I am attempting to gather info on my Uncle - John Martin. He was in Task Force Smith; I do not know to which unit he was assigned. He passed away several years back and all his papers were given to a cousin who has since passed too. My brother has a picture of Gen Almond presenting a Silver Star or a Bronze Star to him for his actions during the Task Force Smith operation. I would like to find out as much information as I can about his unit as assigned during Task Force Smith and the accounts of action pertaining to his award. MSG John Martin retired from the US Army in/about 1963 to the best of my knowledge... and served... Jumped into North Africa, Italy, and jumped into France during WWII and jumped one or more time during Korea.
Robert J. Leffler rjlefflere7@yahoo.com
Entry: 1761
TASK FORSE SMITH (24TH INF. REG.)
JAMES C BROOME wrote on January 10, 2001
Comments:
In 1954-55 I was the FA LNO to the 21st Inf Reg. The Reg CO, Col Glenn Long asked me to write up something for the anniversary of the first battle in Korea at Osan. TF Smith, was formed to be the first troops deployed to go into battle with the NKS, was made up of the 1st Bn minus C Company, plus Btry A 52 FA and the FDC, survey, and communications sections of Hq Btry 52 FA. About 500 troops. TF Smith arrived in country and met the NKs, who had tanks, at Osan. The NKs not knowing what size the force was, pulled up and waited 24 hours. The TF did well considering having been on occupation duty and was not trained up as it should have been. I was told that the FA Btry had only 6 AP shells. The TF had to withdraw with heavy casualties when the NKs resumed the attack. This action by TF Smith enabled the balance of the 21st to arrive and go into battle positions. If TF Smith had not delayed the NKs, it could have meant that the US forces would have had to invade instead of unloading at the docks at Pusan. TF Smith deserves recognition for its actions at Osan. It played an very important part of the Korean War. It seems as if BG S.L.A. Marshall, the Army Historian, has written something on this. You might check that reference.
