55 Messages

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Entry: 81528 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	MOVIE OF MY DAD'S PHOTOS ON YOUTUBE
ALAN GORNIK wrote on December 29, 2011 CITY AND STATE: WESTERN SPRINGS IL UNIT: 439TH ENG SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I last posted way back in 2001! Our ability to find/share info has sure improved a lot since then. My sister converted a number of pictures that my Dad took in Korea into a movie for me as a birthday gift. I have uploaded to youtube to share with all of you - see Korea photos video Mainly covers exploits in rebuilding the Kilra-chon Bridge near Wonju in 1951. There are many people shots and names shown in the photo captions. Also, after seeing the map included in this article href=https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:3vJcPk__n_IJ:www.6thcorpscombatengineers.com/engforum/index.php?app%3Dcore%26module%3Dattach%26section%3Dattach%26attach_id%3D5004+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjNv6-3u9Jh7KTp8PlvaZoSlYVFXFG0VfT1Hn8oR3JbH0IVqOJ3hyzr8AqPOWqNGaZnTdDjkjB_nSr_gRckcDpejcyvPqt36i7KLIv0Yd4rb4L-SlzTgo4hy6wrTS36MvbFb56F&sig=AHIEtbRah3WIEGtne3T866xORIAiOw4cqg&pli=1 >AE Magazine May-June 2010 article ,I was able to determine what I think are the coordinates of the bridge as 37°21'58.72N, 127°49'45.46E. You can see it on Google Maps at http://g.co/maps/3xuad Alan Keywords: 439th engineers Kilra Chon Wonju

Entry: 76745 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	JAMES B HOLLIFIELD OBITUARY
WAYNE DEMUNN wrote on November 13, 2010 CITY AND STATE: KIRKLAND IL UNIT: COMPANY B, 439TH ENGINEER BATTALION SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FRIEND OF VETERAN Comments: He was my Uncle Shorty and he passed away a few years back. I found this web site and thought I'd pass his Obit along. James Bluford "Shorty" Hollifield, 74, of DeKalb, Illinois, surrounded with the love of his family, he died peacefully Saturday, Aug. 9, 2003, at Pine Acres Care Center in DeKalb, IL. Shorty was born September 8, 1928 in McDowell County, North Carolina. At the age of 17, James B Hollifield left his native North Carolina home and went to the City of DeKalb, Illinois looking for work. Shorty after his arrival, because he was about 5' tall, James Hollifield became affectionately known as ''Shorty'' Hollifield to all of his closest freinds. He then met Margie Hicks and they were married in DeKalb, Illinois on June 24th, 1950. From 1952-1954, Shorty served with Company B 439th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonardwood, Mo., and was shipped off to Korea. Although he seldom spoke of his experiences in Korea, he was honored to have served his country. In 1964, Shorty began his career with the city of DeKalb's Street Department. From moving countless inches of snow to making street signs, his love for DeKalb was rich with historical facts he would share with all. After his retirement in 1986, he served as a crossing guard at Fourth and Sunset until around 1999. By this time, he was known as "Grandpa Shorty" to all the children who crossed at his corner on their way to Lincoln Grade School in DeKalb. The visitation and funeral for "Shorty" Hollifield was held Tuesday, August 12th, 2003 at the Anderson Funeral home, burial followed at Fairview Cemetery all in DeKalb Illinois. Keywords: 439th Engineer Battalion, Company B, Korea

Entry: 76086 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR MEMBERS OF 439TH OR FAMILY MEMBERS OF THEM
MEG ROWELY wrote on September 7, 2010 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: My name is Meg Rowley. My grandfather is Joe Rowley he was a sgt. He was there jan 51 - apr or jun 53. He is now 82 years old and would love to hear from anyone that he serviced with or there family members. Please email me at megrow215@gmail.com It would mean the world to him to hear from any of you that served with him or the family members. I have some pictures of him with some people that he serviced with. I would love to put faces with names, let me know if you want to see the pictures. Keywords: Joe Rowley

Entry: 76065 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	CO.
HARLEW CONALLY SR. wrote on September 7, 2010 CITY AND STATE: CORPUS CHRISTI TE UNIT: CO, SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN Comments: any of my platoon still alive; please contact me .i was platoon sgt. first platoon co"c" july 1953 to july 1954 Keywords: conally

Entry: 74907 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	OLD BUDDIES OF B CO.439TH
RICHARD C. HITE wrote on May 31, 2010 CITY AND STATE: BURLESON TX UNIT: CO B 439TH ENGR.CONS.BTLN. SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN Comments: Looking for anyone that was at SUNG WAN NI, near Sigmun ris farm. JOE K.SMITH,JERRY MELTON from TEXAS We moved to WOL MI DO ISLAND,then to ASCOM CITY. Lt.MC AMIS that loved Country music and enjoyed a beer with the guys. Keywords:

