954 25 june s0 juty s3 bturs the of rtbr{24thida.com/24th_division/5thrct/12-3 oct-dec 2012...
TRANSCRIPT
1 949 ilIEIIBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY 1 954PERMANENTLYATTACHED
5th lnfantry Regiment19th Combat lnf. Bn. (Philippines)
lst Bn.62nd ROKA lnf. Regt.
555th Field Artillery Bn.955th F.A. Bn.
Three Btrys./ l55mm Howitserc53rd Counter Fire Platoon
2nd Plat. C Btry. 26th, AAA, AW, Bn. (SP!2nd Plat. D Btry. l45th, AA/A, AW, Bn,45th Dlv.
7'f{lth Ord. Co.loth lnf. Div.
Heavy Mortar Go.Hvy. Mtr. Co. 20th ROKA Div.
Sth Tank Company{st Plat. Go. D 6th Med. Tank- Bn.Sth Medical CompanyCo. D 3rd Plat. Ambulanbe Co.
25th Medical Bn.lst Plat. 568th Ambutance Go.
52nd Ambulance Bn.72nd Gombat Enqineers
Co. D 3rd Gombat E-ngrs.724th Ordinance Section
2nd Platoon 92nd Engineer Searchlight Co.
sth RCT Light Aviation Sec.Ilactlcal Air Controller,,T.A.C.,,
TEMPORARILYATTACHED1O-il August 5O-Btoody GutchA Btry.90th F,.A. Bn. 25th Div.One Btry./ l55mm Howitsers
12-14 Aug B&C Btry 159th F.A. Bn105mm Howitserc
Sept.50 C. Co. 70th Tank Bn.Jan. 51 A Co. 72nd Tank Bn.B Co.2nd Chemicat illtr. Bn.
52nd F.A. Bn.25 April 1951 - Death Vafley
955th F.A. Bn.8th Ranger Co. 24th Div.
Co. D 6th Tank Bn.14 October 51
lst & 2nd Bn. 21st tnf. Regt. 24th Diy.February 1952
3rd RGT Bn 27th lnf. Regt.25th Dtv.24 June-l July 1952
4th Plt. 14th Tank Co.I July 1952
3rd Plt. D Co.89th Tank Bn.23 Jan 51{uly0ctober 1952
42nd Scout Dog Platoon26th lnf. Regt. lst Div.
Spring 1953Tank Co. 180th Reg.ll5th Div.
1l-14 June Outpost Harry t9S314-15 June 53
3rd Recon. Co. 3rd lnf. Div.14 July 53
Hvy. lftr. Co. 179th Inf.45th Div.17-18 July 53
Co. A 14 Bn. Gombat Team 45th Div.18 July 53
2nd Bn. 180 lnf. Regt.45th Div.25-28 July 53
3rd Bn. l80th lnf.45th Div.
Rtbr{:)tfu:iH,mAsffi;;,
Volume XXI[, No. 4 OcUNov/Dec 2012
The Queen's Thunder
KOREAN 25 June s0 *'!*",;fi*.*,* ** zz Juty s3 WAR
rudrttle btursThe official Newsletter of the
ArRoBsExvATror(sEcrroN
Killed in Action 949Wounded in Action 3,188
Taken as Prisoners of War 151Misring in Action 86
2 Medal of Honor Recipients34 Distinguished Service Cross408 Silver Star dValor Device
7 Legion of Merit1390 Bronze Star w/Valor Device
5 Soldierc MedatPresidential Unit Citation (Army)Strcamer Embroidered Chin Jir-
Dlstinguished Unit Citation9-13 August 1950
3rd Battalion Sth lnf. & Attached Units3rd Platoon Tank Co. 5th lnf.
3d Platoon Medical Co. Sth tnf.2nd Phtoon 72nd Engineer Co. C
555 FA. Liaison Party
25 May 51 - Captured 1,268C.C.F. POWs
Distinguished Unit Gitation12-13 June t9S3
Co. A Sth lnf. Regrt. 5th RCT &Attached Uniblst Sec. Machine Gun Plat. Co D Sth RCT
2nd Sec. Machine Gun Plat. Co.D 6th R.C.T.F.O. Team 555 F.A. Bn.5th RGT72nd Engineer Co. C Sth RCTRepublic of Korea Presidential
Unit Citations Straamer EmbroiderodKorea 1950-52,-1950, 53,-1952€4
g,zd Legs
mff
Wuttle $rtursThe Official Newsletter of the Sth
Regimental Combat Team AssociationThe cost of subscription is included aspart of annual dues paid by members.
PUBLISHED QuarterlYAll Rights Reserved - Written Permission Required for Reprints
Editor Hugh W. Ruckdeschel
17271367$e23112123rdAve ETreasure lsland, FL 33706'5152
Association is a Charter Member of theTrcasure lsland Chamber of Gommerce1U l0TttAve.,Treasure tsland, FL. 33706
8663604121 727-3604121i nfo@treasu reislandcham ber.orghttp :www.treasu reislandcham ber.org/
Al McAdooAssoc. Founder 5 Mar.1990
ASSOCTATION PRESIDENTS
Georgeswanson .....1991'92GuyE.See ....1992-94Etvie P. Heiney . 1994'95
LouisG.Sardina .....1995'96AnthonyPolemeni ....1996-97RaymondJ.IYarner ...1997'98John C. Howard 1998'99
George Waugh . 1999'20
WilliamKane ...2000'01AlbertJ. McAdoo ......200142RichardA. Gonzales . . . . ... . -2002{,3
Wm. R. "Bill" Coulson .. . . . . . .2003{15
Paul YesenskY . .2005{16
Frank Jennings . 2006'07
Anthony Kreiner .2007'08
JohnCrai! ......2008{9DougCrowell ... .....2009'10Frank Jennings .2010'11
Patrick W. Burke .2011-12
John O. "Jack" Stinson .2012'13
lnside this month...FromTheEditor .....2€FromSec.ITreas -..-4-72lstAnnuatReunion ......8'10Ghaptain's Corner .11'15
LettersToTheEditor .....16'19Of lnterest .20'29
NewQuartermaster ........30AssocOfficerc2011'2012 ....31Battlestars ........32
SiF H:e'T [s#'; dEUNoilE;Page 2
Vroru .AT
The color chosen for the Newsletter will rotate monthly to
honor the various service branches. Pictures, when available,
will do the same.
The front cover will include information about the Sth and
attached units. The back cover will include information about
who we were attached to in sequence as that information
becomes available.
lnfantry. Light blue. The Queen of Battle. The lnfantrymen are
the Pawns, her sons in baby blue' Ground Pounders.
Artillery. Red. The Queen's Thunder when all turns red. The
Artillerymen are Bishops, her umbilical cord to her sons. Red
Legs.
Tankers. Yellow. The Queen',s Terrible Swift sword. Armored
Cavalrymen, Knights, her wrath. lron Horsemen'
The Medical. Maroon. The Queen's Guardian Angels of AIl.
Corpsmen, King, her heart and soul. Doc.
Engineers. Red and white checkerboard. The Queen's
Fortification Builders. combat Engineers, Rooks, her wisdom.
Castle Builders.
Headquarters. The Queen's rein. Headquarters Personnel,
chess Board, her mind and intelligence. Desk Jockeys. HQ will
be inclusive in all branches of service.
All material in this Newsletter is submitted by members, the
Editor, or interested persons. No advertising. political. or
other materials not pertaining to this Newsletters time
frame 1949 - 1954. Will not be put to print, but retained in the
Editorial Filesl The Editor should receive information for Oct.,
Nov. and Dec. lssue by the second week in Sept'
PS:This is the second issue into my seventeenth year, Jan is
coming fast! "l'llTrY Si/'I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Sincerely, ,4-'
About the Cover: See Page 4 Bottom
Assoc. Officers 2012 2013.
