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The Graybeards is the official publication of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA). It is published six times a year for members and private distribution. It is not sold by subscription. MAILING ADDRESS FOR CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Administrative Assistant, P.O. Box 407, Charleston, IL 619200407. MAILING ADDRESS TO SUBMIT MATERIAL/ CONTACT EDITOR: Graybeards Editor, 152 Sky View Drive, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. MAILING ADDRESS OF THE KWVA: P.O. Box 407, Charleston, IL 61920-0407. WEBSITE: http://www.kwva.org In loving memory of General Raymond Davis, our Life Honorary President, Deceased. Editor Arthur G. Sharp 152 Sky View Drive Rocky Hill, CT 06067 Ph: 860-202-3088 sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net Advertising Manager Frank Bertulis 99 Deerfield Ln Matawan, NJ 07747-1332 Ph: 732-566-2737 FBEB@optonline.net Publisher Finisterre Publishing Inc. 3 Black Skimmer Ct Beaufort, SC 29907 finisterre@islc.net Membership Office Address Changes, Corrections, & All Membership Questions Jamie Rednour Membership Administrative Assistant PO Box 407 Charleston, IL 61920-0407 Ph: 217-345-4414 Membership@kwva.org Webmaster Jim Doppelhammer Double Hammer Computer Services 683 Castle Dr. Charleston, IL 61920-7471 Ph: 217-512-9474 webmaster@kwva.org National KWVA Headquarters President William F. Mac Swain 8452 Marys Creek Dr Benbrook, TX 76116 Ph: 817-244-0706 BillMacSwain@charter.net 1st Vice President James E. Ferris James E. Ferris 4311 Lazybrook Circle Liverpool, NY 13088 Ph: 315-457-1681 JimFerrisKWVA@aol.com 2nd Vice President Larry Kinard 2108 Westchester Dr Mansfield, TX 76063 Ph: 682-518-1040 Larry.Kinard@yahoo.com 2 Secretary Frank E. Cohee, Jr. 4037 Chelsea Lane Lakeland, Fl 33809-4063 Ph: 863-859-1384 KWVASec@gmail.com March - April 2012 Asst. Secretary Jacob L. Feaster, Jr. (See Memb. Mgmt.) Treasurer J Tilford Jones 6958 Heatherknoll Dr Dallas, TX 75248-5534 Ph: 972-233-7263 TilJ@flash.net We Honor Founder William T. Norris Term 2011-2014 Lewis M. Ewing 310 Clay Hill Dr., Winchester, VA 22602 Ph: 540-678-1787 LewEwing@comcast.net Richard E. Brown, Sr. 2307 Gring Dr., West Lawn , PA 19609 Ph: 610-670-2886 Rebpi1@comcast.net Washington, DC Liaison Warren Wiedhahn 13198 Centerpointe Way, Suite 202 Woodbridge, VA 22193-5285 Ph: 703-590-1295 JWiedhahn@aol.comKWVA Committees (ART III, Sect 1G, Bylaws) Budget/Finance Committee George E. Lawhon Lewis Ewing, Chairman 600 E Weddell Dr #91, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 (See Directors) Asst. Treasurer Ph: 408-734-0305 george.e.lawhon@gmail.com Glen Thompson Bylaws Committee Luther E. Rice, Jr. 1037 Rockledge Dr George E Lawhon, Chairman 414 Water St, Aurora, IN 47001-1242 Garland, TX 75043-5206 (See Directors) Ph: 812-926-2790 LERiceJr@yahoo.com Ph: 214-284-6515 Membership Committee GThomp@tx.rr.com Appointed/Assigned Staff Thomas W. Stevens, Chairman Membership Management (See Directors) Judge Advocate Jacob L. Feaster, Jr., Supervisor Billy J. Scott Election Committee 22731 N Hwy 329, Micanopy, FL 32667 196 W. Crescent St., Boyce, VA 22620 Thomas M. McHugh, Chairman HPh: 352-466-3493 Cell: 352-262-1845 Ph: 540-837-2179 BillScott33@msn.com (See Directors) FAX: 352-466-3493 JFeaster@kwva.org National Legislative Director Resolutions Committee Jim Doppelhammer, Data Base Develop. (Vacant) Luther Dappen (See Webmaster) (See Directors) National Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Jamie Rednour, Data Base Input Arthur E. Hills Annual Association Membership Meeting (See Address Changes, etc) 4300 Esta Lee Ave., Kileen, TX 76549 James Fountain Directors PH: 254-526-6567 AHills@hot.rr.com (See Directors) National VAVS Director Term 2009-2012 David Mills J. D. Randolph (Chapter 96) Luther Dappen 1523 Pinebluff Dr., Allen, TX 75002-1870 510 W Pipestone Ave., Ph: 972-359-2936 Randy9683@sbcglobal.net Tell America Committee Flandreau, SD 57028-1619 Larry Kinard, Chairman Ph: 605-997-2847 LHDappen@yahoo.com KWVA Liaison to Canadian KVA: 2108 Westchester Dr Garry J. Rockburn Mansfield, TX 76063 Marvin Dunn 518 East Ave., Kirkville, NY 13082-9706 Ph: 682-518-1040 1721 Briardale Ct., Arlington, TX 76013 Ph: 315-656-8528 ottawa1932@netzero.com Larry.Kinard@yahoo.com Ph: 817-261-1499 MarvDunnJr@yahoo.com KWVA Liaison to Korean War Nat’l Museum Revisit Committee George Bruzgis Robert Mitchell Tom Clawson, Chairman 230 Legion Pl., 3021 Rosefield Dr. 953 Gorman Av Haledon, NJ 07508 Houston, TX 77080-2609 St Paul, MN 55118 Ph: 973-956-8672 GBruzgis@aol.com Ph: 713-939-8880 Ph: 651-457-6653 Ezra F "Frank" Williams TimClawson@charter.net KWVA Liaison to Korean-American Assn. 2 Cedar Ln., O'Fallon, MO 63366-3404 Eugene Chin Yu Warren Wiedhahn, Coordinator Ph: 636-240-6806 EzraW@centurytel.net 4349 Miller Dr., Evans, GA 30809 13198 Centerpoint Way, #202 Ph: 706-399-7179 ECYu@cms-us.com Woodbridge, VA 22193-5285 Term 2010-2013 Ph: 703-590-1295 Chaplain Emeritus James Fountain JWiedhahn@aol.com Robert Personette 14541 Soho Dr., Florissant , MO 63034 7136 Oak Leaf Drive, Santa Rosa, CA 95409 Ethics and Grievance Committee Ph: 314-974-3579 BudFon@netzero.net Ph: 707-539-7276 PamP@vom.com Stephen Szekely, Chairman Arthur S. Griffith 1516 Laclede Rd Chaplain Emeritus 499 Mechanic ST Apt 1 South Euclid, OH 44121-3012 Leonard F. Stegman Leominster, MA 01453-4431 Ph: 216-381-9080 Ph: 978-833-0892 ArtArmy299@yahoo.com 4707 Broadway St. Apt 123 SxDSzek@sbcglobal.net San Antonio, TX 78209-6202 Thomas M. McHugh Ph: 210-822-4041 Fax: 210-805-9127 National Ceremonies Committee 217 Seymour Road Hallo6@aol.com Thomas M. McHugh, Chairman Hackettstown, NJ 07840 (See Directors) Ph: 908-852-1964 TMMcHugh@msn.com National Chaplain Leo G. Ruffing Thomas W. Stevens 3500 Doerr Rd., Portsmouth, VA 23703-3183 5310 W. 122nd Terrace Ph: 757-484-8299 LRuffing1@cox.net Overland Park, KS 66209-3518 See detailed list of committees at Ph: 913-696-0447 StevensT@swbell.net WWW.KWVA.ORG The Graybeards From the President William Mac Swain O ur election process has begun. The CPA has been instructed to honor any ballots that are received with a member’s name and/or with their membership number written on it. It was unfortunate that the peel-off labels were not put on the magazine as requested. The peel-off labels sent under separate cover arrived after some members had already received their magazine. Others received the labels before their magazines were received. I also received many calls from members who complained that the peel-off labels they received were very hard to remove. The ballot voting will be finished by May 15, 2012. Those elected will be notified as soon as possible and will take office on June 25, 2012. I hope you have taken the time to vote for those you wish to represent you. I was hopeful that a Congressional Bill Number could be placed on the KWVA Website in February. However, the House of Representatives has delayed that possibility since additional requirements took a higher priority at the beginning of the New Year. I have contacted the person who will be in charge of obtaining the bill number. He said it would be in the March time period now for the bill to be ready with a number. With that in mind, we must wait a short period later before we can start a campaign to get the bill passed to change the Internal Revenue Service definition of a Korean War veteran. All Life Members, POW, MOH and Gold Star members will receive a letter in April asking them to respond so our database can be brought up to date. We will be asking all those members contacted to return a special request card mailed to them so we know they are still with us. This is a very important step designed to help us save funds now spent on printing and postage for our magazine. Your cooperation by answering the request will help us save wasted funds. We have already cancelled sending out many The Graybeards The ballot voting will be finished by May 15, 2012. Those elected will be notified as soon as possible and will take office on June 25, 2012. magazines to others who are not members in order to maintain our expenses on our printing of additional magazines and the foreign postage costs to non-paying individuals. The KWVA Board of Directors is scheduled to have a Board Meeting in Washington, DC. They will be attending “The Gathering” on July 24–28, 2012. During this meeting the Board will attend the commemoration ceremony of the July 27, 1953 signing of the Armistice. All of this information will be placed on the website when plans are completed by the DoD 60th Commemoration Committee. Any Korean War veteran and KWVA members are invited to attend “The Gathering” in July. This will be the 28th meeting of this group. As a reminder, the 2012 KWVA Membership Meeting will take place in St. Louis, MO during October 10–14, 2012. The hotel will be the Doubletree Hotel St. Louis at Westpoint. A chapter is setting up the various events and will also set the required costs of the different events. This information will be available in the May–June and July-August issues of The Graybeards, and on the KWVA website from May through August. In the January, February, and March timeframe, required reports were sent to all those states in which the KWVA does business to fulfill our being a Foreign Corporation in that state. Also, an audit of our finances has been contracted and is now in work for our report to Congress, along with our accomplishments as a Congressional Chartered Association. Liability Insurance for our Directors and Officers, as well as our Media Liability for the website and the magazine, have been renewed. It is a very busy time for our Treasurer and President, who are responsible for these items being taken care of and ensuring that our Internal Revenue 990 Form and other paperwork is correct and signed and submitted on time. During this period we are a little behind in answering questions of the membership, so we request that you give us a little leeway regarding answers. We made a personnel change at the Membership Office. Our previous Administrative Assistant resigned in February and moved to a new state where she could no longer serve the membership. Our new Administrative Assistant has been contracted and trained and is now doing all the necessary membership data processing. If you call the Membership Office you might say, “Welcome, Jamie.” (Yes, her first name is the same as the previous assistant’s.) Thanks to all our members who work in their communities to show that not only did they serve in the military in defense of the United States, but they are now serving in VA hospitals and clinics and “Telling America” that the Korean War was a major war that stopped communism from ever spreading in the world. William Mac Swain, KWVA President THE GRAYBEARDS DEADLINES Articles to be published in the The Graybeards must be sent to the editor no later than the 15th day of the first month of that issue. —Editor. Jan-Feb ......................................................................................................Jan 15 Mar-Apr ..................................................................................................Mar 15 May-June ................................................................................................May 15 July-Aug ..................................................................................................July 15 Sept-Oct ..................................................................................................Sept 15 Nov-Dec ....................................................................................................Nov 15 March - April 2012 3 March – April 2012 COVER: Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Republic of Korea Marines fire at simulated targets during the multilateral amphibious assault here Feb. 10. The Marines were conducting a multilateral amphibious assault with Royal Thai Marines and Republic of Korea Marines during Exercise Cobra Gold 2012. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Justin R. Wheeler/Released) CONTENTS Business From the President..................................................................3 From the Secretary ..................................................................6 Thanks for Supporting The Graybeards......................................7 Call For 2012 Board Meeting ................................................11 The Gathering ........................................................................11 KWVA Management Information System ............................12 Chapters of the Korean War Veterans Association ..............13 Official Membership Application Form ..............................74 Features & Articles Task Force Smith Revisited (The Battle of Osan) ..................18 More on Hoengsong ............................................................60 26 50 Departments The Editor’s Desk ..................................................................9 Reunion Calendar ..................................................................10 Recon Missions ....................................................................22 Monuments and Memorials ..................................................25 Korean War Veterans’ Mini-Reunions ..................................26 Tell America ..........................................................................28 Chapter & Department News ..............................................32 Thanks ..................................................................................50 Members in the News ..........................................................52 Welcome Aboard....................................................................58 Feedback/Return Fire ..........................................................64 Last Call ................................................................................70 News & Notes 55 4 Misfires ....................................................................................7 Earning a Silver Star ..............................................................12 MIA Update ..........................................................................17 William R. Charette, MOH Recipient, Goes to Glory ..............21 Veterans Day ............................................................................54 Honoring Our Fallen................................................................55 KWVA’s 2012 Fund Raiser........................................................56 McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst Museum Announced ..................59 Empathy ................................................................................69 How I Survived Chip-yong ni ..............................................73 MOH Recipient Anthony T Kaho’ohanono Honored ..................76 Revisit Korea News ............................................................................79 76 March - April 2012 The Graybeards BUSINESS From the Secretary Our Forbearers’ Efforts Do Not Go Unappreciated Looking For Korean War Veterans To Interview Frank Cohee NOTE: The editor is no longer seeking interview subjects, since the publication has already gone to press. We are reprinting this correspondence to show that Korean War veterans are still appreciated by today’s Soldiers. My name is Levi Spellman. I am a Spc. in the U.S. Army and the editor of the newspaper for the 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea. The Indianhead would like to interview a veteran of the Korean War for our April edition. In Korea, April is a month designated to celebrate the triumphs of disabled people. To honor that tradition, and the tradition of the fighting forces on the peninsula, we would like to interview a veteran who was disabled during the war, and to discuss the meaning of that sacrifice over the course of a lifetime. It would mean a lot to the staff here if you would be able to put us in touch with someone willing to speak with us. Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear back from you soon. Levi Spellman, SPC, USA, Editor - The Indianhead, 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea, www.2id.korea.army.mil/news/indianhead/ My Response: I have a Marine friend in CA who will probably agree to be interviewed. He lost a leg in Korea. I am sending him a copy of this e-mail and asking him to contact you. I would send you his contact information but my data base is temporarily not available. P.S. I was in a separate unit in Korea, 1950-1951, and attached as a support unit to the 2nd Infantry Division. We went where they went and located between them and the artillery. 6 Levi’s Answer: Mr. Cohee, Thank you for the response. I would be honored to interview him, if he will allow it. If you know of any others who may be willing to speak with me, especially if they were a member of or attached to 2ID, I’d love to be put in contact with them. I want you to know that we all personally appreciate your efforts on our behalf, and that I truly believe the Soldiers currently stationed here will benefit from the stories of our forbearers. Again, thank you for your time. March - April 2012 Looking For Medallions To Use For Recruiting New Members Greetings, Brother Secretary, In the September-October 2003 issue of The Graybeards, on page 73 there is an ad about Korean War Medallions for sale by KWVA Chapter 14. I regret I did not invest in these medallions at that time, but alas I did not. I attempted to contact that chapter but all efforts were futile. At present, I am trying to recruit Korean vets in this small, rural town where I live. These medallions would be very helpful in that effort. Through your channels could you contact that chapter for information on how to obtain them. Do you know if there are any copies of the KWVA membership books still available. Again, I did not purchase a copy at the time offered. The reason: the young lady who telephoned me could not understand Air Force terms such as Squadron, Group and Wing when I tried to tell her the units I was assigned to while at K-2. She was really confused. I do not know if my name was even included in the book. Please check your copy to verify that my name was listed. Also, if possible, I would like to buy a copy. In this small, rural town where I live, we have a Gold Star widow. She is now ninety years old, living alone, and somewhat difficult to communicate with. I was not aware of her loss until I was preaching in the church where she is a member. I referred to the Korean War. She became upset, and left the sanctuary crying. That afternoon my wife and I visited her and learned her sad story of the loss of her husband. I encouraged her to join KWVA, but she was not interested. Her husband was MSgt. Willie M. Davis, RA34004069, Medical Detachment, MOS 71666, YOB 1916, 187th, ABN RCT, Division 11187 - Unit HQs. KIA, North Korea – June 02, 1951. The 187th compound was very near my unit at K-2, and I recall watching them load onto aircraft for the drop over North Korea. I did not know Sergeant Davis, and had no idea someone from my little hometown was even there. Mrs. Davis is a very unhappy person. She did not remarry, but raised their children alone. She has very little contact in the community outside of her church. Brother Secretary, I hope you can answer my questions and help me in my efforts to gain new members. James S. Allen, 109 Market Street, Water Valley, MS 38965 Here is my response: James: I have contacted the President of Chapter 14. His name is Clarence Dadswell, 727-522-6496. His chapter has as many medallions as you want, so give him a call. As for the membership directories, I do still have some available. Frank Cohee National Secretary The Graybeards Have You Heard? Mobile Vet Centers Continue to Roll Mobile Vet Centers (MVCs) were designed to provide mental health and counseling services to veterans living in rural areas. This year, VA has upped the nationwide fleet to 70. The Mobile Vet Centers (MVCs) of the Department of Veterans Affairs provide readjustment counseling and information resources to veterans across the country. Like communitybased Vet Centers, Mobile Vet Centers focus on services that help veterans make the difficult transition between military and civilian life. Learn more about MVCs at www.va.gov/health/ NewsFeatures/20091116a.asp. Misfires Occasionally, we make mistakes in TheGraybeards. We try to be as accurate as possible, and we apologize for any errors that slip through. We do not have the funds for a fact checker, so we miss a fact or two now and then. Here are a couple clarifications. Incidentally, we rely on readers to inform us of any “misfires” that need correcting. We will print corrections in the next available edition. No Slight Intended Re the photo caption on bottom right, p. 22, Jan/Feb 2012 Issue, “Korean War Veterans Digital Memorial:” a name has been omitted. The photo correctly identifies Dr. Jongwoo Han, Norman Champagne, and Sal Scarlato. It does not, however, identify the “Korean Marine Corps Colonel” with those three. His name is Kangho Park. Col. Park, pictured Below, is the Korea Council General. Francis Parker, 30 South St., #5, Bristol, CT 06010, frank_parker@comcast.net EDITOR’S NOTE: Please make sure that you identify everyone in photos you submit. Our one-person editorial staff is not large enough to track down everyone included in a photo. And, please identify photo subjects as they appear, e.g. Left to Right, Right to Left, Left, Right, Center...That way readers don’thavetoguesswhois whoinaphoto. Col. Kangho Park The Graybeards Thanks for Supporting The Graybeards Members are invited to help underwrite the publications costs of TheGraybeards. All contributions in any amount are welcome. Mail your donations to KWVA Treasurer J Tilford Jones, 6958 Heatherknoll Dr., Dallas, TX 75248-5534. All contributions will be acknowledged, unless the donor specifically requests to remain anonymous. And, if you have an “In memory of” (IMO) request, include that as well. We thank you for your generous support. CONTRIBUTOR LOCATION GRAYBEARDS DONATIONS Henry K. Ahlo (2) Raymond Bosch Fred R. Berneski Denver-Queen City Chap. KWVA IMO James Meininger, USMC David Gorlick IMO Beverly, Max, & Lillian Gorlick Harry Hight IMO families of MIAs William C. Hoehn IMO Lee Willmsen Jack R. Hunter Patsy Iannone Sven G. Johnson Frank Kandula Jr. Lloyd M. Loop Russell Merrill Cecil L. Rice (2) Norbert F. Robben L.G. Ruffing V. H. Sholl IMO Sgt. James Williams, USMCR Jack Sudderth KWVA Henry K. Ahlo (2) Barbra Blackledge IMO James Edwards Alfred B. Caponegro Sheree DeCovny In honor of Stanley Levin’s 80th B’day Howard M. Fish Robert D. Gilliland George Gonzalez, Sr. TX Charles E. Keone Jeffrey J. Kim Eugene L. Lavey Terry Lloyd John J. Lynch Eugene L. Mercier William Murphy Deidra Reeves IMO Charles McKinniss William M. Rosensteel Jr. Melvin H. Scafferty Albert D. Smith Everett Wallace Wexler Family & Evan Weiss In honor of Stanley Levin’s 80th B’day Walter J. Winick IMO Herb Joslyn Estate of Frances Worley IMO John & Francis Worley HI OH FL CO CA PA MN AZ MD NJ NY NY MI CA KS VA TX TX HI PA NJ PA TX OR MA GA MT Unk. MA NH NY PA CA CA IL WA PA CA MO March - April 2012 7 8 The Editor’s Desk© Art Sharp “Ma-sprey” And The Crow© “Ma-sprey” moved right. The crow moved left. The crow moved right. Ma-sprey moved left. And so the dance continued. I was watching a “battle” between an osprey (aka a “fish hawk”) and a crow recently that reminded me in a way of the post-1950 stage of the Korean War. The battle went on with no apparent objective in mind and ended with no definitive outcome. The combatants simply did a bit of sparring in which neither one gained an advantage nor landed a decisive blow, then went their separate ways in an uneasy truce. But, it was entertaining to watch (unless you were the crow or the osprey). The osprey engaged in the conflict was the easily identifiable female of the family (hence “Ma-sprey.”) Female ospreys are larger than their male counterparts, which does not seem to impress crows one iota. In this case, Ma-sprey, representing the UN troops, was protecting its nest (South Korea), which contained one fledgling. (At least only one was visible at the time. There may have been others still in their shells.) But, she was defending it from thirty yards away in a classic strategy of distraction. Ma-sprey occupied the “high ground,” the top of a mast on a nearby sailboat. The crow’s objective apparently was the nest (the 38th Parallel), although it never attacked the nest directly. Instead, it engaged in a series of skirmishes with Ma-sprey, which consisted of the crow moving from place to place on the boat and flying in Ma-sprey’s general direction every now and then. Feint after feint failed. Ma-sprey simply moved a couple feet in the direction of the crow, flapped its wings, and made some noise. Both birds would rest, then start the dance again. At one point, the crow apparently called in reinforcements. (North Korea and China?) Since I don’t speak crow (or osprey, for that matter), I am not sure exactly how he did it. At any rate, two more crows showed up. Now, I don’t know whether three crows are enough to compose a “murder.” (A group of crows together is often called a “murder.”) Nor am I sure that three crows comprise a sufficient number to “mob” an osprey, which The Graybeards There is no telling when—or if—tensions around the nest will flame up again. Hopefully, the fledgling will mature and go off on its own, as South Korea has done. And, its guardians can do so too. is a tactic they employ to harass enemies. At any rate, the two incoming crows landed on the boat, took one look around, made a couple perfunctory moves toward the osprey, decided that there was nothing to benefit them, and left. Ma-sprey, who apparently did not need any help to hold the line, returned its attention to the solitary crow that carried on the battle alone. “Pa-sprey” was off on another mission, perhaps on R&R, catching a fish, or visiting other ospreys in the area. The fledgling, meanwhile, kept a wary eye on its mother and the crow. I got the feeling as I watched the battle that neither the osprey nor the crow knew what the real objective of their standoff was. All they knew was that they were engaged in a futile battle to test one another’s wills. The crow was there to attack a target; the osprey was there to defend it. Ma-sprey adopted a familiar strategy: draw the crow’s attention away from the nest by moving the battleground a short distance away from it. The crow made perfunctory attempts to get around Masprey to reach the nest. But what was it going to do once it got there? What would have happened if Pa-sprey had shown up and turned the numbers in the ospreys’ favor? Would the crow have given up and left possession of the nest to Ma- sprey and Pa-sprey? Unfortunately, we will never know. Pa-sprey did not show up, so the questions remain unanswered. Eventually, the combatants tired of the dance. The crow flew off to do whatever crows do after a standoff with a predator. Ma-sprey stayed in place to maintain a vigil over the nest. And I, the observer, vowed to keep watch over it as well in case the crow returned and the battle began anew. That, more than anything else, caused me to look at the event as a parallel to the Korean War. There is no telling when—or if—tensions around the nest will flame up again. Hopefully, the fledgling will mature and go off on its own, as South Korea has done. And, its guardians can do so too. But, ospreys and crows probably do not concern themselves with affairs around the Korean Peninsula. They have their own traditional battles to fight with one another. Their stalemates will continue. Let’s hope that is not the case in South Korea. South Korea has already fled the nest and prospered. The standoff at the 38th Parallel remains in place. Observers remain there as well to make sure the struggle for the nest does not flare up again. They, like me, will be watching the nest like hawks (“fish hawks,” that is) lest the crow resume the battle. Let’s hope Ma-sprey and Pa-sprey emerge victorious. Check Your Mailing Label Membership Number First two characters reflect membership type Membership Dues Expiration Date. The example shows a dues expiration date of November 1st, 2011 *************************************************5 Digit R012345 11/1/2012 JOHN J. JOHN 12345 MAIN ST SMILEY NY 01234-5678 DELIVERY POINT BARCODE Check your name and address ( Apt./Bldg/Lot No.). Notify the Membership Administrative Assistant at membership@kwva.orgif you find an error. If your zip code does not contain 9 digits (zip+4), your address is not correct according to the USPS. Contact your local Post Office for proper format. Important: If barcode does not extend across the full label, then your zip code does not have 9 digits and your address is not complete according to the USPS. Contact your local Post Office for proper format. March - April 2012 9 BUSINESS Reunion Calendar: 2012 Mail your info to Reunion Editor, The Graybeards, 152 Sky View Dr., Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or email it to sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net. Include Unit, Date(s), Place, and Contact‘s name, address, phone #, email address. Entries are posted “first come, first served.” TheGraybeards is not responsible for the accuracy of the information published. MAY Indian Veterans Memorial, 26 May, 9418 U.S. Highway 31, Beulah, MI. Bob Lucas, 231-510-0607. JUNE USS Cowpens (CVL-25/CG-63), 13-17 June, Cowpens, SC. Matt Siverd, 9 Lakeview Terrace, Eastampton, NJ 08060, 609-845-0877, matt@cowpensvets.org 3rd Amtrac Bn. (USMC), 15-16 June, Tampa, FL. Philip Anninos, 386-4470171, 386-569-5977 (cell). 