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Korean War

38th Infantry Regiment - Command Report - March 1953

2nd Infantry Division

Korean War Project Record: USA-157

Folder: 060011

Box: 06

File: 11

National Archives and Records Administration

College Park, Maryland

Records: United States Army

Unit Name: Second Infantry Division

Record Group: RG407

Editor: Hal Barker

Korean War Project

P.O. Box 180190

Dallas, TX 75218-0190

http://www.koreanwar.org

Korean War Project 2ID-00401152

Korean War Project 2ID-00401153

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COMl·1AND REPOR1 (RCS CSGP0-28)

38th Infantry Regiment

lvlarch 19.53

i;(_o. Sl'EPJi EN 0. FUQU Colonel Inf Commanding

~ SECRf:T SECURITY IN:FOR!YfAr.L'ION

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Korean War Project 2ID-00401154

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S:ECURITY INFORMATION

COMHAliD REPORT (RCS CSGP0-28)

)8th Infantry Regiment

Harch 19.53

i-,L-o ffi1 EP.HEN 0 • FUQ; Colonel Inf Commanding

'SECRtT SECURITY INFORMATION

Korean War Project 2ID-00401155

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OOMHAliD REPORT (RCS CSGP0-28)

J8th Infantry Regiment

March 1953

Assigned to: '

2nd Infantry Division Aro 248 us Army

SECRET SECURITY IN:t,OllMATION

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Korean War Project 2ID-00401156

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TABI.E OF OOH'J!El:i'l'S MARCil:

1953

PART I THE IJA.RRATIVE

A. ll\fTRODUCTIOl'J

B. :HAR..11ATIVE OF TAC'"l'ICAL OPERATIONS

C. INTEJ..LIGENCE

D. PERSOilUJL

i!i. SU12PLY

F. CROl~OlDGY

G. DISCUSSION AND REOOMI•l:Jl!tiDATIOUS

PARI' I I SUProRT ING DO CUliEI.iiT S

A • REG IMENTAJ.. l?EROOIDI:EL JOURllALS

:S. REG.D1ENTAL IlfTELLIGENCE JOURNALS

C. REGIMEH~AL OPERATIONS JOURNALS

D. FIRST BATTALION

I. PEROOHNEL JOURNALS

II. INTELLIGENCE JOUR:l)TALS

III. OPE...'U\.~riOUS JOURNALS

E. SECOND J3A.TT.AJ .. IOH

I. l?.E.RS01HjEL JOURUALS

II. Il'i'l1ELLIGEiJCE JOURNALS

III. OPJ!lliA.TIOHS JOU.RIJALS

F. TliiRQ._ :BATTAJJIOH I .

I.

II. HlT.ELLIGE!SfGE JOURNALS

I II • 0 Pllllt.AT IONS JO UliNALS

G. H.EA. VY £,10RrAR OON.PAliY JOURi:J.ALS

Korean War Project 2ID-00401157

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SECRET S:illCUlU,.l:Y IN:ITOILMATION

The material contained in this report is classified !l.llJCRb'T

in accordance Nith the :provisions of AR 380-5 and Par. 418, SR

348-105-1, dated 3 l!'ebruary 1949.

The following is quoted for the information and guidance of

all concerned.

nDissemination of classified matter: No person is entitled

by cirtue of his grade or position to knO\.,rledge or possession of

clas l~ified matter. Such matter is entrusted only to those indi-

viduals t'lhose official duties require such knowledge or possession.u

(Par. ~11 AR 380-5)

Total m:unber of copies prepared:

:Narrative - 4 copies

Supporting Documents - 1 copy

Copy #4 will be retained in the files of this Headquarters.

Copy :/fo 1 t-li th Support ing Documents , and Copy n umbe rs 2 and 3 are

forwar-ded to the Commanding Genere.l, 2nd Infantry Division, for

.v , 4f ultimate distl--ibution as follovts :.

( 1) Forward one carbon copy of the report \'lith indorsement

thereto by the most expeditious means directly to The Adjutant Gen-

eral, Department of the Arrrw, Washington 25, D. c., Attn: AGAO-s.

( 2) Fonra...'"li, within ten days after receipt, the orginal copy

'« vlith one set of supporting documents, by indorsement throua{l channels,

to The Adjutant General, DepartmeJ1t of the Ari.Izy', lie.shington 25, D. c.,

Attn: AGAO-S.

