Korean War (26)

 

1 March 1952, the Patrol Squadrons VP-22 and 47 of Fleet Air Wing One reported spotting a 32-vessel Russian convoy in the Formosa area in the China Sea.   The USS Endicott, during a counter-battery fight on the east coast, Chuuronjang area, eliminated the gun fire from shore.  On the west coast, the enemy began to group-up for an attack on Re-do; the fighting held off the enemy.

2 March, the LST 561 foundered off Yongpyong-do on the west coast with a loss of all hands.  This included 2 US Naval officers, (including the commander of the LST Division-12), 2 US Army officers, one ROK naval officer, 5 USN enlisted men and 2 Royal Marines.  Due to a threat of a planned demonstration led by the Japanese Communist Party in the Chigasaki beach area, Naval Beach One organized a task force to evacuate personnel and supplies in the area.

USS Samuel N. Moore

6 March, in the Songjin Harbor, HMAS Warramunga, USS Samuel N. Moore and Carrier Task Force-95 began Operation Roof Lifter.  Large numbers of buildings and houses were destroyed and many fires were started.  The next day, truck tracks in the ice indicated a landing of enemy supplies from Chinnampo.  It was suspected they were for plans of attack on Sok-to and/or Cho-do.

 

Under Water Demolition Team

11 March, Mine Squadron-3 and UDT-5 (Underwater Demolition Team) on the USS Colonial recovered the first R-MYaM; a new type of Russian mine, a moored, contact, chemical horn mine laid by a surface craft for use in shallow water.  Two Banshee jets from Marine Photo Squadron-1, on a photo mission suffered severe damage when they were attacked by 4 swept-wing enemy fighters.

12 March, Operation Alcatraz, a reconnaissance landing on a small island in enemy territory just south of the Suwon Dam lighthouse was successful.  A friendly guerrilla landing on Cho-do island killed 60% of the enemy and was now in UN hands; the occurred on Onchon-do.

MK-4 rocket “Mighty Mouse”

13 March, the commander of the First Marine Aircraft Wing, MGeneral Christian Schilt, USMC, informed naval operations of his statistics relevant to the recent Mighty Mouse (2.75″) rocket evaluation program.  The weapon, with folding fins, was not the success it was hoped for.  It was later scraped once air-to-air missiles became available.

15 March, Truman ordered that the Military protection of Formosa, the Pescadores and the Philippines would now be under CINCPAC (Commander in Charge Pacific).  An enemy night raid on Yongmae-do was halted by the HMS Concord.

17 March, the 29th Infantry Regiment started their amphibious training on Okinawa.  Some of the small islands just off shore of Kojo, Korea were attacked by the enemy.  The USS Hamner put a landing party ashore on Nan-do where enemy forces were suspected.

18 March, the Amphibious Redeployment Group (TG-90.5) composed of 2 AKAs, 3 LSDs, 10 LSTs and 2 PCEC started to lift the 1st Marine Division tanks, heavy equipment and troops from Sokcho-ri to Inchon (Going from the east coast to west coast.).  This would take 7 days to complete.

Former Philippine President (then Lieutenant) Fidel Ramos; platoon commander that took Hill Eerie

21 March, guerrillas and ROK AMC-309 raided the north bank of the Han River; 25 of the enemy killed and their barracks were burned.  The 1st Marine Division CP moved to the Tongji-ri area.  The 3rd Platoon, K Company, 179th Infantry, made up of 26 men (2 rifle squads, a light machine-gun  squad and 60 mm squad) set out to take Hill Eerie about 10 miles west of Ch’orwon.  The CCF attacked at 2330 hours and the machine-gun fight went on until the troops of Hill 418 supported with additional machine-guns and mortar fire.

Company C/14th Engineer Combat Batt./8th US Army w/ a barrage balloon M-1 VLA (35’x14′) to mark the perimeter of the Panmunjon Armistice Conference. 22 March 1952

22 March, K Company was overrun by the enemy.  Captain Clark’s men on Hill 418 were ordered to retake the Hill.  They later withdrew to the MLR.

Click on images to enlarge.

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Farewell Salutes – 

Gordon Gotzinger – Mesa, AZ; USMC, Vietnam

Vincent Brezinsky – Plainfield, IL; US Navy, Korea, USS Mathews

George Coon – Floral Park, NY; US Army, WWII

Robert Fields – Kirkland, WA; US Navy, WWII, Chief Petty Officer, USS Franks

Glenna Ann Evanson – Seattle, WA; office of the Secretary to the Army Corps of Engineers, WWII

Edward O’Brien – Westbury, NY; US Army 1st Lt., WWII, ETO

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Resources: history,navy.mil; “Korean War” by Stephen Badsey”; “The Korean War” by Maurice Isserman; Wiki; korean on line.com; Koreanwar2.org; !st Marine Division Records; Korean War 60th Anniversary