Korean War (45)

HMCS Athabsakan

 

1 July, the HMCS Athabaskan trapped a southbound enemy train on the North Korean east coast.  The locomotive escaped, but about 20 boxes were left behind.  The USS Wiltsie and TF-77 joined in the operation and  17 of the boxcars were demolished.

8 July, during a battle with enemy shore batteries 10 miles south of Songjin, the USS Irwin received a shrapnel explosion near her mainmast.  This ruptured all electrical and electronic cables on the mast, seriously wounded the DESRON (Destroyer Squadron) – 24 commander and 4  other personnel were hurt.  Admiral Felix Stump took over as commander of the Pacific Fleet, relieving Admiral Hadford.

Nevada complex w/ Berlin outpost

9 July, the 7th Marines were engaged with 2 companies of the enemy who were supported by artillery and mortar fire.  This occurred at COP (Command Outposts) Berlin and East Berlin.  The enemy withdrew after fighting for over 2 hours.

Major John F. Bolt, USMC

11 July, Major John F. Bolt, USMC, became the first jet ace in Marine Corps History when he shot down his 5th and 6th MiG-15 while leading a 4-plane F-86 flight in an attack on $ MiGs east of Sinui-Ju.  Major Bolt, who was on temporary duty with the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing of the 5th Air Force, was on his 37th sabre jet mission.  He used 1,200 rounds of ammo and 5 minutes to destroy the 2 enemy fighters.  Major Bolt passed away In September 2004.

John Bolt’s ribbons

The communist gunners at Wonsan fired 48 rounds of 76 to 105mm at the USS St. Paul.  A 105mm hit gun mount #32 and damaged both guns.

12 July, the battleship, USS New Jersey fired 168 rounds of 16″ shells during a heavy gun strike in the Kojo area.  The big guns destroyed a radar tower, a control bunker and two bridges.  A 13 man recon patrol of the 5th Marines clashed with a 7-man enemy ambush.  After a short fire fight, all US troops returned safely.  A 39-man combat patrol of the 7th Marines engaged an enemy squad in a mortar and artillery battle; no reported casualties.

USS New Jersey engaging

South Korean President Rhee was “persuaded” into accepting the terms of the armistice in exchange for military aid and a post-war alliance with the US.  But, this came too late to prevent a final communist attack; especially aimed at the ROK Army.  This began on the 13th and caused approximately 25,000 casualties on both sides in one week.

187th RCT

13 July, the CCF attacked IX Corps and broke through the ROK lines near Chorwon Valley.  The 187th Rakkasans moved across the valley and were in roughly the same position they had been in during the fall of 1952.  General Westmoreland sent the 1st Battalion onto Hill 624 to cover the corps’ front on what was described as “a black, rain-sodden night.”  Gen. William Barringer ordered Westmoreland, on threat of dismissal, to withdraw one battalion from a hill that was considered to be a key to the defense. (I was unable to locate the illogical reason for this order.)  A makeshift battalion of cooks, drivers and clerks were sent in their place.  Enemy fire was reported as persistent with firefights, sniper fire and infiltrators on a regular basis.

Click on images to enlarge.

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Farewell Salutes – 

Theodaore Burtness – Centerport, NY; US Army, WWII

Distinguished Flying Cross

William Bauers – Washington D.C.; US Airmy Air Corps, Colonel, WWII, Distinguished Flying Cross

Wm. Ronald Greer – Toronto, Canada; Royal Canadian Navy, WWII

Ralph Kiner – NYC; US Navy, WWII (Baseball Hall of Famer)

Lewis Leigh, Jr. – D.C.; US Army, WWII, Purple Heart

Victor Blyth Newman – Christchurch, NZ; MBChB NZ Army # 74600, WWII

Glen Myers – Franklin, PA; US Army Chaplain, 30 years

Robert F. Moog – Richmond, British Columbia; RC Navy, WWII, HMCS Uganda

John Trapuzzano – Born: Tunisia; Boston, MA; US Army, WWII, Asia-Pacific Theater, Medical Unit

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