improvement of
Line MINNESOTA. In accordance with Operation Plan (U) 45-0(?)-7-53 a cease fire
was effected at 272200 July and the 179th Infantry Regiment began dismantling
the Main Battle Positions. By 311305 July the Regiment was deployed in position
with the 3d battalion vicinity DT995378 to DT036392 on the Post Armistice Battle
Positions and the 1st Battalion in vicinity DT032335 and the 2d Battalion in
vicinity DT021319. Other than minor patrol actions the only significant action
was the amount of incoming mortar and artillery mortar and artillery during
the period 19-27 July with a total of 6223 rounds. Three new weapons were combat
tested during the period: the 4.2" mortar, the 81 mm mortar and the 105 mm recoilless
rifle. The capabilities and limitations of each is noted below.
(2) Crew found that the mortar M-30 4.2" was a better all around weapon the
the old M-2 mortar. The 360 degree rotation without moving the base-plate, the
fact that the sight is not mounted on the tube and the added range were the
most important improvements. Some of the deficiencies noted were: the base ring
had a tendency to buckle or crack when firing over charge 30, the elevating
handwheel snapped off at excess charges, and the elevating gear box loosened
up and jammed if pressure was applied on the handwheel.
(3) Mortar crew of this unit were very favorably impressed with the new 81 mm
mortar. Advantages noted over the old 81 mm were; circular base plate allows
firing in 6400 mil sector and is lighter in weight, that smooth operation of
the elevating and traversing mechanizing. Deficiencies noted were: the legs
of the bipod bend as a result of normal firing, a sturdier bipod is recommended
and the brass bushing in the collar has a tendency to work loose.
(4) The 105 mm recoilless rifles were issued to the regiment on a basis of two
(2) per Heavy Weapons Company on the 19th of July. Crews of these units were
very favorably impressed by the great accuracy of the rifle and destructiveness
of the HEAT type ammunition on bunkers and trenches at ranges between 2300 and
3300 yards. An improved carrier for the weapon is desirable as the present mounting
results in a top heavy carrier.
(5) In addition to the above combat operations, 99 men attended a total of fourteen
(14) schools during the period 1-31 July 1953.
b. Intelligence.
(1) During the period 1 July to 11 July 1953 the 179th Infantry Regiment continued
to defend and improve positions on Line MINNESOTA, opposed by two regiments
of enemy infantry: the 98th Regiment, 33d CCF 37th NK Division attached to the
60th CCF Army on the West, and the 76th Regiment, 37th NK Division, III NK Corps
on the East. On or about 5 July 1953 the 98th Regiment, 33d CCF Division was
relieved by the 97th Regiment, 33d CCF Division.
(2) From 11 July 953 t0 19 July 1953 the 179th Infantry Regiment was in Corps
Reserve in the vicinity of Chisong-Ni, where plans were made to resume the Regimental
Intelligence School. Before these plans could be executed, the Regiment moved
back on line in the Christmas Hill sector, where it was opposed by the 526th
Regiment, 179th CCF Division, 60th CCF Army on the West, and on the East by
elements of the 99th Regiment, 33d CCF Division, II CCF Army attached to the
60th Army.
(3) During the time spent on the line in both sectors, there was a total of
144 Security Detachments, 10 combat patrols, 9 ambush patrols and 21 rear area
patrols ordered and executed during the period. In addition to this there were
68 Daylight Reconnaissance Patrols executed in the Christmas Hill Sector. Since
the 27th of July 1953 there were 8 night reconnaissance patrols and 6 daylight
reconnaissance patrols executed to the DMZ.
(4) The total number of contacts with the enemy numbered 4 during the period
and the largest action being an engagement by Baker Company recovery party with
an estimated 2 enemy squads, vicinity DT051418 in a seven (7) minute firefight.*249
(5) Enemy casualties during the period numbered 21 estimated WIA and 6 enemy
deserters taken prisoners. Five of the deserters were NKPA personnel taken while
in the Heartbreak sector, and 2 CCF prisoner from the Christmas Hill sector.
(6) Incoming rounds for the period in the Mundung-Ni sector totaled 864, while
in the Christmas Hill sector incoming rounds numbered 6,253, bringing the entire
regimental total to 7,117 rounds. It may be noted that the greatest amount of
incoming rounds occurred on the first and last days in the Christmas Hill sector.
The breakdown on these rounds would amount to a total of 4,949 rounds of mortar,
and 2,168 rounds of artillery.