179th Tank Co., 18-21 June, Vicksburg, MS, Battlefield Inn. Bill Dias, 800359-9363 or 601-638-9249 (fax) JULY 91st Military Police Bn., 24-25 July, Bismark/Medora, ND. Arlen D. Blumer, 321 Elm St., Kindred, ND 58051, 701-428-3345, meblumer321elm @aol.com AUGUST U.S. Army 32nd Engineer Group (Includes 430th, 434th, & 439th Engineer Construction Bns.), 10-12 Aug., Branson, MO. David Mikusch, 310 North Lake Drive, Hillsboro, MO 63050, 636-797-2323, hardwork50@sbcglobal.net C-1-7 (Korea, 1950-53), 16-20 Aug., Washington DC. Bill Farrell, 203-3181889, willydoro@sbcglobal.net 7th Cavalry Korean War Veterans (1950-51), 26-30 Aug., Reno, NV, Peppermill Resort. Richard Mitchell, 311 Southbrook Circle, Houston, TX 77060; 866-722-8598, rjmitchell3@hotmail.com SEPTEMBER Plt. 529, 2nd Bn., Parris Island, Dec. 1952, SSgt. W. S. Johnson was Senior DI. Planning a 60th reunion to be held at Parris Island. Contact Chris Vail, 770-321-5018, greenmtchris@comcast.net 25th Infantry Division Assn., 9-15 Sept., Chicago, IL. P.O. Box 7, Flourtown, PA 19031, TropicLtn@aol.com, Association website, www.25thida.org USS Sphinx (ARL-24), 10-13 Sept., Branson, MO. Frank Ironi, 954 Lilac Dr., Sauk Centre, MN 56378, 612-352-3271 USS Hornet (CV-8, CV-12, CVA-12, CVS-12) U.S. Navy/Marines, 11-16 Sept., San Mateo, CA. San Mateo Marriott Hotel. Carl & Sandy Burket, PO Box 108, Roaring Spring, PA 16673, 814-224-5063, hornetcva@aol.com, Reunion Web Site: http://www.usshornetassn.com/ 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing Assoc., 13-15 Sept., Dayton, OH, Dayton Marriott. Allie Craycraft, Jr., 9501 E. Jackson St., Selma, IN 47383-9599, 765-282-0010, alandjuanita@yahoo.com 44th Engineers, U.S. Army (“Brokenheart” Batt.), 19-21 Sept., Gettysburg, PA. Dave Clasby, 314-837-0996, dnclasby@att.net, or Ken Cox, 10529 Canter Ave., St. Louis, MO 63114, 314-423-5483, kdc1@wans.net USS Montague (AKA-98), 20-23 Sept., Baltimore, MD, Marriott Courtyard Baltimore Downtown. F. C. (“Fred”) Machado, 5445 S. Blythe Ave., Fresno, CA 93706, 559-266-2978, fcm@unwiredbb.com, or Bob Raftis, 2025 Timbercreed Dr., Marion, IA, 319-377-5815. USS Wexford County (LST-1168), 27-30 Sept., San Diego, CA. Larry Condra, 314-994-1187, wexford.county.reunion@aol.com, or www.mlrsinc.com/wexford 10 OCTOBER Veterans of the Korean War Reunion (all branches welcomed), 2-5 Oct., Virginia Beach, VA. Floyd D. Newkirk, 757-340-9801, fnewkirk1@cox.net. Website www.VKWR.org March - April 2012 USS Cascade (AD-16), 2-7 Oct., Orlando, FL, Buena Vista Hotel Suites. Bob Croghan, 7827 Cassia Ct., St. Louis, MO 63123, bobsr@croghancpa@.com, 314-954-7801 or Leonard Goeke, 2790 Quince Ave., Washington, IA 52353, 319-653-3904 Korean War Recon Marines, 3-6 Oct., Houston, TX. James Sauser, 281332-5725, jimsauser1@gmail.com 90th FA Bn., 7-10 Oct., Branson, MO, Grand Plaza Hotel. Ray Haski, 927 Robin Dr., Apollo, PA 15613, 724-727-3132, jckaloha@kleinlein.lis A/1/7 Marine Corps Assn., 7-11 Oct., Charleston, SC. “Shifty” Shifflette, 540-434-2066, captshifty@comcast.net G-3-1 Korea Assn., 8-11 Oct., Oklahoma City, OK, Best Western Saddleback Inn, 800-228-3903. Bob Harbula, 412-462-8537, bobbyjuly@yahoo.com USS Rendova (CVE-114) 17-21 Oct., Dearborn, MI, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Detroit - Dearborn. Chuck Fecay, 22000 Madison, Apt. 326, Dearborn, MI 48124, 313-565-1515, cfecay@att.net (Open to all crew members and squadrons) 151st Combat Engineer Bn., 18-21 Oct., Lebanon, TN, Comfort Suites. Jack & Ruth Cato, 212 S. Maple St., Lebanon, TN 37087, 615-444-9273, rmcato@charter.net Editor Returns To Northern Office The winter is officially over when The Graybeards editor returns to his northern office. By the time you read this, he will be there. Resume sending mail to the magazine at: Arthur G. Sharp 152 Sky View Drive Rocky Hill, CT 06067 Do not worry if you address it inadvertently to the Beaufort office. The mail is forwarded between the addresses. It is rare that anything ever gets lost. Update Korean War 60th Anniversary T he 60th anniversary of the Korean War armistice is fast approaching. No doubt local, state, and national organizations are planning celebrations of some sort. With this issue we will start a section in which we track events being planned. And, it is a good time to start compiling stories for our 60th anniversary special edition. Please let us know where you were when the armistice was signed, what you were doing, what was going on where you were, how you and your buddies/units/enemies/families et al reacted. If you have photos, newspaper clips, diary entries, or other documents that supplement your remembrances, they would be welcome. We will put everything together for the special edition of The Graybeards that we are working on. Send your material to 60th Anniversary Editor, The Graybeards, 152 Sky View Drive, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. The Graybeards BUSINESS Call For 2012 Board Meeting T he Board meeting is called for July 25, 2012, from 0900 until 1700. The meetings will take place at The Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, VA, continuing with recesses through the completion of all business properly brought before it. Members with items proposed for the meeting must insure that they reach Frank Cohee, Association Secretary, no later than June 25, 2012. To make a reservation: 1. Star Group website: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com.Book/koreanwar vet 2. Call Denise Hodge directly at 1-703-271-6683 and use “KWV” code. 3. Central Reservations: 1-800-325-3535 and use "KWV" code. Agenda: • Call to Order • To The Colors/Pledge of Allegiance • Invocation • Administrative Announcements • Roll Call and Introductions/Recognition of New Officers/Directors • Introduction of Distinguished Visitors, Major Staff, and Others • Annual Treasurer’s Report • Old Business • New Business • Reports from Committees • For the Good of the Order • Motion to Adjourn • Benediction • Salute to the Colors Submitted by Frank Cohee, Association Secretary North Carolina project announced The North Carolina State Division of Veterans Affairs is seeking Korean War veterans and their families to recognize during the 60th anniversary of the Korean War conflict. The project is part of the Department of Defense’s “Year of the Korean War Veteran,” which will begin in June. More than 177,000 North Carolinians served in Korea between June 27, 1950, and Jan. 31, 1955, Gov. Bev Perdue said in a news release. State officials estimate that more than 72,000 of these veterans still live in North Carolina, and others have family who live here. A certificate of appreciation can be obtained at doa.nc.gov/vets/ KoreanWarForm.aspx. No documentation is necessary. The form may be filled out and submitted online by the veteran, a family member, or a friend. Requests for certificates may be downloaded and mailed to: Korean War Veterans Certificate, N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs, 1315 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1315. The Department of Defense encourages Korean War veterans to share stories about their service with the Korean War Commemoration Committee’s oral history project. Call 703-545-0522 or visit koreanwar.defense.gov or for information. [Source: http://www.fayobserver.com article 11 Mar 2012 ++] The Graybeards This And That Korean War Veterans Invited To July 27th Event The Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee met with veterans Les Bishop and Lew Ewing, members of CID 313, Shenandoah Valley [VA], to discuss event planning and outreach for this year’s Korean War Armistice Day event in Arlington, Virginia. The event will be open to the public and take place on July 27 at 9 a.m. at the Arlington National Cemetery Amphitheater. It will feature remarks by the Secretary of Defense. We ultimately hope to attain an audience of several hundred Korean War veterans and their family members for the event. We extend an open invitation to The Graybeards’ readers to attend. Amanda Burke, Media Relations, Korean War Commemoration Committee U.S. Department of Defense, http://koreanwar.defense.gov 199 - MANASOTA [FL] We gave a presentation at State College of Florida in Venice before 60 students on 15 November 2011. The presenters, Bill Skinner, Dick Caverly, Roy Robertson, and Commander Skip Hannon, shared their experiences in the Korean War. Thomas G. “Skip” Hannon, 4721 Mt. Vernon Dr., Bradenton, FL 34210, 941795-5061, Skip-Pat-Han@hotmail.com Editor’s Note: The chapter did submit photos to complement the text, but they were in an album format that is incompatible with our publication process. The Gathering 2012 The Korean War Veterans Gathering and KWVA Board Meeting will be held 24-28 July 2012 at the Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, VA. For details and reservation information, send an e-mail to Jack Cloman, Chairman, at connienjack@msn.com, or call 410-658-1788. March - April 2012 11 BUSINESS Earning A Silver Star KWVA Management A t a meeting in Florida, I met Thomas Smith, whose father, Captain Henry M. Smith, was wounded during battles on “Old Baldy” in June 1952. Thomas had photos and Henry Smith as a news clippings he lieutenant wanted to show us in remembrance of his dad’s Korea experience. One of the items was a Western Union telegram that was sent to his wife explaining the severity of Captain Smith’s wounds. Here is his story. Rescuing the Wounded 12 By Thomas Smith World War 2 veteran U.S. Army Captain Henry M. Smith, age 42, arrived in Korea in April, 1952. He was assigned administrative duties in the 180th Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division. He was wounded in action on “Old Baldy” on June 12th, and evacuated to Japan to a hospital. While leading a team of South Korean volunteer litter bearers under enemy fire, he was on his third trip to rescue more wounded personnel. His first two trips were successful, but the artillery bombardment killed one of his team members and wounded others. An exploding artillery shell caused shrapnel wounds to his face, legs, arms and torso. Captain Smith’s wife was notified by telegram twice. The second one gave more details of his wounds. He was eventually transferred to the Fort Devens Hospital in Massachusetts for further medical care. While on a “Convalescence Leave” in January 1953, Captain Smith got to meet his four-month old son, Thomas. Captain Smith was awarded the Army’s third highest medal, the Silver Star, for his heroic actions under fire. He went on to retire with the rank of Major after a 30-year Army career. Thanks to John M. Quinn for submitting the story. March - April 2012 Information System KWVA Departments, Chapters and Presidents Info “Of the almost 16,000 active KWVA members, there are about 7,000 of you who do not belong to a chapter!” Fellow KWVA Members, It has been more than a year since the last listing of KWVA Departments, Chapters and Presidents Information was published in The Graybeards. Those of you with computers are able to view daily up-to-date listings of this information by logging on to our KWVA website at www.kwva.org and clicking on the link: List of Depts/Chapts, on the uppercenter of the Home Page. If you are a KWVA member and have not joined a KWVA chapter, this listing should be of particular importance to you! Do you know where there is a chapter near you; near enough for you to attend meetings? Most chapters meet once a month. The meeting day, time, and place can be found on the internet at the website and link listed above, or you may contact the Chapter president as shown in the following listing by phone or US mail. I hear and see the question often asked, “What does KWVA do for me besides provide me six issues of The Graybeards each year and the ability to vote for National KWVA officers?” The short answer is, “You get what you want to get and what you look for!” But, if you have a computer, you can get much more, simply by visiting the KWVA website and viewing the various links that are available. You will be surprised at the volume of current and archival information, to include many old issues of The Graybeards, that are available and of interest to veterans and, in particular, Korean War and Korea Service veterans. Of equal, if not of more, importance, The Korean War Jake Feaster, Supervisor Veterans Association Assistant Secretary has provided the framework for the development of 235 chapters and 16 departments nationwide. These KWVA units provide an opportunity for you to meet and associate with veterans of similar interest. They serve as a support group to those of us in our older age in our homes, hospitals, nursing homes and hospices as we deal with the rigors of our past service currently and in our retirement years. So, if you are not a member of a KWVA chapter, seek out a chapter from the listing on the following pages and visit one of their meetings. If there is not a chapter near you, contact me to consider the possibility of your being involved in the organization of a Chapter in your area. Of the almost 16,000 active Regular KWVA members, there are about 7,000 of you who do not belong to a chapter! So, why not take the next step and seek out a Chapter? Try it; you might like it! Special Note to Chapter Officers: The information on the following listing is as upto-date as the data I have been provided from your staff. Please let me know if there are any corrections that should be made, to include your latest election report, if it has not been submitted. Yours for a better KWVA, Jake Feaster Jake Feaster KWVA Ass’t Secretary Supervisor Management Information System JFeaster@kwva.org, Ph: 352-466-3493 Cell: 352-262-1845 FAX: 352-466-3493 Brrrr... D on Donnelly, Secretary of CID 179, San Diego County [CA], tried to stay warm in Korea. He wasn’t alone. Reach Donnelly at 391 Aldwych Rd., El Cajon, CA 92020-2201, 619-440-4244, DoubleD@cox.net. Jim Whelan, omceltic@cox.net The Graybeards BUSINESS Chapters of the Korean War Veterans Association State Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alaska Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arizona Arkansas California California California California California California California California California California California California California California California Colorado Colorado Connecticut Connecticut Connecticut Delaware Delaware Delaware Delaware Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Florida Georgia CID# Name DAL Department of Alabama 1 Gulf Coast 2 Northwest Alabama II 145 Tennessee Valley 263 Metro-Montgomery 288 SSGT Archie Van Winkle Mem. 3 KWV Assoc. of Arizona, Inc. 4 Edward W. Rhoads 122 Arden A. Rowley 132 Richard Countryman 311 H. Edward Reeves 22 Charles L. Gilliland DCA Department of California 5 Northern California #1 6 Santa Clara County 7 Sonora Tuolumne County 56 Ventura County 102 Imperial Valley 165 El Centro 176 Redwood 179 San Diego 184 Richard Barkley 203 War Dogs 211 Charles N. Bikakis 235 Santa Barbara 264 Mt Diablo 316 Modesto 9 Dutch Nelsen 195 Queen City 10 Connecticut #1 11 Greater Danbury Area 204 Greater New Haven Area - Mem’l DDE Department of Delaware 12 Capt Paul Dill #2 13 Bill Carr 92 Richard D Hutchinson DFL Department of Florida 14 Suncoast 15 Eddie Lyon 16 COL Alice Gritsavage 17 LT Richard E. Cronan 106 Treasure Coast 110 Miami-Dade 124 Osceola County 153 Central Florida 155 Florida Gulf Coast 158 William R. Charette (MOH) 159 Sunshine State 169 KWVA of Lake County 173 Mid-Florida 175 LT Baldomero Lopez (MOH) 188 South Lake County 189 Central Florida East Coast 192 Citrus County 199 Manasota 200 North East Florida 210 Brevard County 267 GEN James A. Van Fleet 318 Indian River County 19 GEN Raymond G. Davis The Graybeards Contact Name Walter G. Ballard James Romano Bob Norris Harold Meeker Billy Bass Berkeley J. Ide Carl Orth Ross L. Magee Lewis Bradley James Tucker John M Mckinney Cliff Trimble Mike Glazzy William I McKinney Walter C. Schrank John Poorbaugh David Lopez Benny Benavidez Miguel Mendoza George Del Taylor James J. Whelan Robert Christansen Lawrence Johnson Richard Smith Larry Delgadillo Robert Hooker Mike Stavrakakis Mike Skerik Kenneth Giese Jim Shelmerdine Jr. Brendan Sniffin Edward C. Shultz Benjamin Raphael Leroy Rutter John Weidenhof Joseph Liston Charles First Clarence Dadswell Morton Berger Bernard Fisher Joe Green Peter Popolizio Ainslee R. Ferdie David L. Conboy Ed Kent Bob Hebner Frank E. Cohee Jr. Peter H. Palmer Tom Thiel Charles Travers Murdoch Ford David Litz Robert McGuire Herman ‘Hank’ Butler Jr. Thomas ‘Skip’ Hannon Henry L. Moreland Mickey Tutolo Richard E ‘Dick’ Davis Hugh Harris Robert McCubbins Phone 251-649-2887 251-895-2657 256-383-3064 256-859-0885 334-567-6289 907-274-3218 602-242-2689 520-325-6023 480-732-1687 480-895-2651 928-777-0660 870-424-2710 408-296-8282 530-365-3656 510-656-4782 209-586-3452 310-323-8481 760-352-3939 760.353.5924 707-822-0445 619-656-8186 805-934-3249 209-543-9244 661-363-7933 805-705-9940 925-998-8071 209-522-9202 719-382-3921 303-424-2571 860-528-0251 203-748-7065 203-288-7576 302-568-3969 302-998-6789 302-644-3889 302-698-5193 407-429-5539 727-522-6496 954 742 5453 352-368-1872 561-739-8575 772-344-2301 305-445-3557 407-892-7409 407-330-0910 239-573-1983 863-859-1384 727-584-7143 352-408-6612 407-252-7447 813-783-9033 352-536-9022 386-323-6401 352-563-2496 941-795-5061 904-384-2031 321-269-4221 352-378-5560 772-770-2186 770-565-8856 Address 3775 Hardeman Rd 5456 Panorama Blvd 1935 Red Rock Rd 2000 Woodmore Dr SE 484 Haggerty Rd PO Box 200142 2814 W Berridge Ln 3400 East 4th St 1690 W Saragosa St 10238 E Spring Creek Rd 1760 Windy Walk Ct 63 Sweet Ridge Pl 3361 Williams Rd P O Bx 1517 327 Starlite Way 7 N Washington St 1121 New St PO Box 5 PO Box 2492 2028 Ernest Way 1042 Ardilla Pl 3440 Drake Dr 2517 Portofino Dr PO Box 3038 428 Linda Rd 5465Preston Ct 1332 Sunrise Av 425 Calle Estrada 881 Wright Ct 745 Tolland St 5 Shepard Rd 126 Mather St 727 Art Ln 1907 Fauldland Rd 26 Whitehaven Way 56 Wallace Ln 5439 Denise Av PO Bx 382 9261 Sunrise Lakes Blvd #212 1825 SE 35th Ln 1710 Stonehaven Dr #4 443 SW Horseshoe Bay 717 Ponce de Leon Blvd, #223 4945 Spiral Way 782 Humphrey Cir 404 SE 28th Ter 4037 Chelsea Lane P.O. 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Sturgeon Memorial Indiana 308 Anderson Tri-County Iowa 99 Tall Corn Kansas 181 Kansas #1 Kentucky 219 Central Kentucky Louisiana 180 CENLA [Central Louisiana] Louisiana 205 Crossroads Louisiana 230 Baton Rouge Maine 32 Burton-Goode-Sargent #1 Maine 79 CPL Clair Goodblood (MOH) Maine 277 Mid-Coast Maine Maine 292 Crown of Maine Maryland DMD Department of Maryland Maryland 33 Maryland Maryland 107 James P. Dickel Maryland 142 Korean War Veterans Maryland 271 Aberdeen Maryland 312 Antietam Massachusetts 34 Alfred Lopes, Jr./Ronald R. Ferris Massachusetts 35 Rudolph H. DeSilva Memorial Massachusetts 36 Central Massachusetts Massachusetts 37 PFC Joseph R. Ouellette M.O.H. Massachusetts 141 Cape & Islands #1 Massachusetts 187 Western Massachusetts 2000 Massachusetts 294 Greater Haverhill Massachusetts 299 Korea Veterans of America Massachusetts 300 Korean War Veterans of Mass. Michigan 38 Northwest Michigan Michigan 39 Mid-Michigan Michigan 164 Dale H. Williams Post #1996 Michigan 251 Saginaw/Frankenmuth Michigan 256 Norville B. Finney Michigan 306 West Michigan Minnesota 40 Minnesota #1 Minnesota 41 Frozen Chosin Minnesota 254 Fairmont Mississippi 42 Lee County March - April 2012 Charles W Patterson Herbert Schreiner Royce T. Ebesu Jimmy K. Shin William Yoeman Joseph Nimori Robert Fevella Jerry Seymour David Thornsbrough Arnold Feinberg Orval Mechling Joe Henmueller Robert H. Ericson Robert Wolf Thomas G. McCaw Leland A. Wallis Robert Fitts William Gene Wilson Warren Ramsey Tine P. Martin Sr. Edward Cavenaugh Richard Garza Garry Sink Luther E. Rice Jr. Arthur Flotow Tine P. Martin Sr. Norman Brown Edward Bailey Jr. Vilas L. ‘Sid’ Morris Jr. Thomas W. Stevens Chet Care Jesse Campos Douglas J Rhodes Robert E. ‘Bob’ Thomas Albert Gibson Philip W. Tiemann Jr. Joseph E. Wallace Norman J. Bourgoin Robert S. Banker Charles J. Reed Jr. James Dickel Glenn Wienhoff Nick Guerra James G. Ensminger Francis P. Hayes Jr. Robert V. Simmons James E. McDonald Alfred Constanza John O’Rourke Joseph Kalesnik Robert Turcotte Albert McCarthy John J. Dowd Albert C. ‘Al’ Ockert Donald L. Sanchez Harry Ray Nelson III Bob Simon Richard L Charbonneau Sherwin Nagelkirk Ed Valle William Hoehn Hurly Morris Robert Wilson 706-234-8424 808-456-1078 808-822-4341 808-286-3333 808-895-4548 808-329-3058 808-878-1744 217-825-5874 217-759-7321 708-460-6914 217-864-6936 773-774-9671 217-222-1640 217-529-2214 618-632-2220 815-297-2385 309-793-1292 309-742-8151 815-335-2423 317-852-2413 765-474-2207 219-932-2846 260-638-4919 812-926-2790 260-447-5296 317-852-2413 765-825-9632 765-643-0863 319-266-5184 913-696-0447 859-273-6787 337-238-0170 318-487-1608 225-275-6289 207-989-7171 207-623-9309 207-594-5799 207-762-2391 410-877-1935 410-682-5155 301-264-3651 301-607-6355 410-272-0458 301-791-0268 781-834-7851 508-823-0572 508-753-3789 978-475-1992 508-394-0343 413-568-1076 978-372-3768 508-829-4236 617-625-7776 231-946-4698 810-653-4453 231-775-0622 989-792-3718 248-543-3577 616-895-4822 866-900-1950 507-278-3053 507-632-4510 662-842-2525 545 N Avery Rd 2290 Aupaka St 4890 Lani Rd PO Box 88232 PO Bx 52 PO Box 169 202 Nakoa Dr 352 W Arch St 28869 N 1800 E Rd 8916 W Leslie Dr 352 W Arch St 5641 N Olcott Av 1134 S 14th St 1918 E Hood St PO Bx 211 817 SW Av 2511 22nd Av 8220 N McClellan Rd 211 S Pecatonica St 8 Jackson Ct 1557 Crestwood 3917 S Sheffield Av 17430 Zubrick Rd PO Box 432 6324 Holgate Dr 8 Jackson Ct 2314 Whitewater Av 3247 West Cross St 4309 S Main St 5310 W 122nd Ter 1310 Deerwood Dr 143 Dogwood Dr 101 Big Lake Rd 10724 Shermoor Dr. 587 Eastern Av 9 Glenwood St 38 Lakeview Dr 58 Chapman Rd 516 Millwood Dr 610 Greyhound Rd. PO Bx 378 PO Bx 1647 P.O. Box 3 17819 Woodvale Ct 1520 Ocean St Apt 39 C/O VFW Post 611 10124 Arbor Av Shrewsbury 8 Fulton Rd 57 Neptune Ln 55 Foch Av 9 Blaisdell St #1 15 Farnum St 19 Bradley St 356 W River Rd 5156 N Gale Rd 11 Huron St 7286 Spring Lake Trail 532 W Troy St 10815 56th Av 1410 Foster St 56774 177th St 410 W Andrews St 1581 Gun Club Rd Rome Pearl City Kapaa Honolulu Mountain View Holualoa Wailuku Mount Auburn Alvin Orland Hills Mt Auburn Chicago Quincy Springfield O’Fallon Freeport Rock Island Elmwood Winnebago Brownsburg Lafayette Hammond Roanoke Aurora Fort Wayne Brownsburg Connersville Anderson Cedar Falls Overland Park Fr;ankfort Anacoco Pineville Baton Rouge Brewer Augusta Rockland Presque Isle Fallston Baltimore Mt Savage Frederick Aberdeen Hagerstown Marshfield Taunton Shrewsbury Andover South Yarmouth Westfield Haverhill Worcester Somerville Traverse City Davison Cadillac Saginaw Ferndale Allendale River Falls Good Thunder Ceylon Tupelo GA HI HI HI HI HI HI IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IL IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IA KA KY LA LA LA ME ME ME ME MD MD MD MD MD MD MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MA MI MI MI MI MI MI MN MN MN MS 30165 96782 96746 96830-8232 96771-0052 96725-0169 96793 62547-9701 61811 60477 62547-9701 60631-3051 62301 62703-4814 62269 61032 61201-4639 61529 61088-8577 46112-1684 47909 46327-1167 46783-8749 47001 46816-1523 46112-1684 47331 46011 52402-2432 66209-3518 40601-9206 71403-2928 71360 70815 04412 04330-6907 04841 04769 21047-3021 21221 21545-0378 21702 21001 21740-7855 02050-3563 02780-3507 01545-6024 01810-5517 02664 01085-1029 01832-5424 01602-2101 02145-2906 49684 48423-8955 49601 48603-1684 48220-3305 49401-8352 54022-6902 56037-2002 56121 38801 The Graybeards BUSINESS Missouri DMO Department of Missouri Missouri 43 Kansas City Missouri #2 Missouri 44 Missouri #1 Missouri 78 Jefferson County Missouri 96 North St Louis County #4 Missouri 135 Harry S. Truman Missouri 186 St. Charles County Missouri 281 Rolla #9 Nebraska 183 Nebraska #1 Nevada 198 Northern Nevada Nevada 305 Carson City New Hampshire 320 New Hampshire New Jersey DNJ Department of New Jersey New Jersey 48 Chorwon New Jersey 49 Ocean County New Jersey 52 Hong Song New Jersey 53 Union County New Jersey 54 Thomas W. Daley, Jr. New Jersey 94 Hudson County New Jersey 148 Central Jersey New Jersey 170 Taejon New Jersey 213 Hector A Cafferata, Jr [MOH] New Jersey 216 KWVA M*A*S*H 4099 New Jersey 234 KWV of Atlantic County, N.J. New Mexico 82 Albuquerque NM #1 New York DNY Department of New York New York 55 Nassau County #1 New York 58 Monroe County New York 59 Northeastern New York 60 Adirondack New York 63 Western New York New York 64 Central Long Island New York 65 Eastern Long Island New York 66 CPL Allan F. Kivlehan New York 67 Finger Lakes #1 New York 90 Eagle (Rockland Co.) New York 91 Westchester-Putnam County New York 105 Central New York New York 113 Thousand Islands New York 171 Brooklyn New York 202 Orange County New York 208 Putnam County New York 239 Skinner - Grogan New York 283 Columbia County New York 284 St Lawrence County New York 296 Cayuga County North Carolina 265 Charlotte North Carolina 314 Western North Carolina North Dakota 68 North Dakota #1 Ohio DOH Department of Ohio Ohio 51 Richland County Ohio 69 Greater Cleveland Ohio 70 Ohio Valley Ohio 71 Western Ohio - Lake Erie Ohio 81 Buckeye Ohio 108 Western Ohio Ohio 112 Lake Erie Ohio 115 Johnnie Johnson Ohio 116 Central Ohio Ohio 121 Greater Cincinnati Ohio 125 Greene County Ohio 126 Tri-State Ohio 131 Northwest Ohio The Graybeards Frank Williams Delbert White Donald L. Gutmann Wilbert W. Sexauer Kenneth L. Hoffman Joe Bryant Richard Saip Jack Smart William J. 