PAST EDITORSDick Lewis . 1989AlbertJ.McAdoo .....1990-91Arlen Russell .. 1992'96Hugh Ruckdeschel . . . .June 1996'2012O 1996-2012 Battle stars
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* dfilnc'r *P. O. Box 410337 Melbourne, FL 3294{{337
DEAR MEMBERS, NOTE FROM THE SECRETARY/TREASURER
slNcE I HAVE BEEN ON THE JOB FOR A FEW MONTHS NOW, I WOq_LD
irxg ro coMMENT oN A coUPLE oF cALLS THAT I HAVE REcElvED.
t. RUCK DOES A GREAT JOB AS EDITOR OF OUR "BATTLE STARS'NewSierrER, HoWEvER twoULD LIKE To READ MORE ARTIcLESAe-OUTil.te siomes oF THE wAR AND BY THoSE wHo SERVED.
SO WRITE AN ARTICLE, SEND IN OLD PICTURES, SEARCH FOR LONG
[OSr BUDDIES. LOOK FOR TNFORMATION FROirl THE TIME YOU
sEnveo. RUcK DoES NoT wRITE ALL oF THE SToRlEs, HE PUBLIgIESine nnncLES WHtcH ARE sENT To HIM BY MEMBERS. WE HAVE 32pAeeS TO FILL EACH PUBLICATION, SO SEND RUCK SOMETHING
INTERESTING TO OTHER VETERANS.
2. ANOTHER COMMENT THAT I HAVE HEARD IS "I NEVER CAN FIND
ANY MEN THAT I SERVED WTH". TUELL, START ATTENI'ING THE
REU].IIONS ATTID BECOTE TORE ACNVE w|TH THE ASSOCIATION.
LIKE TEIII NAKE ]IEW FRIEI{DS, REUETBER...WE ALL SERVED
TOGETHER IN THE sTH RCT. SO GET BUSY AND KEEP THIS
ASSOGIATION ALIVE. ONLY WTH YOUR ACTIONS WLL UUE SURVIVE.
3.IWOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME REUNIONS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF
THE COUNTRY, SO TALK TO YOUR BUDDIES, SGOUT OUT YOUR AREA'AND COME TO THE NEXT REUNTON AND MAKE A PRESENTATIONFOR YOU TO HAVE A REUNION IN YOUR AREA. COME WITH DATES,
HOTEL INFO AND COSTS, ETC.
It is time to start gathering items for the auction.Ladies Auction Fri-day Mav lln -3:00omRetha Crail, Ladies Auction Chair
SINCERELY, About the coler:
M
-
Phorobvro*GEhfl.D{o
lltetro'tf,t plo't"ilu-coilo notua acoodingb F
front sr P.Tqr'*"._L""**: :"i":* *':01 Lp _
b/s largBst park, where the annual atten'
Emcrrffiifi Oiivaiation i** "t"*g* more than 2'? million vis-
Binsp".;;v"d"i'Beachpeersdeep'ito"'Th"u'-inchmortarbattery'locatedinside a l2-inch seacoast mortar at Battery at the fort for wtrich the park was natned'
kidil;F;D" soto Paxk on sunday was listed in the National Register of His-
afiernoon' Spence visited Pinellas coun' toric Places in 1978'
I
* d1rrncr i*P. 0. Box 410337 l$elb*urne, FL 32$41-0337
FLORIDA MINI.REUNION 2012MANY THANKS TO HELEN KANE AND TONY POLEMI FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS INHAVING THE FLORIDA MINI.REUNIONS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. IT WASANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD NOTATTEMPT TO HAVE ANY MORE, DUE TO THEPOORATTENDANCE OF THE LAST REUNION NOVEMBER 1-4AT STAUGUSTINE, FL.ATTACHED !S A PICTURE OF THE FAITHFUL FEW THAT DID ATTEND.
I'LL TRY S!R,
FRANK JENNINGS
SECRETARY /TREASURER
RUCK, 1o{g-2012
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DtD NOT ATTEND THE sTH RCT MINI-REUNION!_N SRANSON, MO., I WANT yOU TO KNOW THAT "A GOOD rtUE WnS rinciBYALL", THERE WERE 43 VETERAN ATTENDEES.
WE KNOW THAT THERE WERE A FEW CANCELTATIONS, HOWEVER WE ,
HAD A FAIR AMOUNT OF MEMBERS THERE,
ONE NIGHT AS A GROUP, WE WENT TO GOLDEN CORRAL TO SEEBARBARA FAIRCHILD WHILE ENJOYING DINNER. THEN ONE NIGHT WE WENTTO A PRIVATE CONCERT BY A CAJUN BAND WHO WCNC WOTOCNTIJ' -AND PUT ON A 2 HOUR SHOW...JUST FOR THE sTH RCT.
MANY THANKS TO TOM AND i'ARGIE SUNNY, MARVIN AND DELIA HOUSE,JAY AND RETHA CRAIL AND ERLENE PHILPOT FOR ALL OF THE XANP WOTXAND EFFORT THAT MAKES THIS REUNION A GREAT GET TO GETHER.
WE HAD LOTS OF GOOD FOOD. MANY CONTRIBUTED MONEY TO PURCHASETHE FOOD, OTHER BOUGHT FOOD AND MANY BROUGHT FOOD TNOU TTOUC,LIKE THE WALTERS WHO BROUGHT A LOT OF WATERTUCIOIIS..YUIIUV..-
-
MAYBE SOME OF YOU SHOULD COME TO BRANSON AND SEE WHAT WEENJOY E"VERY SEPTEMBER! !
.FRANK JENNINGS
Page 5
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I tlrz Serretnry -Trurumrer rWITH GUY SEE, ALSO PAST PRE$NENT AND RAYMOND WARNER,ANCI OKIE FOSTER AND AL IfiMER.
2) RAY WARNER AND GRANDSON...AND CHAUFFUER..JOE AND
duv bre nNu rtlnnvlrnousr Dlscu$slNc IMPoRTANT wAR lssunsIN HOSPITALITY ROOM.
IIFIS?ffiE$DENr, pnfnrcx suR ns coffi
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3) DELLA HOUSE, BETTY KRETNER,CHUN COULSON, RETHA CRATLGETTING LUNCH READY FOR THE GANG.
{IItY_WARNER, t$r GRACE ERB, GEORGE ERB,TONY KREINER,{4Y CRAIL, AND RETHA AT OUR CONCERT AT SENIOR CENTER AT
OcUNov/Dec. 5th R.G.T. Assn. Page 7
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'C'T' Assn'' OcUNov/Dec
2/sf Annnlil fr,ennionc, sE Annuat Heunton
CHECK.IN TIME: 3:00 p.m. CHECK.OUT TIME: L2:00 NOON
Omni San Antonio Hotel at the ColonnadeSan Antonio, Texas
ROOM RATE: $99.00 per night plus 77.75o/o Tax -Total per night = $116.91
RESERVATIONCUT-OFF: 13April,2013
NUMBER OF ROOMS: 159 king-size rooms & 159 double/double rooms with tarye baywindows.
Ptease inquire about days prior & days after at time of reservation.
Tuesday L4tt May:Registration6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Hospitality Room
Wednesday 1Sdt May: Registration6:00 a.m. to 10r00 p.m. Hospitality Room
10:00 a.m. Alamo,Riverwalk& Boat Tour $20.00 Per Person
Thursday 1 6tt' M ay: Registration6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.Hospitality Room
10:00 a.m. Alamo,Riverwalk& BoatTour$20.00 Per Person
Friday 1 7*' May:Registration6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Hospitality Room3:00 p.m. Ladies Auction
Saturday 18ot May: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Hospitality Room & 12:00 Noon-l0;00 p.m.8:00 a.m. Executive Council Meeting9:00 a.m. General Mernbership Meeting9:00 a.m. Ladies Brealdast
6:00 p.m. Seating starts for Banquet$20.00 Per Person
$35.00 Per Person7:30 p.m. Serving Starts
Sunday 19tt, May: Sunday Service Non-Denominational
Banquet Choices
Grilled Breast of Chicken with a Lemon Caper SauceTomato, Mozzarella and Cucumber Salad, Freshly Baked Rolls and Butter, Chocolate Truffle in aDelicate Chocolate Cup, Freshly Brewed Starbucks Regular, Decaffeinated Coffee or Iced Tea witJrLemon Wedges
Seared Beef with a Red Wine ReductionClassic Rice Pila(, Chefs Selection of Seasonal Vegetable, Freshly Baked Rolls and Butter, ChocolateTruffle in a Delicate Chocolate Cup, Freshly Brewed Starbucks Regular, Decaffeinated Coffee or IcedTea with Lemon Wedges.
