187th Rakkasans – part (2)
The 11th Airborne Division, along with the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment, was returned to the United States in 1949. The 11th Airborne Division was stationed at Camp Campbell, Kentucky. Along with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 11th was part of the strategic reserve of the American Armed Forces. In February and March of 1950, the Rakkasans took part in Operation Swarmer, the largest peacetime airborne maneuvers ever to be conducted. Their performance in these maneuvers was instrumental in being re-designated an Airborne Regimental Combat Team on August 27, 1950. The 187 Airborne RCT returned to Japan to serve as General MacArthur’s airborne forces during the Korean War. While attached to the 1st Marine Division, the 187 RCT followed up on the success of the Inchon Landing, clearing the Kimpo Peninsula between the Han River and the Yellow Sea.

Paratroopers of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, seated in the cargo compartment of 314th Troop Carrier Group C-119 “Flying Boxcar,” “sweat out” the flight to the dropzone at Munsan-ni, Korea, in March, 1951, ca. 03/1951.
Credit: National Archives
On October 20, 1950 the 187 Regimental Combat Team made combat jumps near the towns of Sukchon and Sunchon in North Korea in the attempt to cut off fleeing communist forces. The Rakkasans fought named engagements at Suan, Wonju, Kaesong, and Inje. In Operation Tomahawk the 187th Airborne made the second combat parachute jump of the Korean War at Munsan-ni on March 23, 1951. The regiment returned to Japan to serve as the strategic reserve in June 1951. In May 1952, the Rakkasans were ordered to quell a North Korean and Chinese Communist prisoner of war (POW) uprising on the Japanese island of Koje-do. The 187 was inserted to the line on two other occasions, in October 1952 and June 1953, as a stop gap against Chinese offensives at Wonton-ni and Kumwha.
During their time in the Korean War, the Rakkasans were awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and two Korean Presidential Citations, as well as earning five more Battle Streamers for their flag. Three soldiers from the 187th were awarded the Medal of Honor: Lester Hammond, Jr., Rodolfo Hernandez, and Richard Wilson. Their success in Korea re-energized the belief in using paratroopers as a strategic response. Soon after, the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina was reactivated.
During the early 1960’s, the Rakkasans were part of a series of transfers and re-designations to help experiment with new division formations for the Cold War. This included being part of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test). By 1964, the 3/187th Airborne was the only battalion of the regiment on active duty. They were assigned to the 3rd Brigade of the newly reactivated 101st Airborne Division. The 3rd Brigade, which included the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 506th Airborne, deployed to Vietnam in December 1967.
The Rakkasans spent the next four years in Vietnam, fighting in twelve major engagements. They earned two Valorous Unit Awards and two Presidential Unit Citations for the battles at Trang Bang and Dong Ap Bia Mountain. The latter is better known as “Hamburger Hill.” Another Rakkasan, Captain Paul W. Bucha, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions near Phuoc Vinh in March of 1968. The 101st Airborne, along with the 3/187, returned to Fort Campbell in 1972.
To be continued……
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Billy Brooks – Cherokee County, AL; US Army, Corps of Engineers, SSgt. (Ret. 30 y.)
Thomas R. Cross (101) – WY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 517th PIR, Colonel (Ret.)
Douglas Ferguson – Weyburn, CAN; RAF/RC Air Force, WWII, ETO, navigator
Arthur Graydon – Illawar, AUS; Australian Army, WWII
Harry Gustafson – Brockton, MA; US Navy, WWII, PTO, USS YMS-193/Korea USS Columbus/Vietnam USS America, Sr. Chief Petty Officer (Ret. 27 y.)
Alva R. Krogman – Worland, WY; US Air Force, Vietnam, 1st Lt., pilot, 504/7th Air Force, Air Force Academy grad. ’64, KIA (Laos)
Paul McCormack – Covington, LA; US Army, Co. A/503/11th Airborne Division
George Pinto – E.Hartford, CT; US Navy, WWII, USS Lyman K. Swenson
John “Art” Romig – Ubly, MI; USMC, WWII, PTO
Vernnette Stodtmeister – Sioux Falls, SD; US Army WAC, WWII, nurse
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Posted on July 23, 2020, in SMITTY, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 11th airborne, 187th, 1940's, Airborne, Army, family history, History, Military, Military History, Pacific War, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 85 Comments.