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Daley, Jr., presented a wreath in memory of Pfc. George A. Porter, whose remains were returned to South Jersey after sixty years. George A. Porter, who was 21 years old at the time, was taken prisoner on 11February 1951 during the battle of Hoengsong. He was assigned to Battery B, 15th Field Artillery Battalion. He was unaccounted for until the 1990s. Porter was buried on 27 January 2012 in Somerton, PA. Andy Jackson, captjack71@comcast.net Scientists from the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command and the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory used forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, as well as mitochondrial DNA – which matched that of Porter’s sister and nephew – in the identification of the remains. Today, more than 7,900 Americans remain unaccounted-for from the Korean War. Identifications continue to be made from the remains that were returned to the United States, using forensic and DNA technology. For additional information on the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169. Source: http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/news/news_releases/2012/ release_porter.pdf Korean MIAs ID’d Thomas Springham (L) and Charles Crain, Jr. of Ch 54 present wreath in honor of Pfc. George A. Porter Soldier Missing In Action From Korean War Is Identified The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced January 23, 2012 that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing in action from the Korean War, have been identified and will be returned to his family for burial with full military honors. Army Pfc. George A. Porter, 21, of Philadelphia, was buried Jan. 27, in Somerton, Pa. On Feb. 11, 1950, Porter and the Battery B, 15th Field Artillery Battalion were supporting South Korean forces in a major offensive near Hoengsong, South Korea when Chinese forces attacked in what became known as the “Hoengsong Massacre.” Porter and more than 100 men were taken as prisoners. Following the war, Porter’s remains were not accounted for. Between 1991 and 1994, North Korea gave the United States 208 boxes of remains believed to contain the remains of 200-400 U.S. servicemen. North Korean documents, turned over with some of the boxes, indicated that some of the human remains were recovered in Suan County, which had been the location of the Suan Mining and Bean camps, where Porter was believed to have been held. A metal identification tag bearing Porter’s name was included among the remains. The Graybeards The following MIA/POW’s have been identified. For additional information on identifications since 1997 and the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1420 : • Master Sgt. Elwood Green, U.S. Army, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division was captured on Nov. 28, 1950 and died in 1951 in a POW Camp in North Korea. He was accounted for on Mar. 1, 2012. • Sgt. 1st Class Richard L. Harris, U.S. Army, L Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division was captured on Nov. 30, 1950 and died in Jan. 1951 in a POW Camp in North Korea. He was accounted for on Feb. 29, 2012. • Pfc. Frank P. Jennings, U.S. Army, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment was lost near Jeon-Gog, South Korea on April 25, 1951. He was accounted for on Jan. 18, 2012. • Cpl. Henry F. Johnson, U.S. Army, L Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment was captured on Nov. 25 1950, and died in captivity in 1951. He was accounted for on Feb. 15, 2012. • Cpl. James N. Larkin, U.S. Army, C Company, 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, was captured on Feb. 11, 1951, and died in captivity in April 1951. He was accounted for on Feb. 21, 2012. • Pvt. Arthur W. Leiviska, U.S. Army, L Company, 3rd Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, who was captured in 1951 and died in captivity on April 20, 1951 He was accounted for on Feb. 3, 2012. • Cpl. Dick E. Osborne, U.S. Army, L Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was lost on Nov. 2, 1950, near Unsan, North Korea. He was accounted for on Jan. 27, 2012. Continued on page 21 March - April 2012 17 Task Force Smith Revisited (The Battle At Osan) By Ed Parmenter any authors who have written books about Task Force Smith have made erroneous statements about it, including Roy Appleman, in “South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu,” Clay Blair in “The Forgotten War,” T.H. Fehrenbach in “This Kind of War,” Joseph Goulden in “Korea, The Untold Story of the War,” David Halberstam in “The Coldest Winter,” Max Hastings in “The Korean War,” Robert Leckie in “Conflict, The History of the Korean War,” Bill Sloan in “The Darkest Summer,” James Stokesbury, in “A Short History of the Korean War,” Michael J. Varhola in “Fire and Ice,” and General Ridgway in “The Korean War.” For this reason, I have written a narrative based on official documents at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland (NARA II). Those narratives include the War Diary for the Eighth Army, War Diaries and Unit histories of the 24th Infantry Division, 21st Infantry Regiment and the 52d Field Artillery Battalion. Other source documents include copies of memorandums of telephone calls, radio messages, etc. At 2245 on June 30th, Colonel Richard W. Stephens, Commander of the 21st Infantry Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division, received orders to send one Infantry Battalion to Itazuke Air Base, Japan immediately to be airlifted to Pusan, Korea. The entire division was alerted and the G-3 for Air was sent to Itazuke Air Base to coordinate the airlift. Lt. Colonel Charles B. Smith was placed in command of the airlift force. Shortages in personnel were made up by transferring officers and men from other units of the 21st Regiment. Prior to their departure, the First Battalion was reinforced by the 75mm Platoon of “M” Company and two platoons of 4.2-inch mortars. The force consisted of a Battalion Headquarters, two rifle companies, two 4.2-inch mortar platoons, one platoon of 75mm recoilless rifles, and six bazooka teams. The task force left Kumamoto by rail and motor at 010300 (the 24th Division War Diary gives the M 18 March - April 2012 The battle by Task Force Smith at Osan is especially important because it marks the first time American ground forces engaged in combat in the nearly six years since the end of World War Two. time as 010500) and arrived at Itazuke at 010920. Twenty-four C-54s were allotted for the airlift. Headquarters Eighth Army ordered that the first units to go to Korea would be brought up to full Table of Organization & Equipment levels from within 24th Division resources. Subsequent units would be brought up by resources furnished by Eighth Army. The Battalion prepared to move with full field equipment. The War Diary specifies that all gear except full field gear was to be left in the barracks under lock and key. (Photos published which alleged to be of men of Task Force Smith are NOT photos of that force because those photos show men carrying duffle bags!) They had to provide their own transportation (vehicles to transport mortars, recoilless rifles, heavy machine guns and their ammunition) and one basic load of ammunition. (Based on my experience during combat maneuvers in Japan as a rifleman, it was one cartridge belt of 10 Garand clips and two eighty round bandoleers of Garand clips for a total of 240 rounds). Service company trucks moved the infantry companies. By 1135 on 1 July, 2 planes were off and 13 more were loaded and ready to take off at 20-minute intervals. The first plane took off at 1105, and the second at about 1130. But, these first two were unable to land due to bad weather at Pusan and had to return. At 1525, two planes were en route to Pusan, where visibility at that time was 10 miles. The other 22 planes were all loaded and ready to go. A total of seven planes landed by 1800 hours on 1 July. Two more planes landed by 0815 on 2 July, and 8 more were loaded and were scheduled to land by 0915 on 2 July. (The 24th Division War Diary states that 9 planes landed on 1 July and that the balance of the force arrived on 2 July.) On 2 July preparations were completed to move to Taejon by rail and then north. Six 105mm howitzers, 73 vehicles, and 180 personnel (Battery “A,” one half of Headquarters Battery, and one half of Service Battery) of the 52d Field Artillery Battalion left Hakata on 2 July at 0700 aboard an LST and arrived at Pusan at 1900 hours 2 July 1950. After the artillery group arrived at Pusan, they and their equipment were loaded onto 38 flat cars. The train departed from there at 0800 on 3 July and arrived at Taejon at 2200 hours. They detrained there and boarded their trucks and drove to the town of Songwhan, where they received orders to join Lt. Colonel Smith’s group at Pyongtaek. Early in the morning of 4 July, Lt. Colonel Miller O. Perry, Commanding Officer (CO) of the 52d Field Artillery Battalion, contacted Lt. Colonel Smith, CO of the First Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, at his Command Post (CP) at Pyongtaek and set up his CP in the same location. At 1600 hours, Colonel Perry and Colonel Smith went on reconnaissance to determine placement of the Task Force, specifically the artillery unit. The battery was to be emplaced 1,000 yards north of Osan and 200 yards west of both the main road and the rail line on a hill which is about 60 to 80 meters high near a village called “Kwol-li.” During the morning of 2 July 1950, Companies “B,” “C,” the 75mm Platoons of “D” and “M” Companies, two platoons of the Heavy Mortar Company and Headquarters First Battalion, minus the Ammunition and Pioneer Platoon (interestingly enough, two of the casualties of Task Force Smith were listed as being Pioneers, not Riflemen, Heavy Weapons, or Company Aidman), landed at Pusan The Graybeards Airport. The entire task force boarded trains which left immediately for Taejon. Upon arrival at Taejon the morning of 3 July 1950, the advance elements of the First Battalion were split into two groups by Brigadier General John H. Church, Commanding General, USAFIK (US Army Forces in Korea). The first group, commanded by Colonel Smith, went to Pyongtaek. This group included Company “B,” commanded by 1st Lt. Thomas: one 4.2 mortar platoon, the 75mm recoilless rifle platoon (two guns) from “D” Company, and part of Headquarters Company, First Battalion. Their mission was to block the dry river bed running into Pyongtaek from the north. In addition they were to establish road blocks on all roads and railroads leading into Pyongtaek from the north. On 3 July, at 1545 and 1555, this group was subjected to six strafing attacks by Royal Australian Air Force F51 fighters using rockets and .50 caliber machine guns. These strafings resulted in the injuring of one sergeant (Sergeant First Class Ernest Marcum, a Heavy Weapons Platoon Leader) in the leg, who was evacuated and eventually discharged from the Army because of his wound. During the attacks, 9 75mm recoilless rifle rounds were destroyed and the Pyongtaek railroad station and a train of 9 ammunition cars were left burning. The other group, commanded by Major Floyd Martin, First Battalion Executive Officer, consisted of Company “C,” commanded by Captain Richard Dashner: one 4.2 mortar platoon, the 75mm recoilless rifle platoon (two guns) from Company “M,” and detachments from Headquarters First Battalion. Their mission was to establish road blocks on all roads leading into Ansong from the north. By noon 4 July, First Battalion advance elements were in their assigned areas at Pyongtaek and Ansong. At 1600 hours, Lt. Colonels Smith and Perry drove the approximately 20 miles to Osan to determine placement of the artillery. At dark, both units were alerted to move to new positions north of Osan. Artillery was to be placed on a hill about 1,000 yards north of Osan and 200 yards to the west. The Graybeards By daylight 5 July, emplacements were completed and weapons sighted in. On 4 July, Lt. Colonel Perry assigned two machine gun crews and one 2.36 inch bazooka crew to augment the firepower of Task Force Smith’s infantry unit. The 21st Infantry Regimental War Diary states that 8 enemy tanks were sighted at 0700 as they were approaching the road and railroad crossing 2 miles north of Osan. Colonel Smith was notified, and he ordered the artillery to open fire on coordinates 1004-1599. That position was about 4,800 yards forward of the artillery, and about 2,400 yards forward of the infantry positions. The 75mm recoilless rifles with “C” Company were on the west side of the railroad tracks. At that place, there were two railroad tracks separated by about 350 yards, with the westernmost track passing through a tunnel for about 300 yards which ran between a 92 meter high hill to its west and a hill approximately 90 meters high to its east. The second track passed immediately to the east of that hill, so the recoilless rifles were probably on the easternmost hill. The 4.2 inch mortar platoons were probably emplaced on the reverse of the 92 meter high hill and in a line south along a low ridge line for about 500 yards almost due south. Logistically, that would make sense, as a cart track leaves the east side of the road almost opposite of where the direct fire 105 was located. It curves around the east side of an approximately 40 meter high hill and runs north. Immediately north of that hill, the cart track splits in two. Both tracks go along a low ridge which is about 30 meters high about 500 yards to the base of the 92 meter high hill where they merge and continue on to a group of buildings which begin on the western slope of that hill and extend north for several hundred yards. Jeeps towing trailers carrying the mortars and ammunition would be able to travel either of those cart tracks with relative ease, as there are no steep inclines. Based on the topography, the only place the mortars could have been emplaced 400 yards behind the infantry front would have been along the north-south ridge line where the infantry refused right flank was. The infantry line formed a front of about 1,600 yards. The 52d Field Artillery (52d FA Bn.) War Diary gives the time of sighting as shortly after 0745 hours. General Barth, who was assigned temporarily from the 25th Infantry Division to the 24th Infantry Division as the acting 24th Division Artillery Commander because the 24th’s Artillery Commander was on emergency leave to the U.S. at the time the 24th Division left for Korea, relayed a message stating that the fight started at 0818 and that the eight leading tanks had broken through. After the first eight tanks broke through, he drove to Ansong, probably taking the same secondary roads that Colonel Perry and Colonel Smith took later. The 21st Infantry War Diary is very specific about the total number of tanks. It says there was a total of 31, 5 of which were destroyed. The 52d FA Bn War Diary says that there were between 30-40 tanks, 8 of which were destroyed. It also states that after running out of ammunition, they started to withdraw to Ansong at 1500 hours. The 52d FA Bn War Diary reported three wounded: Lt. Colonel Perry and two enlisted men. They were not seriously wounded. They also reported that 5 officers and 20 enlisted men were missing. On July 10, 2 of the missing enlisted men returned and on July 11, 2 more enlisted men returned. In the end, 2 officers were killed in action, 2 were missing and returned to military control, 1 was wounded and returned to duty, and 2 died in enemy hands. Five enlisted men were killed, 10 were missing and returned to military control, 4 were wounded and returned to duty, and 3 died in enemy hands. Total losses for the Field Artillery Unit in this encounter were 12 men. The 21st Infantry War Diary specifies that at the beginning of the artillery/tank fight, Lt. Colonel Smith consolidated all of his men at the highest point in the battalion area. That would have been the 113 meter hill immediately to the east of the road. This source also says that shortly after the tanks moved through, his positions were subjected to artillery fire. An estimated regiment of the enemy came into sight. Before they attacked, Task Force Smith was subjected to additional artillery fire of an apparent large volume. March - April 2012 19 20 The 21st Infantry War Diary states that as the tank/artillery battle raged, Lt. Colonel Smith ordered Captain Dashner to move Company “C” into position with Company “B” and Headquarters Company, forming a perimeter defense on the highest ground of the battalion area. At the same time, Major Martin ordered all of Headquarters Company to move all the battalion’s ammunition to a central location within the defensive perimeter. That would be the 113 meter high hill just to the east of the road. That would have meant that both companies and their accompanying bazooka teams, recoilless rifle teams, and mortars would have been in that one location, the highest elevation between Osan and Suwon. The next highest elevation is the 92 meter hill about 500 yards to the east and slightly north. The Diary then says that they received orders from higher headquarters at about 1300 hours to prepare for withdrawal and that about half an hour later the order to withdraw came. It also states that they received orders to withdraw at 1330 hours. Lieutenant Thomas and Company “B” covered the withdrawal of Company “C.” Then Captain Dashner and Company “C” leapfrogged past Company “”B” and covered their withdrawal. Lt. Colonel Smith then took all available men south into Osan, where they found the 52d FA Bn. trucks, overlooked by the North Korean tanks and intact. Smith and his men boarded the trucks and bypassed Osan on secondary roads and reached Ansong by 1730 hours, where they remained overnight. None of the war diaries specifically mentions actions by recoilless rifle or bazooka teams. Appleman, on page 69 of his book, writes that a 2d Lt. Connor fired 22 2.36 inch rockets at the rear of the tanks as they passed by. That many rockets at three and one half pounds each would total 77 pounds; due to the dimensions, each member of the team (normally five) except the gunner would be able to carry only four rockets. It is highly unlikely, then, that Lt. Connor would even have that many rockets available. Additionally, at the speed the tanks had to be traveling (T-34s had a top speed of about 34 miles per hour), he March - April 2012 would not have had time to fire more than one round at any one tank. Even at 20 MPH, a tank would travel about 580 yards in a minute. Therefore, any one tank would be in range for 30 seconds at most. Appleman writes on page 73 that the enemy appeared in force on the high hill to the west of the highway overlooking and dominating the knob on that side held by a platoon of ”B” Company. First of all, my AMS L751 Series Map of Suwon, #6625 IV, shows no higher knob on the west of the road than the one occupied by the one platoon of “B” Company. There is one, approximately 1,000 yards west of the road, which might be about the same height. Secondly, the 21st Infantry War Diary states that during the artillery/tank battle, Colonel Smith consolidated all of his men at the highest point in the battalion area, which was the 113 meter high hill just to the east of the road. Appleman also writes that enemy machine guns located on hills overlooking the right flank began firing on Smith’s men. Again, Smith’s men occupied the highest ground anywhere between Osan and Suwon. The next highest ground is a 92 meter high hill about 400 yards east of the 113 meter high hill that Task Force Smith occupied. The 21st Infantry War Diary states that there were 140 casualties in the infantry unit. That figure includes a number of wounded brought back on the artillery trucks by Lt. Colonel Smith. On 6 July, Colonel Smith took all available men of the 1st Battalion on the artillery trucks and drove to Taejon airstrip, where they reorganized and re-equipped. Total losses from this encounter were actually 149 (breakdown below). Final figures show that 47 were killed in action and 41 were captured and later released, 1 in January 1951 and the other 40 during the prisoner exchange in late August 1953. Five were missing, but returned to military control within a few days. Fifteen were wounded and returned to duty. Twenty-seven died in enemy hands, 7 were missing and presumed killed, and 7 were wounded and evacuated. Included in that figure is 1 officer who returned to military control from missing and 2 who died in enemy hands. Of some interest is that there were 14 casualties among the Medics: 1 killed, 1 died in enemy hands, 2 wounded and returned to duty, and 10 captured, but later returned to military control. The heavy weapons personnel had 5 killed, 3 died in enemy hands, 2 were wounded and returned to duty, and 5 were captured, but later returned to military control. Final figures for the artillery unit were 6 officers and 21 enlisted men. Two officers were killed, 1died in enemy hands, 2 were prisoners for 37 months, and one, Lt. Colonel Perry, was wounded and returned to duty. Five enlisted men were killed, 5 died in enemy hands, 5 were prisoners for 37 months, 4 were wounded in action but returned to duty, and 4 more were missing but returned to duty within 4 days. It is my belief that if General Church had not wasted a day by splitting the task force and diverting it to Pyongtaek and Ansong, instead of sending it directly all the way north to the Osan area, the outcome of the battle might have been much different, as the crews laying the telephone wires would have been able to bury them. Had they been able to bury the wires, they would not have been cut as the tanks passed by and the remaining three undamaged 105s would have been able to fire on the infantry when they appeared. Reach Edward C. Parmenter at PO Box 15421, Syracuse, NY 13215, 315-4696747, Eparment@twcny.rr.com Now Hear This: All comments concerning, or material for publication, in The Graybeards should be sent to Art Sharp, Editor, 152 Sky View Drive, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or emailed to: sharp_arthur_g @sbcglobal.net The Graybeards MIA from page 17 • Sgt. 1st Class Edris A. Viers, U.S. Army, Battery A, 555th Field Artillery Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, was lost near Pongam-ni, South Korea on Aug. 12, 1950. He was accounted for on Jan. 17, 2012. • Cpl. Robert I. Wax, U.S. Army, Battery A, 555th Field Artillery Battalion, was lost on Aug. 11, 1950 near Pongam-ni, South Korea. He was accounted for on Feb. 23, 2012. NOTE: As of 21 March 2012, the United States has suspended the search for the remains of U.S. servicemen missing since the end of the Korean War. Pentagon spokeswoman Tara Rigler explained that “We are suspending the current arrangement to resume remains recovery operations with [North Korea] until their actions indicate a willingness to move forward in good faith on its commitments.” One of the reasons is North Korea’s announcement that it was going to test a ballistic missile sometime in the near future. We will keep you apprised of any additional developments. Please support our advertisers Hopefully, our readers will buy their products so we can retain our curent advertisers, attract new advertisers, and use the revenues to underwrite the costs of producing The Graybeards. William R. Charette, MOH Recipient, Goes To Glory M edal of Honor Recipient William R. (“Doc”) Charette, for whom CID 158 in Florida is named, died on 19 March 2012. According to KWVA National Secretary Frank Cohee, “He was one of the founders of the chapter and until his death, an active member. All Korean War veterans will mourn the loss of another MOH recipient of our war, and Chapter 158 members will also mourn the loss of a good friend.” Here is the story courtesy of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Medal of Honor Recipient William R. Charette Passes Away at 79 Earned Nation’s Highest Award for Valor during Korea MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., March 19, 2012 /PRNewswireUSNewswire/ — The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Master Chief Hospital Corpsman William R. Charette, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2012 in Lake Wales, Florida at age 79. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Dwight D. Eisenhower at a White House ceremony on January 12, 1954. His heroic action occurred at the Panmunjam Corridor (DNZ) Korea, on March 27, 1953. As a Hospital Corpsman Third Class he served with the 1st Marine Division attached to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. Observing a seriously wounded comrade whose armored vest had been torn from his body by the blast from an exploding shell, he selflessly removed his own battle vest and placed it upon the helpless man although fully aware of the added jeopardy to himself. Moving to the side of another casualty who was suffering excruciating pain from a serious leg wound, HC3c. Charette stood upright in the trench line and exposed himself to a deadly hail of enemy fire in order to lend more effective aid to the victim and to alleviate his anguish while being removed to a position of safety. By his indomitable courage and inspiring efforts on behalf of his wounded comrades, HC3c. Charette was directly responsible for saving many lives. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. There are 81 recipients alive today. About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation’s highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are “recipients” of this prestigious award; they are not “winners.” Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor, although, as stated, the Congress did establish the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Contact: Victoria Kueck, 843-884-8862, medalhq@earthlink.net The Graybeards March - April 2012 21 Recon Missions Lt. Edward G. Flanagan I am trying to find out more about the death of my cousin, Lt. Edward G. Flanagan. He was in C Company, 1st Battalion, 27 Inf. Reg. He lost his life on Oct. 13, 1952 at a place called Sandbag Castle ( Hill 1052 ), earning a DSC for his actions that day. I know he led a nighttime raid on a North Korean position; he was the only casualty, and his body was never recovered. I am looking for firsthand information, if possible, and/or pictures of him. Brian Flanagan, 440-237-7667 briauraflanagan@aol.com Ralph Lauzier 22 I need your assistance and direction on a Korean War Veteran research project I have been working on far too long. I started the project with U.S. Army Military Records in 1999, had a recent inquiry with the National Archives, and have a current request for help from the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Senator Snowe from Maine, since my father was connected to the first inaugural parade of President Dwight Eisenhower as a flag bearer and Armed Services participant. My father, Ralph Lauzier, served three years in the Army during the Korean War and was involved in some significant combat. He died in 1981 and never spoke much about the war, but he received significant recognition for his service and valor. Here is what I know, which is mainly from a copy of the DD-214 Honorable Discharge form: 1. Born in Van Buren, Maine on 1-3-29, and lived on Wilson Street in Keegan, Maine. Ralph Lauzier, U.S. Army, 1950-53 2. He enlisted and reported into active U.S. Army service in March, 1950. He completed a Leaders Course in 1950 at Fort Dix, NJ, which is how he became a platoon sergeant during the war. 3. He received wounds in battle and a Purple Heart medal on or about September 4, 1952 in Korea. His unit was the Army 2nd Division, 38th Regiment. I know that he had lost some of the personnel in the squad that he led during combat, which is why he never spoke about his service prior to his death in 1981 at a young age. 4. About four months after getting injured in combat, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant on December 15, 1952. 