OcUNov/Dec . 5th R.C.T. Assn. Page 9
tr
c rsf, Annual HeunlonPlease detach or copy and return.the following form with your payment to the Reunien ComrLittee.i+di$aterl below. Thank you
REUNION REGISTRATION****Registration Deadline: 13 April 2013****
MEMBER NAME: NICK NAME:
SPOUSE: GUESTS:
ADDRESS:
CITY: STATE: ZIP:
ISTHIsYoURFIRsTREUNIoNY0UHAVEATTENDED:YES,.N0:-
FEES:
ITEM PRICE N]J.MBER TOTAL
Registration fMember Only) $20.00 1 - $20.00Alamo,v \ la
Riverwalk& Boat Tour 4/75 $20.00Alamo, Riverwalk& Boat Tour 4/L6 $20.00Ladies Breakfast.4/L7Annual Banquet 4/18
$20.00_$35.00
Grand Total $. _
Please make checks payable to :
Mail to:
sth RCT Reunion
William R. Coulson11815 Radcliff CourtSan Antonio, Texas 78253-595L
, .. JoHN W. CRAIL,ffi, ffi:i"Y:jnrns
View Ro
s"RCr 41001-8CI80
As the years go by and we are get-ting older, time catches up with us andmany are called home to our Creator.When one of the members is calledhome, a citation of the member's ser-vice to our country is sent to thespouse or family member from the 5thR.T.C. Association.
Name of the deceased member issent to Mr John Sonley, who preparesthe citation. lt is then sent to thePresident for his signature. ThePresident sends the document to theChaplain for his signature and thenforwarded to the family.
Sometimes the family address ishard to find.
When obituaries are sent, pleasesend the next of kin and address ifknown.
At the present time I have the follow-ing names returned as no longer at theaddress: James T. Mulvahill, John L.Weisbrod, Henry V. Gosselein.
lf any one had information on thenext of kin, please let me know.
!- t,t f'"'-P" U4*-*
NOVEMBER 14, 2012FRANK JENNINGS
SECBE-TARY/TREASUEEB
ylgp p_ast-lationa I president,' the Korean,War Veterqns AssociationiNARFE' and- MRP" ; H€ :, was, .8:,.forrner-.pllot:,.rand: I ifelon g, flyin g
.ent h u s i a st. - ile,sn j oye d. I i Sten i ng't*bfl) ! gf ast,. music,- a6 :ptairi n[
his banjo, . ",;' . ". i.:. , - .-. -'. : .
He !s gqrvived.by his wife, Grace (Hood)-See; iotis ,il0 Uaugtrieiiin-law, Mark and Sonye See and David airO tutie See, all.oi-Hea'th;grandchildren, Sierra, . Maranda, Esther, Tucker, ' and Dalton;step-grandchildren,. Shi.nnon, Stephanie and .spring;'. great-gra ndda u ghter,. Em my;. a n d.lour step-great-gra n dch il dten ; biotherand sister-inflaw, Ron and Pattie See of Niceville, F.loiida'; uncle,Leo (Betty) Daugherty of Polnt Pleasant, Wdst Virginia; brother-in-lavy Larry (Nancy) Hood of Addison, 0hib;'sister-in-law Debbie Roleof Delaware, 0hio; many nieces, nephews. and cousins;"and his,treasured dog, Noah. '.'. ,
ln addition to'his parenti; he was precCdeil in dealh by"three'"brothers, Glenn E; See, Clell 0. See and Roy H. 'See; maternalgrandparents, Roy and 'Naomi Daugherty; and - paternalgrandparents, Robert ahd Clara See. ';' : ' ' ' : 1"
".- ln lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributionS
bemadetothe:SalvationArmyofNewark. -'. 1'..;:'The Heath Chapel of Henderson-Vari Atta-Sticklb Funeral &
Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements. ' ,
. Please visit wwuhendersontrianatta.com to view a memorial.andto leave a message of condolence for the family.r,: fu*.%-Mh:.. STI'CKLE
Oct/Nov/Dec.5th R.C.T. Assn. Page 11
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Oec*mber 29, ,922 * Septeabsr t3, 2$12
BENTE BAC'HILLEfr SRLN19 B rTfrY 555rX 6'ril RCT"I
91407 KUAHLII STWAIPAHTI, HI 96797. 453 I
Page 12 sth R.C.T. Assn.. OcUNov/Dec
rww.mltSouf iYalleyti6eS'com
Plae ! - d.lr*slah Oey'obr 3, 2ot2
Obituory...
Donald L. Wakehouse, 81Donald Lewis Wakehouse'
81, Show Low, Ariz,, Passedaway FridaY, SePt. 28, at his
St., in Little Sioux.Burial will be in SoldierVal-
ley Cemetery near Pisgah.bon's wishes were to be
buried next to his mother andfather in lowa.
tn lieu of flowers, contribu-tions may be made to LittleSioux Church of Christ inLittle Sioux, The Korean WarEx-POW Association, PO Box122, Charleston, TN 37310-0122 or Disabled AmericanVeterans,
Don was born Aug. 27' 1931'
in AllenTownshiP in HarrisonCounty. He grew uP on a farmbetrreenWbodbine and Pisgah.He attended country school forthe first eight Years of school-ing and graduated from PisgahHich Schoot in 1950.
Eon farmed with his fa'ther and neighbor until hewas drafted JulY 4, 1952' Heattended artillery school atFort Chaffee, Ark', and wasassigrred to the 555th "TfiPleNickel" Field Artillery Bat-talion in Korea during theKoreanWar.
In November 1952, he mar'ried Louise Johnston ofTurin.They were married almost 6p
vears.Thev lived most of theirir.lri.a life in Aurora. Colo.The last 13 Years,theY residedin Show Low, Ariz.
Following the war, Doncould no longer farm. He thenused his GI Bill to become anaccountant. Don worked forthe Internal Revenue Senricefor manY Years before retiring'He wasiieasurer for manY ofthe orqanizations he belongedto. HJwas a member of theMiIe High ChaPter of Ameri'can Ex--POWs of Colorado'the American Ex-POWs ofthe State of Colorado, Colo-rado Classic Cars (Denver,Colo., area) and First ChristianChurch of Aurora, Colo., andwas the national treasurer ofthe American Ex-Prisoners ofWar Organization headquar'tered in Arlington, Texas.
Don loved sPorts, esPeciallYfootball. He held DenverBron'cos season tickets for almost30 vears. Giving uP those tick-ets'when he moved to Arizonawas very difficult for him. Hishobbv was restoring vintagenr. o,rmps and old cars. Donitso uad a love of fishing,traveling, gardening and beingoutdoors.
Don is survived bY his wife'Louise; a daughter, DawnAlcumbrac, PinetoP, Ariz.;srandsons, Erik and JakeiJcumbrac; a sister, MaryCross; brothers,Leo and Jerry;and many cousins, nieces andneohews.
Ar.angetnents bY Hen'nessey-Aman Funeral Homein MissouriValleY.
Online condolences maY beleft at www.hennesseYaman.com.
