The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

CHAPLAINS from page 3
brought with them. Their morale was high,
however, as they pulled into Taejon the next
morning. There Colonel Smith was briefed
by Brigadier General John H. Church, who
headed MacArthur’s survey party and representatives
of the Korean Military Advisory
Group (KMAG). Smith also had a chance to
go forward and survey the area near Osan.
Moving on to P’yongt’aek, the unit was
joined by a battery of the 52nd Field Artillery
Battalion. They commandeered old U.S.
Army trucks from some retreating ROK soldiers
and finally reached a pre-chosen hill
north of Osan in the morning darkness of 5
July. Shell holes and a few burning huts indicated
the enemy was near. The men dug in
and set up their artillery.
It was raining at daybreak, so Chaplain
Hudson wandered with a few men to the foot
of the hill, found an abandoned hut, and went
in to prepare some breakfast. Shortly after
they entered, Hudson heard the noise of an
approaching vehicle. He innocently glanced
out the door and was momentarily stunned—
staring directly at him was a North Korean
tank. Dashing through the hut and out the
back door, he and the others hurled themselves
into a ditch as the tank’s machine gun
riddled the shack. The tank, followed by others,
rumbled on south and the chaplain and
his companions scrambled for their unit on
top of the hill. Even before they reached the
top, the U.S. howitzer and mortar crews
opened up on the tank column. Their firepower
had little effect, however, and most of
the tanks continued right past their position.
Following the tanks came an incredible convoy
of NKA trucks, estimated at nearly 6
miles long. Hordes of enemy soldiers dismounted
and began attacking the tiny U.S.
group in an attempt to encircle the hill.
As the battle raged, U.S. casualties began
to fall by the scores. Chaplain Hudson
dashed through the rain and mud consoling
the dying, praying with the wounded, and
assisting the aid men. With the passing of
each hour, however, the situation began to
appear hopeless. By noon, Hudson had
worked his way to Colonel Smith. The commander
told him he had sent a messenger
south for help but that unless aid came quick-
Fr. Craig Mass (11-8-2003) Our Lady of Victory Church, Columbus, Ohio
The story of Fr. Craig can be found on page 7 of the November-December 2003 issue of The Graybeards. The photos and event in this issue came to
late to be printed in that issue.The following photos show only a few of the attendees at the ceremony to honor a Korean War Hero named Fr. Craig.
—Editor.
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Lauber and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Maurer (Both Gene and
Tom are Aquinas grads—-1946) *Gene served Mass for Fr. Craig in
Korea one week before Fr. Craig was killed in battle.
Aquinas President Nobile (1957) and Past President Cross (1952).
Alumni, friends and family gather at the After-Mass reception for remembering
Fr. Craig.
Tom Eviston (1944), who organized the Mass and also the Korean War
Veterans Display.
Page 10
The Graybeards