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Korean War Project Newsletter – May 7th, 2007 Volume 10 # 3
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Table of Contents:
1. Editorial
2. This Mailing List
3. Wings of Freedom Tour 2007
4. Don Ho – Rest in Peace
5. Korean War Remains – Gov. Richardson mission
6. Korean War Remains – Identification and burials
7. Finding the Families Update – Urgent List!
8. Searching the KWP – Update.
9. The Barker naval movies - 1952
10. Looking For on the KWP
11. Shipping out on the Billy Mitchell – AP114
12. Membership
13. KCOM-Z
14. Taps, John Hanfelt – F Co, Weapons, 32nd Infantry Rgt. 7ID
15. Marine Corps | Navy History Section
16. Raising the Flag at the American Consulate in Seoul, 9/9/50
17. French Battalion Web site
18. Panmunjom-Joint Security Area
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1. Editorial
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We have had many comments about the upgrades in the web site since our last newsletter. Pending upgrades will feature the multi-volume Army History Series among other documents.
The goal of our work is to create relationships between sections of the site where none have existed before.
Hal and I both wish to extend a warm welcome to the many new subscribers of the newsletter. We hope you
will also review the older issues.
The web site and the newsletter are made possible by the generous donations of our Sponsors | Members | Donors.
Thanks to all who make this possible!
Links: www.koreanwar.org/html/nonprofit/nonprofit/donor.cfm
Our Original Sponsors:
www.koreanwar.org/html/first.html
Hal and Ted Barker - Dallas Texas
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2. This Mailing List (going to 43,000 persons)
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To join or leave the list: email to: Ted Barker tbarker@kwp.org
Place: Subscribe or Unsubscribe in the subject line.
Consider forwarding the Newsletter to your friends by email or print. Word of mouth is how we grow.
Thanks for being part of the Korean War Project family!
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3. Wings of Freedom Tour 2007
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Todd Kennedy wrote us about the bombers mentioned in the April 2nd Newsletter.
"I thought it would be helpful for your readers to mention that those incredible aircraft belong to the Collings Foundation'"
"By checking out their website, everyone that's interested can find out when the beautifully
restored war birds are scheduled to be in their own area. I went for a ride on the B-17 and had a thrilling flight."
Link: www.collingsfoundation.org
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4. Don Ho – Rest in Peace
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A great many of our readers have memories of visits
to Hawaii. Part of those visits always seemed to feature a Don Ho musical evening.
Hal recounts how he was able to tell Mr. Ho about the death of his brother, Everett Ah Fong Ho, during the Korean War.
"A number of
years ago, I found that SFC Everett Ah Fong Ho, 23rd Infantry Regiment, was lost during the Korean War at the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge. Sergeant Ho was the brother of Don Ho.
In 1994, accompanied by Lee Dunn, wife of John
Dunn of the 23rd Infantry, I was invited by Don Ho to be his guest for an evening of music. John, Lee, and I had just returned from a tour of Korea that included the area where SFC Ho was killed.
Mr. Ho treated Lee and I to dinner, drinks, and a charming evening.
Don Ho's ashes were spread upon the waters off Honolulu just days ago. We will always remember him and his loss during the Korean War."
Hal
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5. Korean War Remains – Gov. Richardson mission
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In mid April, Governor Richardson of New Mexico headed a bipartisan
mission to North Korea whose primary goal was to accept delivery of several sets of remains of US Servicemen lost during the Korean War. The party then flew to Hickam AFB in Hawaii where the remains were met by a full color guard.
The visit was initiated from contact by the DPRK to the United States. Release of impounded funds of the DPRK frozen over the last decade combined with frank discussions of shutting down DPRK nuclear reactors became a
central part of this mission.
A "Thank You" is in order for all who were involved in the diplomacy required to make the visit a reality.
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6. Korean War Remains – Identification and burials
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Recent press stories have been featuring identifications and burial of Korean War dead who had been classified as
"Unaccounted For".
Please visit the link below for many press announcements showing a significant increase in identifications of our servicemen.
