The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

A Turncoat
remembered
prior to his
captivity
By William F. Proctor
He was a tall, angular man usually
accompanied by beard stubble
shielding hollow cheeks. His eyes
often displayed a gaze of despair. He gave little
attention to his attire. Probably less than
others did. Given that mien, outside of the
possibility he was not eating enough, this soldier
did not appear any different than any
other medic assigned as an aid man to an
infantry company of the 35th Infantry
Regiment.
Pfc. Lewis Griggs and I met at the
Medical Company collecting station of the
35th on the Pusan Perimeter July, 3 1950. I
had recently arrived as a replacement directly
from Camp Carson, Colorado. Griggs had
arrived in June at the outbreak of hostilities
with the Med. Co. after occupation duty in
Japan. He had returned that July day from the
front apparently to register with the
Company C.P. that he desired duties other
than those on the front line. Like the rest of
us. Pfc. Griggs was scared.
The best the First Sgt could do was give
Griggs a clean uniform, toiletries, stationery
and meals along with a few days duty at the
collecting station. For that duty Griggs was
assigned to me in the collecting platoon.
Something strange happens when you are
a 21 year old Corporal and have some guys
working at your direction in a combat zone.
Must be something to do with the something
called leadership. I found men not much
younger than I confiding in me much as their
father confessor. Griggs was no exception.
He described himself as a religious man and
would like to be a minister some day. On his
time he was seen with his Bible and writing
letters to family. Many times to me he spoke
of the fear that engulfed his whole being
Lewis Griggs apparently was imprisoned by the Chinese
military from spring `51 until he and others were taken to
China as defectors in Feb, 1954.
when he had been committed to all those horrors
of the war. Griggs was never explicit. No
combat stories. Our talks always ended with
some pronouncement by Griggs that he was
scared and would like to continue with collecting
station duty. I don’t recall he ever
questioned why we were in Korea and what
we were doing there.
In a few days the First Sgt told him to
return to his infantry unit. I didn’t see Griggs
again until winter and the Chinese arrived.
Once again he was allowed a break at the
Collecting Station. This time he was little bit
more the worse for wear. But weren’t we all?
After this respite again he returned to the
front with his infantry unit.
Come spring 1951. Was it March or April.
Do you remember? The poop was another
Chinese offensive was expected soon. The
dreaded Spring Chinese offensive. The 35th
was assigned a very narrow valley. The regimental
commander was not happy about the
regiment’s prospects in this deployment.
There was something said here and there that
the regiment was to be the shock absorber of
the initial attack by the Chinese. I would
rather think of it as bait.
The first day we set up the collecting station
in that valley Griggs arrived at the C.P.
He had heard the attack was imminent.
Griggs was in a real bad way. His physical
appearance had deteriorated to a new low.
His speech was without substance. Later in
the afternoon Platoon Sergeant Turner directed
us to dig in. We proceeded to dig foxholes
on either side of the collecting station treatment
tent. Turner, Griggs and I on one side
with others digging in on the other side.
Turner was called to a meeting at the C. P.
while I continued to work on a hole for the
two of us. I urged Griggs to keep digging, as
his efforts were quite lackadaisical.
He did not seem to realize or care that the
collecting platoon was preparing for a possible
mortal confrontation with the Chinese
army. An attack that would occur if Chinese
infantry broke through the 35th’s front or if
the regiment was outflanked.
Sgt. Turner returned. He told me to get
my gear together. I was to take two 2-1 /2 ton
trucks to the rear and out of the valley. Orders
had come down from regiment to evacuate
out of the valley all excess vehicles and baggage.
In our case the trucks assigned to me
were loaded with gear, equipment and supplies
of the second collecting station we used
when the platoon was divided at different
sites to better serve the casualties. I believe a
third truck was also involved, taking the
kitchen; hardware, utensils. stoves and some
rations.
Turner told me who the drivers were
assigned to this detail. Griggs asked to go
with the detail. Turner informed Griggs he
was to stay with the collecting station. Griggs
implored, “Why? Why can’t I go?” He didn’t
expect an answer. He knew, as an aid
man, his job was with assisting with any
wounded brought in that night.
Then he begged repeatedly to go with the
convoy. I looked at Turner and he at me.
Without a “see you later” I grabbed my stuff
and headed for my trucks. Turner didn’t
speak either. Just took the entrenching tool
and started digging.
Our makeshift convoy of rear echelon
vehicles; trucks, trailers, water tank trailers
and jeeps was on the road just before dusk. If
it had wheels and was not contributing to the
initial battle it was out of there. Some time
after darkness had engulfed us we stopped in
a large stand of very tall old trees. I was
amazed. I had not seen a real old fashion tree
since I arrived in Korea. An officer came
down the line ordering us to get some rest but
stay with our respective vehicles. I crawled
under the 2-1/2 and fell asleep, dreaming of
seeing those tall trees at first light.
Before dawn an officer rousted me out
from under the truck. He told me the collecting
platoon was overrun during the night and
all the equipment was lost. He didn’t have
any numbers but stated many of the personnel
had escaped over the hills and found
refuge at an aid station of the Turkish
Brigade. We were to rendezvous with our
guys there.
I never did see those trees in the daylight.
By early morning we arrived at the Turk’s aid
station. What a relief to see those guys and
the doc. They did not appear to be overwrought
or exhausted with the exception of
one who had received a flesh wound from
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