(7) The Regimental Intelligence and Reconnaissance Platoon maintain three Observation
posts during the period while in the Heartbreak Ridge sector, and 2 Observation
Posts on Hill 1220 in the Christmas Hill sector. These Observation Posts sighted
and called fire on a total of 464 enemy observed in 37 different sightings.
There were an additional 26 vehicles in 6 separate sightings not taken under
fire.
(8) The Regimental Counterintelligence Detachment conducted the following activities
during the month: processed 41 Korean Nationals and the appropriate disposition
was taken on each. Of the 41 processed, 5 were KSC personnel, 5 miscellaneous
stragglers, 9 job seekers, 2 security suspect, 20 ROK Army personnel and 1 unauthorized
person. In addition to this there were 30 security checks of former CP areas
conducted during the month, and 71 road patrols were made.
c. Personnel
(1) A total of twenty-three (23) KIA, one hundred sixty-four (164) WIA, and
thirty-three NBI were reported for the period.
(2) Five day rest and recuperation leaves to Japan were granted to seven (7)
officers and seventy-nine (79) enlisted men.
(3) Through rotation losses and administration transfers the regiment lost a
total of twenty-one (21) officers, one (1) warrant officers, and four hundred
and twenty-five (425) enlisted men.
(4) Total replacement and hospital returnees amounted to six (6) officers and
seven hundred ninety six (796) enlisted men.
(5) Sixteen (16) awards for valor and twenty-three (23) meritorious awards were
presented to members of this command during the period.
(6) Eleven (11) officers and five (5) hundred and twenty-four (524) enlisted
men were promoted during this period.
d. Logistics:
(1) The month of July opened with the lateral transfer of erected tentage and
weapons larger than BAR's to elements of the 223rd and 279th Infantry who relieved
this organization. The transfer was completed on or about 17 July. The same
property was again laterally transferred to the 180th Infantry on 20 July 1953.
(2) New property books were completed by all units and at the close of the month
were waiting for the IG inspection preparatory to destroying the old property
records of units.
(3) Fortification materials stockpiled in position were withdrawn and placed
in battalion dumps subsequent to the signing of the truce. As the month closed
the service elements were moved to the area as prescribed by Headquarters, 45th
Infantry Division.
(Signed)
F. K. Zierath
Colonel, Infantry
Commanding
* * *
APPENDIX V
WEAPONS, EQUIPMENT,
AND CLOTHING
Infantry weapons were mostly leftovers
from World War II. The M-1 rifle was the basic infantryman's weapon. Most of
the semiautomatic M-1 carbines had been replaced, or converted, into M-2's which
could be switched to full automatic fire. The BAR, Browning Automatic Rifle,
was unchanged. Machine gunners and mortar men carried the same old M-1913 .45
caliber pistol. The water-cooled heavy .30 caliber machine-gun and the .50 caliber
machine-gun were unchanged, but many of the light .30's had a bipod mount at
the tip of the barrel, and a flash hider had been added to some. The old 2.36
inch bazooka was replaced by a bigger one that fired a 3.5 inch rocket. I believe
recoilless rifles had been used toward the end of WW II, but, in Korea, every
rifle company had three 57 mm "reckless rifles," and heavy weapons companies
had 75's. A 105 mm, Jeep mounted model was available, and Pagan Red receive
two on Hill 1220. Pineapple hand grenade with both three and five second fuses
was used throughout the Korean War. The newer Three second models were identified
by the handle's being held on by a T-bar' on top. The new lemon grenades
trickled in during the last days. 60 mm and 81 mm mortars were unchanged from
WW II, again until the last week of the war. The improved 4.2's of Heavy Mortar
Company were issued in those las days, though I had seen them month earlier
at Fort Benning. The sight on an old one was attached to the end of the muzzle
and had to be removed before a round was fired. The new ones had a more solid
sight near the middle of the tube. The new 4.2's had a round base plate with
a rotating middle piece to give it lateral movement without having to dig it
up and start all over. Unlike the smaller mortars, the 4.2 was rifled and, consequently,
more accurate. I give caution here--I had absolutely nothing to do with heavy
mortars.
One oddball weapon, two actually, was the Ginder Gun, named for our commanding
general. When I first arrived I saw six 2.36 inch bazookas welded together and
mounted on a machine-gun tripod. Later I saw the same setup with 3.5 inchers.
They looked wicked but too heavy to move around. I heard they were inaccurate,
but I never saw one used or even knew anyone who claimed to have seen one fired.