(3) Retain one. carbon copy_

. SECT<ET SECURITY I.Njj'OILMATION

Korean War Project 2ID-00401158

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SECURI'rY IN:t.,ORMATION

38th-Infantry Regiment Operati ona Sect 1 on S-3 April 15, 1953

Command Report (RCS CSGP0-28)

'Pe r1 od Cove red: 1 through 31 March

NARRATIVE .SUiviivlARY

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Korean War Project 2ID-00401159

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SECRET SJiCUH 1 TY Il•D:10ILJ\IATION

SEClffiiTY INFOffi'fATIO N

INTRODOOTION

_)

Tre .3Sth Infantry Regiment with Netherlan:ls Battalion attached occupied

. am defended left regimental sector of ·LINE JA.ME,..C)'IDWN Vic CT1S.30S3 during the

month of February 1953. Units in reserve corrl~ted small unit training with

emphasis on battle drill and patrolling. Period was marked by occassional en­

counters with the enemy on the Warsaw feature, Vic CT105106.

Unit commanders and locations of the major components of the 3Sth Infantry

Regiment on 1 March 1953 were as follows:

a.

b.

c.

d.

e.

JI.m LOCATION

.38th Infantry Regiment CTJ.S.30S3

1st Bn

2m Bn

3rd Bn

Neth Bn

•"' .. "" .

CT1S2097

CT149055

CT1190S3

CTl45115

SECURITY INFORMATION

SECRET ~'ECDH l11Y TNVOTLl\i A TION

COMMAIDER

Col Archibald W Stuart

Major James B Shanahan

· Major Rex R Sage

Lt Col George C Fogle

Lt Col Cornelius Schilperoord

Korean War Project 2ID-00401160

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SECURITY INl'OILMATION SECURITY INFORM!TIO N

NARRATIVE OF TACTICAL OPERATION)

The 3Sth Infantry Regiment continued an aggres~;ive defense of LINE JAHES-

TOWN within its assigned sector during the period. Improvement of defensive

positions, patrolling anl rehearsals for local counterattacks plans continued

to receive emphasis throughout the period. During the month the 1st Royal

Canadian HOrse Artillery, in direct support of the Regiment gave excellent,

commendable fire support.

Work on the defensive positions was continuous and vigorously supervised,

and resulted in greatly improved. fighting positions. Work on overhead cover for

iniividUal positions was completed during the lOOnth. Trenches were deepened

ani revetted, communication wire dug in along the trenches ani additional protective

wire installed. It was evident early in the period tmt the fighting strength

s'OOuld be increased in the critical "Ibok" sector. The Regimental security ani

AT&M platoons were attached to the battalion in that sector ani the patrolling

effort assigned to reserve un.i.ts. The fire support available in the "Ibok" sector

at the _end of the period, consisted of the entire Heavy Mortar Company, 8lmm

mortar platoon from the reserve battalions and a 75 recoilless platoon from the

3rd Battalion, j_n addition to the· organic weapons of the battalion in ·t~he sector.

All fires were controlled from the Battalion Fire Support Control Center, arxl

enabled that unit to mass maximum effective fire on any target in a min.i.mum of

time.

~Toe sp1ring thaw and rains caused considerable deterioration to roads within (

the sector. As a result, the ~irect support Engineer Oompa~y was relieved. from ' t ,.,_,

attacfimerit to the left battalion and reverted to support of the Regiment. Due

to the. llla:ld;mum effort of the Engineers, Korean Service Corps arxl Regimental units,

tl'e coniition of road.s improved considerably by the end of the period.

l·OC!rps con:lucted~ a tactical exercise anl CPX on 3 March 1953, inv.olving

all Corps units. Units involved in the Regiment performed ln an efficient man-

ner - coord~nation between adjacent Regiments was excellent and, in general,

the exercise was profitable. Ibwever, it is "'6Uggested that frontline battalions '

not be involved in future exercises in any manner or way. It i~ extremely easy

to have a confused situatton, especially with the United Nations Battalions, result > ~ -~

from a mix up of canned messages arrl an actual situation developing at the front.

