The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association
The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association
The Graybeards - KWVA - Korean War Veterans Association
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Heartbreak Ridge Korea March 24, 1953<br />
LOST ON PATROL<br />
By Samuel F. Gann<br />
On the evening of March 24, 1953<br />
an eight man patrol left the<br />
M.L.R. for an evening between<br />
enemy lines. A medic was the last man on<br />
the patrol I asked if I could have a<br />
weapon, the lieutenant in cha rge said no<br />
according to the Geneva Convention a<br />
medic could not have a weapon only an<br />
Hio Bag I was not very happy about that.<br />
We were told to whisper to the man behind<br />
us as we were moving out It was getting<br />
very dark.<br />
I heard a noise and wandered<br />
into a group speaking<br />
a language I did not understand.<br />
I do not know if<br />
they were South <strong>Korean</strong>s,<br />
North <strong>Korean</strong>s, or Chinese.<br />
Finally after what seemed like eternity,<br />
I whispered are you there no one<br />
answered. So I moved out trying to find<br />
someone. I heard a noise and wandered<br />
into a group speaking a language I did not<br />
understand. I do not know if they were<br />
South <strong>Korean</strong>s, North <strong>Korean</strong>s, or<br />
Chinese. No one understood what I was<br />
saying either. After what seemed like<br />
hours a man in broken English, asked if<br />
my name was Gann. Before I said yes, I<br />
thought here goes the interrogation. I<br />
finally said yes. He told me two men from<br />
Charlie Company were coming to get me.<br />
You talk about thanking the Good Lord, I<br />
did.<br />
After the men from C. Co. came, they<br />
told me to walk between them on the way<br />
back. After getting back to C Company I<br />
walked the trench back to Able Company,<br />
getting back to my bunker. My medic<br />
Buddy Bill Hoatson was so happy to see<br />
me. He had a small calendar that he<br />
marked March 24, 1953 as Damn Sam<br />
Day. Today at 74 years old I am still<br />
haunted with that night.<br />
Samuel F. Gann, 2201 E. 65th Street,<br />
Indianapolis, Indiana 46220. See book<br />
Christmas in July. Ad in this issue.<br />
A copy of the map of the Outpost, near<br />
Christmas Hill.<br />
Taken at the 50th Anniversary of the <strong>Korean</strong> <strong>War</strong>, Washington, D.C. 2003. Shown Left to<br />
right, Harris Hollin, Florida; John McLain, Tennessee; Wayne Pelkey, Vermont; Andrew<br />
Antippas, Virginia and Bill Delkeds,, New York<br />
Page 18<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Graybeards</strong>
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