5. Prior to or around his discharge in 1953, he returned to Van Buren as a local hero and was interviewed by a newspaper(s). The reason he was interviewed as a local hero was not just due to his honorable service and medals, but because he participated and represented the great State of Maine in the inaugural parade of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. He carried the flag for the State of March - April 2012 Maine or possibly his unit/regiment. I am not quite sure. The nearby photo had to have been taken between 1950 and 1953. It would be awesome if someone could help me. In 1999 I began researching this with the Army, but his military records were burned up in the Army records depot fire in the 70s. I am currently seeking a dossier or file of his service record and any parade photographs of him when he marched in the inaugural parade as a flag bearer. He was honored as a decorated Korean War hero when he went back to his small, northern Maine town. I am hopeful that you can direct me to some resources and information because I know little of the decorations he received and under which combat engagement he would have likely received the Purple Heart given the date of the wounds. My goal is to pull as much information together as possible. The end project result will be his registration and induction into the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in NY. I have enough to submit his name into the database now, but I would like to do it right. In memory of Dad, I am hopeful you can find someone who can help me make this a special experience. Thanks for any help you can provide. Mark Lauzier, 842 Santmyer Drive SE Leesburg, VA 20175 954-654-5459, mrlauzier@verizon.net B.J. Williams/Lefty Uyehara I am looking for two men who were with me in Korea between 1950 and 1951. B.J. Williams was from either Kansas or Oklahoma. Lefty Uyehara was from Hawaii. They helped save my life. We were in the 25th Inf. Div., 27th Regt., George Co. My brother, Lester Bauer, is still missing in Korea. He was adopted, as was I, which accounts for our different last names. Robert E. Willits, 1060 Morningside Dr., Greenfield, IN 46140, 317-462-6100, rjwillits@sbcglobal.net Twenty Comrades I am looking for some of my comrades who shipped over to the Korean War aboard USS Howze in 1952: 1. Bobby E. Carroll 2. Peter P. Jones 3. Ray R. Romero 4. Albert H. Sample 5. Richard L. Scherle 6. Charles E. Seabold 7. Richard A. Smith 8. William E. Smith 9. Robert W. Snapp 10. Seymour L. Snell 11. Edward W. Sockwell 12. Gabriel Stonbely, Jr. 13. Everett A. Strough 14. Don D. Tippery 15. Ellis R. Townsend 16. Willard Uffelmann 17. George E. Vasilko 18. Raymond A. Vernon 19. Carl D. Walbeck 20. Gerald L. Woodyard My last major action in this conflict was in defense of Hill 270 (a forward observation post for an Artillery Officer range finding and directing field of fire from this position). After coming off line for a little R&R, we were packed up to go relieve the First Marine Division at Panmunjom at the 38th parallel. While we were in the squad tent, still on R&R, the Sergeant Major told us that we had been put in for medals (for this action five miles in front of the MLR line). The Graybeards I was ordered out and back to the USA because my mother was dying of cancer. Since I didn’t have enough time left to serve, I wasn’t sent back to Panmunjom. I was sent to Camp Atterbury, IN. I never did get back to see about those medals, and I don’t know whether they got them or not. I don’t have the serial numbers and ranks of the Soldiers named above. We were with the 35th Inf. Reg., 25th Inf. Div., George Company. We shipped out on the USS Howze from the Red Devil Company L, 11th Inf. Reg. at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, PA. I would like to know if any of these men are still alive. I would like to get in touch with any of them. Richard Edsel Trimble, Sr., 716 North Imperial Rd., Portage, IN 46385, 219-759-3906 Maps I served in Korea with E Co., 2nd Bn., 1st Regt., 1st Marine Division from June 1954 until the division went home to Camp Pendleton, CA. Easy Co. was somewhere between Freedom Gate Bridge and the Imjin River. Our night patrols were along the Imjin River. I have for a long time written letters and received some maps of the area, but nothing looks familiar. When I was there, very few trees existed. Now, the land is green and dotted with trees—and I don’t recognize a thing. I am considering going on a Korean Revisit trip, and I want to find a 1954 map of that area. If anyone can help I would appreciate it. Darrell E. Jensen, 1111 Broadway St., Audubon, IA 50025, dj59@iowatelecom.net 23 The Graybeards March - April 2012 24 March - April 2012 The Graybeards Monuments and Memorials Korea: the Forgotten War, Remembered Omaha, NE There was a monument dedicated recently in Omaha, NE honoring prisoners of war of all past conflicts. Several members of CID 183, Nebraska Chapter #1, attended the ceremony. Bill Wirges, 15010 Holmes St., Omaha, NE 68137 402-957-0076 (C), 402-894-0559 (H) Members of Ch 183 at POW monument in Omaha, NE (L-R) Bernie Wieneke, Bill Wirges, POW Dennis Pavlik, Sam Wall, John Fifer, the late Bob Wagner 25 The Graybeards March - April 2012 Korean War Veterans’ Mini-Reunions ............................. 25th Div. Signal Corps Combat Photographers, 1951-54 W e held our 13th reunion October 19-23, 2011 at the “Beautiful Lake of the Ozarks” in Missouri, 150 miles south of St. Louis. Roy and Pat Pinzke and their daughter Sue Sanders and her husband Chuck hosted the event. A reunion held at a lakeside resort is priceless. Next year’s reunion is in the planning stages. Maybe Hawaii, maybe Las Vegas, maybe ??? RollieBerens,18400BrookfieldLakeDr.,#42,Brookfield,WI53045 Veterans of 25th Div. Signal Corps Combat Photographers (1951-54) Bob Eifert, George Flinn, Roy Pinzke, Dick Wawrzyniak, Carlton Sauder, Jay Brown (L-R) Guests and veterans at 25th Div. Signal Corps Combat Photographers (1951-54) gathering (Back, L-R) Carlton Sauder, Dick Wawrzyniak, Bob Eifert, George Flinn, Roy Pinzke, Chuck Sanders (Front, L-R) Tooter Brown, Joann Sauder, Diane Teske, Pat Pinzke, Sue Sanders 44th Engineers Battalion T he 44th Engineers Battalion (“Brokenheart” Battalion) Association had a good reunion in St. Louis, MO. The battalion was one of the longest serving units in Korea, participating at the Inchon landing in September 1950. It also served in Iraq in 2004. Members who attended the gathering toured the St. Louis Arch, the tallest man-made U.S. monument, and the Budweiser brewery (the beer was cold). They also took a cruise on the Mississippi River to see the start of a new bridge, which reminded us of the many bridges we built in Korea. The men of the 44th Engineer Bn. at their 2012 reunion in St. Louis When I left Korea in 1953 there was one working bridge across the Han River at Seoul. As of last year there were 27 bridges of 4-6 lanes. We are looking for all “44ers” to attend our next reunion at Gettysburg, PA in September. (See the Reunion Calendar for details.) 26 Members of the 44th Engineer Bn. Women’s Auxiliary at St. Louis in 2012 March - April 2012 The Graybeards ..................................................................................................... 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing T he 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing, headquartered at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, flew “psychological warfare missions” in Korea. The wing was disbanded in 1954 after the Korean War ended. Those of us who are left have reunions roughly every two years. ArtSnyder,429ManorAve., Cranford,NJ07016 908-272-5700 applesouse@verizon.net Have a Mini-Reunion? Send your photos and a short write-up to The Graybeards editor for publication! Korean War 581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing pilots John Muth (L) an SA-16 pilot, and Art Snyder, a B-29 pilot, in their “drinking suits” Valor Flight T he first ever Valor Flight in the United States for the purpose of taking Korean War veterans to see the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC originated in Huntsville, AL on 12 November 2011. 125 veterans and their caretakers left Huntsville by air at about 8 a.m. and returned at 8:30 pm. the same day. While in Washington the veterans visited the Korean War Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, and witnessed the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. The group also had lunch and took a bus tour of the city—all at no cost to the individuals. The people who participated came primarily from the Huntsville and Madison County, AL area. However, three members of CID 2, Northwest Alabama II, Jim Taylor, Bill Gotcher, and J.C. Killen, were included in the tour group. DavidA.Mays,114KathySt. Florence,AL,DocMays@att.net The Graybeards Alabama Valor Tour group at the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC Jim Taylor (L) and Bill Gotcher of Ch 2 at Korean War Memorial 27 March - April 2012 The Where, When, and Why of the Korean War Tell America LEFT: Dale Parish, Bud Mendenhall, and Civil War re-enactor Dr. Russ Gilliom talk during “The American Veteran” BELOW: Dale Parish and Bud Mendenhall interview Ch 30 Honor Guard Director Dave Yates and WWII veterans George Kohlmeier and Bob Franke (L-R) “Notice” – Korean War Education Books Arrived W e have started to receive more of the Korean books, “Korean War-Education for students.” The Korean Embassy in Washington DC has generously supplied us with an additional 5,000 copies. I will be mailing them to the Tell America chapters that want to use them in their school visits. At this point, I have to limit each chapter to 50 books so I can spread them to as many chapters as possible. We recommend that the books be given to the teachers in the schools for use in studies about Korea and the war. The good part is that the KWVA will mail these packages of books “postage free” to the active Tell America chapters. So, we will not require repayment of the postage as we did on the previous shipments. Some of the chapters did not get any of the books before, so I am trying to supply them first. However, all who are interested in the books should let me know by contacting me at 682-518-1040 or larry.kinard@yahoo.com and providing me with your chapter number and mailing address. LarryKinard,2ndVP NationalTellAmericaChairman 30 - INDIANA CHAPTER ONE [IN] O ne of our members, Dale Parish, has a wonderful program, “The American Veteran,” that appears on our local TV stations. It has been on for a year now, and Dale and his co-host Bud Mendenhall have had many wonderful guests, such as members of our chapter, WWII Coast Guard veteran Bernie Havens, WWII W.A.S.P. Marty Wyall, and members of The Leatherneck Club with “Toys for Tots” ladies. Our “American Veteran” TV shows are now on You Tube. You can access the shows by going to google.com and entering CPL780thBn, which should take viewers directly to it. Locally, it airs on Comcast - 57 and FIOS - 27. MaryAnnaRoemke,P.O.Box 15102,FortWayne,IN195 - Dale Parish, Bud Mendenhall, and USMC Sgt. Wayne Ithier on “The American Veteran” 131 - NORTHWEST OHIO [OH] W 28 Dale Parish, Bud Mendenhall, Carl Fowler, Ken Roemke of Ch 30 (L-R) on “The American Veteran” show March - April 2012 e presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Anthony Wayne Junior High teacher Kathy Schoonmaker during our 2 February 2012 program. Members Tom Baranoski, Roy Barnes, Glenn Cousino, Bub Fuller, Larry Kish, John Schlotz, and Tom Schroeder were in attendance at the meeting. We consider Mrs. Schoonmaker a special friend because of her close association with the chapter. In addition to hosting the Tell America program, she led the school’s fundraising efforts in financing our Korean War Memorial. LouisG.Streb,415Turnbury Lane,Perrysburg,OH43551 The Graybeards Len Tomasik, Ch 131’s Education Committee Chairman, presents Certificate of Appreciation to Kathy Schoonmaker Jim Rooney (L) and Bill Webb of Ch 172 present Tell America material to class at Findlay [OH] High School 172 - HANCOCK COUNTY [OH] E ric VanRenterghem, Chairman of the Findlay [OH] High School History Department, invited us to present a program on 27 January 2012 concerning the Korean War. VanRenterghem’s father, Don, and Ray Jameson, who serve as cochairmen of our Tell America program, accepted the offer. Other committee members at the time included William Webb, Robert Wilson, and Jim Rooney. The committee presented the pro- gram to seven separate history classes from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Members look forward to working with other schools and organizations and to expanding their numbers in the program. We all know the importance of the Korean War, but we need to remind others of its place in our American history. HarryC.Biddinger,Secretary, 1WindstoneCt.,Findlay,OH 45840,419-423-5785 Bob Wilson of Ch 172 conducts a Tell America presentation Presenters from Ch 172 (L-R) Bill Webb, Don VanRenterghem, Ray Jameson, Bob Wilson The Graybeards Students listen attentively to Ch 172’s Tell America presentation at Findlay High School 195 - QUEEN CITY [CO] I n conjunction with the administration of O’Connell Middle School, Lakewood, CO, we attended a general assembly held to honor the school and 23 students, staff, and teachers. The assembly was convened by KWVA veterans to honor the school and individuals for their continuing efforts since 1993 to recognize veterans at official school functions. Besides the student body, teachers, and administrative staff, numerous local dignitaries, including the city’s mayor, school superintendent, local TV stations, Korean War veterans, and other veteran group representatives, were in attendance.. KennethCamell,3120BaylorDr., Boulder,CO80305,303-4942013,camellk@yahoo.com Nancy Millensifer, Shirley and Bill Baldaccini, Master of Ceremonies at Ch 195 event, Ken Giese, Ch 195 President March - April 2012 29 Nancy Millensifer, Past Ch 195 President, with School Award Plaque at O’Connell Middle School O’Connell Middle School students, teachers, Korean War vets and Award Plaque at Ch 195’s Lakewood assembly George B, Bob N, Bill C, James M, Don S, Don G, and Jerry J of Ch 195 at Lakewood assembly Bill Baldaccini, Charles Kammerer, and Ken Giese of Ch 195 address audience at O’Connell Middle School Bob Nelson. Jerry Johnson, Ken Camell (L-R) of Ch 195 O’Connell Teacher awardee , Bill Baldaccini, Ken Camell, awarding certificate, Nancy M, Ken G at Lakewood ceremony 289 - MOUNTAIN EMPIRE [TN] 30 Students, assembly, and Korean War veterans at Lakewood, CO assembly: Ken Camell (U.S. Army); Frank Montijo, Dick Huffman, Nancy Millensifer, George Brandt, Bob Nelson, Bill Corin, James Madrid, Don Simmons, Jon Geist, Jerry Johnson March - April 2012 After awarding medallions to two cadets of the JROTC at DobynBennett High School, Kingsport, TN, we contacted the coordinator of the history program, Mike Sweeney, and offered to speak to their classes. In the meantime, the Commander of KWVA for the Department of Oregon, Neil M. McCain, sent us a DVD and Power Point demonstration for our use. We had three chapter members present a program and give personal experiences to two very attentive and respectful classes, mostly freshmen, with some upperclassmen. We started with an overview of the Korean history as a country, how it was divided, and added the agendas held by the heads of state of China, Russia, Nationalist The Graybeards China, North Korea, South Korea, and the United States, including the unlike goals of Truman and MacArthur. This was augmented by the Power Point portion as appropriate and permitted by time. Then, the three veterans, Joe Cody, Arlen Hensley and Fred Himelwright, told “history as seen from the viewpoint of men who were there.” We told of our entry into service, leaving loved ones behind, training, writing letters home and life in the field. As were many men, we were in more than one unit, all together making a cohesive fighting force. Himelwright was in heavy artillery and then the 25th Div. Band. Cody was in Korea as a noncombatant. Hensley was a Marine, wounded in action with shrapnel still in his leg. The interested group asked questions, which we answered as best we knew how. Between classes, we were escorted to the cafeteria by three lovely and caring young ladies who also helped in the selection of our lunch and carried our trays. 296 - CAYUGA COUNTY [NY] T wo members, 1st VP Don Tavener and Commander John Barwinczok, spent one day at Whitney Point Middle School in Whitney Point, NY entertaining five groups of students. Each group consisted of twenty students. The history teacher asked the students to prepare a one-paragraph blurb about what they thought of the presentation. JohnBarwinczok jbarwinczok@verizon.net We were invited back. Inasmuch as medallions were awarded at eleven schools in our general area, we are anticipating speaking at other facilities. We thank Neil McCain for his assistance. FredHimelright himelwright-1@juno.com Arlen Hensley (L) and Joe Cody of Ch 289 at Dobyn-Bennett High School, Kingsport, TN Students salute Korean War veterans at Ch 296’s presentation; presenters Don Tavener (L) and John Barwinczok enjoy the show Don Tavener of Ch 296 speaks to class at Whitney Point Middle School TA presenters from Ch 289, Arlen Hensley, Fred Himelwright, and Joe Cody (L-R) in front of the class Jerry Damico On 5 March 2012 I put on a presentation for 75 students in the JROTC class at the Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola, FL. I talked about what I did in Korea during my time there, although I did not go into detail. I presented some interesting information. For example, the students were very surprised to hear that the Army had very large boats in Korea. Jerry Damico talks to JROTC students at Booker T. Washington High School JerryDamico,5534FoxFire Rd.,Milton,FL32570-7727, 850-626-4095, Sheriff7007@bellsouth.net Alan Lertzman Members of Ch 289, Joe Cody, Fred Himelwright, and Arlen Hensley (R-L) with their guides at Dobyn-Bennett High School The Graybeards As a member of CID 72, Oregon Trail, I participate in Living History Day events at local high schools that honor veterans of previous wars. The following are excerpts of my presentation to students: In the spring of 1953, I was an artillery forward observer assigned to a platoon of the 7th Infantry Division facing Hill 166 (“Old Baldy”), located just north of the 38th parallel. “Old Baldy” Continued on page 71 March - April 2012 31 Chapter & Department News 19 GEN RAYMOND G. DAVIS [GA] Four veterans of the Korean War at the American Korea Friendship Society 2012 Annual Banquet welcoming the Honorable He-Beom Kim, Consul General, Republic of Korea, received a standing ovation from the attendees. Jim Conway, Ron Clark, Consul General Kim, and Ch 19 President Bob McCubbins (L-R) at Korea Friendship Society banquet Ch 19 members and Korean officials at luncheon (L-R) Bob McCubbins, Bob Hendershott, Col. Carden, Deputy Consul General Heung-soo Kim, Korean Veterans Association President Kyung Ho Cha, Thaddeus Sobieski The guest speaker at our recent chapter luncheon was Colonel Thomas M. Carden, Jr., Commander, 560th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Georgia National Guard. Colonel Carden gave us up-to-date information on the guard status and deployments. At our annual Christmas luncheon, chapter member Walter T. Lamond received the Korean Peace Medal from Kyung Ho Cha, President, Korean Veterans Association, for his service in Korea. Our featured speaker was Daniel F. Kirk (Ret.), Marine Corps Captain and frequent traveler with General Raymond Davis to Normandy, Seoul, and Viet Nam. We also participated in the Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program, collecting many gifts for underprivileged children. Thirty members were invited to a Christmas Dinner and musical interlude at the home of the Korean Consulate General Beom He Kim. Jim Conway, conatlanta@comcast.net Col. Thomas M. Carden addresses Ch 19 members 32 March - April 2012 Daniel F. Kirk addresses Ch 19 members Kyung Ho Cha presents Ambassador for Peace Medal to Walter T. Lamond of Ch 19 Members of Ch 19 enjoy entertainment at Christmas lunch The Graybeards 40 MINNESOTA # 1 [MN] Tom Clawson installed our new officers on 12 February at the Rosetown Legion Post in Roseville, MN. They include President Ed Valle, 1st VP Bob Pellow, 2nd VP Erv Lewandowski, Treasurer Jerry Sandin, Secretary Harvey Sell, Corresponding Secretary John Rutford, Chaplain Rev. Don Swanson, Sgt.-atArms Skip Christensen, and Member-at-Large Ken Swanson. Tom Clawson, 953 Gorman Ave., West Saint Paul, MN 55118, 651-457-6653, timclawson@charter.net New officers of Ch 40 (L-R) Ed Valle, Erv Lewandowski, Harvey Sell, John Rutford, Jerry Sandin, being sworn in by Tom Clawson 44 MISSOURI #1 [MO] On November 10, 2011, members attended the Veterans Day program and luncheon sponsored annually by Rockwood Summit High School of St. Louis County, under the direction of Mrs. Renee Revis. We have attended this program for several years. Because of the dedication of the students and faculty to veterans, several Kenn and Jackie Dawley of Ch 44 being seated at Summit Veterans Day luncheon The Graybeards Don Gutmann, Commander of Ch 44, awards a $1,000 scholarship during Rockwood Summit High School program years ago we created a $1,000 scholarship based on student essays about knowledge of the Korean War. The faculty selects the winner each year, and the scholarship has now been awarded for the third year. The program, which is all about veterans, starts in the lobby with coffee and bagels. There is a school orchestra present, and group pictures and posters with pictures mounted of all the veterans who made reservations. It moves to the auditorium for the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem. This is followed by a student choir presentation of military anthems and a guest speaker, with a slideshow of the pictures submitted by the veterans in attendance. The crowning event of the program is the procession from the auditorium to the lunch room, where the veterans file in with the students clapping and cheering and the school orchestra playing military anthems. Lunch is then served at the tables by the students. We have attended many Veterans Day celebrations. However, the Rockwood Summit students and faculty have it all together and are congratulated for their efforts to recognize all veterans on our special day. There were over 80 veterans of all wars and services in attendance. Kenn Dawley, Public Affairs Director, 382 Autumn Creek Dr. Apt. A, Manchester, MO 63088 Students gather for Rockwood Summit Veterans Day luncheon March - April 2012 33 55 NASSAU COUNTY #1 [NY] Every year at our holiday party we swear in our officers for the next year. This year we swore in three directors: Bill Troise, Buddy Epstein, and Joe Carco, and Sergeant-at-Arms Mario Dell’Acra. Judge Advocate Don Zoeller did the honors. Commander Howard Plattner presented Past Director Jack Leff with a citation of appreciation for all the hard work he does for the chapter. Robert P. O’Brien, P. O. Box 1531, No. Massapequa, NY 11758 Members and guests gather at VA Home in Ventura, CA for 60th Anniversary event (Note DoD committee in middle, including Col David J. Clark in center) ABOVE: Don Zoeller (Front) swears in Ch 55 officers Mario Dell’Acra, Bill Troise, Buddy Epstein, Joe Carco RIGHT: Commander Howard Plattner (L) of Ch 55 reads citation for Jack Leff 56 VENTURA COUNTY [CA] 34 DoD Committee and David Lopez at Ventura VA Home LEFT: Col David Clark addresses group at Ventura VA Home BELOW: Member of DoD committee speaks at Ventura commemoration Members attended a 60th Anniversary of the Korean War commemoration ceremony at the Ventura VA Home. A committee from the Department of Defense (DoD) participated as well. Col David J. Clark, U.S. Army, was the featured speaker. All the veterans in attendance who had served in Korea received certificates of appreciation. Chapter President David Lopez spoke and conducted a flag folding ceremony. Other members in attendance included Manuel Adame, David Garcia, Rudy Arellano, Richard Ruiz, Eutimeo Beas, Frank Torrez, and Benito Lagos. David Lopez, 1121 New St Santa Paula, CA 93060 March - April 2012 The Graybeards 70 OHIO VALLEY [OH] On 18 November 2011, 22 members gathered at the Stone Building Club Room in Wheeling WV for a presentation of Ambassador for Peace Medals under the auspices of Mrs. Susan Han, President of the Dayton Area Korean Association. There were 65 veterans, family members, and Korean guests present. The Koreans hosted the meal and enlightened us with music from a Korean stringed instrument and a drum line. Ed Fellabaum, Chapter Secretary erf_usn@yahoo.com Members of Ch 70 and guests gather for medal ceremony Tony and Pauline Fallico of Ch 105 messed up: he was assigned to Co. A of the 73rd Combat Engineers. When the captain of his unit heard about Tony’s civilian past, he changed Tony’s MOS from 1812, Heavy Weapons, to 1824, Cook/Baker. Tony went immediately to feeding the troops. He even distinguished himself by baking the first pizza in Korea. Tony is a very generous man. He has donated donuts for our meetings and decorated tray cakes for our clambakes and Christmas parties. Tony learned to decorate cakes when he was thirteen, and his talent developed to the point where one did not have a proper wedding reception without a Fallico cake. All the members of our chapter thank Tony and his wife Pauline, a member of our Ladies Auxiliary, for their generosity over the years, and we wish them the best in their retirement. Jim Low, 114 Wembridge Dr., E. Syracuse, NY 13057, 315-437-0833 106 TREASURE COAST [FL] We attended several ceremonies in 2011 to honor veterans. Among them were Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the dedication of a plaque presented at Vero Beach Memorial Park. Harold Trieber, 10440 SW Stratton Dr., Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, 772-345-3484, haroldsk1302@aol.com Woman provides entertainment at Ch 70 medal ceremony 105 CENTRAL NEW YORK [NY] The “baker” of our chapter has retired. Tony Fallico closed his local bakery after 51 years of serving the people of Syracuse and the surrounding area. In the infinite wisdom of the military, Tony Fallico, who had worked in bakeries since he was nine years old, should have been assigned to the motor pool when he entered the service. Someone The Graybeards At 2011 Veterans Day ceremony in Port St. Lucie, FL, Ch 106 members (LR) Peter Popolizio, Harold Trieber, Frank Antoucci, Joe Wilcox March - April 2012 35 POWs and the unfair treatment they got when they returned home. We ended our year with our annual Christmas party. It wasn’t a bad year after all! George Piggott, 3720 Root Ave., N.E. Canton, OH 44705 RIGHT: Howard Camp addresses Ch 126 Members of Ch 106 at 2011 Memorial Day commemoration surround past commander Tony Ricigliano (C) and Peter Popolizio (L), current commander Commander Peter Popolizio of Ch 106 dedicates plaque presented by chapter at Vero Beach Memorial Park BELOW: Ch 126 Color Guard prepares to post Colors on Veterans Day 2011 (L-R) Lindy Malignani, Dan Gallagher, Mike Kilcoyne, George Piggott, Leonard Husk The plaque in Vero Beach donated by Ch 106 126 TRI-STATE [OH] In October 2011 chapter members took a trip to Atlantic City and Cape May, NJ. We were surprised to see a really nice Korean War memorial on the boardwalk. Then, in November, we stood tall to present the Colors at a Veterans Day program at the high school in Wellsville, OH. At one of our meetings, guest speaker Howard Camp discussed the Korean War 36 George Germusa of Ch 126 stands in front of the Korean War Memorial at Atlantic City, NJ March - April 2012 Wives of Ch 126 members enjoy 2011 Christmas party (L-R) Ruth Gallagher, Dora Husk, Lois Piggott, Sheila Germusa 135 HARRY S. TRUMAN [MO] Fellowship, food, and fine entertainment were shared by almost 300 people during the l6th annual Veterans Week KWVA The Graybeards Mini-Reunion on November 8 in Branson, MO. A highlight was the presentation by the Republic of Korea and its Korean Veterans Association of their Ambassador of Peace medal to 23 members of our chapter. A total of 292 people signed in for the event in the ballroom of the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center. The event opened with the placing of the Colors by cadets of the Air Force Junior ROTC of Branson High School. That was followed by the national anthem and pledge of allegiance, led by the Hughes Brothers, for many years one of the Branson’s most popular entertainment groups. Rich Peters, Ch 135 adjutant, James Fountain, KWVA national director, Joe Bryant, Ch 135 president, and D. Frank Williams, KWVA national director and Missouri Department commander (L-R) at Branson event The Hughes Brothers entertain Ch 135 members at Branson gathering The medal and certificates of appreciation were then presented by Dong Wook Jung, president of the Korean-American Community of Springfield, and the Rev. Young K. Yoon, senior pastor of Springfield’s Korean Presbyterian Church. They represented ROK Consul General Hu Chul. The Hughes Brothers then entertained with a concert of popular and patriotic songs as the guests enjoyed a generous buffet. Dr. Fred Mullianax, executive vice president, and Tom Debow, curator of Stephen Foster Museum, at College of the Ozarks, announced the opening of an exhibit commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. It is in the conference hall of the Keeter Center, next to one honoring World War II veterans, and contains photos, artifacts and information about Korea and the war. Rev. Young K. Yoon, Joe Bryant, Dale Bouse (Seated, L-R), Dong Wook Jung, Louis Schmidt, Ray Cracraft, Charles White, Gordon Nelson, Ted Nivens, Clint Masterson, Orlo Burkhorder, Bob Layton, Ron Miller (Standing, L-R) at Branson hotel Other speakers told of their service in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. Lucky guests garnered dozens of door prizes throughout the afternoon. The event was planned and coordinated by Arten Lipper of Branson Veterans Reunions in honor of the Truman Chapter. Joe Bryant, 417-365-1389 National KWVA Fund Raiser Flower Rose of Sharon The Rose of Sharon is the National KWVA fund raising flower. The Rose of Sharon is sold by the dozen. r Sample order is 4 dozen @ $12 plus $3.00 S/H. r Minimum order is 20 doz. @ $60 plus $5.00 S/H. Order from: Earl House 1870 Yakona Rd. Baltimore, MD 21234 Phone 410-661-8950 Part of the almost 300 people who took part in the event at the Stone Castle Hotel The Graybeards Make Checks payable to: Maryland Chapter – KWVA March - April 2012 37 137 MAHONING VALLEY [OH] We participated in the largest ever St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the Youngstown, OH metro area. The parade was held on 11 March 2012. Robert Bakalik, 2841 S. Schenley Ave. Youngstown, OH 44511, rbakalik@att.net 153 CENTRAL FLORIDA [FL] Our new officers were installed at our annual Christmas dinner, which was a rousing success. The ceremony and dinner took place at American Legion Post 127 in Lake Helen. Chapter officers include President Ed Kent, 1st VP Don Smith, 2nd VP George Chartrand, Secretary John Likakis, Treasurer Tom Faas, Sgt.