SECURITY INFORMATION SECRET

S:ECUR ITY TN1"011 MATTON

Korean War Project 2ID-00401161

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SECRET SECURITY IN110ILMATION

SEX:;tffiiTY INFORMA.TIO N

Narrative of TacM.cal Operations (Corrtd)

The enemy was particularly aggressive during the first three (J) weeks

of the period, resulting in several interesting patrol actions. On 18 March.

1953 an es·!iimated two (2) enemy companies engaged friendly outguards in the

Netherlands sector. Aggressive action by the 1ii:;therlarrls caused the enemy

to break contact with an estlmated thirty (JO) casualties. On 21 1-1arch 1953

an action on the Warsaw feature, left bat·t.alion sector, resulted in an est-

imated eighty five (85) enemy casual ties and one (1) prisoner of war. This

action was climaxed with a dawn attack by a reinforced platoon with pre-

arranged supporting fires, including smoke. It was a brilliantly executed

action completely clearing the feature of enemy and recovering friendly cas-

ual ties which occurred during the night. The Warsaw feature continues to

attract enemy patrols as it is a favorable approach to friendly positions.

Strong patrols are dispatched at irregular times to insure that the enemy does

not outpost th.1.s position.

Training for the reserve units included rehearsals for counterattacks

ani raids. Emphasis on aggressive patrolling, use of flares and other nigl:rt

illum1.nating means and small unit offensive tactics was stressed. Patrolling

was greatly improved by closely supervised rehearsals and briefings.

Tank shoots from }LR positions continue to be an effective means of keeping

the enemy from constructing positions forward of their HLR. Well planned inter-•"' .,. 'If •

diction and harassing fires at night, utilizing all arms, also, aclrleved excel-

lent results in keeping the CCF off balance in this Regimental sector.

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SECURITY INFORJ.IATION ..

'SECRET SECURITY IN1'10HMATION

Korean War Project 2ID-00401162

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SECRET SECURITY INFORlvfATION

INI'ELLIGENJE

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1. During the period 1-31 March 1953, the 3Sth Infantry Regiment occupied

positions on LINE J,u..n:;STOWN astride the SUITCIDN River valley in the vicinity

of PA.IDCHOK'roiD, CT129109. This valley is considered a natural axis of break-

through for CCF armies and was one of the major avenues of the CCF offensive

of April 1951.

2. The enemy to the front of the regiment consists of 2 battalions of the

399th Regiment, 133d Division, 46th CCF Army.

3. Enemy grou:r:rl action during the period increased, although no major

enemy attack was sustained. Alertness and prompt reaction are believed to have

caught two probes in the preparatory stage.

A new scene of activity which developed during the period was the area

west of NUDA.E (GS1212) where on three successive nights, the Dutch Battalion

engaged in outguard actions, the last being against an estimated enemy company.

Later, on 29 March, another enemy company moving toward ~WA.E was disrupted arrl

disorganized by artillery and mortar fires after being discovered by a regimental

patrol. These activ1.ties in this particular area indicate two possible intentions:

{1) a raid on a friendly outpost (Dutch position at CT.l32123) forward of the MLR,

or (2) a "combat inioctrination" attack to acquaint green CCF troops with battle.

This latter possibility is suggested by PW reports concerning the large number

of replacements in the 46th CCF Army (reportedly 65%) and the descriptions of the ·"' .. 411¥ •

enemy's fighting methods as reported by the Dutch personnel from the outguard

which was attacked.

4. w'iasAvl (CT105107) .was again a point of frequent contact with enemy

patrols. A ·plan to maintain 21+-mur outguard on this feature was discarded

after a daylight S-man outguard was attacked and overrun just before darkness on -~

the- 3d qf March. · Frequent night patrols swept the crest of WARSAW to insUre

that the enemy did not occupy this feature. On 21 March, a platoon strength

patrol was sent to investigate the cave ar~a on tne northern base of WARSA'lrl. ~M' <!,

This group,met a superior enemy force arrl engag~d in a firefight which lasted

' . approximately 5 hours, during which the patrol was supplemented by three platoons.

SECURITY INFORMATION

SECRET

Korean War Project 2ID-00401163

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SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION

T~ fighting emed with friendly forces in possession of WARSAW. Irrlications

were that this enemy group of approximately two-company strength was disrupted

from a probe on the HLR. Patrols to WARSAW during the last few nigb:ts of the

month met contact with platoon-sized enemy forces and engaged in firefights be..

fore proceeding on to their objective.