Don6 LorrlacWakehourcP.O. Box 936thow Lou, AZ 85902-0936
home inShow Low,Ariz. Ser-vices willbe heldat I P.m.Monday,Oct. 8, atLittle SiouxChurch ofChrist, 403Mulberry
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,PBL:,rJ:,i._Ti{i::^":,y,:fil:ffjl?g_fonruarded t119 p ry friend Merrir, the historian for the24th DA. I didn't know whether you naO seen it or not. Best, Sam Kier
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EDHIS ARTHUR UIERS
s- Rcr xtl RETrrRx )t(IuETOtowA
On April ZO, 2012, aspokesman for the lryaNational Guard reported thata set ol previouslyunidentified remains thathad made the rounds fromthe Masan, Korea MilitaryCemetery to Hawaii,sPunchbowl were found to bethose of SFC Edris oEddie,
Viers, a member of BatteryA, s55s Field ArtilhryEattalion. Eddie Viers diedwhen the 'Triple Nickel,, wasoverrun during the gattle ofBloody Gulch (Chinju pass)
on A{ust 12, 1!}SO.
ln 2O11, his rcmains were
Based on the date andlocation of death, and usingbiological profiles developedat the Central ldentificationLibrary the remains weredetermined to belong toViers. His family in lowa wasnotified. On April 27,2OL2,Eddie Viers was buried, withfull military honors, in theSuran Cemetery in Swan,lowa.
Viers was born May 29,1918. He enlisted in the U. S.
Army in November 1940 andserved in New Guinea andthe Philippines. FollowingWodd.War il, he served withthe Army of Occupation inGcrmany and then deploVet
b*,trOtO.{q-.f t
aoEl E
gi;s$EE
*$ r gi
E(tEE:AE ;;i.E;EHrto5iatFrd
'I Ontine condolences may be left at Bertrandnmeral-
Llls*sligll
hl Z, /A1LJ,
F\neral sersices for SgS.lst Class Edris rL Vters of I
Swan will be held on ffiaav I
April 27, eOtZ at ttre Uacon I
F\neral Home ln Pleaant- I
ville, lowa at 12 p.m. BurH I
will follow in the Ssan I
Cemetery with tuU miBtry I
honorg. There will be a i
Ilress conference from lO i
until 1l a.m. with a vldta-tion from ll am. to 12 p.m.also at the Funeral Home.
Edris A" Viers \ras bornon May 20, l9l8 on a ftrm
near Swan, Iowa, the son of Willian W. Viers and Mable(Beasou) Viers.
He attended Bunker Hili School, a rual school nearhis home. Eddie enlistcd in tlle United States An\y onNovember 9, 1940 and served during World War tr lnNew Guinea and tfie Philippines. He then reedict€deod was deployed to l{orea in lg80 and seryed *ltlt
Battery 556, Field Artillery Battalion. Eddie x,entmissing in acl,ion on August I 2, 1950 as hb u[lt engrgedwith North Korean forces in whai became lmown asthe Battle of Bloody {iulch, He was declared docesedto Korea inon December 31, 1063, but his remains w€re not Ecov-ored. Eddie's unknovm remains were buri€d in a U8Military Cemetery near Masan Soutlr Korea md in 1956t}ley werc movecl to the National Memorial Cemeteryknown as the Punchborrl in Honolulu, Hawali mdplaced in the unknown section. In late 2011, Ou u-identiffed renrains were poaitively identlfledas Sgt lstC,l,ass.Edrlc A. Viers.
Dr. Samue
He was preceded in death by his parents, threesisters; Yelma Gerling, Wilma Debb and CatherircBrooks and a brothet Gera.ld Viers.
Surviving are his niece, Mabel Flaig of Hartfqrd;nephews, Jerry Dabb of Kirygnan, Arizonq Jerry Yiersof Swan, \Villiam A. VieB and AIan Viers of Indianol,amd Larry Yiers of Des Moine$.
514 Dennett StPacific Grove, CA 95!J50
i t"**rwtaicioilrt$rgdbf.A / Ci"it*...".g
sth R.C.T. Assn.. OctNoVDec
Swan
0rt44r
.. i
RUCI( 9-15-2012
I RECEMED THE ATTACHED DEATHNOTIGE IN THE MAIL REGARDING AsTH RCT MEMBER. WE RECEIVEDIT FROM JEROL'S BROTHER,MAYNARDSTROHM,FRANK JENNINGSSEC/TREAS
Jerol H. StrohmJerol H.Strohm, 81, ofSalisburytF==- Twp,, died
Sept.8,2011 at LehighVallev Hosoital. SalishSept.8,2011 at LehighValley Hospital, SalisburyTwp. Born in Emmaus,he was a son of the lateHoward F. and Esther M.(Reinhard) Strohm. Hewas a supervisor forMack Trucks for manvyears, retirin gin 19tt7'inmanagement. He was ahArmy veteran. havingserved in the KoreanWar. Jerol was a1947graduate of AllentownHigh School.
Survivors: Brother,Maynard V. Strohm andhis wife Dorothy, Bethle-hem; many nieces andnephews. He was prede-ceased by a sister Lor-raine Ross.
Services: Tuesday10:30 a.m. at Bachman,Kulik & Reinsmitif Funer-al Home,225 Elm StreetEmmaus. Burial will fol- .
low at Moravian Ceme-tery, Emmaus, Friendsmay call Monday 7-8:30p.m. and Tuesday 10-1O:30 a.m. at the funeralhome.
Contributiong: May bernade to the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Cen-ter, Attn: Voluntary Ser-vices, 1-t11 East End Blvd,Wilkes-Barre, P A 18711.
Please sign Guest Book onth emo m i ngca! l.com / obits
LOO23 B CO sfr RCT
P. O. BAX 2fi3
WTABMC&,T{T 9CI'!M
RUCK, *17-2012
I RECEIVED NOTICE OF JOHNI{YQ\RPENTERS' PASSING NEffi'AUGUST 5,2012 FROM AL MCADOO,WHO REC'D lT FROM HIS WIDOW, ltJiA,\tNJOHNNY CARPENTER SERVEOlN 'G"CO. '50-',51.
FRANK JENNINGSSEC/TREAS
RUCK,
I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM OKIE FOSTERREGARDING A CLOSE FRIEND OF HIS WHOWAS A MEMBER OF THE sTH RCT, HIS NAMErs FRANKLTN C ROB|NSpNT HE PASSED AWAYJtJIrTzoTz--I SPOKE TO HIS wlFE, ANNA LOU ROBINSONTO GET MORE INFORMATION. HER ADDRESSIS 2127 31ST AVE. NORTH, BIRMINGHAM.AL 35207-5005. HE WAS HQ 5.,'53-,54.
FMNK JENNINGS
9-15-2012
I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM J. GOURLAYTHIS MORNING THAT ONE OF THE sTHRCT MEMBERS HAD PASSED AWAY.THEMEMBERS' NAME lS RUSS.ELL g^FPEB.9l.lFROM MARICOPA CA. HE PASSED AWAYSEPT 5, 2012.HE WAS CREMATED ANDTHERE WERE NO SERVICES. HE LEAVESAWIFE, HELEN AND THE ADDRESS ISP.O. BOX 903, CARICOPA, CA 95338.
FRANK JENNINGS
10a-2012
OcUNov/Dec . sth R.C.T. Assn. Page 15
I
I
/,etters to tfiz f,ilitor
P. O. Box 410337 illelboume, FL 32941-0337
11-14-2012
NOTES FROM THE SECRETARY/TREASURER OF THE sTH RCT ASSOC.
IT WON"T BE LONG UNTIL tT WLL BE 2013, I AIjl STILL HOPING TO HEAR FROM
A FEW MEMBERS THAT HAVE NOT UPDATED THEIR MEMBERSHIP DUES.
DUES ARE STILL $15.M PER YEAR.
I V\,ILL BE HAPPY TO ACCEPT YOUR DUES FOR 3 YEARS Ai.ID I WILL
EI/EN I.AMIMTE YOUR MEMBERSHTP CARDS IF YOU CHOOSE TO PAY SEVERAL
YEARS.
ABOVE YOUR NA['E ON THE MAILING ADDRESS ON THE BATTLE STARS ARE
I NUMBERS, 1234-5678.."
THE FIRST NUMBERS INDICATES THE YEAR THAT YOU ARE PAID UP TO.