The sniperscope was an infrared device mounted on an M-1 carbine. Originally
it was fitted to an M-1 rifle, but, since its range was not much over fifty
yards, it was put on the lighter weapon. A snooperscope was the same instrument
unmounted. Infrared light was projected using power from a rechargeable battery
and could be seen through a special sight. A battery lasted only a few minutes
and, then, had to be sent to the rear for recharging. That was enough trouble,
but the KATUSAs, fascinated by an ability to see in the dark, wasted the charge
soon after the sun went down,
We had backpack flame throwers and, on Heartbreak, a stationary monster
holding some 50 gallons of napalm. I never saw either used in anger.
The artillery was also mostly equipped, as in WW II, with 105 mm and 155 mm
howitzers. Self propelled guns were used by other divisions in flatter country.
Corps artillery also had extremely accurate eight inch guns. Whether these saw
action in WW II, I don't know. I heard a rumor that somewhere in Korea was a
240 mm gun designed to fire atomic shells. I caution--remember--rumor.
Ammunition
All ammunition, except ball, was
coded with paint, either on the tip or all over, as with bombs and grenades.
Carbines and pistols fired ball copper jackets. Armor piercing, non-exploding
.30 caliber ammo for M-1s BARs, and machine-guns had black tips--except tracers
with red tips. Dummy grenades for training were also painted black. Fifty caliber
rounds were tipped red for tracer and gray for incendiary. In theory, the .50
was an antiaircraft weapon and the ammunition was meant to damage self sealing
gas tanks. Practice ammunition (grenades, mortar rounds, and mines) that popped
without doing damage was painted blue. Years later in San Diego I saw a newscast
with a reporter all excited because somebody found an old antitank mine. It
was blue. It might have exploded with the force of a small firecracker. I saw
so little frangible ammunition, used for safety on very short ranges--less than
twenty-five yards--that I don't remember its color. From limited experience
and memory, I believe ammunition for tanks was color coded but not for artillery.
Tanks
The 45th was one of the few American
divisions still to use Sherman tanks. These more more maneuverable than the
newer, heavier models and needed because we were higher in the mountains than
most other units. They were set in fixed positions and used as direct fire artillery
The Shermans mounted 76 mm guns, more powerful than the 75's of early WW II
but less than the more recent 90's.
Mines
Mines were mostly made up of cans
of napalm (jellied gasoline) and set off with an electric blasting cap or, more
often, by a grenade fuse screwed into a block of tetratol or pack of TNT. The
pin was pulled by a long, long piece of commo wire.
Enemy Weapons
The most common enemy weapon was
the Russian style submachine-gun we called the "burp-gun." Its 9 mm Luger ammo
was inferior, the bullet being fastened to the cartridge case by three punch
marks rather than being crimped. Their 61 mm and 81 mm mortars had bores 1 mm
larger than ours, so, in theory, they could fire our ammunition, and we couldn't
fire theirs. The enemy 120 mm mortar was bigger than our 4.2 incher (105 mm
to save you the trouble). It was not rifled and fired a round with fins like
the smaller mortars.
Enemy Grenades
We picked up a lot of enemy grenades
on Easy Finger forward of Outpost Queen. Some were pineapples with a fuse sticking
out almost two inches. Some of their battleship gray potato mashers were about
the size of a number 2 can. The six inch handle was the diameter of a broomstick,
and the safety lever was a piece of sheet steel wrapped around the handle. Another
large potato masher had a shaped charge that wouldn't have done much to a tank
unless somebody held it right up to the armor. That wouldn't have done the holder
much good, either. It did have a dirty, black flag that trailed behind to head
it in the right direction. Another potato masher had a black, cast-iron head
the size of a tomato paste tin. The handle was 6 inches of bamboo. To throw
it, you removed a piece of adhesive tape, took out a ball of cotton, fished
out a ring on a cord, pulled, and threw. It had a long fuse--ten seconds. The
others were five. All the fuses popped loudly and trailed black smoke. I was
young and strong and stupid and actually tried these things.
Barbed Wire
Barbed wire was still a primary
defensive weapon. I ran right through a "double apron" during a night exercise
at Camp Cook and got by with only a few scratches. That was dumb luck. Wire
was really more effective. A double apron, tapering down in zigzags from a three
foot high center could be constructed most effectively by trained engineers
or, at least, a P and A platoon. An attacker would have to cut through the wire
or blast it with a Bangalore torpedo. (A Bangalore torpedo, named for the city
in India, is a pipe full of explosive. It is constructed to split apart in long
ribbons to cut the wire.) Anybody could stretch out a roll of "concertina."