Entry: 74506 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR THE CITATION THAT WAS THE BASIS FOR
JOSEPH ROWLEY wrote on April 27, 2010 CITY AND STATE: KANSAS CITY MO UNIT: C CO 439TH ENGR BN SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN Comments: Keywords: kilra chon

Entry: 73456 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR ARMY COMRADES IN THE 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BATTALION IN 1950
EARL BUTZ wrote on February 6, 2010 CITY AND STATE: SUN CITY AZ UNIT: 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BATTALION COMPANY B SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN Comments: My records were destroyed and I am trying to find the guys I served in Korea with. Keywords:

Entry: 73016 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	COMPANY A 439TH BN APO 20
FIDENCIO CONTRERAS wrote on January 5, 2010 CITY AND STATE: CORPUS CHRISTI TX UNIT: COMPANY A 439TH BN APO 20 SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: Keywords: Looking for fellow Veterans of Korean War. Company A 439th BN APO 20

Entry: 72871 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	PHOTOS, YONG WOL, KOREA 1952
JERI COVINGTON wrote on December 24, 2009 CITY AND STATE: LAKE WORTH TX UNIT: DAD SERVED AS PHOTOGRAPHERKOREA 1952-1954 SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I am in possesion of my fathers collection of photos from his time serving as photographer while stationed in Korea in the early 1950's. There are photos of individuals, USO show stars and a variety of Local folks. Could one be you? Please help to identify the folks in the pictures if you possibly can. Any information given would be greatly apreciated . Anyone desiring to view these images; I have set up a free shutterfly account on-line. Please feel free to e-mail your request for the web address link. We have many negatives with this collection. These pictures are truely awesome recorded history. When listing the history on these pictures for display, I want to be certain I have these important, historical facts correct and accurate. I got your Batalion information from a picture of the Yong Wol Bridge Dedication Cerimony, dated May3, 1952 This notice is for the sole purpose of sharing some valuable Memories. Thank You. Keywords:

Entry: 72749 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH ENGINEER - JIM PARKS
BOB PARKS wrote on December 12, 2009 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: My Uncle Jimmie Lee "Jim" Parks passed away last week. He served from 51 to 53 with the 439th. We never knew much about his service, and learned at the funeral that he was awarded a bronze star during his tour. If anyone has any pictures or memories of his time, our family would love to hear the stories. Please feel free to drop me an email. Keywords: 439th Engineer, Bronze Star

Entry: 71129 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR BUDDIES THAT SERVED WITH MY GRANDFATHER
GARRET PHEARSDORF wrote on August 2, 2009 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: im looking for people that were in the 439th engineers unit during the korea war. im the grandson of charles phearsdorf im looking for more information and photograhs about him and his time in korea. Keywords:

Entry: 71127 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	INFORMATION REQUEST
JEFF HUGHES wrote on August 2, 2009 CITY AND STATE: NORFOLK VA UNIT: CO. B 439TH ENGR BN (CONSTRUCTION) SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I am interested in communicating with anyone who might have known my father (SGT Herman V. Hughes) while he served with Co. B 439th ENGR BN during 1951 and 1952. My father passed away this past March. Dad never talked much about his experiences in Korea. He just told me that he had served as a combat engineer. Having served myself with the U.S. Army over in Kuwait/Iraq from 2007 to 2008 I more eager now than ever before to learn all that I can about my Dad's unit and what it went through over there in Korea. His DD214 states that he received a Korean Service Medal with 4 battle stars. Thanks ahead of time to anyone who can help me with my research efforts. Keywords:

Entry: 70750 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH REUNION
ROBERT MILLER wrote on June 29, 2009 CITY AND STATE: ROCHELLE IL UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN Comments: Contact my father at the above e-mail address as they are preparing to host a reunion this summer in North Central Illinois Keywords: 439th, Korea

Entry: 62728 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	ANYONE REMEMBER CORPORAL RANDY HARRISON
MATT HOFFMAN wrote on October 25, 2007 CITY AND STATE: AUSTIN IN UNIT: 439TH ECB SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I am trying to locate anyone who remembers Corporal Randy Harrison who served with the 439th from September 1950 to June 1951. Keywords: 439thn ecb