-at-Arms Angelo Saccente, and Judge Advocate Charlie Carafano. Auxiliary officers comprise President Liz Vergara, 2nd VP Barbara Faas, Treasurer Helen Saccente, Secretary Pat Chartrand, Chaplain Mary Horrocks, and Sunshine Chairman Frances Nicolo. St. Patrick’s Day paraders from Ch 137 aboard their trailer Auxiliary officers of Ch 153: Liz Vergara, Barbara Faas, Helen Saccente, Pat Chartrand, Mary Horrocks, Frances Nicolo Ch 137 contingent (Front, L-R) John Tankovich, Paul Lawson, Harry Ponikvar, Commander John Pariza, Bev Pariza at Youngstown parade (Members in back not identified) Robert Bakalik, Ch 137 1st VP (R) and Mary Jane Dick at St. Patrick’s Day Parade Officers of Ch 153: Ed Kent, Don Smith, George Chartrand, John Likakis, Tom Faas, Angelo Saccente, Charlie Carafano (R-L) Thomas Gaffney, Past President of the Department of Florida, installed the officers. Helen Saccente, 1787 McFarlane Ave. Deltona, FL 32738 158 WILLIAM R. CHARETTE (MOH) [FL] National Secretary elected as Commander of Ch 158 We have new officers, including Commander Frank Cohee, the National Secretary of the KWVA. The other officers include 38 March - April 2012 The Graybeards First Vice Bill McCraney, Second Vice Jim Bradford, and Secretary/Treasurer Ron Fuller. Cohee appointed Dick Champion as Sergeant of Arms, Walt Benton as Judge Advocate, and Red Antolick as Chaplain. Past Commander Charles Appenzeller installed the new officers on January 21, 2012. Frank Cohee, kwvasec@gmail.com One group of Ch 160 members in Rapid City parade ABOVE: New officers of Ch 158, Frank Cohee, Bill McCraney, Jim Bradford, Ron Fuller, and installing agent Charles Appenzeller (L-R) RIGHT: Frank Cohee conducts first meeting as Commander of Ch 158 More members of Ch 160 pass along the parade route in Rapid City, SD What a great day. Marvin Knapp, 31 Centennial St. Rapid City, SD, 605-721-5818 160 WEST RIVER [SD] 168 QUAD CITIES [IL] A crowd estimated at over 10,000 people watched us march in the 2011 Veterans Day Parade. The viewers honored us with their pride and freedom. We participated in the 4th of July Parade in 2011. Twenty-two of our members rode on our new float. Members also attended a July 27th commemoration at Rock Island Arsenal and a Veterans Day program at St. Malachy School in Geneseo. Showing the flag at the Rapid City, SD Veterans Day Parade Ch 168 members “floating” through 4th of July parade The Graybeards March - April 2012 39 169 LAKE COUNTY [FL] Pentagon Officials Honor Chapter 169 Korean Vets; Membership Increased By 25 percent! Taps played in the background as Major John “Buck” Buchanan (USAF), hung a wreath on the Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park, Leesburg, FL, Wednesday afternoon, January 25, 2012, honoring nearly a hundred local Korean War veterans and widows of deceased former members for their service. Robert Fitts, President of Ch 168, drives his jeep in 4th of July parade “Buck” Buchanan hangs wreath at Leesburg, FL memorial event (Photo courtesy of Keri Rassmussen of the DailyCommercial, Leesburg, FL) ABOVE: Ch 168’s Honor Guard at Rock Island Arsenal memorial RIGHT: The site of Ch 168’s July 27 commemoration at their “Stones” at Rock Island Arsenal President of Ch 168, Robert Fitts, presents check to Dick Detmer for Honor Flight as Art Holevoet, Bob Berry, Dan Foukle, and Bill Teichman (LR) observe 40 Our president, Robert Fitts, presented a $1,000 check to the Honor Flight on behalf of the chapter. Art Holevoet, 16801 County Highway 5 Atkinson, IL 61235 March - April 2012 An estimated 250 members, spouses and guests attended the ceremony under a beautiful clear sunny sky to commemorate those who served in the Korean War sixty years ago. The Pentagon officials visit to Central Florida was part of the DoD 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee’s (KW60) three-year program—authorized by Congress—to recognize the sacrifices of these veterans nationwide. “The service secretaries and chiefs, the men and women of our armed services and a grateful nation, which owes you a nonrepayable debt, we thank you for your service,” U.S. Amy Col. David J. Clark said. “It is my honor to share this memorable occasion with you and to be in the presence of so many distinguished veterans.” Leesburg Mayor Sanna Henderson welcomed our KW60 guests and chapter members and guests. She spoke briefly about her recollection of the Korean War. Tom Thiel of Ch 169 speaks at Leesburg, FL Veterans Memorial (Photo courtesy of Keri Rassmussen of the Daily Commercial, Leesburg, FL) The Graybeards Chapter 169 President Tom Thiel said, “This is one of the most memorial events in Chapter 169’s history; this meeting is in lieu of our regular member meeting, and is being held to remember the Korean War of 60 years ago.” He also said that, “In addition to the beautiful living wreath on the center granite slab, all current and deceased Chapter 169 veterans of the Korean War were being presented a specially-printed certificate signed by Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, thanking the member for their service.” Two of our deceased members’ spouses were present: Zillah (Mrs. Billy) Gaston of Summerfield, FL and Alma (Mrs. G. Brooks) Guseman, of Guntersville, AL. Certificates were presented to both the deceased member and to the spouse. Zillah Gaston (L) and Alma Guseman at Ch 169’s event (Photo courtesy of Ch 169 Gold Spouse member Carol Becker) Our Color Guard proudly displayed the colors to begin the ceremony. Member turnout was excellent, with well over threefourths of our 80 members attending. The story within the story was that active KWVA membership increased by fifteen new members—for about a 25 percent increase in Chapter 169 members! This was because the Leesburg Daily Commercial carried an article about the event on the front page of its Sunday January 15 edition. Similar stories appeared in the Orlando Sentinel and The Villages Daily Sun. ABC affiliate Channel 9 Orlando and LakeFrontTV also covered the event. We thank Don Van Beck, Veterans Memorial at Fountain Park CEO and chapter member, for ensuring that the Memorial was so presentable, and for the large flags. We thank the City of Leesburg for the sound system and the seating. Chapter VP Dwight Brown was largely responsible for creating this special event, along with Mark Ballesteros (LTC, USA Ret) - Program Manager; Ms. Erin Payne - Committee Events Manager; Dwight; COL David J. Clark, Executive Director: and Major John “Buck” Buchanan–USAF, all of the KW60 office. Tom Thiel, P.O. Box 491428, Leesburg, FL 34849, or 19147 Park Place Blvd, Eustis, FL 32736 352-408-6612, kwva169@gmail.com, http://cid169.kwva.org, http://dfl.kwva.org, www.24thida.com 172 HANCOCK COUNTY [OH] We held our annual Christmas dinner at the Hancock County Senior Center on 15 December 2011. A total of 88 members and guests enjoyed the evening. Santa and his helpers distributed gifts and door prizes. A free will offering was taken for the benefit of the local City Mission, which provides food and shelter for the homeless in our area. Sad to say, a high percentage of these homeless people are veterans. Harry C. Biddinger, 1 Windstone Ct. Findlay, OH 45840, 419-423-5785 Mark Ballesteros, Erin Payne, Dwight Brown, Col David J. Clark, John “Buck” Buchanan (L-R) at Leesburg ceremony (Photo courtesy of Ch 169 Gold Spouse member Carol Becker) Certificate of Appreciation for Rodney L. Layer The Graybeards Officers of Ch 172 join Santa at Christmas dinner (L-R) Sec. H. Cliff Biddinger, VP Ron Dutton, Pres. Welden Neff, Jim (“Santa”) Ewing, Chaplain Cliff Peterson, Treasurer Paul McDaniel March - April 2012 41 We also recognized James Reinhold’s wife, who does a tremendous amount of “behind the scenes” work for the chapter. Ralph Ashton, Jr., ralphandjean@verizon.net 179 Don Bair of Ch 172 and his band perform at chapter’s Christmas dinner Jim Whelan reported that member Dick Garfield, Quartermaster of Ch 267, GEN James A. Van Fleet, designed a hat logo for CID 179, San Diego [CA] members. He also had a chapter flag made up for Ch 179 through one of his contacts. “We have been purchasing from him for quite a while,” Whelan said. “Hats off to a good man.” Jim Whelan, omceltic@cox.net Members and guests of Ch 172 enjoy Christmas dinner A full dining room for the Ch 172 Christmas dinner 178 YORK COUNTY [PA] We have new officers: Chaplain Robert Gregory; 2nd Vice Commander Frank Davilla; Secretary James Reinhold; 1st Vice Commander Ralph W. Ashton, Jr.; Commander Ronald Busser; Treasurer Robert Godfrey. 42 New officers of Ch 178 (L-R) Robert Gregory, Frank Davilla, James Reinhold, Carol Reinhold, Ralph W. Ashton, Jr., Ronald Busser, Robert Godfrey March - April 2012 SAN DIEGO [CA] The logo designed for Ch 179 members’ hats 186 ST. CHARLES COUNTY [MO] In an effort to attract new members, we have set up booths at Senior Fairs held in St. Charles County. Our goal is to meet and talk with Korean War veterans and get them to join us. Although it was initially our intent to find new members, we discovered that widows of Korean War veterans would stop by, eager to speak with our members about their husbands, their military units, and their experiences during the war. It seems like we found common ground with the widows, and our conversations provided good therapy for them. Art Minor, Bob Peitz, John Torrisi, and a potential member of Ch 186 (L-R) at recruiting fair The Graybeards The city of Laredo held its annual international George Washington Parade recently. We participated in the event. Pete Trevino, 1307 Stewart St. Laredo, TX 78041, 956-723-6978 Art Minor, John Lindner, Bob Breig, and Commander Dick Saip of Ch 186 staff recruiting booth Chaplain Nicolas Nanez and Rey Reyna of Ch 209 chauffeured by unidentified driver Bob Breig, Virgil Olendorff, Darold Woodcock, Bob Greenley, Clarence Schlueter (L-R) on recruiting duty for Ch 186 We have now expanded our search for new members by hosting booths at VFW posts during veteran health fairs in our county. Salvadore (“Chris”) Christifulli 923 Annabrook Park Dr., O’Fallon, MO 63366 209 LAREDO 1950 [TX] Convoy from Ch 209 in George Washington parade (Front jeep) Treasurer Hector Castaneda (L), J. J. Trevino, President Ernesto Sanchez (standing); (Rear jeep) Chaplain Nicolas Nanez and Rey Reyna The Graybeards Ernesto Sanchez, Jr. directs Ch 209 members in Laredo parade 250 CHARLES THACKER [VA] Officers of Ch 250 (L-R) Secretary Fred Bishop, Jr., Gene Gyles, Vice Commander Jack Bentley, Commander Kenny Fannon, Quartermaster Bruce Shell, Chaplain Tom Wright March - April 2012 43 We had a special Christmas dinner this year. We used this time to honor one of our older members, Hayward Gilliam. Since his discharge from Korea, he has taken part in 3,561 military funerals. President Kenny Fannon presented him with an award for this achievement. Ch 251 members, Commander Bob Simon, Chuck Wenzel, Heather Malace, Fred Bauer (handing Sgt. Scott Malace a check), Lydia Davis, Saginaw Township Police Chief Don Pussehl (partially hidden) Attendees at Ch 250’s 2012 Christmas dinner Commander Kenny Fannon (L) of Ch 250 presents plaque to Hayward Gilliam Check presentation ceremony at Saginaw Township PD (L-R) Ch 251 Cmdr. Bob Simon, Chuck Wenzel, Heather Malace, Fred Bauer, Scott Malace, Police Chief Don Pussehl, Lydia Davis Hayward lost a brother in Korea during this time. It was in the same area, but different battles. Of his many medals, he was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Army of Occupation Medal and Japan Clasp, Korean Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and finally, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. All of our members are special, but Hayward certainly deserves special honor and recognition. We are really proud of you, Hayward. Jack Bentley, 9902 Coeburn Mt. Rd. Wise, VA 24293 251 44 Speaking of Rose of Sharon sales, we use 62 dynamic chapter members to sell them. We have no trouble attracting the members to sell Roses of Sharon twice a year. Our secret of being dynamic is that we enjoy collecting money, but we have twice as much fun giving money back to needy organizations. Bob Simon, 7286 Spring Lake Tr. Saginaw, MI 48603 SAGINAW/FRANKENMUTH [MI] On 24 January 2012, we presented Saginaw Township police detective Sgt. Scott Malace with a $1,000 check to cover expenses as he and his wife traveled to hospitals in Ann Arbor, Beaumont, and Mayo Clinic in a search for a cure for a very serious illness. Scott is a personal friend to our members, and the entire township is praying for his recovery. The funds presented to Sgt. Don Tweitmeyer (L) and Elwyn Tank of Ch 251 sell Rose of Sharon Malace came from our Rose of Sharon sales. March - April 2012 The Graybeards Ch 256 members at Dearborn, MI commemoration ceremony on July 27, 2011 Ralph Parlberg (L) and Wally Trinklein sell Rose of Sharon for Ch 251 256 NORVILLE B. FINNEY [MI] Members had an active Veterans Day in 2011. We participated in the City of Sterling Heights’ celebration and a ceremony at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. At the church we presented the Very Reverend S. Scott Hunter with a certificate of appreciation. He and the congregation recognized Korean War veterans on the 60th anniversary of the war. The cathedral recognizes the veterans of all wars from the United States and Canada every year. The parishioners also recognize the first responders of our area. It’s a very moving ceremony. There is also an annual ceremony in Dearborn, MI to observe the signing of the July 27, 1953 truce. The city recognizes our sacrifices during the Korean War. We held our annual Christmas dinner on December 10, 2011. About 40 members and guests attended. Everyone had a great time. James E. McCarthy, 2159 Parliament Dr. Sterling Heights, MI 48310, 586-264-4223 The “set-up” crew for Ch 256’s Christmas dinner (actually, the crew is the chapter’s officers) The certificate of appreciation Ch 256 presented to the Very Reverend S. Scott Hunter 258 NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND [RI] Veterans, including a group from Ch 256, gather in Sterling Heights, MI in 2011 to observe Veterans Day The Graybeards Members attended a Wreaths Across America event at Ponaganset Middle School on 30 November 2011and a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony at the Rhode Island State House Chambers on 7 December 2011. Norman J. Paiva, Sr., 42 Morgan Ave. North Providence, RI 02911, 401-231-9176 (H) 401-573-8338 (C) March - April 2012 45 Flags galore at the Wreaths Across America event at Ponganset Middle School in Rhode Island Ch 258 members at Ponganset Middle School, Rhode Island Representatives from Ch 258 at Pearl Harbor Day at Providence, RI capitol building KWVA members gather at Rhode Island Pearl Harbor Day commemoration 270 SAM JOHNSON [TX] Chapter Logs 5,622 Volunteer Hours In 2011, Names And Awards Members With Over 100 Volunteer Hours Students at Ponganset Middle School display American flag at Wreaths Across America event We named and honored 28 members who logged a combined 5,622 volunteer hours at the Dallas VA Hospital during the fiscal year ending September 30, 2011. These volunteers reigned as the star attraction at our February 11 meeting as we handed out plaques to members who had logged over 100 volunteer hours each at the Dallas VA Hospital. President Randolph Leads by Example with 614 Volunteer Hours J. D. Randolph, President, topped all chapter volunteers by logging 614 volunteer hours at the Dallas VA Hospital in fiscal year 2011. Bob (“Ski”) Wojciechowski followed with 460. Volunteers with between 200 and 299 Hours Six members logged between 200 and 300 hours: Morris Chambers (283), Homer Mundy (273), Tilford Jones (264), Jimmie McGee (253), Ken Borchers (226), and Bill Carman (206). 46 Veterans commemorate Pearl Harbor Day at Rhode Island State Capitol March - April 2012 Volunteers with 100 to 199 Hours Five members logged between 100 and 199 hours at the Dallas VA Hospital: Dick Bové (190), Keith Fannon (186), Grace Borchers, Ken Borchers’ spouse, (178), Jim McCrary (161), Joe Seiling (114). The Graybeards 289 MOUNTAIN EMPIRE [TN] President of Ch 270 J. D. Randolph displays his plaque for logging 614 volunteer hours at the Dallas VA Hospital in 2011 We took part in the “Salute to Veterans” week (February 1317) at the VA hospital in Johnson City. This entailed having different members visit each day and spend several hours talking to the patients. On Valentine’s Day, each patient was given a valentine that had been made by a school child. Several women’s auxiliary groups gave an artificial long stem rose to each veteran. On February 15, nine members attended the funeral of Bob Wojciechowski of Ch 270 shows his plaque for 460 volunteer hours at the Dallas VA Hospital in 2011 Past Commander Bob Shelton of Ch 289 with a bag of valentines to be delivered at Johnson City, TN VA hospital Ch 270 member Morris Chambers accepts his plaque for logging 283 volunteer hours at the Dallas VA Hospital in 2011 William Ray Sluss, a POW from Korea, who was taken prisoner in November 1950 (age 20) and died of malnutrition a short time later. His remains were returned to our government several years ago by North Korea and just recently turned over to his family. This was the third such funeral in our area in the past two years. Members attended the first and third. The second returned POW had a private ceremony at his family farm, where the burial also took place. Carol Shelton cshelton37663@yahoo.com Homer Mundy, Ch 270, shows his plaque for logging 273 volunteer hours at the Dallas VA Hospital in 2011 Volunteers with Fewer than 100 Hours Thirteen members logged under 100 hours at the Dallas VA Hospital in 2011: Ernest Bousquet (95), Paul Pfrommer, (82), Doyle Dykes (67), Dick Lethe (64), Bobby Medford (48), Patricia Haug, Joe Haug’s wife, (44), Ed Wuermser (42), Bill Lovas (40), Joseph Haug (32), Richard Sanchez (23), Don Bates (12), Michael Steig (4), and Billy Joe Denton (2). Glen Thompson, gthomp@tx.rr.com The Graybeards Nine members of Ch 289, Bill Porter, Bill Lewis, Billy Harden, Jim Simerly, Bob Shelton, Joe Cody, Dewey Harless, Fred Himelwright and Arlen Hensley (L-R), wait for casket carrying William Ray Sluss to come out of funeral home (Photo taken by Photographer Wes Bunch of the Kingsport (TN) Times- News) March - April 2012 47 dinner was a memorable event that everyone enjoyed. On another note, our congressman, Michael A. Arcuri, read the nearby proclamation on the floor of Congress. It is about our project that we took 4-1/2 years to complete. The park is “Veterans Memorial Park” in Auburn, NY. Counting all material and labor costs (including donation work), it is valued at about $1 million. It is one of a kind. It honors all American wars from the Revolutionary War to today’s Afghan War on terrorism. John Barwinczok, jbarwinczok@verizon.net 297 CROSSROADS [TN] Ch 289 members at William Ray Sluss’ gravesite, Joe Cody, Arlen Hensley, Fred Himelwright and Bob Shelton (L-R) (Photo taken by Photographer Wes Bunch of the Kingsport (TN) Times-News) 296 CAYUGA COUNTY [NY] We celebrated our eighth anniversary at a dinner party on 4 February 2012 at Curley’s Restaurant in Auburn, New York. Chaplain Mike Trapani said grace to open the event, and we held a meeting before dinner was served. Dr. Jongwoo Han and his spouse, Kyunghee Lee Han, were honored guests. Dr. Han has assumed the responsibility of creating a website that will present the shared experiences of the men and women who served in the Korean War. Dr. Han would be pleased to have anyone who served from June 1950 to July 1953 set up an interview for his project. It is open to anyone who served in that time period, not just those who served in the South Korean peninsula. Some chapter members have already participated. Anyone interested can contact Dr. Han at 315-637-9836 or Joe Leogarnde at loejets@aol.com to schedule an interview. Other attendees at the dinner included Mr. & Mrs. Bill Androsko of Four Seasons Monuments. Bill was very helpful to the chapter when we were installing monuments in Veterans Memorial Park. He continues to offer his assistance. We were also pleased to welcome Mr. & Mrs. Ken Beyea. Ken is a new member of our chapter. Commander John Barwinczok thanked Sue and Lyell Brown, Joe and Eileen Casper, Don and Thea Tavener, and Mike Trapani for arranging the dinner. Thanks also go to the Flower Shop for the lovely roses that each of the ladies received. The 48 Proclamation read by Congressman Michael A. Arcuri on behalf of Ch 289 March - April 2012 We presented a check to Cumberland County [TN] Veterans Service Officer Mark Daniels. Our chapter has dedicated this year to giving to needy veterans, current and retired, living in Cumberland County. Richard W. Malsack, 146 Anglewood Dr. Crossville, TN 38558 Bob Johnston, Commander of Ch 297, presents check to Mark Daniels 301 FOOTHILLS [SC] We sponsored and staffed display tables at the Upcountry History Museum in Greenville, SC on Veterans Day in 2011. Mrs. Nell A. Thompson, P.O. Box 6903 Greenville, SC 29606 Members of Ch 301 at Upcountry Museum (L-R) Lawrence Murray, 2nd VP Francis D. Thompson, 1st VP Robert B. Bostwick, President Isaac Lewis Langley, James A. Hunt, Sec/Treasurer Glenn E. Walls, Chairman of Memorial Project Committee Lewis I. Perry The Graybeards 311 H. EDWARD REEVES [AZ] Members have participated in a variety of activities in recent months. They included the Veterans Day Parade at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, for which more than 100 people turned out, and Thanksgiving and Christmas parties. The flag bearers at the Veterans Day Parade were AROTC cadets from the Prescott High School Band. A costumed group came down from Sedona, AZ to entertain us with a drum concert at our Thanksgiving party. We really appreciated that. Similarly, we enjoyed the traditional Christmas music entertainment provided by the PCA Singers and instrumentalist Stan Gigg at our Christmas party. Vernon R. Gerdes, 4571 Calle Santa Cruz Prescott Valley, AZ 86314, 928-777-0545 LEFT: Banya Lim and group perform drum routine for Ch 311 members BELOW: Commander John McKinney of Ch 311 presents a certificate of thanks to Banya Lim and her team for Thanksgiving party entertainment Marchers from Ch 311 prepare for Veterans Day parade Appreciative crowd watches Prescott, AZ Veterans Day parade PCA singers entertain Ch 311 members and spouses at their 2011 Christmas party Bright Yellow 55-Gallon Drums ATTN: Korean Service Veterans 1960-1970 I am searching for anyone who may have worked in the area of Supply (specifically in Korea in the 1960s through the 1970s) who recalls or knows about 55-gallon drums painted bright yellow in color and having red bands at both the top and bottom and red stenciled text. These drums may have been elsewhere in the supply chains - Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Guam, etc. Anyone with information about these drums and their contents and location is urged to contact me through email at pesteward@hotmail.com. Time is critical, so please respond directly to my email as soon as possible. Phil Steward The Graybeards March - April 2012 49 Thanks! As we have noted in past issues, there is no shortage of thanks extended from Koreans to the veterans who fought for their country’s freedom over fifty years ago. Here are more results. Ch 56 “reps” at Segerstrom Center (R-L) Benjamin Espinoza’s nephew, Benjamin Espinoza, Betty Espinoza, Sally Ann Lopez Pitts 56 - VENTURA COUNTY [CA] W e were invited to attend a performance of The Little Angels Folk Ballet of Korea. Two members were able to attend. The Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA was the venue for the performance. It holds 4,000 people, but it filled up quickly. The first ten rows were reserved for veterans and their families. The Little Angels honored 22 veterans. Ch 56 Commander David Lopez was the first one honored. He received a medallion–and a kiss from the Little Angels. David Lopez 1121 New St. Santa Paula, CA 93060 × The Little Angels poster × Ù David Lopez displays medallion presented to him by Little Angels Veterans are honored at the Little Angels performance Ù 167 - FINGER LAKES [NY] T here was a Veterans Day ceremony held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Waterloo, NY on 13 November 2011. The ceremony was held to say “Thank you” to all veterans. 