IF THE NUMBER IS 1, YOU ARE PAST DUE, IF IT IS 2, YOU ARE PAID UP
TO DECEMBER 2O12.IF IT Ig 3,YOU ARE PAID UP UNTIL DECEMBER 2013.
MAKE YOUR CHECKS OUT TO sTH RCT ASSOC AND MAIL TO: FMNK JENNINGS,
P.O. BOX 410337, MELBOURNE FL 32%1. REMEMBER THE DUES ARE SI5.OO
PER YEAR, JANUARY THRU DECEMBER....AS OF TODAY, WE DO NOT OFFER
LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
I'LL TRY SIR,
FRANK JENNINGS
SECRETARY/TREASURER
5TH RCT ASSOC.
Page 16 sth R.C.T. Assn.. OcUNov/Dec
Editor Hugh W, Ruckdeschel
Battle Stars112 l23d Ave ETreasure Island, Fl 337A(r'5152
July 18,2012
Dear Ruck,
Enclosed is a picture you may wart to put in the next issue of the Battle Stars. My
d;d,;;;;;earching the intemet foisome milirary information for p:.*d was not
f,"ffi|t-Vrmng. Sfr" i*i ftuppened to click-on Sft RCT and she found this picture' There
i;;&t" on tfri picture, Uuti't ro* it must have been taken in August 1950, shortly after
we arrived in Korea from schofield Barracks. Lt. Moore was still out Platoon Leader at
ttrat time and as I remember, he was soon promoted to captain and I believe he
transferred to D company as company commander. some of the D Company men may
be able to confirm that..
I have no recollection ofthis picture bcing taken, but even though they have my last
,,r-" ,p"["a incorrectly I am sure it is me in the picture as they have my home town of
Ki"r;, Ohio. I remember all of the men shown in the picture and they may be as
surprised as I was to see the picture.
I enjoy receiving Battle stars and thank you for all of the work you put into publishing
the magazine.
Sincerely yo^urs,
0/,,{fu*-?Carl Canon
Korean war - r11-SC-347574 4.2 mortar crewof the 5th Rct,z$th Inf Div
W 5th Inf Div' retums 9-1emy fire in-the Y3t *:*
clockwise: cpr orvitle w;;;; lSt clair-Shore',1y11rr",9*1S3lp:tff:*,"":/J.*"T:tr;\Palmeririffi"ir]*l{iii iil""r", rilproore r. (uiami, r'l)'r<neering: pfc oaklev vanalstvn (Bufralo, NY)
OcUNov/Dec . Sth R.C.T. Assn. Page 17
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France's KoreaRegiment TRANCE,S
.Ufiili]rY il-,^ffi
CROSSES'ln Juneand July 1954,the French Battalion sfKorean lffarfame met itstragic end in the CentralHighlandsof Vietnam.
nv Brcrrann K. Kclrg
Page 20 sth R.C.T. Assn.. OcUNov/Dec
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*.hich still \r,{)rr,(}1r its sk'r,vr thl rrlritt'.trli .rrrLl
lndilnhcatl ol tlre lntl U.S. I rrfiurtr'1' | ) i r i: iorr," l:r'r. r rrlrwttr corresp{)ndt,rrt llt'rnirrri l,'lill wrott, irr lti' l.rrrr,ru:book Strsct !ryif liorrf .,I()y (196 I ).
lVith hnrely a brentlret' lyorrr th.' Iicrt,rrLl \1 rrr'. ilit'French lJntt:rlitrrr:trrir.rtl ilr lrrrioclrirrrr il!r \1'\'. l{.i195.1. It iarrtrctliatclv bcgittr colrrh:rt (,lr(,rilri(,11\ rr r.i. l\Deeettrh*r.'l'his rvould bc irn t'rri i rt.l l' ri i l fi, r'rr t rll r li rr'
thc firnretl llctlaillxr rlc (l{rrr,c" l.r'l.rrr.lr \.t('r.iir}\ r}l'trrdochint clllcrl it l.l !ur'r'r'(, {J(,.s r-iilrr.Js li{.lr's I h., ir ;*'
4.f-i3dt
-3-
ASOlfE: French paratroopers dash for cover as Viet M inh artillery pounds t he besieged hase at Die n Bien Phu on March 2 3, 1S54.Fer, *f any, photos ol the demise of the Korea Regiment are availabie, so the more f amous French defeat is illustrated here.
,ry r fntlkl \P\ 'r'r'
,#
of tltt'vlsf tnll)t\, sllilcrs." Injurt six nrrilrtlrs ofst,vr,rescrvicc covering clost'to l,()(X) rtrilcs in cttnrlxrt lrrr:';rs,the reuinrr.nt rvoultl lcarrr the nre:rrrirrs of"gritrlotrt.gc ,"fhr' slorv grrrri,irrg iltr,:l! nlitn [r-r. rr,rlirr."
.\nrr'ric;trr velcriul$ ol tlre lst O;rv:tIr5r arrtl .]thlnfantr'1'rlivisions llttl the l7.1rtl .,\irborrrt,errtl .]nl bri-gatlrs (!5tlr I)ivisiorr), us u,t'll :rs thr. Sth Sgrcciirl lrorces(irorrp, rvorrltl soon bceoruc tirrrrili;rr rvitlt tlte blttflt,-grotrnd knos'rr ls tlle (:elrtrul Iligltlirrrrls.'t'hc plitct,swhr.rt,tlre l--rerre lr hrtrglrt.. eolorrilrl rorrt*s 14 arrrl lr). ,\rrIilr., liillr ltlt, 'l'!rrrot :rrrrl PIciku - l:rlr.r.bt'carrrt' surrt,rlinto thc nrt,ntorits of(;ls.
In fact, the openingscene ofthe filinWe Were Soldiers Qoo2) depicts theFrench in 1954 in the region where theAmericans fought their single deadliestbattle 11 years later.
The French Bettalion had served withthe 23rd Infantry Regiment of the U.S.
2nd Infantry Division for 2r/2, years inKorea. The bond formed between theFrench and Americans was unbreakableGen- Matthew Ridgray called this team
"the finest troops America and Franceproduced throughout their national exis-tencel' So in a symbolic sense, itwas as
if the French Battalion was the first U.S.
unit to fight inVietram.Indeed and ironically, when the bat-
talion left Korea on Oct. 23, 1953, Gen.Maxwell Taylor proclaimed in an emo-tional farewell address: "The EighthArmywill continue to claim the FrenchBattalion as its own ... and so share inthe honor and glory it will achieve inIndochinal That, however, was not to be
the fate ofthese courageous comrades-in-
BITTIEOT II IHEOnce in Vietnam, the battalion wasexpanded into a regiment. Both the lstand 2nd Korea battalions had 830 meneach. The regiment became the core ofMobile Group lOO, a 3,498-man regimen-
tal task force. One-third of the regimentwas thus Korean War veterans. Afterseveral grueling months of guerrilla war-fare, the unit participated in the last offi-cial battle of the French Indochina War.
Often referred to as the Battle of AnKhe or Mang Yang Pass, it was actual-Iy three distinct engagements. Orderedto evacuate An Khe and make its waY
to Pleiku, Group lOO began the So-miletrek along Route 19 on June 24. It wasambushed at Kilometer Marker 15 (PKf5) that afternoon, The regiment's com-mander was mortally wounded. Butboth battalions finally fought theirway through Viet Minh (CommunistVietnamese) forces, linking up with thelst Airborne Group the next morning.By then, "silent mounds" ofFrench deadwere startingto rot in the sun.
Three days later, on June 28, the con-voy was ambushed at Dak Ya-Ayun. Thelst Korea Battalion lost 59 KIA. Its lstCompany (only 6O men) faced 5OO vietMinh alone at PK 3 the next day. It was
decimated: In just 6O minutes, 42 menwere KIA. Reaching Pleiku on the 29th,column survivors "looked more like fui-tives from a concentration camp than a
regular fightingunit."Fall wrote that "five days offighting on
Route 19 had cost the lst Korea Battalionmore casualties than two years of fight-ing in Korea." The French counted 287killed in action in that war.