DOD Press Releases Link: www.jpac.pacom.mil/News.htm
….excerpted examples below:
February 16, 2007
Cpl. Jimmie L. Dorser, U.S. Army, of Springfield, Mo., I
Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (31st RCT, Chosin Reservoir, North Korea
December 01 2006
Identified and returned to their families for burial with full military honors.:
Master Sgt. Alfred H. Alonzo Sr., of Tampa, Fla.; Sgt. 1st Class Robert C. Bucheit, of Hamilton, Ohio; Sgt. Francis E. Lindsay, of Esther, Mo.; Cpl. Joseph Gregori, of West Pittston, Pa.; Cpl. Darrell W. Scarbrough, of
Fayetteville, W.Va.; Cpl. Homer L. Sisk Jr., of Ducor, Calif.; Cpl. Charles E. Sizemore, of Rushville, Ind.; and Cpl. William E. Wood, of Moorhead, Minn.; all U.S. Army
8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Unsan, North Korea
November 28, 2006
Master Sgt. Robert V. Layton, U.S. Army, of Cincinnati, Ohio, A Company , 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (31st
RCT), Chosin Reservoir, North Korea…"
November 26, 2006
Pfc. Charles H. Long, U.S. Army, of Durand, Il, L Company,3rd Battalion, 31stInfantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, initially declared MIA March 24, 1953, Pork
Chop Hill.
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7. Finding the Families Update – Urgent List!
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The widespread news of the Richardson mission has
created a buzz among family members and veterans who have an interest in the search for remains as well as the DPMO/JPAC DNA program for identification. Each service casualty office maintains direct contact with family members as
they are located.
We have now posted the JPAC "Urgent List". This list contains over 1000 names for which immediate DNA samples are needed.
Why? The need is to either include or exclude an individual in a group of
remains, from the same location, for identification. If excluded, the research staff can focus on other clues. If matching, the DNA sample can be one of the last steps in identifying one of our Unknown. (See list in Section 6.)
Family members of those "Unaccounted For" from the Korean War have been placing Remembrances or calling the KWP to inquire about providing DNA samples.
We encourage all of our web site visitors to review the "Finding
the Families" section and also alert your local media for our annual Memorial Day, May 28th, push to recognize the Korean War and the "Finding the Families" program.
This endeavor features many volunteers from many groups
from around the world as mentioned in previous newsletters.
Final Note:
A JPAC scientist wanted us to be sure to make slight corrections regarding our April Newsletter. We noted that the Punchbowl Unknown Soldiers
could only be identified by DNA a process which has been problematic.
"Since we started the project at the Punchbowl, 5 sets of remains have been identified through anthropological, odontological, and circumstantial
evidence. As of right now, the remains from the Punchbowl have not yielded DNA sequences (we have researchers working on this however)."
Link:
www.koreanwar.org/html/finding_the_families.html
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8. Searching the KWP – Update
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We have made it easier to find
information about units and/or the relationship to casualties the unit may have incurred.
The updated tools also allow us to find original errors in the database which have been there all along.
Try this: Start a search from Looking For or from the KIA/MIA page.
Casualty Name Search:
Begin with a casualty last name, just under the detailed information area will be a choice of button bars which lead to the unit
page, a detailed list of other casualties by name or a listing by date of all related casualties for the unit.
Unit page Search (Looking For):
Begin by selecting a unit. On the right center of the page just under View All
Reunions will be a button bar to select all casualties by last name or by date.
Aircraft Losses:
Visitors will immediately see the Aircraft Loss Korwald report details as part of this upgrade. Korwald is a key data file
used by the DPMO, Service Casualty Officers and JPAC. It lists tail numbers, aircraft type and who was on the plane, where known.
Link: www.koreanwar.org/html/looking_for.html
Link:
www.koreanwar.org/html/korean_war_databases.html
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9. The Barker naval movies - 1952
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Beginning in the summer of 1952, our Dad would bring home reel after reel of US Naval Operations from both WWII and Korea. All the kids in
the neighborhood would gather in the garage in Newport Beach, CA, to watch, spellbound. Most of us were "service brats".
We saw huge waves, iced decks and rails, firing missions, aircraft launch or retrieval in rough seas
off Japan, the Korean Peninsula or routes from the Pacific islands. The films depicted refueling, transfer of ship to ship mail or personnel as well battle operations.
Those films fueled our lifelong interest in things
military. The viewings made it easy for Hal and I to understand the complexity of naval activities. The heavy seas, the ice and the frequent mishaps involving aircraft all left lasting impressions.
For those of you who have
not seen the films of that era do check the back pages of any military magazine to order your own copies. All service branches are well represented and the films are available in DVD, VHS. Some films are downloads for computers.