50 March - April 2012 The Graybeards The tribute was a special day for the Korean War veterans from our chapter. T. James Lewis, 15 Reed St. Waterloo, NY 13165, 315-539-2928 172 - HANCOCK COUNTY [OH] T he New Life Korean United Methodist Church in Findlay, OH invited us to a Thanksgiving dinner celebration on 20 November 2011. A total of 44 members and spouses attended. The event combined good food, great music performed by the Korean students attending our area universities, and personal remembrances provided by adult Koreans who now live in Hancock County. Harry C. Biddinger, 1 Windstone Ct. Findlay, OH 45840, 419-423-5785 Korean waitresses. The entertainment that followed included Lee’s Band and vocalists Ms. Park and Jeahyon Lee, and a folk dance featuring drum rhythms and children in cultural garb. With cultural music on the slate, director Kate Han graciously gave me the chance to play “Amazing Grace,” honoring Korea, and then “God Bless America.” If only the world could follow the love and respect the people of our two countries offer one another! Charles R. Travers, President, PO Box 160505, Altamonte 32716 Members of Ch 172 at New Life Korean United Methodist Church for Thanksgiving dinner × New Life Korean United Methodist Church members serving Thanksgiving dinner to Ch 172 guests Ù Ch 167 members at church service (Top, L-R) Ron Bisch, Charles Pelton, Past New York Dept. State President T. James Lewis (Bottom, L-R) ?, President Bob Sherman, Frank Clovis Dr. Joon Young Song, Pres. Welden Neff, Ch 172 VP Ron Dutton, Wayne Gorrell, Rev. Kisang Jeon (L-R) at Findlay OH Thanksgiving dinner 173 - MID-FLORIDA [FL] By Chaplain Tom Cullerton he Korean Senior Community celebrated the New Year on January 21st with a stirring extravaganza. They invited us as guests of honor. Their gratitude for the military and moral support we gave them in 1950-53 knows no bounds. We enjoyed both a wonderful dinner and party at the Maitland Civic Center. They gave us a stirring singing of the Korean and USA national anthems by Mrs. Miwha Park, who has a voice that is extraordinary in range. Reverend Lee gave us an invocation that expressed prayerfully the blessing of God’s love and grace on the holy relationship of Korea and America. We enjoyed some special entertainment. Reverend Go offered a blessing on the dinner brought to our tables by T of Ch 167, Peter Stirpe, Frank Clovis, Charles × Members Pelton (L-R), stand guard outside St. Paul’s Episcopal Church The Graybeards Continued on page 54 March - April 2012 51 Members in the Irving Breitbart... presented a check to the Wounded Warriors Program at West Point, NY. Breitbart was the Commander of CID 91, Westchester-Putnam [NY] from 2000-2004 and then the New York State Commander from 2008-2010. He is currently the Commander of Ch 91—again. Irving M. Breitbart presents check to Amy C. Rodick, Supervisor of the Soldier & Family Assistance Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY; Len Gomberg, one of the workers at the center, along with soldiers who are currently stationed at the Academy and enrolled in the program, look on Drummers and singers at Medal of Valor presentation Presenter slips Medal of Valor over C.A. Collette’s head Breitbart is also the Westchester County (NY) Junior Vice Commander of the Jewish War Veterans. Lawrence (“Larry”) Cole... of CID 141, Cape Cod & the Islands #1 [MA] won his group in the Hyannis half marathon. He had an entry via his running club for the Boston Marathon on April 16th. “Just want to say I have done it once,” he noted. And, he plans to run in the Marine Corps Marathon in October in DC, which ends at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Reach Cole at coleslaw1@verizon.net Clarence A. (“Bud”) Colette... received a Warriors Medal of Valor at an all-day ceremony on 17 December 2011 at the Yavapai Indian Tribe Community Gathering Center in Prescott, AZ. The ceremony included the posting of the Colors, an invocation, the Pledge of Allegiance, songs, gourd dancers, host drums, benediction by Hubert Bornaha, the Yavapai Tribal Elder, and the retiring of the Colors. Members of the Medal of Valor Society at Yavapai medal presentation “Bud” Collette displays Medal of Valor The presentation of the medal, hosted by the Yavapai County Gourd Society, took place in the afternoon. As Collette received the medal, a presenter touched him gently with eagle feathers on his head and shoulders. 52 The members of the Medal of Valor Society came from several March - April 2012 Indian tribes, e.g., Miami, Cherokee, Navaho and Yavapai. Collette is 1/8th Salish, a Northwestern tribe headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, where his dad was born and raised. The Warriors Medal of Valor was designed by Marshall “Tall Eagle” Serna, who wanted to honor veterans with a medal to show appreciation for their sacrifices. Collette served in the infantry in Korea during the war. He was in the 5th Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 24th Infantry Division. Collette was in Korea from June 1951 to late April 1952. Richard Higa... of CID 44, Hawaii Chapter 1, was pictured on p. B1 of the 13 November 2012 Honolulu Star Advertiser. Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-bak was greeting Higa at the time. The Graybeards Hershall Lee... was featured in the 11 March 2012 Danville [IL] Commercial News. He was commenting on new street signs erected in Danville displaying the name of the Illinois Korean War Veterans’ Highway. A second sign, directly beneath the highway identification, states “Danville Birthplace of Illinois Korean War Veterans Association.” Hershall Lee stands under new sign at the south entrance to Danville, IL Lee, a co-founder of CID 21, Robert Wurtsbaugh, the first KWVA chapter in Illinois, told the reporter that the new signs are bigger and easier to read. Ken Rishell... a U.S. Air Force veteran and new member of CID 264, Mt. Diablo [CA], and his wife Pat made their annual December visit to the VA Clinic in Martinez, CA to hand out sugar-free candy to the residents. Regular candy canes were wrapped and given to staff and family members. Reach Ken Rishell at 925-682-6279, krishell@astound.net The silhouettes that adorn American Legion Post No. 423 in Oak Ridge, NY (Photo Courtesy of Jack Kelly) will be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary in July and he in turn donated it to the post.” Helen emphasized that “It is also in honor of veterans of all wars.” Women Veterans Of Korean War... were honored in a 9 March 2012 article in the Washington Post. The article was written by Rachel S. Karas. As she began: “Graying hair coiffed, medals on display and sitting with military poise, they readied themselves onstage. They greeted one another like old friends: Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force veterans sitting side by side, preparing to share war stories. But Friday, it was no old boys club.” Karas explained in her article that the female Korean War veterans were being honored by the Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee, which is taking an active role in promoting the upcoming milestone. She wrote, “More than a dozen women who had served during the war joined family, friends and U.S. and Korean military personnel at a panel discussion and reception held at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.” Read the article online at http://www.washingtonpost. com/local/women-veterans-of-korean-war-honored/2012/03/09/ gIQAPFyK2R_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend Pat Rishell, Rosa Caldwell, Ken Rishell (aka Santa Claus), Jane Crandall, Vicki Buckridge, Ruth Langley (L-R) at VA Clinic Joseph Wyso... donated memorial silhouettes to American Legion Post #23 in Oak Ridge, NJ. The story was carried in AIM Jefferson, p. 5, January 20, 2012. As his wife Helen explained in a letter, “I gave [the silhouettes] to Joseph, a Korean War veteran, for his 80th birthday. Coincidentally, we The Graybeards 53 March - April 2012 THANKS from page 51 Letter to the Secretary Veteran’s Day West Ocean City, MD J ill Creasy, the manager of the Applebee’s Restaurant on Route 50 in West Ocean City, MD, recently took over the position. I approached her regarding a 2011 Veterans Day celebration. (Remember, Applebee’s provides free meals for veterans who patronize their restaurants on Veterans Day.) We have in the past placed American and POW/MIA flags just inside the entrance to the restaurant in commemoration of the day. She was amenable to any Applebee’s Restaurant in West suggestions I offered to decorate Ocean Beach, MD the restaurant to welcome veterans and active members of the U.S. military on Veterans Day. Earlier, I had called Frank Cohee, the KWVA’s National Secretary, and asked him if he had knowledge of any 60th Anniversary materials available for the 2011 Veterans Day observance. He said that he did not know of any offhand, but he would check around. Not too long after our conversation, he called to inform me that he had just returned from the KWVA’s October reunion in Boston. There, he had spoken to Department of Defense (DoD) representatives who were working on a 60th Anniversary recognition program. He gave me the names of two women in the DoD who supplied materials for the KWVA’s use in Veterans Day displays. I contacted them. Within two days I received several tubes of posters relating to the Korean War. I contacted Jill immediately and showed her the posters. She loved them! In fact, she had them displayed on the restaurant’s glass partitions, along with some personal items, e.g., photos and maps, of Korea I had assembled. Among them were photos of me when I was in Korea and four U.S. Army personnel on Pork Chop Hill receiving medals (1 Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars). Now, that’s service. Eric A. Nilsson, 163 Seafarer Ln., Ocean Pines, MD 21811 Visit the Korean War Veterans Association Website: 54 www.kwva.org March - April 2012 Eric and Hanne Nilsson at Applebee’s The Graybeards Honoring Our Fallen ROK President Lee Myung-bak Pays Tribute To The Fallen Korean War Patriots At Punchbowl National Cemetery T he State of Hawaii was honored to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings from November 8 through 13, 2012. Taking this opportunity, three leaders, Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-bak, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, made their official visits to the beautiful National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to pay tribute to fallen U.S. soldiers on November 17th or the day following. who served in the Korean War are buried. He was rendered a 21-gun salute upon his arrival and departure as the head of state. Korean flags flapped in the spiraling winds inside the cemetery’s volcanic crater. Then, President Lee was greeted by Cemetery Director Gene Castognetti, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle, and Rear Admiral Paul Becker, Director for Intelligence (G-2), and Rear Admiral Robin M. Watters, Chief of Staff, U.S. Pacific Command. He was also escorted by Consul General Young-kil Suh of the A moment of silence at the Punchbowl Republic of Korea President Lee Myung-Bak speaks to Korean War veterans in Hawaii Guests and dignitaries greet one another at Punchbowl commemoration President Lee’s visit was indeed very noteworthy and inspiring, in that it was an opportunity for him to visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii and honor war veterans, as well as reconfirming the blood-tied alliance between Korea and the United States, which has been born out of the tensions of the Korean War. He arrived at 10 a.m. and stayed at the cemetery for 30 minutes, where more than 8,700 Americans The Graybeards Republic of Korea in Honolulu. President Lee placed a freshflowered commemorative wreath before the cemetery’s dedicatory stone, then signed the official guest book. He then went straight to greet and shake hands with 36 specially invited Korean War veterans of Hawaii from six different organizations, including the 5th Regimental Combat Team, the Korean War Veterans Aloha Chapter, and the Korean War Veterans Chapter 1. 0n behalf of the Republic of Korea and its people, President Lee expressed his sincere gratitude to the veterans for their service, valor, and sacrifice during the Korean War. He thanked them for joining the battle of the Korean War in a far-off country, and stressed that based on such invaluable sacrifice, Korea and the United States became blood brothers. Korean War veterans who were present during President Lee’s visit were truly moved by his recognition of what Americans did for Korea. After the 20-minute wreath-laying ceremony, on his way out of the cemetery, President Lee stopped by a special section of Punchbowl where the remains of over 800 unknown service members are buried. This was a symbolic desire that the Korean War will not be forgotten and Korean people will continue to remember the ones who sacrificed their lives “to defend a country that they never knew and a people they never met.” The wreath presented at the Punchbowl Cemetery March - April 2012 55 Lend a hand to your association by buying $20 fund-raising tickets. Each ticket gives you opportunity to win one of three super prizes. 56 March - April 2012 The Graybeards 57 The Graybeards March - April 2012 Welcome Aboard! ALABAMA R043822 R043817 R043841 ARIZONA R043729 LR43728 WILLIAM GREENBAUM DR. GARRETT HAGAN JR. JAMES L. JOHNSON ANDREW V. FELAN TIM D. PRATER ARKANSAS LR43742 WALTER R. RHODES CALIFORNIA R043666 P043721 P043624 A043748 R043699 R043727 R043792 R043696 LR43656 R043732 LR43783 R043849 R043836 R043645 R043816 ERIK J. ANDAL ROBERT J. CHICCA JOSEPH M. DAGUE LUCY S. GRANILLO PABLO I. GRANILLO TOM E. KIYOHARA MARTIN S. LINDAUER DAVID LOWER FRED C. PEREZ KENNETH S. RISHELL LEE E. SCOTT ROBERT SISNEROZ AUGUST SUSZKO VARDEN M. THOMAS CLIFFORD J. WALKER COLORADO R043659 R043627 P043693 LR43754 ROSS A. COOPER TERRY F. HALLETT ALVIN H. PLUCKER HERSHEL E. WILLIAMS CONNECTICUT R043607 JOSEPH J. YANKUS SR. DELAWARE R043726 R043745 FLORIDA 58 R043824 R043706 R043707 R043708 R043676 LR43599 R043709 R043646 R043710 R043856 R043638 R043851 R043790 LR43736 R043844 R043621 R043711 R043678 R043820 R043734 R043658 R043614 R043811 R043615 R043712 R043622 R043831 A043813 JOHN C. REED THOMAS WHITE III FRANK E. ANTONUCCI DONALD E. BEISSEL JAMES D. BURWELL GIARANNI CAROLLO ANTHONY J. CASACCIO ROBERT W. ‘BOB’ CHESTER CHESTER COKER RAYMOND J. COLVARD JACK C. CORSCADDEN JAMES D. CROUCH WILLIAM K. ELLIS WILLIAM M. FULLER JOHN T. HENDERSON WILLIAM E. HENSHAW JOHN G. HICKEY BERNARD HORN JAMES R. KELLY ANDREW KOLESAR ROBERT KUMMINS SAM P. LEANZA WILLIAM C. LOSE HAROLD D. MACKING WILLIAM J. MANION CARL G. MITCHELL ROBERT E. MOORE NONZA NEAL GREGORY J. PERRIN ROBERT J. PETERS March - April 2012 R043723 R043713 R043714 R043715 LR43686 R043829 LR43626 LR43619 R043643 LR43807 GEORGIA LR43636 LR43601 R043652 R043653 R043604 R043733 R043635 LR43670 HAWAII LR43702 ILLINOIS R043612 R043598 R043649 R043705 R043785 R043750 R043617 R043762 R043668 A043839 R043690 LR43701 INDIANA R043845 R043644 R043637 IOWA R043694 R043695 R043793 R043857 LR43838 KANSAS R043613 R043774 P043716 LESTER D. REED MILTON W. SABEL OSCAR M. SCHREIBER WAYNE W. SJOBERG JOHN SKVORECZ ROY K. THOMPSON RICHARD E. WARD DAVID W. WATZLAWICK HARRY T. WILSON CHARLES W. WYLD JR. LONIE B. ADCOCK NORMAN F. BOARD JAMES P. CAMPBELL ROGER W. COOK HAROLD L. FRAZIER DALE L. HANEN SAMUEL J. HOLSOMBACK RONALD D. MILLER CLIFFORD K. CHILLINGWORTH ITALO A. BOVE EARL J. COERS NORMAN D. GOETZ RONALD H. HAPPACH ALBERT W. HELLWIG RALPH J. IMBROGNO HARRY F. LETTS JR. ROBERT D. LYONS WILLIAM A. NOACK JAMIE L. REDNOUR RAYMOND J. URCHELL ANTHONY G. VINCE GEORGE W. MONESMITH HERBERT H. TURNER NORMAN P. WILSON NATHAN O. BECK RICHARD G. DEVORE BOBBY ‘BOB’ HILL LOUIS F. INGWERSEN LOREN H. PETERS CARYL D. ROTHENBERGER JOHN B. STUDDARD STEVEN E. WOELK KENTUCKY A043654 R043677 A043692 A043848 R043755 MAINE A043625 LR43725 R043620 R043671 PAT ABSHIRE - CARPENTER CHARLES R. HUGHES TRACY E. LUCAS WAYNE S. RUFFING ROGER O. WELLS SHIRLEY E. BARTLETT CHARLES L. BRANN PAUL A. LUCEY DENNIS J. O’LEARY MARYLAND R043664 R043609 R043665 CONRAD E. BEARD JOSEPH F. SENG THOMAS H. SHANK New Members of the Korean War Veterans Asssociation MASSACHUSETTS R043853 RALPH F. BROWNE R043610 JOSEPH C. CALIRI A043731 ROBERT H. CAMPBELL LR43812 BERTRAND E. LEDUC R043672 PATRICK E. MCCARTHY R043769 ROBERT H. MCEVOY MR043674 WALTER J. QUINN MICHIGAN R043605 R043763 R043639 R043823 R043673 R043840 LR43611 DAVID H. BEWLEY RICHARD L. CLARK LANARY R. CULPEPPER RICHARD A. FAULKNER HYONG B. KIM DANIEL L. KOONTER WILLIAM E. MILLER MINNESOTA R043679 R043828 R043740 WILLIAM N. BRASCUGLI DONALD A. JOHNSON NORBERT J. ZAHLER MISSOURI R043760 A043756 R043759 R043862 LR43737 A043757 A043758 NEVADA R043682 LR43603 LR43743 ROBERT J. DUNN JUDY V. ECREMENT NICHOLAS KOSCHOFF GLENWOOD C. MEDEIROS JAMES R. PIPPIN BEVERLY SCHOENKE MARY ANN P. WETZEL JOHN K. SILBERMAN ROBERT W. TITUS DR. TX P. D. VOGLER NEW HAMPSHIRE LR43660 R043863 R043675 LR43837 R043616 HENRY E. DESSERT HENRY A. DONOVAN DAVID W. ECKER ANTHONY J. MANDILE JOSEPH G. WILLETTE NEW JERSEY R043842 LR43663 R043833 R043680 R043850 DONALD BARBUSCIA RICHARD P. BONNET WILLARD N. GUTH SANDY A. IRENE FRED VINEYARD NEW MEXICO R043859 NLR43602 LR43600 R043830 R043772 R043786 R043787 LR43795 LR43628 R043821 R043657 LR43662 R043810 R043651 R043720 A043642 R043700 R043788 R043650 BRUCE W. FONNEST FREDERICK M. SPRINGER OWEN J. BEGLANE JR. EDWARD M. BERGENDAHL KENNETH C. BEYEA KENNETH E. COMBS PAUL H. DIETRICH JOHN V. DIPALERMO SR. JOHN D. ‘JACK’ HEALY JAMES R. LAFOREST GERARD MAHONEY RAYMOND K. MAZZA JOHN P. MCNAMARA VICTOR ODDO PHILIP SCHNEIDER OLIVE J. SOMMER CHESTER S. STACHURA FRANK W. THOMAS GEORGE TOTH R043765 RICHARD H. WOLFF NORTH CAROLINA LR43629 R043749 OHIO R043826 LR43691 R043858 R043608 LR43764 R043597 R043752 R043739 R043703 R043661 R043631 LR43815 R043852 PATRICK M. DRISCOLL JAMES A. MCKAY HERBERT E. GANTT BERNARD E. HALL ROBERT D. HEISS JOHN R. HUTSON WILLIAM B. KNEPP JOHN J. SIEMEN SR. DUANE C. SMITH LEE F. SMITH GENE R. SPEELMAN ROGER D. TUCKER JR. NED L. ZEIGLER ROBERT R. ZUCKER JOSEPH ‘ZUPPERO’ ZUPPERO OKLAHOMA R043800 LR43801 R043843 R043854 R043633 LR43818 LR43802 LR43819 R043798 R043799 R043805 R043797 LR43806 LR43689 R043648 R043641 R043803 R043804 OREGON LR43834 R043606 GLEN R. BENTLEY DONALD J. BURTON THOMAS W. ‘TOM’ COTTON JAMES R. FLOYD LOWELL E. HALE JOHN HALL JR. GENE L. HAUPERT ROBERT L. JAMISON PAIGE R. LAWRENCE JOHN T. MARLEY DANNY W. MCCALL RONALD F. OCHIS LESLIE B. SCOTT WILLIE G. STATON WILLIAM F. STOVALL VIRGIL K. WHITLOCK WILLIAM R. WOLF REGGIE N. ZIMMERMAN JOHN L. ALFORD CLYDE R. EBERT PENNSYLVANIA R043687 R043640 R043669 R043667 R043704 R043751 R043832 CLAYTON C. BIECHY MICHAEL P. DALTON WILLIAM L. DORSHIMER GARRY J. FINK JOHN C. NEE EDWARD M. VAUGHN JOHN J. WATSON RHODE ISLAND A043717 R043794 R043744 A043771 EUGENE J. CHAMPAGNE JOHN D’ABROSCA EDWARD F. FAULKNER JEAN M. FECTEAU SOUTH CAROLINA LR43632 R043766 LR43698 R043770 RICHARD E. ‘DICK’ HUBEL RALPH O. NESSLINGER DENVER N. TENNEY FRANCIS C. ULDRICK SOUTH DAKOTA LR43683 DONALD F. KARNA TENNESSEE R043767 R043738 MICKEY F. HICKEY HENRY D. MANIS The Graybeards R043768 R043634 R043761 R043697 TEXAS R043861 A043618 R043809 R043623 R043730 R043796 R043825 R043688 CHARLES C. MATTHEWS THOMAS J. MCCLOUD JAMES D. MORRIS ROY G. RICHARDSON WILLIAM M. BAKER CHONG GUN CHO DONALD W. COOK DOROTHY A. CREESE-HARRIS LOUIS B. FELDER BILL G. GRUBBS DARYL INMAN GEORGE E. MAHALKO R043684 P043655 LR43681 UTAH P043630 LR43855 VIRGINIA R043847 R043782 R043784 R043724 RICHARD W. MILLER DONALD R. PEPPARD DELBERT D. RHODES WILLIAM E. ‘BILL’ BAUCOM JAMES C. HURST KATHLEEN P. HUMPHREY GERALD W. LUNT LOUIS R. MAGNOTTI BERNARD A. WEST WASHINGTON LR43722 CHARLES W. BAILEY LR43781 R043779 LR43778 R043746 R043808 LR43773 R043777 LR43791 R043775 R043776 R043735 R043827 R043753 R043860 NORMAN D. BALLARD A. EVERETT COOK GENE W. ‘BILL’ DAVIDSON DENNIS L. DUNNE GEORGE E. HIGGINS CARL L. HISSMAN JOHN C. JUDAY HAROLD R. OLSON MERLE F. OSBORNE ROBERT ‘BOB’ PEAKE DOUGLAS S. POWERS SHELBY R. RAMA EARL D. ROBINSON ALMANZA H. ROGERS LR43747 R043719 LR43685 R043789 R043814 LR43780 ROBERT V. SUMRILL BARNEY M. SYVERSON ROBERT W. VERNON DONALD L. WILL GARETH A. WILSON BOBBY D. WORDEN WISCONSIN R043647 R043835 R043718 R043846 R043741 ALBERT BARRON ROBERT L. HEIM EDWARD E. JESKE FRANK L. PAVELEC FRANCIS J. WANTY McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst Museum Announced T he Armed Forces Heritage House (AFHH) has been incorporated in the State of New Jersey and has been approved by the IRS for 501 (C) (3) as a nonprofit organization. The Planning Board’s mission is to plan a major first class, state of the art, museum honoring the Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst history and heritage. Now that we have the non-profit status we will be seeking grant monies and donations from private individuals. Members of CID 54, Thomas W. Daley Jr. [NJ]. Chapter # 54, to which I belong, go to schools to discuss the war and our experiences. We are welcomed by students and faculty. We raise funds from private individuals to distribute to needy veterans and veterans’ causes. We find people are willing and happy to donate monies in small denominations for those causes. Accordingly, the Armed Forces Heritage House planned museum is in need of donations to assist us to go forward with our temporary facility, as outlined in the message below. I believe many of our fellow Korean War veterans would be happy to contribute towards this project. I will contact you to further discuss our goals. Stanley A. Levin, 115 E. Kings Highway, Watergate Condos Unit # 251, Maple Shade, NJ 08052, salmoors@comcast.net The Official Announcement The Armed Forces Heritage House (AFHH), incorporated in the state of New Jersey on May 31, 2010 is an IRS recognized 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization. The privately funded organization will provide a home for the rich history, The Graybeards artistry, heritage and environment of the Armed Forces for the Joint Base McGuire/Dix/Lakehurst located in the state of New Jersey. The museum will display the histories of all the military components and record the sacrifices and dedication of those who served on the joint base from 1917 to the present day. Significantly, Fort Dix was named Camp Dix in 1917 when it was first constructed during World War One. The Board of Directors and the Planning Board of AFHH have the support of former base commander General Gina Grosso, recently promoted to a position in the Pentagon, and the current base commander, Colonel John Wood. The multimillion dollar, state-of-the-art museum planned will be on a ten-to-fifteen-acre plot located outside the Joint Base, positioned in order to provide access for the public. As the ambitious project may take ten years until completion, the Board will eventually be seeking artifacts, collectibles and weapons representing the era. We will maintain a record of those Korean War veterans who specifically served or took basic training at Fort Dix. We recognize many World War II veterans have passed away and their souvenirs probably disposed of or donated to various veteran organizations. Once we begin building the museum structure, we will be actively seeking to obtain whatever artifacts surviving veterans may still have. Many Korean War veterans may want to eventually donate to the museum any items that would be pertinent to preserve for future museum attendees ability to reflect on the history of the war. The Planning Board of Armed Forces Heritage House currently consists of sev- eral dozen men and women with a background of diversified successful civilian careers to complement their military careers; most of them had active military service. As the project goes forward, we plan to add additional members to the Board who will bring additional diversified experience needed for the project. Stan Levin represents the Korean War veterans as trustee representative for the Thomas W. Daley Jr. Chapter # 54 of the Korean War veterans Association. He is Secretary of the Chapter and also serves as a member of the Armed Forces Heritage House. Stan, together with his fellow Chapter 54 members, is active in the “Tell America” program. This spring we visited eighteen high and middle schools to discuss the history of the war and our personal experiences. The positive reception we receive from the students and faculties is most gratifying and sometimes overwhelming. Armed Forces Heritage House will be seeking grant monies and private donations to fund the multi-million dollars needed to build the museum. We are asking for private donations from Korean War veterans for needed funds to continue the operational work needed to bring this dream to reality. The Joint Base is located in Wrightstown, New Jersey, and we have the full support of the mayor and town council for the project. Welcomed tax deductable donations of any denomination should be forwarded to AFHH Treasurer Joanne Tilghman, PO Box #324, Wrightstown, New Jersey, 08062. Our website is www.armedforcesheritagehouse.org, where an overview of our organization can be viewed. March - April 2012 59 More On Hoengsong We included some material about the “Hoengsong Massacre” in our Jan/Feb 2012 issue. Here is some more. Two requests for info that point to the reality of the event appeared in the May 1998 issue of Military, The Press of Freedom: On 9 Feb 51, the 2nd DIV, 23rd and 38th INF DIV ran into a planned Chinese roadblock at Hoengsong. Just about all the trucks and jeeps were destroyed and hundreds of GIs were killed. I believe the area was called Slatter Valley or Pass. I was a survivor and would like to contact other survivors. Contact R. Juchems.... Seeking identification of a U.S. Navy corpsman KIA on patrol with C CO, 1st Marines, north of Hoengsong, South Korea, 12 Mar 51. Contact J.J.V. Cook.... From Clay Blair’s 1989 book, The Forgotten War: Far to the right at Hoengsong, in Bill Hoge’s IX Corps sector, the 1st Marine Division also began its attack on March 7. It was flanked by Charlie Palmer’s 1st Cav on the left and Nick Ruffner’s 2nd Division on the right. Going north toward Hongchon (Line Albany), five miles distant, the Marines met little or no resistance. The 1st Cav and 2d Divisions likewise encountered few enemy, but the advance of the 2d Division was again impeded by rugged terrain and logistical difficulties. As the Marines advanced north of Hoengsong, they entered the area where the 2d Division forces in support of the ROK 8th Division had been cut off and savaged on February 12 and 13. The battlefield was still littered with hundreds of American dead, but a few live Americans were rescued from hiding places. Among the dead was the body of the brave Dutch Battalion commander Marinus den Ouden, who was buried with honors. The Marines tagged the area “Massacre Valley.” One Marine erected a sign: MASSACRE VALLEY, SCENE OF HARRY S. TRUMAN’S POLICE ACTION, NICE GOING HARRY War correspondents with the Marines, realizing the Army had “covered up” a big fiasco, began filing critical Massacre Valley stories. Below is a 15 May 1998 letter written