5. Enemy mortar and artillery were generally moderate during the period with

the exception of extremely heavy shelling against WARSAW during the action of 3

March arrl against NUDAE ani the Dutch MLR on 28 March when CCF forces were caught

in the SAHICI:DN valley before they could attack. ?-fest significant was the increased

artillery arrl mortar on the Dutch front but this usually tied in with attempted

probes and outguard actions near NUDAE. Artillery continued to be preponderant

over incoming mortar fire. Total incoming rounds for the period - 4,077 Arty Bds 3 ,.326 :r.iort Rds

6. Zb enemy armor activity was noted during the period.

7. During the period, friendly patrolling consisted of 40 patrols dispatched

with .3 patrol contacts and 6 outguard contacts reported.

S. Enemy Losses:

a. Counted KIA 63

b. Estimated KIA 126

c. Es"!;imated WIA 285

d. PW 2 (in addition, 2 enemy KIA were brought into MLR for intelligence

purposes) .....

9. The enemy remains capable of:

,a. Continuing an active defense in depth in present positions with .,...

elements of the 133d Division, 46th CCF Army. ~

b. Launching limited objective attacks with elements of the forces

noted above. ., 'li'

c. Launching a general offensive with the force mentioned above.

d. Reinforcing "a" ani ''b" with reserves consisting of at least 4 1

t '

" battalions within 6 hours without warning and at least 9 additional

battalions within 12 hours.

e. Increasing air and guerrilla activities •

SECURITY INFORMATION

SECRET

Korean War Project 2ID-00401164

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SECTION I: STREHGTH

Strength as of 1 Harch 195.3: 86.0

Strength as of .31 }-farch 195.3: 84.8

strength of the Netherland Battalion attached: 55 Officers. 828 TIM.

KATUSA attached to the Netherland troops: 17.3. KATUSA attached to

the US troops: .39 5.

SECT ION II: ADHINISTRAT IVE

During the period 1-.31 March 1953 emphasis was placed on rais:iltg

administrl'l:t:ive standards. T\.ro companies in the 2d Battalion were inspected·

by higher headquarters and ea.ch company recelved an overall rating of sat­;

isfactory. Casualty reporting :improved and the total number of days delay

in suhrdssion was reduced over the last per1od. personal effects were

evacuated promptly and jn keeping with prescribed policy. The administrative

workload was normal during the period and no problems other than the routine

were encountered. Strength accountability procedures were reexamined and a

ne'!-T form devised in order to provide the regimental commander and other unit

commanders with an exact figure of the HLR strength as well as accounting

for all other assigned members. This report is submitted three Urnes a week

and enables the regiment to cletermine the exact stat11s of every man. This

""'report 'ha.s proven effective and ha.s been adopted by division.

SECTION III: Al.JARDS AND DECORATIONS

\., The following ·avisrds and deoorat:-ions were avwrded or recommended dur

this_.J)Sr iod: Leg:i.on of l<!;erit 1

Silver Star 4

~tt" Bronze Star (V) 16 ....

Bronze Star (H) 24

Arrny Gommepdat_:Lon Ribbon 24

' SEar ION IV: HORALE .Ai~D P&1SONNE.'L SERVICES

Norale during tho period was at its usu..·Tl high. There wero two USO

shows avaUable during th(j perlod and movies were available to reserve ' t ~ -

Korean War Project 2ID-00401165

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SECl:CET SECURITY INl10ltMATIOl·1

units on an everyother night badr;. Hail delivery vias norrrt~l.l. The

Regimentrtl Post :~c::change cent,rn,lly located at the Reg:Ur~enta.l Shot-!Elr Point

continued to operate successfully. A coffee e..nd doughnut shop was estab-

lished at the shm.rer point U.'lder the supervision of the Re:girnental Post

Exch~.nee Off:tcer. Plans relative to exp13.nsion and i."llprovement of these

morale f2cilitles have been studied A.nd it is believed that improvements

ca.n be accoMplished. A. neH accounting. system for the sale of merchandise

in the regimental PX h':cs slowed up operations considerably; however, it is

. believed that. a simplified system i>Till develop in the in:nnediate futll'e.

The mobi1e PX continued to operate, providing PX facilities to those units

not afforded the opportunity to visit the PX frequently.