After just two weeks of resq remnantsof the lst Korea Regimentwere orderedto the field again. The lst Battalion wasdown to 452 men; the 2nd had only 497
effectives. Upon hearing the order, one
talion was reduced to only 107 men, 53
of whom were WIA and recuperating inthe hospital.
It was all over in less than two hours.Finally regrouping, survivors eventu-ally made their way through the jun-gle to Ban Don over at least four days ofstruggle. "This was the end of the linefor the lst Korea Battalion," Fall wrote.
"The troops who had dcfeated the Reds
inKorea atWonju and atthe Arrowhead,who survived An Khe and then the hellof Kilometer 15, were going to die now,three days before the cease-fire that wasgoingto end this eight-year-old war."
ln tlovcmbrr lg53, th. Frlttdt l(oru. E tt llon war rsnrorcd from tfrc U.t{. @mrmnd ln
Korsa and sant to loln th. Fltnch Erqedttlomry Forcc ln vls{n m. tltty oil the mcn worcthc patch of tlr ztd Inf.rtry llyltbn, wtth s'hlch dry s.rrcd durlttg the Korcan lllar.
Cpl. Cadiergue, who had earned twocitations in Korea in 1953, exclaimed:"My God, they want to kill us to the lastman! Haven't we done enough?" Hiswords were prophetic.
SUUGHIER Iil TIIE CHU I'REII HIUS' Operation Forget-Me-Nat was intend-ed to mop up Viet Minh regulars operat-ing in the Chu Dreh Hills between Pleikuand Ban Me Thuot. Group Mobile loostarted out on Route 14 on July 14. A bitafter noon, the Viet Minh sprang theirwell-planned ambush as the lst KoreaBattalion (HQ, rst and 4th companies)went through the pass. In the lead, 4thCompany was caught in the middle ofthe pass and slaughtered. The entire bat-
That armistice was signed July 2I,1954. On Aug 13, the lst Korea departed
"the valley of the crosses," as its evacu-
ation route became known, for Saigon.
Group Mobile lOO had sacrificed some
5OO lives. Reconstituted, the lst KoreaBattalion left Vietnam on July 17,1955-exactly one year after its destruction-destined for the doomed French venturein Algeria.
There, itwas transformed into a two-unit tactical headquarters regiment and
renamed the l56th Infantry Regiment.But its renown was lasting, for the unitcontinued to be referred to as the Korea
Battalion until being dis3olved in 1962. Or-rmrr. [email protected]
FEBRUARY2oT2 . www.vrw.onc . 45
OcUNov/Dec . sth R.C.T. Assn. Page 21
rai I
t
u]--,q:
Jerry E. Beckley513 Winburn Avenue, Scherta TX 7819,-1941(21014*7283 CelI; (2r0) 945-2303 HomeE-Meil: becklevl933t2pmailcom
Albert McAdoo7506 S Mascotte StTamoa- FL 33616
November 14,2012
Mr. Albert McAdoo7606 S. Mascotte StreetTampa, FL m6f6
Dear Al,
Received the book, The 6n ECT in Korea, and found that reading itbrought back some long subdued but not forgotten memories. The creditsincluded Jerry Prather, who I have, over the years been in contact with in anattempt to authenticate his claim to the Silver Star Medal for his actions onAugust 12, 1950 during the "Bloody Gulctf battle, near Pongam-ni. Jerryand I were firing a 3.5in Bazooka at two enemy self'propelled guns on theroad that crossed over the dry creek bed. After the action, Jerry wasevacuated to a Naval Hospital ship and I went to the MASH Unit in Mason,and we never saw each other again. Jerry saw my name on a visitor's sign-inon the sth RCT web site in the 1990s'. I later joined the Association and amstill a member.
I returned to the US and was discharged from the Army in lgbl. InOctober 1951, I joined the U.S. Navy and returned to Korea aboard aMinesweeper. During that time I received correspondence from the Army viathe Navy that I had been awarded the Silver Star for the exaet same actionyou deseribe on Page 63, paragraph 4. I'm sure there are many similaractions during combat. During this same time period, a mortar round.landedin a2-Ll2 ton truck and I drove it away from area where we were pinneddown. After I jumped from the vehicle, it started to burn and explode, Wehad shrapnel from e;cploding rounds flyrng all over the place. I only recall thishappening once and if there was another soldier there by the name of PFCLucas, I &dn't see him. In addition, it was Jerry and I who stayed behind agave covering fire from a 50 Cal. MG mounted on a jeep while the woundedwere evacuated in a2'L/2 ton. The truck had a ring mount with a 50 Ca|. Onit and there was a wounded man operating it, whom I believe was Lt. Dod.ge.Jerry and I got out with me driving the jeep and him providing covering fire.At the time of all this aetion, I didn't know Jerry's name, and did.n't find outuntil he contacted me in the'90s.
l,age 22 sth R.C.T. Assn. . OcUNov/Dec
In addition to the above paragtaph, the Artilleryman who PFC Arlen Russell
referred to in the paragraph 3, second sentence on page 48, was also me. After I leftthe MASH Unit in Mason, I rejoined "B Battery until Major Graves assigned me as
a Radio Operator with an FO when we assaulted Sobuk'san. This is where we
found several soldiers from the 24th Regt. with their hande tied behind their backs
and shot in the head. I stayed with the 555th FA until January 1, 1951 when I was
hit again and was evacuated to Osaka Army Hospital and then on to the US fordischarge. One thing I didn't mention is, I also was only 16 years ol4 having joined
the Army at t4 in 1948. I had already been at Schofreld Barracks since 1948 in the
8292"4 Engineers.
I am enclosing some of the correspondence the Army sent to the Navy and on
to me in 1952. You may frnd it of some interest, should you ever wish to rewriteyour book. Some of what I stated here'in may be considered "frrst hand'.
Small World! Regards
g,ckley,
Submarine Service
OcUNov/Dec o Sth R.C.T. Assn. Page 23
r gtlnfzrest r
9t lnteresf
513 Winburn Avenue, Schertz, TX 1El*1941(2t0l4*7283 Cell; (2I0) 94$.2lXl3 HomeE-Mail: becklev [email protected]
--.i.,.,-.*'".,
November L6,2012
Mr. Albert McAdoo7606 S. Mascotte StreetTampa, FL 336f6
Dear AI,
Please forgive the second letter so quickly, after sending you theinformation over the past four days. I finished the book and found it mostinteresting. You did a lot of research and deserve a lot of credit forpreserving the events of battles which defined the 5th RCT and attachedorganizations.
During my short time in the 5th, I really didn't have time to learnmany of the narnes of men I fought besides. I did remember MSGT Headleyand Mqjor Graves. I didn't remember Lieutenant Stoll and Warrant OfEcerGillespie's names until I read your book. I had just ta'lked to WO Gillespiefive minutes before he was killed, as I was between "B' Battery's CP and thetank when the first mortar rounds hit, One comment I would like to make isthat the enemy mortar team only frred one round prior to the one that hit theCP. I have marveled over the years "how effective enemy mortar fi.re wasduring the early days of the war".
Your "Acknowledgments" page reeognized Jerry Prather, but did nothave any further reference to him, especially in page 63. It was the events ofthis time period that we used to justify his claims to the Silver Star. As Istated in my last letter to you, I didn't know his name at the time. Inaddition, I have no idea who recommended me for the decoration, as this wasa Service Battery position that I had wandered into after spending most ofthe early morning hours in the fre1d between the dry creek bed and "B"Battery's position in the village (which had become overrun by the enemy). Inessence, no one in the creek bed knew who I was. I do know that after Ireturned from the MASH Unit to "B' Battery in Masan, Major Gravesassigned me as a Radio Operator and my first assignment was with "C"Company before we assaulted Sobuk'san the first time. I was also with "G"
Jerry E. Beckley
ul
Page 24 sth R.C.T. Assn. . OctNov/Dec
9t lnterest I
Company a couple of weeks later. Why I didn't go back into a gun crew, Idon t know.