by a survivor of the “massacre” to John J. Cook, of Havertown, PA. There may be a bit of duplication in it. The writer presented a brief account of his experience at Hoengsong in the January/February 2012 issue: 60 meals a day. One about 9 a.m. and the other about 4 p.m. We had our forward observer out; he (Charles Long) was with other mortar F.O. Unlike most of the time, our F.O. was not assigned to any rifle Co. I was 1st Gunner on one of our Mortars, 8lMM. I went on guard about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 12, 1951. I hadn’t been on guard but a few minutes and I heard screaming ROK troops running down the road past us. They had thrown their weapons down. They weren’t trained at all. Then we started getting fire orders from our F.O. Charles Long. We fired as fast as we could till daylight. Then we got no more fire orders. We were surrounded then but didn’t know it. We were on a south hill slope and the enemy was just over the hill, maybe 200 or 300 yards. A Sgt from our machine gun platoon decided he would go up and look over the hill. He was shot through the upper thigh. He passed out....we dragged him back down the hill, a short distance.... he was white and in shock. At that time we wasn’t firing because our FO was dead. They had an aid station there but being surrounded they couldn’t get any wounded out. A 1st Lt from the artillery came and got in the foxhole with us and another guy...he was hit in the foot or ankle.. He limped but could get along. He had been to the aid station but they had so many worse off they wouldn’t take him. When I came home, I found out this Lt was from Kansas City and had married a girl from my hometown...He was captured that night and died in a prison camp in April. A helicopter came in about midday for wounded..the ones like we see on MASH. Not knowing what he was getting into, he came in at an angle..... as he got close enough the burp gun bullets started hitting the long part behind the pilot. We didn’t know it at the time, but our FO had radioed in the early morning that he had used all his carbine rounds and thrown all his grenades. He was completely surrounded when he called for 40 rounds on his own position, killing himself and many enemy. Our Company Commander took toilet paper out of his helmet liner and wrote a recommendation for Charles Long to get the Medal of Honor. Since we were surrounded, he sent his request out with the copter pilot. He didn’t know whether any of us would get out or not. I ordered a book after I got home about the 2nd Div. In it there were the names of those that had received medals and which one. It said Charles Long had been recommended for the Medal of Honor. I never knew until 1991 that he had gotten it posthumously. I’ll try to go through the ordeal as best I can. We were in a position on hill 300, not really a hill, just a small hill. This was near a small village called Saemel. We live about 125 miles from Independence MO. We saw in the paper that The Harry Truman Library was going to have a Korean War display. My wife Carol and I went. The first thing I saw was Charles Long’s medal in a glass display case. I knew he was from Independence, but I hadn’t tried to find his family, as there are about 50 Longs in the phone book. We were behind the main line about three or four miles. Our L Co, the Artillery and ROK troops were up on the MLR. We were there for several days just waiting-not knowing what was to come. We were getting two Anyway, we laid low for rest of the day till about 4p.m. Then we started down the road slowly. The enemy was close but didn’t bother us till we got down in the valley. They had troops on the hills on both sides and March - April 2012 The Graybeards the road was narrow...and of course there were trees on both sides. After dark they let loose with everything they had....me and a friend decided to stay together (we were told we were on our own).We would get on one side of the road then the other. It was real dark. All we could see was the sky full of tracer bullets. I think every 5th one was a tracer. It was quiet for just a few minutes and a group of us were huddled together in the ditch. Someone, I’ll never know who, said, “If you want to live get up and move....if you want to die stay here.” I told my friend, Bill Sherman, “We better move on.” I don’t know what rank that voice was, but he was right! We got across the river, our shoepacks were full of water and all of our clothes were frozen by that time. We walked for a while.....we were finally picked up by a truck. We got in the back. There were several things in the back. I sat down on something, but I didn’t realize what... till we had gone several miles...... it was a dead GI. We finally got to Wonju, just before daylight. Our Company was there....what was left of it...25 men! Our chow truck brought breakfast up for the company. They had plenty. We hadn’t eaten for two nights and a day, so I ate seven eggs and the works. There was no reason for this roadblock. It has been and was kept very quiet by the Army. I read an account of a pilot that flew over the area North of Hoengsong the day before and said he had never seen so many Chinese or North Korean troops moving south as there was then. P.S. A man in our platoon, Joe Carlin, was captured that night. He spent the rest of the war in a prison camp. He told me over the phone, “The enemy had 700 prisoners and started marching them north the next day. When they got there, only 400 were left. And by the time they were set free, only 100 of the original 700 went home.” Most of the artillery was captured and all of the boys that fled to the hills were captured the next day or killed. Sincerely, Doyle Parman More to come! Our side had sent three tanks up there to help get us out. There were GIs clinging to every part of those tanks. Bill and I opted not to try and get on one. We finally carne to the river. By that time our side had sent up flares and we could see a little. The temperature was around 15 or 20 degrees F. More Ù I guess we started across the river...I could see some stones the Koreans had there to walk on, so I decided to walk on them as far as I could. What I didn’t know was...the river had been up and went down, leaving ice on them. The second one I stepped on...my feet went out from under me... I went clear under, losing my helmet and an M1 I had picked up. My official weapon was a 45 pistol. The next day I tried to get it out of my holster and it was frozen. I had to thaw it out. I found my helmet, poured the water out, and put it back on. My clothes had frozen instantly, but I wasn’t much wetter than the others because the water was chest high and I am 6 ft tall. The Graybeards 61 March - April 2012 62 March - April 2012 The Graybeards 63 The Graybeards March - April 2012 Feedback/Return Fire This section of TheGraybeards is designed to provide feedback—and generate more feedback. It gives readers the opportunity to respond to printed stories, letters, points of view, etc., without having to write long-winded replies. Feel free to respond to whatever you see in the magazine. As long as it’s tasteful and non-political, we will be happy to include it. If you want to submit ideas, criticisms, etc. that you prefer not to see in print— with your name attached to it—then we will honor that. Make sure to let us know, though. Mail your “Return Fire” to the “Feedback Editor” at 152 Skyview Drive, Rocky Hill, CT, 06067; E-mail it to: sharp_arthur_g@sbcglobal.net, or phone it in to (860) 202-3088. Whatever the medium you choose, we welcome your input. Proper Attribution I read a recent issue of The Graybeards, and on page 47 I was amazed and pleased to see that my poem, “Korea,” had been etched in stone at a Korean War Veterans Memorial in Liberty State Park, NJ Turnpike, Exit 14-B, Jersey City, NJ. On my revisit to Korea in 2010, I represented our group and recited that poem at the banquet. If you have my book, “Tears Of Ink,” ISBN 978-0-595-46230-8 (paperback), you can find my poem on page 59. I am honored that someone thought it good enough to have it engraved, but somewhere I feel I should have gotten some recognition for being the author. I have been asked to recite my poems at schools and patriotic functions, last being the revisit to Korea. All the profits from the sale of the book go to veterans organizations. LCDR Roberto J. Prinselaar, USCG (Ret) 4459 S Big River Dr., Saint George, UT 84790 435-986-0010, Panuco_Bob@sunrivertoday.com Chinese troops in North Korea were experts in “hiding” 64 Sgt. Hartwell Champaign and I saw naked Chinese soldiers crossing the river at dawn 4 November, 1950, holding their clothing and weapons above water to keep them dry, even though there was a bridge nearby. When I advised Battalion headquarters I was promptly told, “There are no Chinese troops in North Korea.” Two hours later, however, I was hit by machine gun fire, my platoon was overrun by hundreds of Chinese, and I was a prisoner of war. On the two-week nighttime march to the POW camp, I had opportunities to observe some of the methods Chinese troops used to avoid detection. The Chinese used lightweight, easy-tocarry weapons and equipment. This enabled them to travel through mountainous areas at night while avoiding roads, bridges and open areas. In contrast, our heavier, superior weapons and equipment caused our army to become road-bound and easy to detect. I saw no mess trucks traveling with the Chinese army. Neither did I see any bulky C-rations. Each soldier carried rice or grain in a cloth tube about the size of a bicycle tire, tied at both ends, and slung over his shoulder. Several of their cooks carried 6-foot sticks on their shoulders with a lightweight cooking pot on each end. When it came time to eat, each pot was set on several stones, March - April 2012 partially filled with water or snow, and a fire was built underneath. Each soldier untied one end of his rice tube, and the cook pinched off a certain amount of grain from the tube and let it fall into the pot to be cooked. There was no need for mess vehicles. On the march northward, I observed a unique method the Chinese used to warn of incoming aircraft. On occasion, sentries positioned on mountain tops would suddenly shout, “Hungo! Hungo!” Other sentries would immediately repeat the warning shout, giving their troops time to either hide or “freeze.” Usually, within seconds, I would either hear or see the incoming U.S. plane. The system was primitive but effective. Yes, the Chinese troops in North Korea were experts in “hiding.” William H. Funchess, 107 Brookwood Dr., Clemson, SC 29631, 864-654-4617, funchesswil@nctv.com (Former 1st Lieutenant, Platoon Leader, “C” Company, 19th Infantry, 24th Division. Captured 4 November 1950 and released alone 6 September 1953) Pets In Korea In reference to the article entitled, “Dogs Korea, And Other Critters In Korea,” page 79, Nov/Dec 2012 issue of The Graybeards, here’s my “critter” story. ‘’Radar” My company, the 58th Signal Radio Relay Company, set foot at Inchon, South Korea, on September 25, 1950. Less than a month later, we boarded a freighter at Inchon that would take us to Wonsan, off the east coast of North Korea. The two-day trip to Wonsan was, with one exception, very pleasant. A dog of uncertain breed had been adopted by the members of one of our teams and, since we were a communications unit, he was, appropriately, named Radar. He was a good dog. Every day, he would jump up on the hatch that covered the opening to the hold of the ship. We would play with him and pet him. Then, he would lie down in the warm sun and fall asleep. Early one day, as we were approaching the port of Wonsan, the crew moved the hatch cover to facilitate the unloading of our cargo. Unfortunately, Radar was unaware of this turn of events. He loped along the deck and jumped up onto the hatch to enjoy a nap in the warm afternoon sun. Radar was probably more surprised than scared when, instead of coming to rest on the hatch, he beheld a cavernous opening to the hold and fell to the hard, The Graybeards unyielding deck below! We mourned the loss of an innocent, friendly animal that had never harmed anyone in his short life. Someone once said that “All dogs go to heaven.” I don’t agree with that statement, because not all dogs deserve to go to heaven, but Radar surely made it! Who Had The Larger Mosquitoes? On p. 17 of the January/February 2012 issue, there was an article by Bob Sanford describing how big the mosquitoes were in Korea. Well, as the nearby photo suggests I think our “mosquitoes” were bigger. Welcome Home! The photographs depicting troops arriving in Seattle, Washington, in 1953, brought back some memories of my arrival in Seattle on August 3, 1951. The weather was sunny, with temperatures in the low 70s. As we neared the city, fireboats, discharging torrents of water, escorted us in. As we walked down the gangplank carrying our duffel bags, we were welcomed by the 1950 Miss America, Yolande Betbeze, Miss Washington, 1951, Darlene Shaffer and a high school band, complete with majorettes and cheerleaders. Sixty-one years. I can’t believe it! I was among 4,737 troops who walked down the gangplank from the General M.C. Meigs onto American soil in Seattle, WA on 3 August 1951. Unfortunately, I was not as lucky as one of my fellow passengers, Sgt. Michael Moore, who received a very “special” welcome home greeting from Miss America 1950, Yolande Betbeze. Sgt. Moore meets Miss America Recently I discovered the magazine photo nearby that portrayed Sgt. Moore’s pleasant predicament. It is interesting to read the caption. I n c i d e n t a l l y, Yolande Betbeze, who was from Alabama, entered the Miss Alabama pageant to take advantage of the scholarship opportunities it offered. Because she had been educated in a religious school, she refused to pose in a swimsuit after she won the Miss America title. Consequently, one of the sponsors of the pageant, a swim suit company named Catalina, withdrew its sponsorship of the Miss America pageant. That led eventually to the creation of the Miss USA pageant in 1952. Norman J. Deptula, P.O. Box 922 Webster, MA 01570 EDITOR’S NOTE: It is interesting to read the caption on the photo submitted by Norman Deptula. Apparently, political correctness was alive and well in 1951. The Graybeards Top: Mosquitoes infest parking ramp at K-47, Mosquito logo (inset). Right: Airmans Mosquito Club sign and below, Mosquitoes plush living quarters at K-47 in 1952 Of course, Mr. Sanford was being facetious in his story. But, our mosquitoes were real. We had our own squadron of aircraft (T-6s) making regular recon flights over the MLR. Our air base, K-47, was five miles from the 38th Parallel, at Chunchon, in 1952. I was told that ours was the farthest north air base in Korea. We also had our own Airmans Mosquito Club, and “plush” living quarters, with six men to a tent. Now, who had the largest mosquitoes? Russell E. Woolf 9721 Wallwood Dr. Huntsville, AL 35803, 256-882-5473 March - April 2012 65 Boat Or Ship? The submarine cover picture on the January/February 2012 issue did not remind me of my days with the 45th Inf. Div. in Korea (1951-52). But, when I saw that this was the USS Tucson (SSN 770), I did have a vivid memory because I, with about thirty others, took an all-day trip out of San Diego on this ship in February 2000. (I know that the usual terminology for a submarine is “boat,” but the officers on Tucson always called it a ship.) For an old, washed-up Army vet, this trip was one of the thrills of my lifetime. We spent about seven hours submerged, did a deep dive to 800 feet, made several very sharp maneuvers (hang on!), fired two torpedoes, and had lunch. And, for about five minutes I got to steer the ship—under careful supervision. Above: Chet Harvey at sea aboard USSTucson LEFT: Graham Barton (L) and Chet Harvey “crewing” USS Tucson LtCmdr/XO (L) Jim Pittls (L) and CMDR/Captain Dennis Murphy (R) of USSTucsonin 2000 66 There was no external scenery to view, but watching the crew go about their various duties was most impressive. Approaching San Diego on our return, we went to periscope depth and could see on TV monitors around the ship what the scope “saw.” March - April 2012 Chet Harvey looks through USS Tucson periscope Tucson’s captain at the time was Commander Dennis Murphy, who was kind enough to take my picture up on the top of the sail (formerly called conning tower) after we left San Diego. All in all, it was a never-to-be-repeated experience. Chester Harvey, 10701 N. La Reserve Dr. Tucson, AZ 85737, 520-531-1844 Agent Orange In Korea Ref: Jan/Feb 2012, Vol. 26, #1, P. 72, “Agent Orange in Korea” In 1971 I was assigned to D TRP, 3/7 Cav., Munsan, Korea. First Sergeant Redmond Williams (Fayetteville, NC) assigned all E5s to different schools. I was assigned to Rodent Control and Sanitation. I handled all the chemicals, including Agent Orange. Many individuals, including the VA, would neither help nor admit that it was even used. Linden G. Johnson, Jr., 650 Perimeter Rd./Burke Vet. Pkwy., Waynesboro, GA 30830 Where Might This Scene Be? Re the “Mystery Photo” question in the Nov/Dec 2011 issue: it was the Bridge of No Return, and the site where two United Nations Command Officers were murdered by North Korean soldiers in 1976. We observed the bridge on our Return Visit to Korea in 2000. Bridge of No Return guards (Front, L-R) Pineiro (Brooklyn, NY); Faiful (MD); (Second Row, L-R) Cyproski (LA); Mertz (PA); Gillespi (PA); Talbert (GA) The GIs in the photo above were serving as Second Bn. Gate Guards in 1953-54 with the 27th Regiment (“Wolfhounds”). Melvin P. Mertz, 5226 Route 873 Schnecksville, PA 18078 The Graybeards Listening Through A Coma I have been a volunteer with the Veterans Affairs Central California Healthcare System for four decades. The three decades in which I have been working with coma patients have been particularly rewarding. Before the advent of privacy acts, being passively interested in saving lives was what I had in mind. I spent time talking to the coma patients about their families, grandchildren, etc., praying to and for them, and reading the bible to them. At first, I read the King James version. Then I switched over to the more interesting New International Bible. That made the patients perk up. After some of the patients recovered—and some do recover, they told me that changing to the New International Bible kept them wanting to earn more about the bible. Apparently, people do listen while they sleep—even if that sleep is coma-like. Through voice recognition and thought perception, patients form a distinct feeling of trust between them and other people. They do comprehend. Unlike palliative care, in which the point is to ease the patient’s pain without curing him, time is on the side of people in comas. They rest in a state of deep unconsciousness, which facilitates healing. That is why long-term care is important for our veterans in comas: a small percentage of them do recover from their illnesses. In December 2011, correspondent Scott Pelley said on the CBS evening news that the Fresno VA’s palliative care facility is the best in the nation. That is one reason I am glad I can volunteer there— regardless of which version of the bible I use. People in comas listen either way. Floyd Takeuchi, P. O. Box 12160 Fresno, CA 93776, 559-276-8988 Is This Pilot Or His Family Still Alive? (Sept./Oct.2011,p.58) Albert W. Murphy submitted a photo of a downed U.S. plane in Korea with the markings VA 923 and 516D. He noted that the pictures are on Facebook under the name Loren Murphy and wondered if the pilot or his family were still alive. Lou Ives did a bit of checking. Here is his report. Al Murphy’s letter and photos in the KWVA Sep-Oct 2011 issue got my attention as the AD Skyraider in the photos was from squadron VA-923 in air group (CVG-102). I was in VF-781 of Air Group 102. We were on the Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) – 1st tour 1951, and the Oriskany (CV-34) — 2nd tour 1952-1953. Our tail letter was ‘D.’ Al indicated he was in Korea 1952-1953, which would indicate the Skyraider was from our 2nd tour on the Oriskany. Jim narrowed the date to Dec 26th 1952 – Jan 18th 1953. I emailed Al (copy attached), and he replied on November 18, 2011: “Thanks so much for the reply. From the original photo, the numbers under the stabilizer are, from what I can make out.......something above the numbers[1] which I can’t read but the numbers are 1227 either 33 or 13, so it would be 12 27 33 or 12 27 31. If this is any help, let me know. Thanks, Al Murphy, 73rd Combat Engineers” Jim Koukl’s dates and Al Murphy’s BuNo both fit the googled December 28, 1952-January 18, 1953 CVG-102 Action Report The Graybeards data, which lists only one AD lost during this period. That was AD3 Bureau Number (BuNo) 122739 lost on 1-18-53 due to ”Overspeed prop, damage category D-1.” [2] This was determined to be “non-combat” (the pilot might disagree)—so not much more detail was listed, including the location and the pilot’s name. A few of my guesses: (1) A propeller overspeed condition (a rare occurrence) can be the result of failure of the propeller overspeed governor. This will cause the propeller blade angle to seek least air resistance. Less resistance will cause higher propeller speed, reducing thrust, or pull, to a minimum. This flat angle propeller condition also causes tremendous drag from the propeller arc—on the AD, a 13-foot diameter barn door. No thrust, max drag, max bomb load, and the pilot was lucky to find a flat place, such as a frozen river. (2) Why was the ordnance load not jettisoned? Landings off runways are usually made with wheels up, to prevent the aircraft from nosing over if the landing gear snags on some ditch or other obstacle. Landing with gear up and a full ordnance load is a hairy “nono.” More than one aircraft (and pilot) has been lost by not following this rule. It’s my guess, again, that the pilot had no opportunity to seek a clear area to jettison his load and did not take the chance of dropping it—even on “safe”—below the MLR. Photos from both Jim Koukl and Jim Murphy indicate the landing occurred on the friendly side of the MLR. The pilot, probably on a close-air-support mission, would not jettison his bombs over friendly territory. His runaway prop precluded flying to a safe area, so he had to grit his teeth and bugger in with a full load of ordnance (one hopes on safe). (3) Aircraft on our first tour had nose names, aircraft on our second tour (as I recall) didn’t—note the cowlings of the ADs, including D-516, in the photos are clean, except that pranged (crashed) D516 has “Hangar Deck Queen” on the cowling. When a squadron ran out of spare parts, one of their aircraft was parked and served as a source of the needed parts. As this parked aircraft was now ‘grounded,’ it was called “The Hangar Queen.” D516 could have been in this category, with “Hangar Deck Queen” painted on its cowl to inform the aircraft handlers that this aircraft was not available for the flight schedule. Later, when spares were received, the ‘Hangar Queen’ was repaired and returned to the flight schedule. I’ll check to find some VA-923 people who might give me more info. We “pacemakers” in VF-781 kept pretty much together as we were recalled from the southern California area. VA-923 was recalled from St. Louis, and their people drifted off my scope. Lou Ives, avmidn@aol.com, to Albert Murphy, phyllal@bellsouth.net November 15, 2011 D-516 was a Douglas AD-4 attack bomber from Navy attack squadron VA-923, Air Group 102 (CVG-102), during the three years of the Korean fracas. CVG-102’s first tour was on the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) 1951, the second on the USS Oriskany (CV34) 1952-1953. CVG-102 was a reserve air group made up of four recalled squadrons. VF-781 and VF-783 were from NAS Los Alamitos, near Long Beach, CA. VF-824 was from Oakland, CA, and VA-923 was recalled from St. Louis. All were recalled in 1950. March - April 2012 67 I was in Fighter Squadron VF-781. I checked the web for CVG-102’s Combat Action Reports. Several instances of a loss of an AD from VA-923 are recorded with the pilot either bailing out or ditching near Wonsan Harbor. The specific event concerning D-516 is not mentioned [aircraft are listed by Bureau Number, not side number]. However, these combat action reports are sometimes inaccurate. For example, one of our (VF-781) aircraft was hit and the pilot ditched off the shore of North Korea. He was rescued by a destroyer, spent several weeks in Tokyo Hospital, and was then transferred to the states. The Action Report has him listed as “rescued uninjured.” It could be that one of the ditchings or one of the bail-outs was actually D-516 skidding to a stop near the bombline. The date or aircraft bureau number (aft on the fuselage, under the horizontal stabilizer) would help. I’ll keep checking. Lou Ives Info Re Medals I am one of the younger members of the KWVA. I am not a Korean War veteran, since I was born in the early 1950s. I am a DMZ veteran from the early 1980s. I have worked on military awards, medals and ribbons since November of 1983 for the military. Over the years I have seen printed in The Graybeards medals and ribbons, including ribbon boards, that are incorrect. For example, the ribbons and medals photo on page 45 of the Jan/Feb 2012 issue honoring Oregon Korean War KIAs contains certain mistakes. The black ribbon on the second row after the Purple Heart ribbon is the POW Medal ribbon. Since PFC Hamilton was not a POW when he was killed, this is an error. The right ribbon on the last row to the right is the Combat Service Commemorative Medal. This ribbon is displayed for the medal. The Combat Service Commemorative Medal is not a Department of Defense medal, but a private commemorative medal produced by a civilian company. The medal below the Korea Presidential Unit Citation is the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Medal. This item is not a medal from the government of South Korea; it is manufactured by the same private medal company. Both the Combat Service Commemorative Medal and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Medal are manufactured by Medals of America that is located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. This is a private medals and sales business. The above medals are not approved or awarded by our government or the Department of Defense. Also, the Army does not have the Combat Action Ribbon. Only the Department of the Navy awards the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR). The badge above the ribbon board is the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) for the infantry. If readers would like to find out more about Army honors that were awarded during the Korean War, as well as today, they are located in Army Regulation 600-8-22. John Mallon, P.O. Box 31341 Omaha, NE 68131 68 Anna Rosenberg The letter in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue, “It was Anna Rosenberg,” March - April 2012 p. 66, and her visit to the front lines in Korea brought out my feelings of utter disgust! All of the effort of spit and polish! For what? Why wasn’t Anna Rosenberg shown what it was really like with the troops in the trenches? With all the dirt, stink, metal taste in your mouth from the incoming? And the C or K rations? Hot meals? Maybe once a day! Eating left over WWII eggs. Watching the cook break an egg over the griddle and out comes a partial baby chick. He scrapes it off and cooks another egg in the same place—and that had nothing to do with my appetite! Putting up with the mosquitoes, “no see-ums,” stopping them from getting into your rations, stale Baby Ruths and Hershey bars, and trying to get used to the