Donations to charities and Soldiers' Deposits decreased for the period.

This is the fifth consecutive month that donations for from one to four

charities have been reque8ted. It is extremely difficult to convince

personnel to donate \<Tillingly each month. Aga.a it is recommended that

the number of donatlons be recluced immediately and a plan be devised to

stagger these donations over a period of time rather than exploit them

all at once. For example, during this period there were a total of 5

charities to which individua.ls were asked to dJnate.

Regimental Chaplains conducted regulBr Sunday services, made frequent

visits to the front line units, and conducted daily services at D.ll units •

.S~IONr V: CASUl\LTIES

During the above period there were:

' ·~

KIA

WIA

29

83

MIA 4

SECTION VI: . ~tl"

REPLACEMENI' S

NBC

The flow of replacements was again subnormal •. Several months ago the

regiment dropped below 95% of its T/0 stren&,th •. Since that time only I'

eno~gh 'replacements to. cover, rotation lo~es have been received. It is

expected that in the near future the reg:iment will receive an additional

number of KA'I'USA. This reg~rnent has recommended to higher headquarters t t'

SECRET SECUIUTY INJ!,ORMATION

Korean War Project 2ID-00401166

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SECRET -SECURITY INl!10RMATION

that the number of KATUSAs be reduced to one per r ifie squad and two per

weapons squad and that any additional KATUSAs received be assigned to

special units and battalion headquarters companies.

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·SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION

Korean War Project 2ID-00401167

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S:ECUIUTY INJfOJLMATIO:N SECURITY INFORMA.TIO N

Summary for March 1953

During the month o:f March 1953 Regt cont de:f ani improvement o:f psns on

LINE JA.MF..STOW» with res Bns conducting unit ani specialized tng.

On 010930! Mar 53 1st Bn commenced rel o:f 3rd Bn on LINE JAMESTOWN. On

020130! Mar 53 1st Bn assumed resp :for sector. Rel completed on 020430I ~ 53.

3rd Bn clsd into prev 1st Bn pans on 020730! Mar 53.

On 021200! Mar 53 0 Go 2ni Engr (C) Bn rel atcbnt 1st Bn ar.d became D/S

38th Inr.

On 0.3 Mar 53 38th Inf' coniucted exercise "Ever-Ready 5 11 •

On 0.30600! Mar 53 2 searchlight tks, 72d Tk Bn, atcb:l opn ctl 38th Tk Co.

On 04 Mar 53 frdly 00 on Warsaw was overrun by an est en plat at approx 1900

hrs. At 1915 brs :frdly plat size OG eng um vic 0!1.05107. 10 min SA, AW, ani

ID FF. En W/D ar.d :frd ret to MLR. At 0200 hrs :frdly ptl dispatc bed to screen

area and bring back casualties.

On 050220! Mar 53 another ptl was disptached to bring back additional cas­

ualties. Total :frd casualties were 5 KIA., 14 WIA and 1 MIA.

On 05 Mar 53 E Co ani F Co· exchanged res psns. E Co Vic CT112085. F Co

vic CTJ.4J.065.

On 161.300! Mar 53 2 sees Btry D, 82d AAA AW Bn D/S 38th In:f.

On 152300! Mar 53 est en plat eng :frdly OG vic CT129124. 6 min SA FF. En

w,lfi. '"Frtr.ly casual ties: 3 KIA and 1 WIA. En casual ties: est 5 KIA ar.d est 15

WIA.

· oh 170240! Mar 5.3 ·est 40 en eng :frclly ptl vic 0'1'128123. 5 min FF. En

A.rty.P1s.Qed. on en as en W/D. :tb est of en casualties.

''.t On 171100! Mar 53 3rd Bn and 2r:rl Bn exchanged res psns. Move completed on

.181~25~ Mar 5.3. 2nd .. Bn assumed resp :for 2r.d Div res on 181345! Mar 5'3. 2nd Bn

assumed resp for scty &.rlequin Bridge at 181700! Mar 53.

On 1~200I Mar 53 est 2 en Cos atk 2 frdl<y OGs vic OT132123. 45 min FF. En

W/D. . Est 30 en casual ties.

On 212240I Mar 53 est 50 en eng :frdly ptl vic CT116125. · Brief FF. En W/D.

