2007 KWVA Election Results - Korean War Veterans Association

‘Mortar Hill’
We were able to put down a large volume of suppressing fire that countered
the incoming fire.
It appeared that the NKs possibly had wounded and dead of their own,
because they were not disengaging at all and that was unusual.
The decision was made to extract our wounded and dead and move to
a more secure perimeter to treat the wounded.
I and two others moved forward of the initial ambush perimeter
approximately 10yds, in an attempt to push the NKs back and allow the
extraction or our causalities.
This seemed to surprise the NKs.
We were throwing grenades and laying down heavy automatic fire to
our front, left and right flanks.
It is really hard to judge time during combat what is minutes sometimes
seems like hours.
Myself and the two other men (Pfc Gilliam And Pfc Norton).felt that
we could now move back and make sure the initial ambush site was clear
of causalities.
In doing so, we had to move and shoot to make sure that the NKs
would not advance on us. The volume of incoming fire had somewhat
decreased and wasn’t accurate.
As we moved back through the initial ambush site, I saw someone
lying in the grass just to the rear of the ambush site.
I moved to the person, it was a KIA ( Sp4 Rymarczuk), a member of
the original ambush team on the hill.
Riggs was a buddy of mine and he was tore up pretty bad. I yelled at
Norton and we began to drag “Riggs” down the south side of the hill.
During this, “Riggs’” pants came down to his knees.
For an unknown reason I stopped and told Norton to cover me, as it did
not seem dignified that “Riggs” pants were down. Norton was yelling at
me to hurry up.
I managed to get his pants up and belt buckled when automatic
weapons fire was directed at us from our front.
The NKs had apparently moved through the initial ambush site and
were pursuing us. Norton got behind a tree and I lay down behind “Riggs”.
Rounds were snapping all around us and I could hear and feel rounds
striking “Riggs’ body.
We were returning fire.
Suddenly as if by magic, a Sgt Royse Sparks from GP Gladys and several
other men came from: our rear and laid down suppressing fire so the
we could get up and move with “Riggs·.
We all managed to get to the relative safety GP Gladys.
When inspecting the ambush site at first light, numerous blood trails
were found traveling in a northerly direction toward the MOL.
They had hurt us but I believe we hurt them worse.
We policed up all the discarded equipment and moved out of the DMZ
to a pick up point and debriefing.
Norton questioned me later as to why I had stopped to pull up “Riggs’”
pants and in no uncertain terms told me it was nuts.
I simply replied that it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.
Army Commendation Medal Criteria:
The Army Commendation Medal is
awarded to any member of the Armed
Forces of the United States other than
General Officers who, while serving in any
capacity with the Army after 6 December
1941, distinguished himself by heroism,
meritorious achievement or meritorious
service.
Award may be made to a member of the Armed Forces of
a friendly foreign nation who, after 1 June 1962, distinguishes
himself by an act of heroism, extraordinary achievement,
or meritorious service which has been of mutual benefit
to a friendly nation and the United States.
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters 2d Infantry Division
APO San Francisco 96244
GENERAL ORDERS 3 August 1968
TC 320. The following AWARDS are announced.
PATTON, DALE A RA16939091 (SSAN) PFC E3 United
States Army
Awarded: Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device
Action date: 30 July 1968
Reason: For heroism. On the morning at 30 July 1968, at
approximately 0030 hours, Private First Class Patton was a
member of a fourteen-man relief patrol organized and. dispatched
to assist a friendly ambush patrol operating within the
Korean Demilitarized Zone that was in danger of being overpowered
by a superior enemy force. Their mission was to
retrieve the dead and wounded and attempt to reestablish contact
with the enemy. Within ten minutes after arriving at the
scene of the action, Private First Class Patton, along with the
other members of his patrol, came under heavy enemy automatic
weapons fire. While the rest of the patrol evacuated the
wounded, Private First Class Patton, along with two other members
of the patrol, provided covering fire. Though un der heavy
automatic fire, the small force was able to contain the enemy
and make possible the evacuation of the wounded to safety. The
complete disregard for his personal safety and the staunch
courage displayed by Private First Class Patton in the face of an
armed aggressor was in keeping with the most cherished traditions
of the military service. His courage and devotion to duty
throughout the action reflect great credit upon himself, the 2d
Infantry Division and the United States Army.
Authority: By order of the Secretary of the Army under the
provisions of AR 672.5.1
CLARKSON, CHARLES US51592137 (SSAN) SP4 E4
United States Army
Awarded: Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device
Action date: 30 July 1968
Reason: For heroism. On the morning of 30 July 1968, at
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The Graybeards
May – June 2007