smell of decaying bodies. We humans have a smell all of our own. Then there were the salt tablets and the water purification tablets that killed any taste of water. But they must have worked. I recall finding bodies in the creek from which we were getting drinking water. Always checking the bodies for dog tags—and finding some, while covering up the ones that had no IDs. Why did the “brass” try to paint a pretty picture for the ones who could have improved our situations? Or point out our lack of ammo. It was very discouraging to have the ammo man tell you not to waste this batch because you’re not going to get any more for thirty days. Then there was the “2nd Louie” who had us polish our half-track and take down our camouflage! Of course, I know that the North Koreans knew exactly where we were due to occasional incoming. Anyway, you get my drift. Marvin Reed, 200 Right Hand Canyon Rd. Palomino Valley, NV 89510 EDITOR’S NOTE: Just for the record, Anna Rosenberg was one of the first people to look into the use of dogs in Korea. According to Robert Fickbohm and Sandra Fickbohm Granger in their 189page book, Cold Noses, Brave Hearts: Dogs and Men of the 26th Infantry Dog Scout Platoon, ISBN 978-1-4653-4967-5, available through Orders@Xlibris. com or 1-888-795-4274: Madame Rosenberg was the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower. After one of her trips to the war zone in Korea, she directed Lt. Colonel George Ish to “determine the degree of savings in manpower and funds that can be affected by maximum utilization of dogs in the performance of scouting and patrolling in zones of combat, and in the performance of physical security missions and guarding critical installations.” The “Graybeards” Regiment” There was actually a “Graybeards Regiment” that served in the American Civil War. It was the Union Army’s 37th Regiment of Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The unit comprised men who were exempt from military duty. The Secretary of War had to grant special permission to organize this one regiment, which was composed of men over the age of 45, who were in good physical condition, and able to perform the duties of soldiers. The “Graybeards Regiment” included several men over 60, a few between 70-80—and one who was 80! Lee Parks, 61 Corman Ct., Decatur, IL 62521 The Graybeards Empathy If there is one thing combat veterans remember it is the pain they feel when one of their comrades is killed in action. It does not even matter if it’s the same war. That was evident recently in Woodsboro, Maryland, where members of Ch 142 paid their respects at a funeral for a Soldier killed in Afghanistan. Here is the story. Family members remember Woodsboro man as devoted to his family Ronald Herbert Wildrick Jr. was killed in Afghanistan by Tripp Laino, Staff Writer hough family members frequently fought back tears while speaking at the funeral for Army Spc. Ronald Herbert Wildrick Jr., Jan. 12, the service offered them a chance to remember his life. Wildrick’s family will remember him as a devoted family man who lived life to the fullest, according to his sister Christie Berkey, who spoke at the funeral service. “I knew he’d want everyone who knew him to live life like he did, whether it was someone he knew for a day or a weekend,” he said. “He showed that you didn’t have to sit back and let things fall. He didn’t care if he was the biggest guy in the room, he’d do anything to make you laugh.” Wildrick, 30, was killed Dec. 11 in the Kunar province of Afghanistan when his truck hit an improvised explosive device. Berkey said Wildrick took advantage of every day, and encouraged others to do the same. “He cared about everybody,” she said. “He cared about everything he did. He made sure no matter what he did he did the best job he could. … We know he tried T his best.” The Rev. Steve Humphrey, former pastor of Walkersville United Methodist Church, conducted the service and said Wildrick would make friends with everyone. “He was a great guy,” he said. “He wouldn’t let you not be his friend. He was the kind of guy who would meet somebody at Sheetz and email them for the rest of his life. Everybody thought they were Ronnie’s best friend. He made you feel that way.” Wildrick’s father-in-law, Jeff Kasper, shared fond memories of hunting and fishing with Wildrick, who found a love for the sports after meeting Kasper. “We built such a deep relationship,” he said. “He didn’t know much about hunting and fishing, and I taught him about it. The only problem was he’d never want to stop.” The Woodsboro community came out en mass this week to honor Wildrick. About 200 people gathered near the Hartzler Funeral Home in Woodsboro Wednesday morning to honor Wildrick, Korean War Veterans Association Chapter 142 of Frederick, MD members Anthony “Tony” Malavenda, left, Robert Eader, center, also with the Marine Corps League Shangri la Detachment, and Vernon Kephart pay their respects. The Graybeards whose body was brought to Frederick County from Dover, Del., shortly before noon. Those in attendance held flags and homemade signs, and fought back tears watching his casket carried into the home. While her best friend was serving in Afghanistan, Jennifer Ringer of Walkersville set an alarm on her cell phone so the pair could pray together while he was overseas. Wednesday at noon, when the alarm sounded, Ringer had just watched her friend’s casket be carried into the funeral home. “I’m going to keep that alarm on my phone to remember him and all of the love he gave us,” Ringer said through tears. For Ringer, the day was an occasion to celebrate his life and mourn his passing. “He’ll be forever loved and missed,” Ringer said. “All he did was for his daughters. They were the women in his life. He was always that friend who would do anything for you and bring a smile to your face. I’ve never known anyone else who just loved every day for what it was and what it is. Wildrick has two young daughters, Kaylee and Leah Wildrick, who live in New Jersey. His wife, Stephanie Kasper, also lives in New Jersey, where Wildrick was born. Wildrick was serving with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion 35th Third Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. From January 2009 to July he was a member of the Continental Color Guard. Military interment with full honors [were] held at 3 p.m. Friday at Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral procession [left] Hartzler Funeral Home at noon to proceed to Arlington. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to Fisher House, 116 Purple Heart Drive, Dover AFB, DE 19902 or use the website www.fisherhouse.org. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.hartzlerfuneralhome.com. tlaino@gazette.net Reprinted with permission - The [Gaithersburg, MD] Gazette / (1/12/2012) Copyright © 2009 The Gazette March - April 2012 69 Last Call All of us in the Korean War Veterans Association extend our sincere sympathy to the families and friends of those listed below. May they rest in peace. ALABAMA DONALD B. PORTER DONALD R. SPRAGUE JOE TERRELL JAMES ALLEN TERRY LOUIS P. VALLAS LYNDA H. VICKERY MACK VINSON EDWIN R. WATKINS THOMAS S. WATSON WILLIAM C. WEAVER MAURICE B. WEBB NORMAN F. WHITE ARIZONA RICHARD DIFFIN WILLIAM M. GUTIERREZ ROBERT H. SKINNER ROBERT C. TOROS ARKANSAS ROBERT H. BEAN MAXIE G. GAGE WILLIAM L. KERNS LETA FERNE SHULICK CALIFORNIA RAUL ARAGON DONALD L. BARRETT HARRY F. BOLLINGER RONALD A. FITZGERALD SR. CARL W. HAALAND MANUEL H. HIRATA PETE LOPEZ CLEMON MORGAN VIRGIE M. RUNNELLS HELEN R. RUTH JAMES L. SHIVELY WILLIAM E. TOLAR JAMES B. WOOD SR. COLORADO EARL N. COLBEY GARY D. COTTON GERARD A. FRANCOIS LLOYD F. HANSEN MERLIN M. LAABS JAMES R. MEININGER ALEJANDRO MESTAS ANGELO A. PEREZ EVERETT E. PRICKETT CHARLES WADE SMITH ARTHUR VELARDE H. EDWARD ZIEGLER CONNECTICUT ROBERT E. BOSSUET DR. ROBERT J. LAWRENCE 70 DELAWARE JOSEPH BATES March - April 2012 RICHARD K. CARLSON ROBERT J. MILTENBERGER ANDREW J. PERMAR JOHN ROBERT BARCLAY LEO J. BARRETT DONALD P. BELAND LAWRENCE BIONDI HUBERT A. BURNS ROBERT T. DAMICO DALE D. GRISMORE LEONARD P. HARTWELL SAM J. INCONTRO WILLIAM D. JONES SAMUEL W. LEDWITCH SR. PATRICK J. LEONARD DONALD AARON NEISS JAMES C. PAXSON CHARLES C. PERKINS FRED A. ROBINSON SR. WILLIAM J. ‘BILL’ RUFFENACH EDWARD A. RURADE EDGAR E. THOMPSON ALBERT J. VAILLANCOURT EDWARD W. VAN AMBURGH ROBERT C. WILKS FLORIDA JOHN ROBERT BARCLAY LEO J. BARRETT DONALD P. BELAND LAWRENCE BIONDI HUBERT A. BURNS ROBERT T. DAMICO DALE D. GRISMORE LEONARD P. HARTWELL SAM J. INCONTRO WILLIAM D. JONES SAMUEL W. LEDWITCH SR. PATRICK J. LEONARD DONALD AARON NEISS JAMES C. PAXSON CHARLES C. PERKINS FRED A. ROBINSON SR. WILLIAM J. ‘BILL’ RUFFENACH EDWARD A. RURADE EDGAR E. THOMPSON ALBERT J. VAILLANCOURT EDWARD W. VAN AMBURGH ROBERT C. WILKS GEORGIA RONALD W. CLARK ELWOOD R. HART LEONARD P. PILGRIM JR. RAYFORD SKINNER FRANK VAN HALTERN JR. RAYMOND A. VAUGHN HAWAII JOHN F. GALARZA MICHAEL K. HO RICHARD IHARA HBERTRAM K. SEBRESOS ILLINOIS EVERETT P. WELTON IOWA TED SPROUSE KANSAS KENT L. ARNOLD CHARLES E. KLENKLEN CHARLES LEO TUXHORN VIRGIL ALDERMAN ROBERT D. BELL RUSSELL L. BURTON JR. WILLIAM COPP DON J. DANCEY DONALD DEAN LEONARD R. DYJESKI DAVID H. W. GROVES WALTER J. HICKEY HENRY JANSSEN DUANE ERNEST JOHNSON NICHOLAS D. KERN CASIMIR R. KOGUT DONALD J. KOSTELLIC RONALD D. LAMONTAGNE OREN L. LOWDER RAYMOND E. MEECE ANTHONY P. MENGARELLI LOWELL P. MILLER RICHARD G. MILLER JAMES P. MORAN ROBERT C. NEVILLE JAMES A. NOSECK PETER A. OLBERG GERALD F. OTTO JOE W. POWELL DONALD D. SARTAIN ROBERT C. P. SEGURA ANDREW J. THINNES JR. MAURICE E. WOODS DONALD R. BURNING JAMES C. CONTI FRANCIS J. ‘SKIP’ CORRAO PHILIP M. COYNE WALLACE V. DECOURCEY JOHN DOWD CONRAD N. FORGET GEORGE L. GARDNER FRANCIS KING LIONEL J. METTEY JOHN W. RISAS JR. EDWIN TARGONSKI INDIANA MICHIGAN HWAL RAN ARTHUR JAMES R. BRAWNER JAMES R. CLARK WILLIAM E. CONOUR ROLAND D. DYE ROBERT O. GETHERS HENRY D. HALL KENNETH R. KENDALL DONALD R. LEE LLOYD G. LUCUS RICHARD L. MARIS ROBERT L. NEELEY ALBERT A. NELSON JAMES L. REASON LAWRENCE M. RICHARDSON JAMES F. RIEHLE KENNETH L. ROEMKE JOE B. THOMAS HAROLD D. TRUMP KENTUCKY JERRY D. CONYER SR. WILLIAM E. KERNS DONALD E. OSCHWALD SR. LOUISIANA JOHNNY J. DUPRE ROBERT E. PITTS MAINE DR. THOMAS ANTON MARYLAND ROBERT L. CASTLE SR. FRANK S. DEBOLE ROY A. MAGAHA PAUL I. YORKMAN FRANCIS G. ZIRK MASSACHUSETTS HUGH S. FITCH GARTH A. KLETT DONALD G. SCHMIDT CARL F. WOOLWORTH MINNESOTA VIRGIL L. ANDERSON RALPH L. BLOOD ROBERT J. BURGI HAROLD G. HAGE JASPER L. HOWELL DANIEL W. NICK GERALD A. SMITH M. RICHARD THUNE MISSISSIPPI WILLIAM H. CRUMP MISSOURI LOUIS J. APPEL CHARLES E. BARRETT ROBERT T. BEURSKENS LEONARD H. BYRD THOMAS F. CHAPMAN RALPH A. FREDETTE JOHN L. GIRTH JAY C. GRAMMER LEROY A. HERBEL WARREN SHOEMAKER BURTON STEINBERG JOHNNIE B. WALLS KENNETH D. WHITTEAKER NEVADA JOHN C. MAURICE NEW HAMPSHIRE ROBERT J. D’ENTREMONT NEW JERSEY JAMES B. CUDDIHY WILLIAM P. DRUBACK CHARLES A. GAZZARA HARVEY HISSIM EDWARD A. KOWALCZYK DOMINICK A. PISAPIA RICHARD REPECE JOHN P. SHALOO JR. ROBERT J. SWEENY RONALD A. TOCI JOHN C. VOLPE NEW MEXICO DANIEL A. BUSTAMANTE NEW YORK NORMAN S. ANDERSON JR. HERBERT ARON EDWARD J. BAK JOHN V. BARRETT OSCAR C. BARRETT DONALD F. BERTRON ROBERT H. BORNKAMP PHILIP J. BOSCO DONALD J. DECKER RICHARD G. DONE WAYNE C. FARRELL ANTHONY J. FERNANDES ROBERT L. ‘BOB’ FLORANCE WILLIAM A. FRANKENBACH JOSEPH GIOVANNIELLO JAMES H. GREENE JEANNE V. HAZILLA EDWARD T. ‘BUDDY’ JOYCE WILMER KING MANNY T. KOGINOS JOAN M. LAJEUNESSE DONALD J. MAAS THOMAS F. MALLON JAMES P. MORAN DANIEL F. O’SULLIVAN The Graybeards WILLIAM J. PICKETT DONALD J. TILLSON ROBERT J. TOBIN WILLIS J. ‘BILL’ VANMARTER NORTH CAROLINA JASON R. DUDLEY ROBERT W. HUGHES CLARENCE S. NAGEL ROBIN L. ZEVOTEK OHIO ROBERT N. ANTRAM ROBERT W. BAKER ROBERT N. BARRETT FRED CIARNIELLO JR. RALPH DETZEL FRANK C. DILEONARDO JOHN H. GALLOWAY CLYDE EARL HARRIS ROBERT L. HENDERSON CHARLES R. MCKINNISS RICHARD E. PIRICZKY CARL E. PRATT DAVID L. PURDOM WALLACE C. RETTIG JOHN H. SCHAEFER OKLAHOMA CLYDE R. SCOTT OREGON JOSEPH G. PENA LEONARD H. PLOG GEORGE W. RAINWATER EUGENE J. REINHARDT PENNSYLVANIA EUGENE M. SCOTT WILLIAM W. BATOFF ROBERT H. DESCHEEMAEKER OTIS R. SKINNER JR. CHARLES C. TISDALE CHARLES HODGE ROBERT WILLIAMS RICHARD E. KOHLER STANFORD R. WILSON HAROLD G. LIAS WALTER ELLIOTT WOELPER VICTOR L. SMITH DAVID G. SWEET VIRGINIA ROBERT L. VOLKMAN FRANCIS D. CHESTNEY DON E. ELLIOTT ROBERT W. VALLEY WISCONSIN HENRY M. HUNTER MARK M. KENNEY RICHARD L. MEVOGLIONI OSCAR C. SILCOX RICHARD A. SINES FRANK S. WILLIAMS RAYMOND L. BORCHERS RALPH A. ROSENTHAL WYOMING EDWARD W. HUNTER UNKNOWN WASHINGTON RAYMOND J. BARRETTE GENE W. BUXTON MARYA D. MOSES RICHARD L. QUATIER WEST VIRGINIA WILLIAM L. BELCHER RHODE ISLAND JOSEPH C. CHEVALIER THOMAS M. MACNEIL JOHN L. PINA JR. SOUTH CAROLINA JOHNNIE WASHINGTON Death Notice of a Member of KWVA The following notice is submitted for publication: Name of deceased ____________________________________________ SOUTH DAKOTA Date of death ______________Department/Chapter__________________ TENNESSEE CHARLES N. WILLIAMS Address ____________________________________________________ rArmy r Navy r Marine Corps rAir Force r Coast Guard TEXAS Primary Unit of service during Korean War________________________________ STANTON D. CURTIS ROY CARLTON BORGFELD THOMAS J. CAMPION ALBERT R. DEWINNE RICARDO GARZA Submitted by ________________________________________________ Relationship to deceased ________________________________________ Send to: Membership, P.O. Box 407, Charleston, IL 61920-0407 TELL AMERICA from page 31 got its nickname because after five battles for the hill over a tenmonth period, there were few trees or bushes still growing. My responsibility was to direct fire on Chinese positions that were suspected to be the source of incoming shelling. Finally, the Chinese regained control of “Old Baldy” and the U.S. leaders decided to let them keep it. Alan Lertzman as a young forward observer in the reserve area, where he could take a shower, enjoy a hot meal, and receive clean fatigues before returning to his outpost There was the constant danger of a sudden Chinese attack. For example, on the night of 6 July 1953, I was startled to hear loud speakers and bugles blowing as the Chinese swarmed around a small company outpost on Hill 255 (“Porkchop”) to the right of our platoon. It was a horrific spectacle that I witnessed from my outpost. I directed artillery fire on the attacking Chinese. I found them to be almost inhuman and I was shocked at how fanatical they were. I then understood what the units of the 7th Division had experienced in previous battles for Porkchop, and also what the Marines experienced in the battle at the Chosin Reservoir. At Chosin, the Marines also had to deal with -30 degree temperatures, while this battle for Porkchop was conducted during a heavy monsoon rainstorm. On July 11th, the Commander of the 7th Division gave the order to abandon Porkchop. Soon after the Porkchop battle, I was transferred to a radar observation post, where I tracked incoming mortar rounds. I later was told that after I left my outpost was infiltrated by the Chinese, killing my replacement. Along with sharing my experiences with the students, I show them photos I had taken of “Old Baldy” from my observation post, with shells landing on it, and a photo of our bunkers. The latter photo was taken after the The Graybeards armistice was signed on 27 July 1953. It depicts some soldiers standing on top of the bunker, which they could not have done before the armistice, since it would have been too dangerous to be exposed to artillery fire. After the armistice was signed, I visited Panmunjom and took photos of the exchange of American and Chinese POWs. My presentation includes a photo of Freedom Village, where American POWs received medical attention and fresh clothes. As for the Chinese POWs, I followed several truckloads of them after the exchange. Most of them stripped off the fatigues that they were given while they were in captivity. Alan Lertzman, 8438 SW 42nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97219, 503-841-5500, alertzman@comcast.net March - April 2012 71 72 March - April 2012 The Graybeards How I Survived Chip-yong ni R ichard Barham and his wife Arlene went on a recent Revisit trip. Before he left, the Korean hosts asked if he would be the U.S. contingent’s Prestigious Awards banquet speaker. He consented—and they gave him 24 hours to prepare a keynote speaker’s speech. They needed it ASAP so they could translate it. The hosts approved his draft, which he duly presented at the banquet. He also laid the wreath at the ceremony. Here is U.S. contingent on Revisit his speech. Distinguished officials, offi- program cers of the Republic of Korea, United Nations Representatives, Korean War Veterans and their families. It is my honor to represent the United States of America Armed Forces at this prestigious awards banquet. I would like to thank the Ministry of Patriots of Veterans Affairs and the Korean Veterans Association, that have worked so hard to South Korean make this commemoration possible. It is very important for us to remember military reps at Revisit event the sacrifices of those who fought for the freedom of the Korean people, many of tried to open a whom lie in the cemeteries of Korea and hole 18 miles in front of our lines. They put 10 men on each of the tanks. We around the world. On February 15, 1951, at 4:3 p.m., the immediately ran into an ambush. Out of 1st Calvary,3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, those 160 men, only 22 of us survived. I “L” Company, were called on to try to res- was fortunate in that I was wounded early cue fellow soldiers trapped at Chip Yong and was picked up by other tank crews Ni. One hundred sixty men and 20 tanks who had been sent out to gather up the wounded. I was truly blessed to be one of the survivors of Chip Yong Ni and to be here today to tell my story. It’s amazing to observe what these sacrifices made possible in this great country. The buildings, the roads, the technology, all made possible by keeping South Korea safe from the ravages of communism. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the ROK leadership, and all of the South Korean people for the great accomRichard and Arlene Barham The Graybeards plishments they have achieved. We are proud to be part of the many United Nations Forces, who helped keep South Korea free. These sacrifices were not in vain! Thank you, and may the Almighty Father continue to watch over all of us. Thanks to Peter Palmer of Ch 159, Sunshine State, FL for submitting this story and photos. 73 Arlene and Richard Barham with South Korean soldier March - April 2012 Official Membership Application Form The Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. P. O. Box 407, Charleston, IL 61920-0407 (Telephone: 217-345-4414) DO NOT WRITE IN THIS SPACE Assigned Membership Number:__________________________________________ KWVA Regular Annual Dues = $25.00 w Associate Membership = $16.00 MOH, Ex-POW, Gold Star Parent or Spouse & Honorary - $0.00 Regular Life Membership: (May be paid in lump sum or 6 equal payments by check over a 12 month period.) Ages up to and through 35 years of age:..................$600 Ages 36 through 50 years of age: ....................$450 Ages 51 through 65 years of age: ............................$300 Ages 66 years of age and older: ......................$150 Please Check One: r New Member r Renewal Member (#___________________) Please Check One r Medal of Honor r Regular Member r Ex-POW r Honorary r Regular Life Member r Gold Star Parent r Associate Member r Gold Star Spouse (Please Print) Last Name ________________________ First Name ______________________ Middle/Maiden Name __________________ Street ________________________________ City ______ State ____________________ Zip______ Phone: (________) ______________________________ Year of Birth: ____________________________________________ Email ________________________________________ Chapter Number/Name (if applicable) # ____________________ All Regular members please provide the following information if applicable Unit(s) to which Assigned Branch of Service Division __________________r Army Dates of service: WithIN Korea were: (See criteria below) Regiment __________________r Air Force Battalion __________________r Navy From ________________ To Company __________________r Marines WithOUT Korea were: (See criteria below) Other______________________r Coast Guard From ________________ To __________________ “I certify, under penalty of law, that the above information provided by me for the purposes as indicated, is true and correct.” [If you are applying for membership in a category other than Section 1, par A.1., of the “Criteria for Membership,” complete the “Certification of Eligibility for KWVA Membership” form on next page.] Signature: ____________________________________________________________ Date: ____________________________ Make checks payable to: KWVA Mail to: Korean War Veterans Association Inc., P. O. Box 407, Charleston, IL 61920-0407 (Telephone: 217-345-4414) (Or you may pay by Credit Card) Credit Card # ______________________________________ r VISA r MASTER CARD (only) Expiration Date ________________________ V-Code ____ Your Signature __________________________________________ Adopted 10/26/2009 74 Page 1of 2 March - April 2012 The Graybeards CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR KWVA MEMBERSHIP In addition to completing the KWVA membership application form on page 1, persons who make application for membership and qualify under one of the categories listed below, are required to fill in the appropriate blanks, sign in the space provided below and attach this page to the completed membership application form on previous page. Check One r Medal of Honor: I am a Medal of Honor recipient and the date on which it was awarded was: Month _____ Day ____ Year_____. r Ex-POW: I was held as a Prisoner of War at some time during the period June 25, 1950 to the present, From: Month ____ Day ____ Year ____ To: Month ____ Day ____ Year ____. r Gold Star Parent: I am the parent of : Name [print]_______________________________, who was ( ) killed in action, ( ) missing in action or ( ) died as a Prisoner of War on: Month _____ Day ____ Year _____. r Gold Star Spouse: I am the spouse of: Name [print] _________________________, who was ( ) killed in action, ( ) missing in action or ( ) died as a Prisoner of War on: Month _____ Day ____ Year _____. r Associate: I have a legitimate interest in the affairs of the Korean War Veterans Association and agree to accept the terms and conditions set forth in its charter and bylaws. r Honorary: I was elected as an Honorary Member of the KWVA by a vote of the Board of Directors on: Month _____ Day ____ Year _____. “I certify, under penalty of law, that the above information provided by me for the purposes indicated is true and correct.” Signature: ______________________________________________________ Month ______ Day________ Year ______ 75 Page 2 of 2 The Graybeards March - April 2012 MOH Recipient Anthony T. Kaho’ohanono Honored On February 27, 2012, a special ceremony for Anthony T. Kaho’ohanono was held at the Maui (Hawaii) Veterans Cemetery for the unveiling of the headstone authorized only for Medal of Honor recipients. The invocation was delivered by Chaplain Colonel Jack Van Dyken, who served as the 7th Division Chaplain in the 1980s. The keynote speaker was the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army of the Pacific, Major General William G. Beard. Present and representing the 7th Infantry Division were William Choy, who served with the 17th Infantry Regiment, Richard Ouchi, who served with the 31st Infantry Regiment, Gary Hashimoto, Warren Nishida and Raymond Tendo, who served with the 32nd Infantry Regiment, and Douglas Halbert, who served with the 7th Medical Battalion. In addition to those representing the 7th Infantry Division, there were 38 members of Ch 282, Maui No Ka Oi [HI], present. Doug Halbert, treasurer@7ida.us March - April 2012 C o m pa n 17th Infantry 7th Infantry For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty... The Graybeards y H Regiment Division The Graybeards March - April 2012 78 March - April 2012 The Graybeards A L F SH Revisit Korea News and FL A SH Peace Camps for Youth The headlines in June 1952 read: "Troops hold the line against Red's Human Wave Attacks" And the wonderful and gracious people of South Korea still remember, to this day, what the Allied "Troops" did to save their country from communism some sixty years ago! 2013 will be the 60th Anniversary of the Armistice signing and the commemorations will be both large and many. We have early notification that the Revisit Korea quotas, sponsored the ROK government, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA) will increase 10 fold! There will be a series of battle reenactments, supported by both the ROK and US Armed Forces, to show appreciation for one of the strongest Alliances in the free world today! Additionally, the July Peace Camps for Youth Program commenced several years to educate our grandchildren that "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE", will also continue and be increased. Since we are already receiving requests for 2013 quotas, it is NOT to soon to register. You can always cancel for health or other reasons. However, once the quotas are gone, they're gone! Please fill in the "Application for Korea Revisit & Peace Camp for Youth Tours", contained, in the back of "The Graybeards", and submit them just as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please email James "Jamie" Wiedhahn at JWiedhahn@miltours.com. This will be for 2013. Sincerely and fraternally, Warren Wiedhahn, Revisit Korea Coordinator Military Historical Tours, Woodbridge, Virginia 1950 - Korean War Veteran - Pusan, Inchon and "Chosin" KWVA Mini Recruiting and Membership Report Data Current as of 4/6/2012 Recruiting Results - New Members For month of April 2012 ................................................................18 For month of April 2011 ..................................................................0 This Year To Date 2012 ....................................................................344 Last Year (4/6/2011) * ....................................................................269 *2011 Average: 70 New Members per Month Current Active Members as of 4/6/2012 ..........................................15,954 Active Members Last Year (4/6/2011) ............................................16,609 Members reported as deceased this year ..........................................538 Members reported as deceased in 2011............................................1,367 May they rest in peace. Wrong Tern? In reference to the photo of USS Tucson (SSN 770) on the cover of the Jan/Feb 2012 issue: was a seagull perched on the aft-most part of this mighty war vessel? William Pennoyer, 95 Huling Rd. #8, North Kingstown, RI 02852 EDITOR’S NOTE: Mr. Pennoyer has sharp eyes. There was indeed a gull on the “aftmost part.” We cannot identify it specifically, though: we do not want to be accused of making a wrong tern. The Graybeards March - April 2012 79 Korean War Veterans Association Membership Administrative Assistant P.O. Box 407 Charleston, IL 61920-0407 NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Jacksonville, FL PERMIT NO. 3 Address Service Requested Leesburg, FL Mayor Sanna Henderson, Col David Clark, Tom J Thiel of Ch 169 (L-R) saluting during “Taps” at January event. Story on page 40. (Photo courtesy of Keri Rassmussen of the Daily Commercial, Leesburg, FL)
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