Jan/Feb 2009 - Korean War Veterans Association

B Battery, 1951 (Thorne)
ground rapidly across the southern
mountain mass overlooking the great
plains connecting Wonsan with the “Iron
Triangle.“ In fact, the enemy gave up
real estate more quickly than the UN
Forces cared to acquire it, as evidenced
by several pauses through the latter part
of June. The enemy, however, reacted
quickly to our hesitancy by digging-in
across from line “Ermine,“ in positions
which they defended and patrolled stubbornly.
The area from line “Ermine”
north through Kumsong could have been
ours uncontested had the UN Forces
been interested in real estate.
The latter part of the month witnessed
battalion-size limited objective
attacks aimed at keeping the enemy off
balance and confused. These attacks
caused considerable loss to the enemy in
equipment and supplies as they were
dislodged from his bunkers.
Unit History for July 1951
4 July, the 175th Anniversary of our
nation’s independence, appeared clear
and cooler, with a high overcast that did
not hinder observation. Activity to the
front continued relatively quietly, with
only minor incidents. During the day the
National Colors, Battalion Standard and
Red Devil flag were displayed, with all
batteries furnishing guards.
At 1145 hours Battery Commanders
assembled their Commands around the
guns for the firing of the salute to the
U.S.. The 48-gun salute was fired at
five-second intervals, beginning at 1200
hours. Following this, the Preamble to
the Constitution and the opening portion
of the Declaration of Independence were
Christopher Donall
KIA 7 March 1952
read to all men. At 1300 hours, at a representative
ceremony, SFC Earl F Elder
of Service Battery was commissioned a
2nd Lt., Artillery. At 1530 hours
Brigadier General Gillmore visited the
Battalion. Everyone listened to the news
broadcasts for the latest developments
on cease fire talks.
A letter from Headquarters Eighth
Army dated 10 July informed the
Battalion that it was entitled to the ROK
Presidential Unit Citation for action
with the 7th Infantry Division during the
period 15 through 27 September 1950.
1951 - Battlefield commission for
NCO Sgt. Elder
20 July continued heavily overcast
with continuous wind-driven showers,
apparently signifying the arrival of the
long awaited monsoon season. With the
battalion area a quagmire of mud, men
attempted to drain and improve irrigation
of the area. Some classes were held
in tents, but most outdoor training had
to be cancelled. Battery B of the 17th
FA Bn. continued to improve its position
under a serious handicap of mud.
23 July delivered a heavily overcast
appearance with threatening showers
that gradually gave way to clear weather.
As defined by an Eighth U.S. Army
directive, this battalion was entitled to
Donald Johnson - B Battery
KIA 5 November 1951
five Battle Stars for Korea.
31 July was overcast after several
heavy showers during the night. On this
last day of July the battalion continued
to reinforce the fires of the 24th
Division Artillery and those of the 18th
ROK Field Artillery Battalion. The battalion’s
strength rested at 29 officers, 3
warrant officers and 607 enlisted men.
July 1951 in Retrospect
July was characterized by its relative
inactivity wherein both sides dug in and
dispatched patrols into one another’s
lines. Influenced by the cease fire negotiations
in Kaesong, both sides displayed
restrained aggressiveness.
During July, the UN Forces launched
several limited objective attacks aimed
at keeping the enemy off balance and
obtaining timely enemy order of battle
information. Prisoners taken to our
front revealed the arrival of new units
replacing those encountered in June’s
advance.
During July sufficient enlisted
replacements were received to realize
the rotation of two-thirds of the
Battalion’s original personnel.
Regrettably, officer replacements continued
scarce, with a total of one
received during July. Three sergeants
were awarded battlefield commissions
during July, to bring the total to eight
received in Korea.
End - Excerpts From 92nd AFA BN
Book By Col. Leon F. Lavoie
Begin: Excerpt from “92nd AFA BN
History”
August 1951 And Thereafter
The 92nd spent the latter part of
1951 and most of 1952 in support of
various ROK and American divisions in
the Kumhwa Valley area on the central
front facing hill 1062 (Papa San). The
Red Devils were in direct support of the
ROK 2nd Div and the U.S. 7th Div in
the battle for Triangle Hill during
October.
End: Excerpt from “92nd AFA BN
History”
Begin: Excerpts from article “Struggle
for Kumhwa Ridges,” by John
Randolph
69
The Graybeards
January – February 2009