Thanks for your like of my post, “End Times 20;” you are very kind. Please keep up your own good work.
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I appreciate your courtesy, John.
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The way the political stage is shaping up at the moment, the Rakkasans may be required to fly over South East Asian waters again gp.
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I know what you mean. I’ve been keeping an eye on develops there. Not good, that’s for sure.
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This is awesome!
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Thank you!
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Soldiers during WWII and the Korean War were real heroes! Have a pleasant week forward!👌☕️☕️
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Thank you, and stay safe!
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A friend of mine who had survived breast cancer went skydiving for the first time late in life. She found it exhilarating. It would take an awful lot to convince me (LOL).
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My better half says the same, in fact – it’s a NO-WAY!! sort of answer. 🙂
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I anxiously waiting on the next post
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I’m happy about that – it’s today! 🙂
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Thank you, Rick.
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I wanted to tell you that I saw a great movie recently called “The Last Full Measure” about William Hart Pitsenbarger. What a powerful, beautiful, heart-touching story! If you get a chance to watch it, I hope you will.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
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I’ll look into it, thanks for mentioning it!
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You’re welcome!
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I saw you mentioned the 82nd Airborne. I was wondering whether parachutists still are used today, and went looking for articles. I found this very current and very interesting one on the 82nd’s role in Iran. I don’t remember reading about it at all. The news reports usually are so general you don’t know who’s been deployed, or their destination.
I see there’s another post coming; perhaps you’ll be telling us a bit about the more recent history of these brave units.
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Yes, they are used and the 101st is another grand group of soldiers. Tomorrow there will be more and the conclusion on Thursday.
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Apologies, this is a different subject. You follow Charlotte Hoather’s blog, I think. There is an ‘inspiration award’ being offered by the Royal Philharmonic Society https://royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_music_awards/inspiration-awards.
I have nominated Charlotte because of the Balcony Concerts. Although the number of nominations is not what matters, if these concerts moved you too, you might like to nominate her too.
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PS, if you do this don’t mention it to Charlotte or on her blog!
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I will definitely be over there, Hilary. Thanks again!!
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Good to hear from you, Hilary!! Thank you for letting me know. Charlotte and her fiancee, George deserve the recognition.
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re: “Vernette Stodtmesiter – Sioux Falls, SD; US Army WAC, WWII, nurse”
The headline (as shown above) for her on-line obit contains two errors. From the family-generated text of the on-line notice, her name is spelled as follows: Vernnette Stodtmeister. She was still paddle boarding in her late 80s and was 96 when she died. Another remarkable woman of the greatest generation.
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My apologies to the family, her Salute will be corrected. As you can see by her obituary, exactly how I had the wrong spelling.
https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rgj/obituary.aspx?n=vernette-stodtmesiter-stratton&pid=196483237&fhid=15274
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Yes, the error was clearly embedded in the “official” obituary. I skim the Salutes faithfully, and something about Vernnette’s listing stood out. Thanks for maintaining these notices where people who may care can see them.
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I wish I could list them all – they deserve any and all recognition.
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Really like your posts on Rakasans, GP. Never realized the amount of combat jumps in Korea.
The cartoon about watch your descent brings back a jump memory of a crowded sky that I posted in my blog a while back. It is funny today. T’wasn’t funny when it was happening.
The photo of the men in the C-119…great plane to jump out of but worse plane to ride in.
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I have to laugh when I see an episode of ‘SEAL’ and they travel to their destination – there’s no bumps, rocking – nothing!
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For the 11th Airborne Division this sounds like a little bit as never ending boredom. 😉 Thank you for the information, and enjoy your weekend, GP!
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It just might have been, Michael.
Stay safe, my friend.
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Thank you GP: You too.
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From WWII to Vietnam – that quite a stretch of service to be proud of.
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And they are maintaining the standard that is their history. Thank you for your interest, Jennie and please – stay safe!
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That is wonderful to know. You are welcome, GP. Best to you, and stay safe, too.