Frdly casual ties 4_ WIA. En casual ties est at 25. . t \

SFnURITY INFORMlTIO N

SECRET SECURITY INFOHMATION

Korean War Project 2ID-00401168

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SECURITY INJTORMATION .___,

SECTJRTIY INFORHATION

Summary for Mar 53 (Contd)

On 212005I Mar 53 est reinf en Co eng frdly ptl vic C'n03107. FF ceased at

2230 brs. At 2240 hrs spt group of ptl eng en on top of Warsaw. Spt group reinf

by 1 Off ani 17 EM at 2300 hi-s and 1 Orr and 18 EM at 0106 brs. Action cont

sporadic. At 0300 brs 1 plat dispatched to screen area eng IDIE at 0345 hrs. Ptl

oroered to return to MLR. At 0710 hrs another screening ptl eng est 2 reinf en

sqds. En W'/D at 07/$ hrs and all action ceased. Frd. casualties: 13 KIA, 39

WIA and 5 MIA. · En casual ties: 27 ctd KIA., 25 est KIA., 60 est W'IA and. 1 PW (died

at Bn aid sta.).

On 24 Mar 53 A ani B Co ID Bn exchanged MLR Psns.

On 240001I Mar 53 Colonel Fuqua assumed resp of 38th Inf' Regt.

On 271200I Mar 53 2n:i Bn 38th Inf rel Div res msn.

On 271730I Mar 53 2ni Bn rel resp scty detail at Ihrliquin Bridge by 72d

Tk Bn.

On 28 Mar 53 M Co (-) and L Co moved to new res psn Vic CT.118061 closing in

at 1200 hrs.

On 281030I Mar 53 1 plat Hv :t-iort Co 2Jrd Inf rel 1 plat Hv N'ort Co 38th Inf

ani passed to opn ctl of 38th In,t.· Plat Hv Mort Co clad in new area vic CT.l180S5.

On 282210I Mar 53 est en Co atk frd psn vic CT128122. Fro fired AW' ani

called in .!rty and mort on En. En W'/D at 2255 hrs. Approx 1300 rds incoming

arty and mort in Neth.Bn area between 2200 - 2400 brs. En casualties: est 50

KIA aM T5 Will.

On 291150I Mar 53 Hi Co 3rd Bn clad in new pans Vic CTJ.l6061.

On 30o345I Mar 53 est en plat. eng frd ptl vic CT104J.06. 2 min FF, frd

diseng ani called in arty. Ptl departed again at 0400 and eng tThlE at 0402 hrs. . ......i

1 min FF. Frdly diseng and called in arty. Frdly screened area at 0455 hrs with

negative results. - . 1f'' ' '

On 302102I Mar 53 est 16 en eng frd ptl vic CT1041o6. 9 min FF. Frd diseng

arrl called in arty. j

... SECURITY INFORMATION

SECRET SECURITY INJ:,ORMATION

Korean War Project 2ID-00401169

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; • ,./!EPRODUCED AT THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES \

' -~:~-----~~ ·-·'"'··-- ~ .. \-

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SECRET 83ICURITY INl10RMATJON

DISCUSSION AID RECOMMEIDATIORl

The JSth Infantry Regiment continued to occupy defensive positions during

the period covered by this report. The program for strengthening critical pos-

itions was complicated by the damage resulting from the enemy shelling, rain and

the spring thaw. · The continuous work required on the road system cut off the

Engineer support previously available on the MLR. Help was given to the front .

line units by the reserve battalions, This enabled the troops on position to

get their needed rest during the day.

Patrolling was stressed throughout the period. All patrols were carefully

briefed and rehearsed. Alert forces on the NLR were always ready in case a patrol

requ:5.red. assistance. The value of these forces was strikingly demonstrated on

the night of 21-22 March 1953 on WARSAW. The immediate availability of an alert

platoon in this action was the. decisive factor in breaking up the CCF ambush.

During the latter part of the month, violent limited objective attacks against/ ;.·

outposts of the 1st Marine Division am the 7th Infantry Division made it advisable::

that the critical left sect~r be strengthened. Since there were four (4) companiesiJ1 ·. ,,·:··!::;

(1st Bn, ''Itt Company attached) on the MLR ani one company ("K" Company) in close

reserve, the extra strength was provided by the integration of additional weapons

into the 1st Battalion's fire. support system and the displacement of the Jrd Bat­

talion (-) to a more fo1~ard location behind the 1st Battalion. The release of

the 2n:l Battalion from the Division reserve to regimental control after the

return of the 23rd Infantry Regiment from Koje..do, made the relocation of the

9'rd ~a.ttalion (-) possible.

