187th Field Artillery Observation Battalion

Army BBS

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Kat Miller wrote on August 9, 2025

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City and State: MO

Unit:

Service or Relationship: 187th or 674th

Comments: Hello All!
I am the current Assistant Archivist at the Black Archives of Mid-America in Kansas City. We semi-recently received a donation for a "Haywood McNairy".
The donor did not have information on the collection/person. It was left to her mother by "McNairy".

I have processed the collection to be useful as a Special Collection in our archive BUT yet to confirm his identity.

Within the collection were this amazing grouping of photos of the 187th/674 paratroopers regiments stationed in Beppe, Japan, we believe 1950-1953.

I am asking if anyone would know Haywood "Mac" (he wrote his draft card as this) McNairy, please get in touch and I am looking for ANY photographs of him to tie the collection together.

I do have a 187th Regiment Roster and have been able to link SEVERAL veterans within the photos.
Again, thank you for reading and good luck out there.

Cheers.
Kat Miller

Keywords: Haywood "Mac" McNairy
Haywood Magee-British War Correspondent / freelance photo journalist
Korean War 1950-1953
187th Regiment
674th Regiment

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Kristi Pate wrote on June 1, 2016

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City and State: NORMAN OK

Unit: 187TH ARTILLERY FT SILL 1953-1955

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: I have been hearing stories from father about his time at Ft. Sill. I would love to hear from anyone that knows my dad! He just turned 83, and any communication would be a gift!

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Chester Nantz wrote on October 29, 2014

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City and State:

Unit: 187TH FAOB - HEADQUARTERS BATTERY

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: Activated in Bklyn at Nat'l Guard 187th FAOB to Fort Sill, Ok. 1950 -to- 1952
Trained recruits, firing range/infiltration course. Served with John Hunt, Auriemma and Alberque. Memories of Cisco's Bar, 303 So.3rd, Lawton, Ok.

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Sigmund London wrote on July 17, 2012

Email Update Needed

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City and State: FAIR LAWN NJ

Unit: 187 OBSERVATION BN.

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran

Comments: I SERVED WITH THE 187TH AT FORT SILL, OKLA FROM OCT
53 -AUG 55.KOREAN WAR WAS OVER AND WE TRAINED THE
TROOPS WITH SOUND AND FLASH DETECTIONS WHICH WERE
ALREADY OBSOLETE, BUT THATS THE ARMY. I AM 80 YRS OLD
NOW SO IF ANYONE REMEMBERS ME...PLEASE SAY HI..

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Hector Jimenez JR. wrote on October 21, 2011

Send Email To HECTOR JIMENEZ

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City and State: LOS ANGELES CA

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Other

Comments: Hi, I'm looking for anyone who might know my
grandfather Hector T. Jimenez. 11/09/39 - 10-
17-11. He is survived by 8 children, 11
grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren. I want to
memorialize him. Thank you.

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Carolyn Spooner wrote on March 11, 2009

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City and State:

Unit: 187TH FIELD ARTILLERY FROM 14TH NY

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Looking for any info or direction about my Father Robert S. Spooner. The only thing I have about his army service is his Unit Heraldic Crest by which I figured out he was in the 187th Field Artillery; based in Brooklyn NY. I think he was in the Army right out of college (Bowdoin) from 1950 - 1953 (Best Guess)

As far as I know he was never wounded. He did say once that he was a forward observer. My brother was born in June of 1953 and my Dad did not see him until my brother was 6 months old (which is what gives me an approximate end date.)

I'd like to get his records from the national archives but have not found a source for his army serial number. Would really love to hear from anyone who knew him or knew of him.

He never spoke of his time in Korea.

Thanks for your time.

Carolyn Spooner

Keywords: Forward Observer

"Baptized by Fire"

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Audrey Elwin-Pancis wrote on January 19, 2008

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City and State: MORRIS PLAINS NJ

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My sons are asking about their grandfather and his time in Korea. Unfortunately he has been deceased since 1995. If anyone out there was at ft sills,Ok and in korea during that time and part of the 187th artillery let me know. He also then served in the reserves in west orange,nj til 1956. my email is apancis@yahoo.com

Keywords: George Elwin PVT/SGT ft sills,ok dec 3 1948-dec 2 1951. Korean War. 187th artillery.

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Jennifer Keane-Seay wrote on February 15, 2007

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: 187TH ARCT

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: My father was part of 187th ARCT (Airborne Regimont Combat team) in the Army, during the Korean War. His 75th birthday is coming up. I am trying to locate anyone who may have heard of this group or his name. His name is Thomas Daniel Keane. (All of his miltary records and pins were destroyed in a fire.) Please feel free to contact me if you can help us with this information. Thank you.


Jennifer

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Jason Allen wrote on November 30, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: VIENNA VA

Unit: NAVY ROTC/ NAVAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Recently when I joined NROTC and decided to set my career path in the military, my grandfather PFC Donald Allen gave me what little he has left of his Korean War memorabillia, and my grandmother told me only what units he may have served in. The 196th Field Artillery Battalion, and of course the 187th Field Artillery Battalion.

He presented me with his first Garrison cover, a ribbon that my grandmother gave him the day he deployed, his United Nations Service ribbon, his Korean War ribbon with 2 bronze stars upon it, his lapel insignia, and something that I have never seen before on the uniform of any of my family members: his Presidential Unit Citation. I double checked my Blue Jacket's Manual, and sure enough, that's what it was.

As he has sworn never to speak of Korea again, I am seeking to find out what battery he may have been part of, who his brothers in arms were, and any major involvement that others from the unit may have had with him.

He spent years of his life in Korea, years that he has never spoken of. In the interests of doing away with the reputation of "The Forgotten War", I would like to find a resource or person from which I can uncover the truths of the ground battle, as ugly as the truths may be. Also in the interests of preserving my family's proud military history as well (serving in wars since WWI), I want to fill in the blanks.

If you knew my grandfather, or have any information that may be useful to my search for information, PLEASE contact me through my email addresses (jalle024@odu.edu or midshipmanjcallen@yahoo.com) or on my cellular phone: (757) 581-8345

Fair winds and following seas,

Very Respectfully

MIDN 4/c Jason Cary Allen

HRNROTC/NETC

Battalion, Echo Company 1st Platoon, 2nd Squad

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Barney W. (Bill) Hughes III wrote on September 12, 2003

Send Email To BARNEY W. (BILL) HUGHES

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: -

Comments: My father, Barney W. Hughes JR, was killed in Korea in October 1950. I would be interested in any one who knew him or Capt Jack B. Shanahan.

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Patty Durham wrote on February 27, 2003

Email Update Needed

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City and State: GREENVILLE SC

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: Daughter of Walter J. Ainsworth, Support Company, 1875h Regimental Combat Team. He received purple heart for battle on Jne 24, 1953 near Sniper Ridge. He passed away in 1988. Any information about the unit, battle, etc. would be nice to know. Thaks.

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Andrea Walke wrote on April 17, 2002

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments: This is all that I remember from my grandfather. He was one of the first paratrouper in the war. His name was Relph E. King. He died last May and I would really like it if any one who has any info on him or his unit would e-mail me. Thank you for your time.

Keywords: Unit 187 Combat

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Andrew Eberle wrote on December 7, 1999

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit:

Service or Relationship: Family Member

Comments:

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William Whatley wrote on November 21, 1999

Email Update Needed

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City and State:

Unit: 187TH FIELD ARTILLERY OBSERVATION BATTALION-FORT S

Service or Relationship: Army Veteran - Korea

Comments: Would like to get in touch with all former members
for our anual reunions. Please E-Mail.

Keywords: Looking for all formember members.

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