This was made of two strands of barbed wire rolled in opposite directions. With
a man pulling on each end and another shaking out the middle, an entanglement
could be set up quickly. Two rolls side by side with another tossed up between
made an effective barrier to infantry. Concertina could be crossed by pushing
it up while creeping under on one's back. This would be next to impossible if
the wire was staked down and/or was protected by fire.
Field Telephone
I enjoyed watching the TV show
MASH, but its factual errors irritated the hell out of me. A telephone scene
appeared in almost every show, and I never once saw it done properly. To call
someone on the EE-8 field telephone you had to crank the handle to turn a small
generator that rang a phone at the other end of the line. This other end was
at the company switchboard. To get another party you had to route your call
through a series switchboards. Every switch drained power, and you were lucky
to get as far as division, much less corps. Seoul was impossible from any distance.
Suppose you wanted to call another regiment; the routine went like this: Ring-g!
"Baker Switch, sir."(Everyone not a general answered the phone with "sir," just
in case).
"Switch, this is Baker five (executive officer) give me Red."
"Red Switch, sir."
"Red, give me Pagan."
"Pagan Switch, sir."
"Pagan, give me Power (division)."
"Power Switch, sir."(Division HQ was heavily populated with rank happy field
grade officers. You better believe division switchboard operators said "sir.")
"Power, give me Passport,"
And etcetera, etcetera, etcetera until you reach your buddy, weapons platoon
leader in Fox Company of the 180th infantry, who answers, "Fox Four, Lieutenant
Smith, sir."
When you were finished, you spun the crank again to get the attention of the
operator and said, "Break er down, switch." This is what the English call
"ringing off."
Sound Powered Phones
These phones were handsets only
without a ringing circuit, and getting someone's attention could be a problem.
We always whistled into the mouth piece,
but other outfits shook the wire to rattle C-ration tins at the other end. The
quota was one for each squad and one for platoon HQ (platoon leader and platoon
sergeant), but almost every one of my men had one. they were taken on patrols
by stringing wire from a reel or a "doughnut."
As if every Chinese platoon had a radio on our frequency and an English speaking
soldier to man it, radio security was so paranoiac that a patrol never took
a radio. Each carried a sound powered phone had no ring to give it away payed
out the wire with a quiet zip-zip-zip from the center of a "doughnut," but,
more often, it trailed from an unlubricated, squealing reel. Any enemy who was
awake could hear it from a lot farther away than I care to think about. So many
patrols had gone out from one place on Heartbreak Ridge that the entrance/exit
was paved a yard wide and two inches deep in commo wire.
Bill Oelkers:
"We used Sound Powered Phones in my mortar platoon. It was
a very simple system. It consisted of two conductors of commo wire, laid in
a loop connecting the forward observer (FO), the Fire Direction Center (FDC),
with each of the four mortar pits. Each had a handset with two "Alligator
Clips" that fastened to each of the wires. Nothing else was required. We used
the same methods of getting someone's attention, whistling or rattling cans.
As I remember, this gear all came from Commo Specialist Jackie Farmer's 'sophisticated'
Commo kit, consisting of a burlap sandbag with a couple of rolls of wire, several
handsets, and a pair of TL (telephone lineman's) pliers.250
Every hour or so at night the CP would call each squad, each machine gun and
the LP in turn to make sure someone was awake. I was in the CP one night on
Heartbreak and the LP did not answer. Everyone disappeared and the commo man
and I were left to go out and see what happened to them. We went out along the
finger leading to the LP and, as we neared the LP, we saw two bodies stretched
out on the ground. I figured they were dead and the Chinks were waiting for
some damn fool to come out so they could ambush us. I dropped to one knee and
was frantically looking around for the enemy while the Commo man went up the
LP. All of a sudden he raised his carbine and brought the butt down on one of
the helmets. Now I am thoroughly confused and ran up to see what was going on.
When I got there I saw the two men on LP looking up with frightened looks. They
had been asleep. How anyone could sleep on
LP is beyond me.251
Commo Wire
Each pair of rubber-coated wires
contained two strands of copper for conduction and one strand of steel for strength.
A telephone clip was attached to a stripped wire but also had a needle to puncture
the insulation for a quick hookup, So much commo wire was scattered around it
looked like it was holding the country together; it seemed if someone gathered
all the commo wire, the mountains would collapse. Commo wire was our connection
with each other, with headquarters, high and higher, with the artillery and
furnished a place to sleep. In case I haven't mentioned it--and I know I have--bunker
cots, may I say "bunks?" were of commo wire woven between logs.