All these years Hal and I have fondly remembered the many young enlisted Seamen and Marines who frequented our homes in California, Hawaii, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey and Texas.
While Dad was overseas it seemed
that our house was never empty especially the kitchen. The card table was always popular as well. Checkers, Dominos, Canasta, Hearts and Poker were some of the games the men taught us.
Vignette:
A lanky Corpsman ties
a string to a door knob and the other end to a tooth, my tooth! The next step was brain jarring, something not easily forgotten. The door is slammed shut. The string pulls taught against the handle and the loose tooth. Pop! The
string pulls off the handle and the tooth. I then swallow the tooth thus depriving the tooth fairy from her rounds. The episode makes for just one memory of many hundreds as Hal and I grew up surrounded by so many young servicemen.
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10. Looking For on the KWP
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Each month the Guestbook, BBS, and Unit pages grow with new postings. The posting have
similar themes dating all the way back to 1995 when the site was created.
We keep all the older postings in the event a connection can be made. Not everyone has success obtaining results in the short run. It often takes
years for results or that one contact to be made.
Many people do not post a message but do use our resources to make contact by email, phone or letter. The KWP sometimes is informed of the connections made.
A compilation of some of these will be featured in each newsletter.
Jim Twohey was with the 38th Tank Company 2nd ID in Korea. For years he has been trying to make contact with men with whom he served.
Link:
www.koreanwar.org/html/units/38tnk.htm
"Comments: Hoping to connect with anyone having information on any of these people: Jerry Stoneman, William Strecker,
Wes Boe, Ray Matthews, Johnny Aimes, Darian Dierdady, Paul Sarala, Norman Bakey or Lamar Pennans. My tank driver's last name was Mullins.
Keywords: Interested in finding others that were in 38th Inf. tank Co.2nd. Div around Jul
of 51 to May of 52. We were at Heartbrake Ridge & Bloody Ridge at that time. Our CP was at Chisong-Ni. I was a Sergant in Communications.
Jim Twohey
PO Box 4393
South Colby, WA 98384
Email: Click here to email
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Youngok Ahn of Seoul Korea has been able to connect with some of the Americans he served with in Korea like Lt. Joe Glass. But, for years his desire to
find one GI has not been met.
I have tried many times to locate Lt. John B. Patterson who was with the 296th Transportation Battalion in Pusan in 1952-53, but could not locate him.
Mr. Ahn corresponds with many former Marines.
From our Guest Book: Comments:
I studied and worked in the U.S. from 1955 to 1969. Attended U.C. Berkeley and Iowa State, receiving Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Returned to
Korea to rebuild the country. I feel very proud of my service with the Marines.
Keywords:
I joined MAG-12 at K-1 as the youngest Korean interpreter in l951. I served at the Labor Office with Capt Savage and Cpl Bradburn.
The marines who helped me greatly were M/Sgt Anderson and Cpl. McDonald. While at K-18, I was with Capt Ball.
Youngok Ahn
123-1301 Hyundai Apt, Apgujung-dong
Seoul, Korea 135-110
Email: Click here to email
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11. Shipping out on the Billy Mitchell – AP114
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From: Ralph Denton
Email: Click here to email
Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Subject: Re: Korean War Project Newsletter - April 2, 2007
I shipped over the end of
July 1950 on the AP 114 Billy Mitchell, with C Btry of the 82nd Ack Ack, 2d Inf. Division.
In 1958, while assigned to Recurring Duty out of the Newark, New Jersey Recruiting Main Station I happened to visit the Shipyards
where ships were being salvaged. I felt a tug at my heart as I looked up at the bow of the stripped hull, that was left of the "Billy Mitchell"
Her name and number were still visible. We fired the Navy's twin 40's
from her turrets on the trip over to Korea as practice. The only differences I remember were the water cooling jackets and the Ammo Storage inside the turret. On our M19's we had to reach over the side of the turret to reach the
ammo containers around the outside.(Not fun in a firefight) We also fired M2 HB MGs off the fantail at flotsam. The Tankers fired the Navy's 5"- 38's, if I recollect accurately.
I came back on the Marine Phoenix AP 195
during the '51 World Series. I have old photos of our arrival in Seattle, and a ticker tape parade in open '6 By's'.
We were met in the harbor by a lot of private boats blowing horns and fireboats spraying a display! One
guy was firing a Carbide cannon off his boat....and until the fog lifted we were worried that we might have been turned back to frozen Chosen for a minute!
