The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association

Remembering our Korean
War Chaplains
Part IV (Continued from May-June Graybeards)
The United States Army
Chaplaincy 1950-1953
Serving in a Stalemate
By late June 1951, a Soviet-proposed
Cease Fire brought a lull to the fighting and
the first negotiations between the sides.
Unfortunately, the time was primarily spent
strengthening positions along the line that
snaked roughly along the Imjin River on
the west to a point about 40 miles above the
parallel on the east. The U.N. particularly
fortified its hold near the “Iron Triangle”
(Chorwon — Kumhwa — P’yonggang) on
the central front. Clashes between the sides
broke out regularly even while the talks
were being held.
Chaplain John A. DeVeaux, Sr., African
Methodist, was conducting services for the
war dead one day at an Inch’on cemetery
during the July-August lull. A South
Korean, pointing to the stars above some of
the graves, remarked “I had no idea that
you Americans have lost so many generals.”
“Those aren’t generals,” replied
DeVeaux. “They’re soldiers of the Jewish
faith — men of all ranks who died for the
cause. The Star of David is the symbol of
their religion, as the cross is of the
Christian faith.”
During the previous months, many U.S.
troops had picked up orphan boys who lost
their parents in the War. The homeless children
were fed and clothed by the soldiers
and referred to as their “mascots.” In
August, the 1st Cavalry Division
Commander, who was concerned about the
welfare of these youngsters, asked
Chaplain Prudell to see to it that they were
properly cared for. Prudell organized
“Operation Mascot” by which 43 boys
were given medical examinations, fed, and
FRONT COVER: Dabudong War
Memorial (Bowling Alley Battle) near
Waegwon – 10 miles NW of Taegu.
Altar is for Bhuddist Thanksgiving
Ceremony for Good Harvest. Photo by
Dan Harrington
transported to various orphanges.
Unfortunately, two of the little fellows
‘‘escaped” and hiked their way — over 100
miles — back to the only home they knew.
Once more they had to be transported back
to the orphanages for which the 1st Cavalry
soldiers alone had contributed more than
$1,600.00.
Chief of Chaplains Roy Parker, who visited
the battle-torn country in August, quoted
a letter from a Korea-based chaplain in a
report to the Secretary of the Army near the
end of the month. “We are all praying that
an armistice can be negotiated here.” wrote
the chaplain, but added his discouragement
over the Communists’ use of the talks for
propaganda purposes. “We can ill afford to
lose the caliber of men we have lost here,”
he continued. “Perhaps this is not quite
properly expressed as any price which
assures freedom is worthwhile. But at the
same time, it hurts to lose such good men”
As the negotiations deteriorated into little
more than formal name calling and
completely broke off near the end of
August, the fighting rose again to full
crescendo. Names like “The Punch Bowl,”
“Bloody Ridge,” and “Heartbreak Ridge”
became common as the news media tried to
describe the coveted, rugged terrain commanding
the area for which thousands of
men gave their lives. Chaplain Parker quoted
the 7th Infantry Division Chaplain in his
September report to the Secretary of the
Army:
We are still engaged against an implacable
and staunch foe, but if morale ever won
a war our men will win this conflict. We are
in excellent shape and the new chaplains . .
. have already demonstrated eagerness,
cooperation, zeal for the welfare of the
men, and a fine cooperative religious interest
in everything, notwithstanding the rigors
and lack of amenities.
At about the same time the OCCH
received a narrative from Korea entitled,
“Diary Notes From the Chaplain,” written
by Chaplain Wendell F. Byrd, Church of
God, 13th Combat Engineer Battalion.
Among the pages were comments of thank-
Continued on page 10
THIS ISSUE
Features
Remembering our Korean War Chaplains 3
Mulrine’s Minutemen 9
A Son’s Unfinished Letter 16
1stLt ‘Snowflake’ Grisham 18
E.O.D. at Haeundae, Korea 37
Moon Beams Over Korea 38
Pork Chop Hill and the Knowledge of
Good and Evil 58
Honoring Our Fallen Heros 64
Korea’s Sleeping Ghosts 66
KMAG 69
Three Stories of a Korean War Veteran 70
Departments
President’s Message 4
Listen Up: KWVA Financial Statement 6
Editor’s Pen 9
D.C. Affairs 13
Images of Korea 20
Book Review 30
Update: Korean War Ex-Pow 31
The Poets’ Place 32
Defence POW/MIA Weekly Update 34
Reunion Showplace 36
Chapter Affairs 40
Monuments and Memories 54
Letters 62
Looking for... 81
Taps 82
Reunion Calendar 86
News & Notes
Kentucky Honors Korean War Vets 4
KWVA 20th National Reunion 26
Thanks for Supporting The Graybeards 31
America Remembers: WWII Memorial 60
Korean War Veterans National
Museum and Library 78
A Tribute to the Korean War Memorial 84
Proud Korean War Vets Display Tags 84
Korea Revist–Update 90
July/August, 2004 Page 3