Al, to make a long story short, the events of the early days of the warwere my "trial by fi.re", and considering that I returned to Korea in the U.S.Naly in April 1952 for another, "much easier' tour on a Minesweeper, untilJrly 1953, I had often wondered how the 5th had faired after I had left thebattlefield. I did, over the years read about some of the 5th RCTaccomplishments, but none as detailed as your book. As we say in theSubmarine Service, "Bravo Zulu" for the accuracy. I did, run into an oldfriend, Daniel Blai-r, who was a MSGT who received a BattlefreldCommission, and was then a Retired Captain, at the NaW Exchange. in PearlHarbor in the 1960s. Also, in 1969, after I had retired &om the Navy, Iworked with a retired Major at Avco Lycoming in Charleston, SC., who was aLt. with "G" Company during the early days of the Pusan Perimeter.Unfortunately I am at a loss to remember his name.
Fbr the record, and to close out this correspondence, I spent another .
twenty years in Civil Serrrice, sixteen of which was in Washington, DC in theSubmarine Launched T0MAHAWK Cruise Missile Program and as acontractor. I left there and became a College Professor for another ten yearsbefore I had enough of working for a living and. decided to retire'retire.
In closing, I hope to meet you at the reunion in San Antonio in 2013. Iwill be wearing my signature ball cap, with "U.S. Submarine ServiceVeteran" on it, and I usually stand out, especially at a gathering of wrap'legs.
In addition, I am somewhat coneerned about Jerry Prather's condition,but no one who may know anything, wil}respond to my inquiries, includingJerry. I respect his privacy and will not pursue it any farther.
Regards and Smooth Sailing,
, CWO4 USN (Ret)
OcUNov/Dec . 5th R.C.T. Assn. Page 25
fi,lADQtiABfti:itS 25fU l1'.Fjtl,ttsf DflESIO]Iil?o 25
AuAITD 0f 'fIXS SIwE:n SIAB.- B)" direction of the kesideatr !!d"I-B?p"orfs-ionu oi th* Act of CongesJ&p9qovoP ?-J"ty 1918 (W0 Auf 43, L97S)
lna pr:rsuant to authority 1r AB ffi:t+5, thesilver ster for gallaatry inaotlin is auarded to the follouing-nared enlisted mnn:
Hvate .!i[rst class JERBI 3. U:jCI(t'ilI, ]1A19323889, &til]ery, Battery B,
5115+h B[eId Artil1ery Bettalion, Urrited Statea .At'"cJr. 0t] 12 August 198 neargo Crr-of , Korea, Prirrate IIrsi Class Beckleyt s battery was subjected to ?p.rf"fftf u6stfle agsault. Althouglr tris pgsition r,ras in grave danger of beiagi.eolated,, he remalned at hls post and asiisted iu directing a heaqr volune ofeffective 3.5.rocket lar:ncher ffre at the onr.rshing enery. trlben an.orplodlngam:nf11on tnrak endangered anottrer fully loaded tnrclc, he vo}.rntarily e:cposed
htnsey1 to t&e flylng iragnents ard erractrated the vehicle to safety. PrlvateSlrat C1ass neckl"eyti copragp, initiative and steadfast devotlon to duty re-flect great credll on hj^rrse:-f, Uf s unit and the Ualted ,$tates Araed Forces.Entered the d.lttary sertriee flon Callfornia.
ffii{ERAT ONDEBS
MI,tsER 125
OIFICIAIr
!&nx E. mrrzER,
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BI CO{tiA}lD 0r }$.rOR gffmnAl, KEAI{:
JOIIN IJ. C}iN,LSColonel, GSChlef of $taff
1? February L95L
***
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Page 26 sth R.C.T. Assn.. OcUNov/Dec
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DSARTMENT OF THE NAVYBUREAU OF XAVAL PERAONTI:T.
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2. thr pncrotil.ng tu(tood'ty 1o
OcUNov/Dec . sth R.C.T. Assn.
(r).
Page 27
B5r dlrectlo
Nll*"
JERRY E. BECKLEY513 Winburn Avenue, Schertz, TX. 78154-1947 (210) 454-7283E-Mail : beckleyl 933@gmail. com
November 24,2012
Albert J. McAdoo7506 S. Mascotte St.
Tampa, EL 33616
Dear Al,
Thank you for your speedy response. Happy to hear that Jerry Prather is on themend and hope he makes a full recovery.
By this tetter, you have my peryission to publish all or any part of theinformation which I sent you, in the 5fr RCT publication titled "Battle Stars", or anyother documentation as you deem necessary.
I do have one question regarding the paragraph in Page 63, which refers to PFCLucas. Who is he, and was he awarded any decoration regarding this action? Your bookmakes reference to, "His action was later noted in the unit war diary among the bloodyincidents of August 12,1950".
Sorry you were unable to contact me via my cell phone. In addition, should youneed it, my land line is (210) 945-2303. If you have E-Mail, mine is listed above and ischecked daily.
From my family to yours, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear.
Cordially,
Jerry E. B
Page 28 sth R.C.T. Assn. . OcUNov/Dec
The 5'h RCT in Korea:
IYEW!
The Pusan PerimeterBattles, 1950
Albert J. McAdoo& James E. Marshall
t Eroaq thgAgthor:This is a new work on the combat operations of the US Army's
Sth Infantry Regimental Combat Team on the frontlines of the KoreanWar's first campaigns. The sth RCT reached Korea at the close of JuIy,1950, just as UN forces made their last ditch stand against theCommunist invasion of South Korea around the port of Pusan.Attached to the 25e Division the Sth was engaged in operations nearMasan, including "Fox Hillr' the fight at nBloody Gulchr" and thestruggle for *Battle Mountain.' Based on the regimental war diary ofthe Sth RCT, and contributions hy veterans of the actions of this period,this new work by Albert J. McAdoo sheds some new light on thebaptism of fire of the sth RCT in Korea.