Entry: 60580 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	I HAVE LIMITED INFORMATION ON THE 439TH ENGR
JOHN T. POLARINE wrote on April 6, 2007 CITY AND STATE: SAGLE ID UNIT: MP 95BH3M SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: OTHER Comments: Atch for your remembrance is a copy of a "NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF EXCEPTIONALLY MERITORIOUS PERFORMANCE OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE" by our Battalion for our 1951 Korean tour. You may well be justly proud of your personal contributions to the great team that in 14 short months has, without the benifit of any Unit Training whatsoever, accomplished many construction missions seldom if ever equalled in military annals. Noit content to rest on the laurels of your 1951 construction feats, your constant devotion to duty, careful planning, and untiring manual efforts have carried you to even higher military construction heights. Your contribution to the brilliantly sucessful lauching of two 850 foot, 375 ton girder over the treacherous Han River and your professional manner of construction on Korea's longest highway bridge over the Som River has made the "439th's" a name to long be remembered and discussed wherever Military Engineers might gather. Mear words will not even begin to express my sincere admiration and appreciation for your historic efforts, therefore, a very inadequate, but none-the-less heartfelt "Thank YOU" for your individual contribution to the important accomplishments of our Battalion will have to suffice. NOTE: All copies signed to each and every man of the unit. Keywords: Msgt E7 Pius George Augustine, MOS/Speciality 3060 Cook, Co B, 439th Engr Const Bn, Hays,(Ellis) KS, my friend and neighbor. WWII and Korean War Vet.Now living in Sagle, Idaho. Served 9 years, 1 mo, 29 days. Mr Augustine has in his possession a letter of Appreciation authored by M.C. Miller, Lt Colonel, CE, Commanding. This 10 page citation was the basis for the Unit Receiving the Mertorious Unit Emblem (formerly call the "toilet seat" a yellow wreath worn on the left sleeve. Now it is a red ribbon with gold border worn on the right above pocket. He also has a Certificate given to every member of the Unit from President Harry Truman (Truman was from Kansas and a former soldier also)I can not put the entire dialog of the citation here but will add the cover letter.The citation covers the period 8 Feb 51 - 31 Dec 51. The unit arrived 10% understrength (791 pers) Enlisted, Officer, avg 26, 3% under strength,Warrent Officers avg 2, 88% under strength, Awards to personnel during period : Soldiers Medal-1, Bronze Stars-7, Purple Heart-1, Commedation Ribbon-1, Good Conduct-27. STAT"S_- 19 Railroad Bridges were rebuilt in spt of the Korean National RR System, on Kyonggong and Andong Line, 23 concrete piers, placement of 19 steel girders, total length of 1240 lineal feet. 16 highway bridges, constructed, reconstructed, or replaced and repaired over 1421 linal feet. 4 RR tunnels were repaired, Since 8 Feb 1951 the Bn has maintained and repaired 322 miles of MSR (Main Supply Route) and lateral roads. Unit arrived in Puson, assigned to the 32 Construction Group, moved to Andong to Seoul. This was the first Engineer Unit to arrive in Korea.

Entry: 60504 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	SHADOW BOX FOR MY FATHER
CHRISTOPHER GORGON wrote on March 30, 2007 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I'm trying to build a shadow box in honor of my father, Richard S. Gorgon, who served in Korea. He passed away in 1992 and I'm finally going to do this for him. I'm trying to locate any unit badges, patches etc. to include in the case. Any information would be greatly appreciated, especially if someone actually knew my father. Thank you in advance, Christopher A. Gorgon Keywords: 439th Eng Const BN Company "B", Gorgon

Entry: 59296 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	KOREAN WAR 439TH CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER BATTALION
HOWARD HAYTHORN wrote on October 20, 2006 CITY AND STATE: MAXWELL NE UNIT: 439TH CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER ARMY SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN Comments: Would like to find unit members. Also anyone know a Elvis Flanigan was from Georgia before the war. Keywords:

Entry: 55115 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	ABOUT MY GRANDFATHER
MELVIN DURNELL wrote on January 10, 2006 CITY AND STATE: PORTLAND TX UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: Dear Korean War Veterans of the CO "A" 439th ECB, I'm YN1 Melvin J. Durnell, U.S. Navy. I'm a 15 year active duty veteran of the first gulf war and the current Operation Iraqi Freedom. My hero, my mentor, friend and grandfather passed away on 2 January 2006. I really miss him and loved him with all my heart. A great man. I want to honor him with a shadow box to give to my Grandma. However, the history of the unit is not really clear, and where my grandfather fit in (see dates above). I need someone who maybe knew of my grandfather to let me know what his job specialty was and what the unit was about. To help me clerify his history with this unit. Per the DD-214, I know what medals to put in his box (was there any more awarded to this unit after he discharged (24 Aug 54) that where not reflected on his DD-214?), but what about the sharpshooter devices, did you guys get the combat action device? Unit awards? I was looking over his DD-214 and it was horrible to read cause it did not have a lot to go by. But I'm hoping one of you fella's from the CO "A" 439th could clear up some things for me about my Grandfather. What does the (T) mean when you have a rank of CPL(T), is that for technical? Any information you can give me would be excellent. Thank you men for serving your country and I'm proud of all of you. The steps I walk on today where there to tread because of you. Bravo Zulu. Sincerely and Very Respectfully, //signed// YN1 Melvin J. Durnell, USN Mine Counter Measures Crew BULWARK FPO AE 09501-1921 Keywords: My Grandfather CPL(T) Frank Charles Durnell, was in the US Army CE from 24 Sep 52 - 24 Aug 54. On his DD-214 his significant duty station was CO "A" 439th ECB. His overseas/sea service counter was 1 year, 5 mos and 1 day. Decorations Korean Service Medal 2 bronze stars, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal. His date of rank for E4 was 20 Nov 1953.

Entry: 55054 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN CO. A
ED WALKE wrote on January 7, 2006 CITY AND STATE: DECATUR GA UNIT: 439 ENGR. BN. CO A SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN Comments: I have been trying for years to find the 439th and finally tried Google. Thank God for Google.I was in Co Afrom 1952 when we were in Wonju to 1953 when we were in a rice paty North of Chunchon. I would like to hear from anyone. The only person I have spoken to is Mootz from Kansas City. Keywords: Motor pool personel and rest of company.

Entry: 50683 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH ENGINEER BN COMPANY B
CAREY HENSEL wrote on May 9, 2005 CITY AND STATE: STOUGHTON WI UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: NAVY VETERAN Comments: Forgot to add my dad's name to the post below. His name is Lloyd A. Hensel. Thanks again, Carey Hensel Keywords: Lloyd Hensel

Entry: 50682 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH ENGINEER BN COMPANY B
CAREY HENSEL wrote on May 9, 2005 CITY AND STATE: STOUGHTON WI UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: NAVY VETERAN Comments: My dad served with this unit from Jan. 53 to July 54. Came over on the MST Simon Buckner and returned on the MST Marine Serpent. Anyone who served with him or remembers him you can respond here and I will forward messages to him, he has a computer but no internet service. He just turned 74 in Apr. Thank you, Carey Hensel Keywords:

Entry: 44566 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN
FRANK CHURCHWARD wrote on July 17, 2004 CITY AND STATE: FOUNTAIN MN UNIT: CO A SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Looking for John S Anderson. John was from Mass. Keywords: John S Anderson

Entry: 44564 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	A COMPANY 439TH ENG BN
FRANK CHURCHWARD wrote on July 17, 2004 CITY AND STATE: FOUNTAIN MN UNIT: CO A SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: - Comments: Keywords:

Entry: 39908 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR INFORMATION
ABBY HOWARD wrote on January 11, 2004 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I'm looking for other veterans of the Korea War for my grandfather, Howard Hoelzel. He served in the 439th Engineer Construction Battalion, as part of the H and S (Headquarters Company). He went to basic training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. If you served with him or may know someone who did, please email me, so I may pass along the information to him. Thank you. Abby Howard absygail22@yahoo.com Keywords:

Entry: 37627 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR INFO
BENJAMIN BURTT wrote on October 17, 2003 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: INTERESTED PERSON Comments: I am looking for anyone that knew PFC Jim Jackson, B CO 439th Eng. I am trying to find the area he was in when he went missing. A village name or grid coordinate would be great. Looking to bring him home. Keywords: Jim N. Jackson

Entry: 37185 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH ENG COMP 'C'
WAYNE FALCONBURY wrote on September 27, 2003 CITY AND STATE: SULLIVAN IN UNIT: 439 TH ENG COMPANY C SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: My uncle is not on line but i will send all contacts to him. He would very mutch like to hear from the people he served with. thank you and god bless america Keywords: spring of 1953 til oct 1954

Entry: 33820 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	CO A, 439TH EN BN (KOREA)
LAROY C. LEISENRING wrote on April 25, 2003 CITY AND STATE: ROCKLEDGE FL UNIT: CO A., 439TH ENGR CONSTRUCTION BN SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Retired from the Army Sep 1969 and currently living in Florida. Memory fading but would like to her from anyone who may remember me while in the company. Keywords:

Entry: 33819 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	A CO 6/51
LAROY C. LEISENRING wrote on April 25, 2003 CITY AND STATE: ROCKLEDGE FL UNIT: CO A., 439TH ENGR CONSTRUCTION BN SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Korea, Co A. 439th Engr Bn Jun 51 to Jun 53 Keywords:

Entry: 30299 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH ENGINEERS C COMPANY
EARL UMLANDT JR. wrote on December 9, 2002 CITY AND STATE: MUSCATINE IA UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I'm looking for information on 439th C Company My Dad was in that company and He pass away in 1985 and I don't have much information. I would like to tell his grandchildren about ther grandfather because they never met him. Keywords:

Entry: 30021 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	HELLO HEADQUARTERS COMPANY
DAVID ARNSMAN wrote on November 29, 2002 CITY AND STATE: QUINCY IL UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Looking for others. Keywords: Headquarters company

Entry: 27627 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	THANKS A LOT HAROLD SCOTT
DON BRUELLMAN wrote on August 16, 2002 CITY AND STATE: WHITTEMORE IA UNIT: 439 ENGINERS SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Keywords:

Entry: 27605 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR PERSONS WHO SERVED
THOMAS LOCKWOOD wrote on August 15, 2002 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: 1ST MCRRD SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: MARINE VETERAN - KOREA Comments: I'm looking for persons who served with my dad Keywords: Rusty

Entry: 27189 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	GLENN DASHNIER
GLENN DASHNIER wrote on July 28, 2002 CITY AND STATE: MIDLAND MI UNIT: 439 CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERS, H-S CO. 32 GROUP SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Ran NCO Club most of my stay in Korea. Looking for some old buddies who remembers me. Keywords: Stationed north of ChunChon March 1953 thru July 1954

Entry: 26849 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	KILRA CHON RAILROAD BRIDGE
LEROY L. LEASE wrote on July 9, 2002 CITY AND STATE: CHICAGO IL UNIT: 439TH ENGINEER CONST. BN. SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: I could not belive it when I typed in 439th Const Bn. There it was the name of the bridge. I also started in Carson and on to San Francisco and on the USS General Weigel to Japan. Then we later went to Pusan Korea. The biggest thing was the rebuilding of two trestles and the new long span.Iwas one of those inexperienced construction workers.I have a picture of the first train to go over and they gave us plenty to drink to celebrate.Need names Frizzle was one I can't remember any more. Can you help me. Keywords: Zeke 439th Engineer Const. Bn Co A

Entry: 24603 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH LOCATION
STEVEN THILLEN wrote on April 8, 2002 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I am trying to find the precise location of H and S company during 53-54. I know that the location was north of Chunchon. My dad said it stood by the river. North of the city is a fork in the river. Does anyone remember if the Co. was north or south of the fork? I have a buddy that is stationed in Korea now and he is trying to find it so as to take some photo's of the land as it is now. Hopefully in time for the reunion in Aug. Keywords: 439th Eng. Chunchon

Entry: 22253 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	REUNIONS, E-MAIL
ALEXANDER RUDNITSKY wrote on January 13, 2002 CITY AND STATE: DANIA BEACH FL UNIT: B-COMPANY SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: i served with this unit from Hays,Kansas, and am wondering about Sgt. Hightower @ Sgt. Burns. Keywords:

Entry: 21573 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR SURVIVORS OF THE 439TH
JOSEPH BONDI wrote on December 17, 2001 CITY AND STATE: NORRISTOWN PA UNIT: COMPANY B 439TH ENGR. CONSTRUCTION BN. 1953-1954 SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Keywords:

Entry: 19994 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BATTALION REUNION
HAROLD SCOTT wrote on October 17, 2001 CITY AND STATE: MCPHERSON KS UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Reunion - August 9, 10, 11, 2002 McPherson, KS Keywords:

Entry: 19437 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR B COMPANY SURVIVORS
JAMES WILLIAMS wrote on September 15, 2001 CITY AND STATE: SULLIVAN IL UNIT: B COMPANY SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: I am posting this message for my father Jim Williams...he is looking for company b survivors of the 439th. I will forward any e-mails on to him as soon as I receive them.. He would really love to have a list of all still living. Thank you. Jamie Keywords:

Entry: 18579 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	H AND S 439TH ENG.BN.
STEVEN THILLEN wrote on August 9, 2001 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: I am writing for my dad you has no computer, but you can reach him through me. Cpl. Harland Thillen was in korea from Jun53-Aug54. He ran the PX and shared a quanset hut with the barber after the cease fire. dad is retired and living in Rockford Ill. He is still very active and rides his 1500cc Honda Goldwing about 20,000 miles a year. He is intrested in hearing from all you old warriors out there. I my self spent 22 years in the Infantry(don't hold that against me) and retired a 1SG. Until I came back from combat, we never real conversation about the tuff job that you guys did in Korea. I am now glad that we had that talk and were able to march in a Vets day parade together. It was the first time since he got off the train in Iowa after his discharge that he had put is uniform on. he sure made me proud of him and all of you guys. If any of you guys remember my dad please contact me so I can link you up. God Bless......Live Free or Die Keywords: 439th Eng. 32nd Eng.Grp. PX, Thillen

Entry: 18436 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR BUDDIES
PETER MONTANA wrote on August 3, 2001 CITY AND STATE: FT. LAUDERDALE FL UNIT: 439TH ENG CONST BN H - S CO SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Looking for anyone who served in my outfit. I was assigned to the S-3 Section in Wonju during all of 1952. Love to hear from anyone. Keywords:

Entry: 18017 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	SGT ARTHUR PFEIFER
J.A. PFEIFER wrote on July 16, 2001 CITY AND STATE: UNIT: CO B 439TH ENGR CON BN SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: Wanting to get any information I can about my father who served in war. Keywords: Enlisted 1950 discharge 1953

Entry: 16594 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	TELEPHON CHANGE
JOHN GILIN wrote on May 16, 2001 CITY AND STATE: AMBRIDGE PA UNIT: 439YH EC BN> SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: - Comments: 439YH EC BN> Keywords:

Entry: 15788 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	REVISED EMAIL ADDRESS TO ORIGNAL POSTING
ALAN GORNIK wrote on April 4, 2001 CITY AND STATE: IL UNIT: COMPANY A 439TH ENGINEERS CONSTRUCTION BATTALION SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: 439th Engineers Construction Bttn I am trying to learn about any action that my father's unit might have been involved in. His discharge papers say that he earned the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars. In Box 28 Most Significant Duty Assignment it says Company A 439th Engineers Construction Battalion APO 301. My father's name was Donald Gornik, Service Number ER16 287 772. He is now deceased. Alan D. Gornik adgorn@aol.com Keywords: Company A 439th Engineers Construction Battalion APO 301

Entry: 15324 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR 1954 ARMY BUDDIES
RICHARD BRENNAN wrote on March 7, 2001 CITY AND STATE: TUCSON AZ UNIT: 439TH ENG CO C TAEGU KOREA SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: personal friends Keywords:

Entry: 14464 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439TH ENGINEERS CONSTRUCTION BTTN
MIKE SLODERBECK wrote on January 20, 2001 CITY AND STATE: KASNAS CITY MO UNIT: 'C' COMPANY SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: FAMILY MEMBER Comments: My Father-in-law Dean Pierce would like to hear from anyone who served in the 439th engineering construction battalion "c" company during the Korean War. Keywords:

Entry: 13913 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO SERVED WITH ME
JOHN GILLIN wrote on December 28, 2000 CITY AND STATE: AMBRIDGE PA UNIT: 439TH ENGINEER H-S CO. SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: I'm looking for anyone that might remember anything about me or anyone we served with. I served in the 439th Engineer Construction Battalion H and S Co. during 1951-1953. I hope someone will get ahold of me and we can talk about old times and catch up on some of the new things.I'll be 71 on Jan. 29, 2001. Hope to hear from someone soon. Please write back if you know me or if you knew a family member that might have known me. I was a mail cleck for a little while. I have a tape from the day I left, it was taped in Korea. I miss all of the guys I served with and would like to hear from you.My family is also interested in hearing about some of the things we went through. Keywords: 439th engineer construction battalion H and S Co.; Casey G. Boyette; John W. Henning; Lino Trejo; Harold W. Wheeler;

Entry: 13244 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHERS
DAVID ARNSMAN wrote on November 25, 2000 CITY AND STATE: QUINCY IL UNIT: SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: - Comments: Keywords:

Entry: 9702 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	439 ENGINEERS
E. JAMES (JIM) FARMER wrote on June 25, 2000 CITY AND STATE: THOUSAND OAKS CA UNIT: 439 ENG. A COMPANY SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: 439 ENG. A COMPANY Keywords: Was in 439th when unit was deactivated