...Big difference from the flight back from 'Nam and our debrief at
Oakland in '67-'68!
SFC Ralph R. Denton, Sr USA (Ret)
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Donations/Memberships are tax deductible, if you use long form IRS
reports. Our EIN: 75-2695041 501(c) (3)
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13. K-COM-Z
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From: Walter Ohlmann
Email: Click here to email
Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2007
Hello,
I never see anything about K-COM-Z, which was headquartered in Taegu and included the War Crimes Division of which I was a
member, 1953-54.
We had 1676 (I believe that's right) cases ready to prosecute when the armistice was signed. The WCD was attached to the JAG corps. We had field investigators as well as HQ staff with order of battle
sections, interrogators and, of course, interpreters. We had a small staff of 20-25 enlisted men and officers.
We were behind G-2 and E & E I for interrogations of returned POW's in Little and Big Switch. A report was
written which included a lot of statistics relating to war crimes and the victims from the various countries comprising the UN force.
Unfortunately, we marked the report "SECRET" so I could not bring a copy home
with me although I wrote it.
Thanks
Walter Ohlmann
Dayton, Ohio
Link: www.koreanwar.org/html/units/kcomz.htm
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14.Taps, John Hanfelt – F Co, Weapons, 32nd Infantry Rgt. 7ID
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From: Margery M. Hanfelt, Major, USA
Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007
Taps and a salute in honor of my father, John Hanfelt, who served as an infantryman in the
Korean War in 1952 - Weapons Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. My father helped instill in me the honor of serving and sense of duty to my country.
Before he died, he was
able to visit Korea one last time in 2002, where we were able to have him awarded the Republic of Korea (ROK) Korean War Service Medal by retired ROK BG Lee, with my unit in formation for the presentation.
We also visited
Yonsei University, where I was to give a presentation. I introduced my father, and when I told the audience that he had served in the Korean War, they gave him a spontaneous standing ovation. He treasured these moments for his last
few years, and I treasure that we were able to honor him for his service while he was still alive.
His name is not in any history book, but it is such as him upon which wars are won. Freedom is not free.
For every KVET out there, you have my humble thanks and admiration.
I remain a proud daughter of an infantryman.
Margery M. Hanfelt, Major, U.S. Army
Editor Note: This tribute exemplifies many similar notices
sent to the KWP by web site visitors. We encourage all of you to post messages like this in the Guest Book or the specific unit page.
Never Forgotten!
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15. Marine Corps | Navy History Section
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We have just placed online two CD's created by the 50th
Commemorations in conjunction with the USMC and US Navy, US Naval Institute, US Coast Guard
A.) Marines in the Korean War, Commemorative Series
CD with 11 pamphlets devoted to the Marines in Korea.
www.koreanwar.org/usmckorea/Index.htm
B.)The Sea Services in the Korean War 1950-1953
CD contains the official US Navy and Marine Corps histories of the war, 7
Volumes with 280 photographs. Included is the story of the US Coast Guard in Korea.
www.koreanwar.org/seasvc/korea.exe
Note: Don't worry about the .exe extension in the link above.
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16. Flag Raising at the American Consulate in Seoul, 9/9/50
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Last June we featured the stunning photograph of PFC Leguire raising the US Flag atop the consulate in the heat of battle.
www.koreanwar.org/html/newsletter_june_20_2006.html
Luther R. Leguire, E Co 2nd Bn 1st Marine Regiment, just got off the telephone with me after parishioners made him aware of that newsletter.
He had grabbed a US Flag and
while under sniper fire, jerked down the North Korean flag replacing it with the US colors.
Luther has been astounded by the distribution of the photograph and would like to hear from his former unit members. He is the
pastor of 1st Apostolic Church, Lake City, Fl.
573 SE Nature Dr
Lake City, FL 32025
PH: 386-752-0897 (church)
email:
Click here to email
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17. French Battalion Website
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Leon Rochotte has kept in constant contact with us for years. He just made us aware of a
fantastic new site for the Battalion.
coree.site.voila.fr/
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18. Panmunjom-Joint Security Area
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We did not get out a timely notice for the April Reunion but do wish to direct people to the very active web site for the JSA veterans.
Link: members.aol.com/panmunjom/panmunjo.html
In Front Of Them All!
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Thanks to everyone who makes the Korean War Project possible.
Hal and Ted Barker
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