Radios
Our radios were an improvement
of the WW II models, but still were not much good. In its wisdom, the army had
put the PRC-6, called "Prick six," walkie talkies on set frequencies that could
only be changed by a technician in the rear. This led to the ridiculous situation
on Outpost Queen where I could talk to the Second Platoon on one radio to the
First on another, but not to the Fourth or to the company CP. The PRC-10 better
known as the Prick-six was a back pack radio with greater range. A single sideband
(don't ask me to explain that) radio called the "Angry Nine," from its designation
of ANGRC-9, was too heavy to pack around, but the artillery FO had one, and
it could be mounted on a Jeep. It could operate on a hand crank generator if
batteries were down or not available.
Binoculars
Rifle companies were issued three
pairs of 6 X 30 binoculars, one for each mortar squad. Squad leaders were the
designated forward observers, but we had a pair of 7 X 50's someone had stolen
from the artillery. These were heavy but far superior in use. In both sizes,
a mil scale and an upside-down machine-gun sight were inscribed on one objective
lens. These were used to estimate elevation in yards and windage in mils. For
a long time I felt cheated by civilian binoculars without the scales. The artillery
OP was equipped with 20 power binoculars hinged to become a periscope or spread
wide for more accurate range finding.
Clothing
Soldiers in the Korean war began
with WW II weapons, equipment and clothing, but, in Mash, Radar's knitted tanker's
cap was a style gone extinct before I joined the army in 1948. At that time
the uniform had been changed somewhat from that of WW II. Instead of the blouse
with skirts and brass buttons, we wore the Eisenhower, or Ike, jacket and the
color, though still olive drab (OD) had been changed from shade 32 to shade
33 (or was it 33 to 34?). It was a little darker and with a touch less of the
yellow tinge. Khaki uniforms were the same shade as in WW II, but the necktie
was dark green instead of khaki, and enlisted men's shirts had shoulder straps.
By the time I arrived in Korea in late 1952, OD was being replaced by olive
green (OG). The first troops in were unprepared for cold weather and suffered
greatly. We were better off, but below zero temperatures are not a lot of fun,
even with Mickey Mouse boots. Apparently someone thought they looked like the
famous rodent's shoes. They were of heavy, insulated, waterproof rubber that
kept feet warm while we sat on the MLR or on a listening post. When we hiked,
they quickly became to hot, and our feet sweated. They were a sloppy fit, too,
and I hated the way my socks slid down under my feet. When the weather was really
cold, we marched wearing leather boots with the Mickeys hanging around our necks.
When we stopped for any length of time, we switched boots before our feet froze.
To keep our heads warm we wore caps with earflaps and a turned up bill. The
liner for the steel helmet was adjusted to fit over the cap whichever way it
was worn. After the weather became a little less painful I removed the guts
of the liner. With earflaps and brim up, my head fit nicely into the liner.
Before we went on line in February, 1953, we received orders to cover our helmets
with sandbags. The heavy burlap didn't fit neatly, and no one looked at all
stylish--except for ol' Watash. I found an old sleeping bag cover to put over
my helmet. I never heard a reason for the makeshift helmet covers, but it was
probably to cut glare. It couldn't have been to silence any scratching from
brush, because all vegetation had been blown away long before.
The field jackets and parkas were a great improvement over previous winter clothing.
both were lined, and the parkas had a strip of wolverine fur around the hood
because it did not freeze, or so I heard. At times I was so cold I wore both.
Fully dressed, I wore long handles, under heavy OG pants and shirt, a pair of
shell pants held up by suspenders, flack vest, field jacket, parka, cap with
turned up visor and ear laps, steel helmet, and of course socks and boots. During
the Chosin retreat, correspondent Maggie Higgins asked a marine what his biggest
problem was. He answered, "Finding a two inch prick under three inches of clothes."
Somewhere on the way to the MLR I was issued a real flak vest. It was
a leftover from the Army Air Corps of WW II and seemed thick enough to stop
a slug from an M-1. It might have been all right in a B-17, but it was heavy
enough to match a fore-and-aft "paperboy" bag loaded with mortar ammo. After
a few days I was able to replace it with one of the standard vests with overlapping
fiberglass plates. It was more than second hand, and, soon, a plate fell out.