Entry: 6085 439TH ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN	A CO
RALPH E. STAPLES wrote on January 8, 2000 CITY AND STATE: SUN CITY WEST AZ UNIT: COMPANY A. 439 ENGINEER CONSTRUCTION BN. SERVICE OR RELATIONSHIP: ARMY VETERAN - KOREA Comments: Company A. 439th Engineering Construction Battalion. The 439th engineering construction battalion was under the command of the 32nd Engineering Group. The senior commander for this group was Col. Tom Tandy. (Often referred to as “Terrible Tom Tandy” or “Circle T”.) His operations officer was Capt. Labourn. The 439 Engineering Construction Battalion consisted of a headquarters company and three engineering companies. My company was the 439 ECB. Our units were classified as non-combat. Lt. Col. Claire Miller commanded our headquarters company and the three engineering companies, Major Rhodes served as his executive officer. Our company consisted of three platoons 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. There were three squads in each platoon. I was assigned to company A, second platoon, second squad. 1st. Lt. Johnson was our Company commander when we were first organized and later this position went to a Capt. Weeks. M/sgt. Otto Foul’s was our first sergeant. Lt. William (Bill) Lebsock was second Platoon Officer. M/sgt. Echoff was 2nd platoon sergeant, and T/Sgt. Eldon Smith was our second squad leader. Lt. Burkett was first platoon Officer and a Lt. Kelley was third Platoon Officer. The 439th was a reserve unit that was located in the state of Kansas. At the outbreak of the Korean War, this unit was activated and began preparations for over sea’s movement. Where manpower shortages existed within a company, they were filled with regular army recruits and draftees. Prior to leaving the States all personnel were shipped to Fort Carson, Colorado and given company and job assignments. This organizational move was designed to bring the companies up to strength and to inventory and prepare all equipment for overseas shipment to Korea. Our departure from the San Francisco Bay area was on the USS General William Weigel. This was a troop ship that held nearly 2000 soldiers plus the crew, and had sleeping compartments that were compared to sardines in a can. The holes were four elevations deep and bunks stacked six and eight high. Our arrival was scheduled for the Port of Inch’on near Seoul Korea, but because the Chinese had overran Seoul and were pushing southward it would have been impossible to land behind the enemy lines. Our ship was rerouted and sent back to Japan where we reorganized and prepared for a new landing at Pusan Korea. When we arrived in Pusan several weeks later, the Chinese and North Koreans had driven our forces just below Taegu and were fighting fiercely on the Pusan perimeter. This was just about the time that General Mc Arthur made plans to land troops at Inch’on and sandwich the North Koreans between our southern forces and those fresh new soldiers landing at Inch’on. His plan worked marvelously. In February of 1951, we disembarked and was sent to the replacement depot in Pusan and waited for future orders. Heavy rains had fallen when we arrived, everything was wet and soggy and the barrack tents were all sitting on fields of mud. Everything was hastily constructed and confusion was certainly the order of the day. When our fighting troops were finally reinforced in the south and began their push north, they caught many of the North Koreans and Chinese in the middle. They quickly retook the ground that had been overrun. As they moved north, the areas were cleared and our Battalion began its trek north. Korean roads were narrow and poorly built. Most of them had been classified as local roads. There were no expressways and very few national roads. It was impossible to haul tanks and bulldozers on flat bed trucks through the mountains. Switchbacks had to be widened, culverts installed, bridges rebuilt and in some cases complete sections of roads were rebuilt. After leaving Pusan we convoyed north to Taegu, where we set up a temporary camp. The conditions of the roads were vital if they were going to be used as supply lines to the soldiers fighting on the front lines. From this location we repaired roads and installed drainage culverts and did some minor bridge repairs. It seemed we were always on the go. Some of the smaller hamlets and villages we had camps at were Pung’Gi, ManJung Ni, and HongChong. Because this work was so labor intensive, we needed to be located near villages in order to recruit manpower for our construction projects. The miles of road needing repairs spread our manpower pretty thin. We had to depend on many of the local citizens for their help. Andong was another fairly large village where our company-spent time doing roadwork. From there we moved north to Chech’on and then on to Wonju. We had set up a permanent camp in Wonju for quite some time. For awhile we were located nine miles south of this town to help rebuild the Kilra Chon railroad bridge. Rebuilding this trestle proved to be quite a monstrous task for a bunch of young inexperienced construction workers. The center pier was blown away along with the supporting beams and tracks. This meant the center tower would have to be rebuilt; it was roughly one hundred twenty five feet high. That was the simple part! Trying to move the beams that held the towers together and trying to span sixty feet of space with thirty-six inch I-beams one hundred twenty five above the ground was the hair raising horror of the whole project. One mistake and down would go the whole beam and the supporting cranes, and even worse than that, some of us could have lost our lives. Thank God it all worked out. Our leadership was good! Our second platoon Officer