2007 KWVA Election Results - Korean War Veterans Association

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Refugees in Korea 54 Refugees can create problems on a battlefield. Yet, their presence is rarely discussed in soldiers’ stories. Why is that? Granted, we publish occasional photos of refugees—especially children—and limited references, but we have not addressed in any great detail how their presence affected the conduct of the war. We would like to publish stories about refugees, how they affected combatants in Korea, whether they influenced strategies, etc. If you have any stories regarding refugees, please send them in to us at: Editor 152 Sky View Drive Rocky Hill, CT 06067 Okay, you ask: what prompted this request? The answer is simple. We received this article from Dennis A. Alba, 3503 Likini Street, Honolulu, HI 96818-2106. It sparked our interest. And, as luck would have it, a short article about refugees, which appears below, was included in “Memories of the 58th, (Vol. 38)” the 58th Engineers’ newsletter. So, let’s hear from you. War Refugees In Korea There has been a lot of talk in the media lately about why we should send our men and women to far off places like Iraq and Afghanistan, where countless refugees clutter the battlefields. I know something about refugees because I served in the Korean War. I enlisted in 1950 at Schofield Barracks, and one of the first things I learned was that refugees were a big problem in the battle zone. An Hawaiian sergeant who had just returned from Korea told us recruits in a loud voice that he had joined the Army ‘’to protect the United States and the people of this Hawaiian Territory” He also said that he was glad to fight overseas because he didn’t want to see his wife and children, family and friends, running away from an enemy who might have invaded our Territory. “Do you know what refugees are?” the sergeant asked. “Anyone who runs away or flees from home is a refugee. I saw old men and women, children and mothers carrying small babies, all running away from the North Koreans. Some had little food or none at all. They were cold and walked miles to find shelter. We saw the North Koreans stop, question and even shoot the refugees. Do you want to see your family and friends as refugees? Try to remember this. You join the Army to protect the United States and the people of Hawaii. Engage and destroy our enemies—Away From Home!“ As a retired platoon sergeant, I have told this story frequently to current protectors of the United States and its way of life. War Is Hell: Collateral Damage In Jan. 1951, Lt. Gen. Matthew Ridgway, commanding general, 8th US Army, ordered all US/UN and ROK forces to pull back across the Han River. (Seoul would again be captured by communist troops.) Ridgway’s orders included instructions to Brig. Gen. Charles Palmer to instruct his Military Police (M.P.s) to keep civilians clear of two pontoon bridges, a redecked railway bridge, and five floating footbridges, the only reliable means of escape across the frozen Han. Cpl. Leonard Korgies, a Nebraska farm boy, was then serving in the headquarters company, 2nd Battalion, 21st Infantry Div. Here is what he remembers: “Frenzied, hysterical refugees broke through the cordons and flooded onto the bridge. They were alongside our vehicles, in front of them and behind them. The trucks stopped. An officer on the roadway in front of us made a decision. “Then, and now, I don’t know what alternative he had. ‘Bring ‘em through!’ he ordered. ‘Move! Move! Get going!’ God! The trucks began rolling. The civilians couldn’t get out of the way, pressed tightly as they were on the roadway. “I still hear the smashing of bodies.” We also received the below poem from Robert V. Echelbarger, which focused on one child in a great war. He experienced the Korean War firsthand, as this brief “memoir” he furnished demonstrates. I am submitting four articles concerning the Korean War. Each article is a replay of various events I experienced while in Korea. I served with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment, of the First Marine Division during most of 1951. The morning after I landed in Korea I was assigned as an assistant BAR man as we jumped off climbing hills and finally went into reserve after 74 straight days on the line. I took part in Operation Killer and Operation Ripper, helped take the Punch Bowl, the spring Chinese Offensive, and Hill 812. During the fight for Hill 812 in September my oldest was born. In November I took part in the first relief of a regiment on the line by the use of helicopters. It is recorded in the history books. Reach Robert Echelbarger 16231 245th Street Mason City, IA 50401 EDITOR’S NOTE: The three remaining “articles” to which Mr. Echelbarger refers will be published in ensuing issues of The Graybeards. May– June 2007 The Graybeards
Little Porcelain Doll By Robert V. Echelbarger The little porcelain doll stood by the side of the road that early spring day in 1951. Her dark almond eyes registered the hopelessness within her soul. Fear shown within her eyes like that of an innocent fawn, cornered by wolves with no place to hide. She watched with tear stained cheeks as we dealers of death slogged by. Her silent lips and staring eyes seemed to ask the question, “Why?” The little porcelain doll slumped with her shoulders pulled back, by a cumbersome pack. Her once white gown was streaked by dirt and grime. Her delicate bare feet were bruised and flecked with blood. I asked myself, “Why do you cry, little porcelain doll? Is it because your childhood innocence has been destroyed? I know you are weary little porcelain doll, and carry you I would - if I could.” “Like you, I have no place to lay my head or a house to call my own. Both of us are victims of war, over which we have no control. Your future lies in flight, and perhaps survive. My destiny is to fight, and possibly die.” “Yes, little porcelain doll, I will never see you again as you disappear from sight. Your haunting face will return to my mind, during the quiet hours of night. You will always have a special place in my heart. Little porcelain doll. Oh, little porcelain doll.” These young people represent the victims of war 55 The Graybeards May – June 2007
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2007 KWVA Election Results Page 15
Page 3 and 4: From the President On January 1, 20
Page 5 and 6: MEDMND-GRB-0407
Page 7 and 8: standing, [3] every chapter and dep
Page 9 and 10: The Editor’s Desk Art Sharp Museu
Page 11 and 12: ALASKA ✯ WILLIAM S. CORDRY ✯ HA
Page 13 and 14: CERTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR KW
Page 15 and 16: Business Without A Meeting TO: SUBJ
Page 17 and 18: UN Memorial Cemetery Website In Eng
Page 19 and 20: elieve it,” says Waters. Sgt. Bun
Page 21 and 22: ‘Mortar Hill’ We were able to p
Page 23 and 24: in the year since the story appeare
Page 25 and 26: US/Korea Commitment Still There ABO
Page 27 and 28: Freedom Plaque. The Freedom Plaque
Page 29 and 30: ...................................
Page 31 and 32: quickly dissolved to a familiar pat
Page 33 and 34: for the delicious free lunch that w
Page 35 and 36: Monuments and Medals Korea: the For
Page 37 and 38: The first Korean War monument in th
Page 39 and 40: 170 TAEJON [NJ] Sixteen Chapter mem
Page 41 and 42: Members participated in a Medal Cer
Page 43 and 44: few months. He told us of a ninety-
Page 45 and 46: Members in the 24th Inf. Div. To Ge
Page 47 and 48: Barton and Pierce were assigned to
Page 49 and 50: A collage of “Ships at Sea” on
Page 51 and 52: The Planes Of Uijongbu These photos
Page 53: James Arling (R), current Oregon Tr
Page 57 and 58: 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing pilot
Page 59 and 60: (source: Chang) There are many othe
Page 61 and 62: Integration In Name Only I read you
Page 63 and 64: tured by the Chinese, and held as a
Page 65 and 66: wrote to me…and I tried to answer
Page 67 and 68: In subsequent reminiscence, Myers a
Page 69 and 70: Free from prison and certain death
Page 71 and 72: Marriott Resort (Suburban Chicago).
Page 73 and 74: Thanks! As we have noted in past is
Page 75 and 76: My Irish Address is; 2,Treacy Meado
Page 77 and 78: We are proud to introduce our new,
Page 79 and 80: plus other cultural/industrial faci
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2007 KWVA Election Results - Korean War Veterans Association

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