I felt exposed and naked with that four inch gap right over my heart. I got
a new one, and just in time, for I walked too close to a 61 mm mortar shell
near Poverty Knob. The vest must have done its job. I inspected both it and
the helmet and found not a mark on either, but I was wounded in my unprotected
left arm, neck, left ear, and butt. When I came back from the hospital I obtained
a later padded model. Non of the men would have one because someone had blown
a test hole though one with a .45 pistol. It was well known that neither a .45
or a 9 mm burp-gun slug could penetrate the vests made of plates. I kept it
because it was more comfortable, important because I slept with everything on
including vest and boots.
* * *
APPENDIX V
ABBREVIATIONS
AAA AW (SP) Antiaircraft Artillery
Automatic Weapons (Self Propelled)-- quad 50's (50 caliber) and twin 40's(40
mm). I saw the 40's at Fort Benning but never in Korea
AICOC Associate Infantry Company Officers' Course at Fort Benning
AFA Armored Field Artilery (self propelled artillery)
AP Armor piercing
AR Automatic Rifle
ART Artillery
ARTY Artillery
AUS Army of the United States (draftees, reserves, and National Guard)
BAR Browning Automatic Rifle (same as AR)
BCT Battalion Combat Team (Philippines)
Battalion. Battalion
CCF Chinese Communist Forces
Co. Company
CO Commanding Officer
CP Command Post
CPV Chinese People's Volunteers
Cpl. Corporal
CQ Charge of Quarters (Manned the orderly room at night)
CWO Chief Warrant Officer (addressed as "Mister")
Div. Division
Divarty Division Artillery
DOW Died of Wounds
EE-8 Field telephone model number
EM Enlisted Man
EUSAK Eighth United States Army, Korea
EVAC Evacuate, Evacuated, Evacuation
Exec. Executive Officer
FDC Fire Control Center
FECOM Far East Command
FO Forward Observer
Ft. Fort
FYBIGMO Fuck you, buddy, I got my orders--army version of Marines' "Semper fi,
Mac.
H and I Harassment and Interdiction artillery fire
HE High Explosive
HEAT High Explosive Anti-Tank
Inf. Infantry
KATUSA Korean Augmentation To United States Army
KMAG Korean Military Advisory Group
KIA Killed in Action
KSC Korean Service Corps--laborers--"choggie boys"
LOD Line of departure
LP Listening Post (nighttime post in front of an established position)
LWA Lightly wounded in action
LWIA Lightly wounded in action
MBP Main Battle Position (Front line)
MG Machine-Gun
MISP Military Intelligence Service Platoon (prisoner interrogation)
MLR Main Line of Resistance, defensive front line.)
MOS Military Occupational Specialty--745 was a basic infantry
rifleman; 1545 was a rifle company officer (I think)
MP Military Police
MPC Military Payment Certificate--paper money used only in Korea
M/Sgt. Master Sergeant
NBI Non Battle Injury
NCO Noncommissioned Officer
NG National Guard
NK North Korea
Noncom Noncomissioned officer
OCS Officer Candidate School
OD Officer of the Day (Commander of the Guard)
OD Olive Drab
OG Officer (or Non Commissioned Officer) of the guard
OG Olive Green
OP Outpost
OPL Outpost Line
OPLR Outpost Line of Resistance
ORC Organized Reserve Corps (later USAR--US Army Reserve)
P & A Pioneer and Ammunition
PEFTOK Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea
PFC Private First Class
PM Provost Marshall
Pvt. Private
RA Regular Army--"RA all the way!"
RCT Regimental Combat Team
RHIP Rank has its privileges
Rgmt. Regiment
ROK Republic of Korea
ROTC Reserve Officer Training Corps (Pronounced Rotsy)
R & R Rest and Recuperation (or Rape and Rampage)
RTD Returned to Duty (after being wounded)
SEPR Separated
SFC Sergeant First Class--then still sometimes called "Technical Sergeant,"
A WW II rank.
Sgt. Sergeant
SIW Self Inflicted Wound
S/Sgt Staff Sergeant
SOS Creamed chipped beef on toast aka shit-on-a-shingle
SWA Severely wounded in action
TIS The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia.
TL Telephone Lineman's--used for a commo man's pliers and his pocket knife with
two blades, one being a screwdriver
TOT Time On Target, artillery concentration timed to land simultaneously no
matter from where fired
USA United States Army--Regular Army (see AUS)
USAR United States Army Reserve
VT Variable Target, an artillery shell with a proximity fuse--originally developed
for antiaircraft
VOCO Verbal Order Commanding Officer, Officers' version of a pass-- pronounced
Vee Oh Cee Oh--never