Lt. Bill Lebsock was a graduate civil engineer and he took us under his wing. What made this bridge so important was that it was one of the main lines heading north and was used for hauling military supplies to the front. During the North’s invasion it was destroyed as the troops retreated to the south. The army didn’t want the Chinese using the railroad against our forces. There was a tunnel on the south side of the bridge that made a complete circle through the mountain as it dropped in elevation and connected with the tunnel on the north end of the trestle. This was a real piece of engineering work by the Koreans. We finished this project with no loss of life and a lot of happy and proud G.I’s. West of Wonju we had to rebuild the roads and bridges for about fifty miles. Road repairs seemed like a never-ending task. The roadwork turned out to be the simple part of the job. Our company was assigned the job of building a bridge that spanned a large local river. This job entailed all three platoons working on three different shifts around the clock. The bridge was a pile driven supported roadway that would be about five hundred-foot long. Lt. Wayne Livingston and Lt. Bill Lebsock would be the Honchos on this all summer job. None of the enlisted men had experience in pile driven bridgework. We worked hard at the project and when it was completed there was quite a celebration for the local dignitaries and local folks. It saved many of them miles and miles of traveling. Now it was just a matter of crossing the bridge. It was a project that even the group commander took some pride in and had to have his “circle T” painted on the approaching abutments. Some of the fun bridges were the smaller ones. Our platoon built the Chogutan Bridge. This bridge was at Hang’Chong out in the middle of nowhere. Lt. Bill Lebsock was chief officer and engineer in charge. This bridge spanned a river bed about one hundred feet wide. In the rainy season the river filled and was impossible to cross. This was a two-lane bridge with one concrete center pier and two supporting steel piers between the abutments and center structure. Most of our decks on these bridges were 3x12’ rough sawn treated wood. Some of the men who worked hard and helped to build this project were Dan Wakeman, Bill Lonsford, Ralph Staples, Tex Mullens, Frank Chira and Bob Gustow. About twenty miles on the West Side of Wonju we had a Rock-Crusher set up in an Old River bed. This riverbed only had water during the rainy season so it fit our needs very well. We had two Caterpillar D-9 tractors for moving the gravel and feeding the rocks to the crusher. Our company was doing a great job of grading and re-graveling the roads going West out of Wonju. This Rock Crusher wasn’t used on a daily basis, only when gravel was needed. Our company usually had a guard on this site during the daytime but not at night. One morning when we arrived, we found that the conveyer belt had been stolen. This was no easy task. The belt had to be about thirty inches wide, a half-inch thick and sixty feet long. It was very heavy; we tried guessing how they could carry it away. A couple days later we found the answer. It was cut into small pieces and sold on the Black Market in Wonju. Every shop in Wonju was well supplied and had piles of nice thick rubber for shoe repairs. We did get a few crazy assignments during our tour in Korea. I think they probably came from Group headquarters. Our second platoon was sent to Seoul to repair and rebuild a bridge. On our first day there we were put up in a girls school to spend the night. The girls had long gone There was a constant movement of trucks and equipment all night long. When morning came, Lt. Lebsock did some checking and found we were right in the path of all the retreating soldiers and the Chinese were heading our way. It didn’t take him long to get on the Radio and get permission to leave Seoul. We were soon heading South! Another goofy assignment was when we were sent way north. We were sent up north of Ch’unch’on near the 38 parallel. We arrived there along about evening and started to set up our tents and were going to bed down for the evening. We had some c-rations for supper and as night drew near all hell broke loose. All we could hear was machine guns firing and bugles blowing and we sat scared as hell watching our soldiers heading south. Lt. Lebsock set up guard post but no one slept that night either. Come morning we were passing the fellows who had left earlier. Hey! We were non-combat and wasn’t equipped for all the excitement. After those two incidents I think our leaders spent more time in checking out our job assignments. A Company of the 439 was a good hard working company and I was proud to have been a part of it. We accomplished some very credible feats during our short eighteen months in Korea. Our Platoon Officer, Lt. Lebsock did earn the nickname of “Rocky” during his tour. This was because he blew up more mountains and used more composition C-3 and dynamite for road building than supply could furnish. When Rocky left to rotate back to the states our company threw a beer party for him and presented him with a watch as a gesture of our appreciation. It was the best we could get at the PX. After he left our company began to change rapidly. By this time we were all old timers and some of us were even promoted. Bob Bergman became our second platoon M/sgt. I became the second squad leader and Sgt. James Fay became my assistant. We held these positions until we were finally rotated to the states. The Korean War was finally brought to a halt and the peace armistice was signed on my birthday the 27 of July in 1953. Submitted By, Ralph Staples Keywords:

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