A subnormal flow or enlisted replacements kept the unit below 95% of its

T/0 atrength throughout the month. Encmgh replacements arrived to take care of'

rotation but operational losses caused a continuing deficit • . .,, 1 shortage of Majors ani Captains results in a situation where young Lieuten- ·

ants are pushed into highly responsible positions before they are ready. 'li' . '

these produce very well but the overall effect is a lack of experience in places .

where it is vitally needed. This condition is alleviated by inordinately close ' ..

supervtsion from battalion and regimental level. This works well in our present ' . . ' ...

situation but could set up patterns of behavior that would be dangerous in a more

active situation. (

,_\ A. personnel policy should be set up to insure tmt officers of , , $ .

·appropr1ate grade and experience are assigned to the Infantry Regiment.

SECRET SECURITY INFORMATION

Korean War Project 2ID-00401170

- ....

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SECRET ~lt1GTIRI'fY INl!'ORMATTON

th.:l.rt:r-one

Korean War Project 2ID-00401171

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HEADQUARTERS FIRST BATTALION 38th Infantry

APO 248

2 April 1953

Summary of s-2-3 1ournal fir per l.od OlJOO~I l\1arch thru 3lg4lOL r..Wrch

This Bn relieved 3d Bn ()l0i]L00I 1-IJBrch l953o

'At 1900 the Outguard vlarsa\v engaged unkmown number of enemy, on 3 March. Ptls vrere sent out and e upportuing f2Jres ·called ino, 4 frdly bodies S:E::covered on morning of 4 .Harcho l man found was still a l ve •

On 21 I1arch at 2JD3 a P9tro1 from Blue Bn enga ged unknovm nJmbe.r of enmy on vfarsaw. Support group of patrol made contact. Then A 1¢' t force from MLI.~ made c ontatt 2350. On the :nor n 1 ng of 22 i·J.arch area Vla.c nrept and CCF dr lven offo 'l'here v1ere 24 ccunted enemy KIA, est 25 En KIA, and est 60 En ii!A. Frd1y Cas l'lt:!J:'e 2 KIA, 6 viiA from this Bn, and ll KIA, 39. vliA , and 5 I·liA from other Batta.lions of the 38th Inf. Bn rec •a support for patrol amounting to 8,700 rde of :nixed mortar and Arty.

On 3:0HGrch, 2033 ';{arsaw Ptl si»:hted more th!lln 16 CCF on Yoke of ':iarsavr. Pojt group pulled back and directed Arty and mortar fire on En, moved out a;;cal.n and en!7.a9.:ed l.n 15 minute F/F 1vith En. -'-:tl then pulled back. and VT was~fire on En on Ydte of vla)l:saw. I>tl screeood the area and found only a bloody jacket and sings on the 5".<;l,'ound of bodies bel.no: d):'a~7.P:ed. Ptl closed into MlR 2332•. - - --For the period Bn·received 4,s:.J8 mixed mortar and Arty ~"ds.

Bn Sit re:nained negative thl"oughout period. I

At 01ose of period Bn continuec tcdofend and improve psre ln "-'ime Ja.mes t'Dvm in aEE igned sec tor.

i,

HEADQUARTERS F IRS'r '8ATTALICN 38th Infantry

AF0245

4 Apr 11 53

S-2 Jcurna1 Summary fro pe_rlod OlOOOli March thru 312401I Marc

During the period l March th.ru 31 1-!arch the Bn remained ln defen~:~ lve ps n on Line Jae.stown.

A total of 8,286 mixed mol:'tar a.rid artillery rounds were red e 1 ved d ur 1 ng the~.r 1 od.

28 Patrols were dispatched durin~r. the .t:e.rioa. 4 contacts w~re made • 1 Prl vlS.S taken. A 11 capt u.red enemy materia 1 was evacuated through S-2 c hanne 1a.

Korean War Project 2ID-00401172

!EPROOUO.U AT TH~ NATIONAL ARCHIVES ' 1

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