RALPH DENTON wrote on 2001-09-13 16:29:30.0
Comments: This confused this Ol'Fart, so I don't know just what you wanted. Stick the stuff where you want it. Need ability to cut and paste. Then I could have moved it here.
Keywords: 1950: Chased across rice paddies by SU 76 rounds from Hill 409 on the Naktong; Unknowingly sat with Hickman on some dead "Gooks" who had been wrapped up in straw mats, to eat "C" rations; Totally destroyed the little village of Hyun Pong with my M-39 when the 38th tankers wouldn't, to prevent use of houses and rooftops by snipers; Brought last squad of 1st Bn, 38th out across bridge, under fire; Hit by all night incoming 31 Aug-1 Sept; Breakout 16 Sept; Lost my M-39 when Chinese entered conflict somewhere above Won-ni in a mountain road switch-back. Thanksgiving? Reenforced OP on ridge top, saw stream filled with of blood from 2nd Engineers; Retrieved demolition prepared ammo from dump in burning town to replinish M-19 Twin 40's. Kunu-Ri; Watched as badly hurt Turks crossed in front of our positions. Came out with 23rd, Col Freeman, avoiding the "Gauntlet". At Sunchon? tried to bum a cigarette from guys in chow line. Got quizzical looks from several French, Dutch, Turks, et al. Finally got a Players from a Brit who understood English. 27-30 Dec; 1951: Just before New Years eve, at 38th Regimental Hqs while awaiting transport to R&R, told it was cancelled because Joe Chink was going to attack. With no gear, had to share the below zero night in Billy Hearn's (Parsippiny/Whippiny NJ) sleeping bag, with him! Assigned to replacement M-16, Quad-50 half track from 1st Platoon. Long Range Patrol with artillery registration on pass behind us. Almost mistaken by spotter aircraft as enemy 3-5 Jan; Wonju.7 Jan with Easy Co 38th Inf M-16 opened enemy road block under railroad underpass near power station. Accounted for around 100 enemy dead. Counted over 60 rounds scarring the M-16 Half Track, C-111. Big medic at Regimental aid station said he didn't need a stretcher, and carried me in his arms, like a baby, to be treated. Flew to Itazuke, Japan. Scared the wits out of Army Nurse Lt. who was admitting me, when I was asked to empty the pockets of my parker onto her desk. I had unknowingly kept a 20 round Tommy Gun magazine and a live hand gernade from the morning firefight. Thats how fast they got us to a hospital. Contracted Pneumonia from shock and waiting on frozen air strip. Out for three days. Transferred to Tokyo General Annex. Zuhar who also had been wounded with me, nearly beat up a JLC type with his crutches. The troop asked what outfit we were from in Korea. When he was told 82nd "Ack-Ack" he dumbly asked "How did the Gooks get back to your guns?". We were grounded when we nearly knocked over the Head Nurse dragracing our wheelchairs in the corridors. Moved to Sendai Hospital to complete recuperation. By the time returned to unit most experienced had rotated and although I had enough points, was asked and volunteered to stay on as 2nd Platoon Sergeant. Operation Killer long range patrol into "Valley of Death" with new Plat Leader Lt Loren Elness where massive artillery fire decimated enemy columns; Support of 11th Marines; Chesty Puller Bridge washed away; and Searchlight illumination Iron Triangle; Traded Marine Gunny a couple of bottles of whiskey flown in from Japan for a jeep. When we revealed the bumper numbers it was from the 2ID! Flight in Piper Cub over Enemy lines; Middle of June Three AF Flying Boxcars shot down by friendly protective Field Artillery as they fly thru the trajectory of a TOT while attempting to drop supplies to surrounded units; Accompanied Battery Commander to Officer assemply point to return Conus. Rear echelon officers told they were out of line for condemning my CO because he had had several drinks to celebrate. They hadn't lost any men. Bob Perry, MN; Lt. Col. Walter Killalae, Bn Cmdr; George Zuhar, MN; Joe Geraci; LA or MS. Scroggins brothers; TX. The one in "C" Btry stuck his head in his drivers hatch on an M-19 during a mortar attack, and took off to the medics saying "They hit me in the ass...what am I gonna tell my mother when she asks where I got my Purple Heart?" Sergeant Hoag replaced me as 2nd Platoon Sergeant in late September because my Platoon leader honored his promise to release me from my voluntary extension, when I woke up in my "Fart Sack" with a cold nose. No second Korean winter for me! 13 days back on the Marine Pheonix. Dancing girls on the dock to greet us in Seattle!
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