Albert McAdoo7506 S Mascotte StTampa, FL 33616
oozooooagl
poioo
I!lGIoNc
I d(tl*'G'r INEW QUARTERMASTER- FRAI{K JENNIilGS
I HAVE ALL ITEMS IN STOCK, READY TO SHIPITEi' PRICE
l. sTH RCT CAP, BIACK EilBROID,STH RCT KOREA....................9{3.002. sTH RCT CAP, BLACK W'sTH RCT PATCH & DESIGNATED
wlTH KOREAN WAR VETERAN ., { 950-53.....,......,.,.................$1 5.003. sTH RCT SHIRT W'COLT.AR BI.ACK ETIBROI 5TH L& XL....$25.004. 5TH RCT SHIRT ' II ' xxl.......$26.50
{0. 5TH RGT PATCH OVERSIZED RED W'W}IITE TRM .$4.0011. 5TH RCT PATCH (ONLYISAME AS ON CAp # 2 ........,,..,.....,....$5.d012. KOREAN WAR VET PATCH (L|KE HAT)60TH ANNY NEW.....95.0013. 5TH RGT PATCH..REPLICA OF HAT p|N.......r............,,,........i...04.0014. KOREAN WAR 6OTH ANNY PIN.,NEW.... .....'.--..-..${,oo15, 5TH INFANTRY REGT CREST,S1LVER.....r...,r..r,,.,....,.r,.......r......$7.00{6. PURPLE HEART HAT plN. ......r.r.t....r,,.....t....,...............,.$4.0017. PURPLE HEART LAPEL p|N............!.r......,.......,...........r............r...$4.0018. KOREAN WAR plN (1 1//1"1...,....,.r....r....r.....,..,r.,,..f..................,.,...$4.00{9. CtB REGULATTON SIZE 3',, BRIGHT SILVER rr......... $5.0020. clB 2" s1LvER.,........... ,..r,,r..,..........,,.,$5.0021. COTBAT ARTILLERY BADGE 3'., REGULAnON St2E.............$5.0022. COUBAT ARTILLERY BADGE,l 1//2".....,......,..,.....,..r.,.,,.,........,...95.0023. FIELD ARTILLERY, T I'4" CROSS CANNON,GOLD COLO......$N.OO
ra aaaarraat a a. aara rr a
30, KOREAN WAR VETERAN (BLACK} LIGETIISE PI.ATE FRA*|E.$4.0035. plN KEEPERS..{0 ptNS WTALLEN WRENCH pER BAG.....,.......g6.0050. KOREA (THE FORGOTTEN WAR DVD, 3 DISC SET...,................$10.0060. iilAGNETIC PLAQUE g'X 4' SAiiE AS HAT pATCH...r..,.r,,...........$4.00
t..r. r. aa trrra a araaa...r.a raaa raa
PEASE ORDER WTH ITEM NUMBER AND ITETi NAiiEPLEASE NOTE:PACKAGTNG AND POSTAGE COSTS ONLYPATCHES,PINS,BADGES, $
'.50 TOTAL FOR ALL,I SHIRT $3.00.l cAP $3.00, EACH ADDL SHTRT OR CAPADD $r.00
PLEASE NOTE;@,GALL 321-75{€103
FRANK JENNINGSP.O. BOX 410337iiELBOURNE FL 329414337
Page 30 sth R.C.T. Assn.. OcUNov[)ec
ASSOCIATION OFETCER5 ?OT2 - 2OT3PRESIDENT (BJohn O.Stinon (603) 643-197/ 1 Bushkey Circb - Apt !B |hrpwr, M{ 0375ffi04VICE PNE5IDENT (E}
Anl{rony C. Xruiner (513) 891-2870 5070 Bcll Awnrp Cincinrnti, OH 45242-38U
SEC"ET^RY/TRE^SJRER (E}
Fnonk JennirEs (321) 751-9103 P. O. Box 410337 ilelbourne, FL 32941-0337
Toll Frcc - I(ESE) 221-UlE fio*-&natt*cfr.rr.oomct{At LrD{ (A)
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EDITOE-il.6HEFHughW.Rtrhderchcl OZn367-6923 tlZl23dArc,nrrE Trvosr"fshd,Fl 33706-5152
DGCL/TNG OOflHITTEE fiEHBERS (E)
Chorbs O. fostcr (9lS) 83$2263 72O t{orth Irvington Tulsa, O( 74115-
7120
Williorn R. &ulson (2l0)679-5tf'3 il815 Eodcliff Driw Son Antonio, fi 78253-595f
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Louis&rdim (781)235-@12 Terrllr'lamtwnre WellcsleyHilb,f A 02/t81-1604
Rqmrd J. Worrs (6O7't 693-2557 Tl Wi*-r W Pori Cncae, l.lt/ 13833-1905
PAST PRESIDENT A OGA.'TrVE COT&ITTEE TTETTBEN
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ilEnBEns]{IP CHlInnAN (A)
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PRI}ICIPAL FOIJhIDER
llbsrt J. ttclrdoo 1813)837-2725 7W Soqih riosco?te Strcct Tompo, FL 33616-22Ob
Name
5o' R.C.T. Association Membership Application(Please Print)
Phone
MailingAddress
City State Zip
--
19 To:Years Served With 50' R"C.T. From:
Company/Battery RegtlBattalion Specla! Asslgnment
Letter Unit (5p, 555s,72d,53'!,26e, Hvy iriotar, iledic) (Rifleman, Gunner, Cook, Motors' Cletk' etc)
Name of Spouse. <Not Handatorp Your Nickname
LIFE iiembership is not available. Duee ane now accopted thru the year 2015
lsr Year Dueg - $15.00 for r.nembership and $5.00 for membership roster. Ootal $20.00)2nd Year and beyond Dueg are $15.00 and are due before I January of each year.
tembership Rocters ars $6.00 plus $3.00 Poohge (Total $9.00)
Please make checks payable to:
50' R. C. T. AssociafionP. O. 8ox410337ilelbourne, FL 32941-{1337
Sponsor:.
19
e-mail:
Please DO NOT send Dues or Change of Address to the Editor
Send to the Secretary/Tleasuner
OcUNov/Dec . 5th R.C.T. Assn. Page 31
Non-ProfitU.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No.1478
St. Pete, FLsTH REGIMENTAL COMBAT TEAM ASSOCIATION
Editor Hugh W. Ruckdeschel, ll2 123rd Avenue E, Treasure lsland, FL 33706-5152
sth RCT HAWAII- USAR PACKOREA. UNITS ATTACHED TO
8th Army 25th lnf. Div24th lnfantry Division - 25th lnfantry Division
1st Marine Brlgade (P)1st Cavalry Division
8th ArmYFeb. - Mar. 51 Operation Killer24th lnfantry Division (17 mo.)
lXth Corps40th lnfantry Division
lXth CorpsLate Feb-Late April 1952 - 555 FA
I Corps2nd Logistical Command
Late Feb-Aug 1952-72nd EngineercMP Group 8137 (ASU) Koje-Do
Late Feb (60 days)-Late April 1952Sth lnf., lst & 2nd Bn., HQ & HQ Co.,
HvyMortar, Med. Co., Service Go., Tank Co.
Mid Feb.-ilay 52 - 3rd BN, TungstineMine
Xth CorpsMayJune 52 - 5th Reassembled lnje25th,40th and 45th lnfantry Division
June 52 -Apr till Defence Nottrem RimPunchbowllX Corps
3rd lnfantry DivisionJune 53 Outpost Harry
8th Army KComzX Corps - !X Corps
45th lnfantry DivisionX Corps
SPEARHEADSAug 1950 Puson Perimeter Breakout
lst Marine Brigade - sth RCT3/5th Dlstingulshed Unit Citation
Sept 1950 Capture of Waegwan andNaktong River Crossing
lst Gava!ry Division - sth RCT1950 Capture of Taejon
19ft Regiment 24frr Division -TK Go.5$ RCTNov.50 5 R.C.T.30 miles so. of Yaiu
RlverJan. 51 27th British Commonwealth
Brigade2nd Batallion 5th R.C.T.
Feb-March 51-8th Army- Operation Killersth R.C.T. Allied F.E.B.A.
Oct.-Nov.51 7th lnf. Div. (RegtUnknown).
Tank Co. 2nd Plat. 5th R.C.T.30 Jan.-19 Apr. 45th lnfantry Division
555 Field Artlllery12-13 June 53 Outpost Harry
3rd lnf. Div.- Sth R.C.T.1/5th A Co. Distinguished Unit GitationJuly 52 SAxt DONG BOYS Town May 53
Are We Proud? You're Damned Right We Arel Every Mission Assigned - AccomplishedTxe possrBrLrry oF BEING KTLLED tN coMBAT - AccroeNTAL oR Erueuv Frne -
s2 P6 **fiifiur0*tnLl FoR AoC 320
ll'lltlll'lltllllLl;lllllrlllrllltlhlllllltlllrrrr:rllhlllllll000276
rHIELOR CURREilT RESIOEilT19147 FERK PLRCE BLVOEUSrtS, FL 32736-7262
AIR OBSERVATION SECTION
I'BATTLE STARS"Command Reports, Letters of Commendation from all Commanders of unitsattached to and far more historical materialthan can be stated in this space,proves beyond any doubt, the 5th Regimental Combat Team and it's attached
units, were the most superb fighting unit of the Korean War!ln the length of time in battle (35 months) to guarding POWs (two months),
a battle itself! Yes, you are truly the stars of the Korean War!Receiving great respect from the United States Marines!
And even the enemy from the beginning, when you broke out of thePuson Perimeter and destroyed the crack 3rd Division of the NKPA,
to Outpost Harry and the war's end! Need more be said?
Disembarkation 31 July thru 1 Aug. 1950 to 27 July 53
94.U Percent of Actual Time Served in Combat
WWll 1 in 12Majority - Enemy Fire
Korea 1 in 991 percent - Enemy Fire
Vietnam 1 in 22Majority - Enemy Fire
5th lNF.
rLL TRV StRt
555th F.A.
PctccThrougn lllt
Ominous ordnance ,
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