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Thank you for doing this website, it’s important to honour and remember our brothers in arms across the world. I am an ex Irish Ranger, have some good friends in all military groups and countries. A Veteran turned Author.
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Thank you for introducing yourself, Alan. It is an honor to meet you.
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Thank you for sharing this second part, GP! This is so interesting! What brave, dedicated, hardworking soldiers!
My brother was at Ft. Campbell in Kentucky before going to Vietnam.
HUGS!!! 🙂
PS…as for the funnies…Wow…so many important things to remember! 😉 Ha! 😀
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Please shake the hand of your brother for me. It broke my heart (and got my father furious) when the Nam vets returned with no fanfare, no thanks, etc.
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I will. Thank you.
Yes, what little he shared let us know it was not pleasant traveling through airports, etc, in uniform. 😦
And, as always, most of the soldiers were just kids in age and life experience. 😦
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My dad was heartbroken at how the Vietnam vets were treated when they returned home. He served as chaplain for our local VFW and Legion posts to offer them support and counseling.
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They needed it too. It’s great he was there to help. My father was an officer in his VFW and took in the men who were turned away from other locals. He was angry that Nam was considered another “police action”. The thing was, if JFK had called it a war, he would have needed the approval of Congress to go in.
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Not our finest hour, was it?
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No it was NOT.
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Interesting that the group also spent time in Vietnam. That would have been quite the sight to have seen the troopers jumping from the plane. Wow!
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Many people are unaware that the soul of the 11th A/B lives on in those troops.
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Thanks for the continuing history lesson, GP! That sky full of parachutes photo is an amazing sight!
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It is impressive, isn’t it?! I appreciate your interest, Lavinia. You really are a champ!
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Enjoying the history of these courageous men on a very dangerous missions.
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They really should get more recognition than they do.
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More interesting history, GP. Thanks.
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You’re more than welcome, John!
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Reblogged this on Dave Loves History.
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Thank you, Dave.
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It’s hard to find that kind of pride in ordinary jobs.
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hahaha, THAT is one of the most accurate statements I’ve ever seen!!
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Their work required such courage
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And it still does, Derrick. They are still carrying on the tradition!
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Yes
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Good morning, GP. Thanks for another marvelous post. Also, I never thought about there being military yearbooks. Hugs on the wing!
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I never did either, but they do exist – as you can see.
I’m glad you liked the post, Teagan!
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By the way, I just now finished creating “Cal” a new clockwork creature for the Delta Pearl. Thanks for the idea. Hugs!
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I’ll look forward to meeting Cal.
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I was just looking at Lieutenant Krogman killed over Laos in 1964. It seems a world away, and as for Korea, where the British fought, that is fast disappearing into history books.
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Such a shame too, John. Lt. Krogman was shot down while he was doing a recon fly-over. Unfortunately, the pilot who went looking for him was also shot down.
Korea just might have to be your next project. We can not allow those men to become forgotten.
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I didn’t know they were engaged at ‘Hamburger Hill’, GP. I’m enjoying this informative post- WW2 history.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I realize there are too many units and too many battles for any one person to keep up with. That’s why there will always be something else new for people to publish and learn.
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thanks again, John!
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You are welcome again.
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Staying prepared for duty seems to be a very necessary exercise, especially for these guys. Thanks for filling in the history we’ve never heard, GP – I always enjoy these posts.
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So true. During WWII, all the home front heard about in the Pacific was the USMC. After that, the 101st and 82nd A/B became the popular headlines.
Thanks for continuing to read their history, Dan.
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When did your dad leave the service? Was he still with the Rakassans in the Korean War? Or was he home safe and sound?
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Dad was home. At the start of the Korean War, Smitty was 36-years old and no matter how good a shape he was still in – mom would have killed him herself!! 🙂
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PS. It is too bad too. He always said he regretted leaving.
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But he had you to raise!
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You bet. I was born about 2 months after Korea exploded.
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They got around!
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Yes, and they still do!
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I thank you and I am honored, but I’m afraid I do not have the time. I appreciate you reaching out to me, but I must say no.
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Dad used to call recalcitrant cattle “knuckleheads.”
There were weren’t many years between the end of WWII and the Korean War, were there?
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No, almost 5 years.
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Thank you.
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