15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Outpost Harry Survivors
The Action
KOREA - JUNE 10 - JUNE 18, 1953
OUTPOST HARRY
"During the period 16 May to 5 June , the 15th Infantry had been relieved of
its responsibility for the Outpost HARRY sector. When reports from various
higher staff sections had been correlated and evaluated, and the higher
commanders were assured beyond any reasonable doubt that Outpost HARRY was to
be attacked by numerically superior Chinese force, it was ordered that the
15th Infantry Regiment, a more experienced and battle tried unit, be made
responsible for the Outpost HARRY sector no later than the 6th of June. This
was accomplished by relieving the 2nd Battalion 65th Infantry, with the 3rd
Battalion, 15th Infantry. The regiment prepared to meet the onslaught of the
Chinese.
Following is a physical description of Outpost HARRY, for most of the action
from 10-18 June centered around this hill. Outpost HARRY is situated some
425 yards northeast of the friendly MLR which is on a general
southeast-northwest line from the CHORWON VALLEY to the KUMWHA VALLEY. The
hill is approximately 1280 feet high and is locate about 320 yards south, and
part of a larger hill mass occupied by the enemy, refered to as STAR HILL.
The outpost commands a good view of the enemy terrain and his avenues of
approach to the MLR position. Since the elevation of the outpost is greater
than that of any friendly -held terrain within an area of a mile, the
position affords early warning of enemy approach to the main battle line.
The road approach to the outpost from the MLR runs north along an
intermittent stream to the rear of the outpost, where the supply point is
located. From here, movements to the position must be accomplished
dismounted.
The position itself contains a communications trench which runs from the
supply point forward some 315 yards to the forward observer bunker on the
northernmost slope. Here the trench joins another trench which makes a
complete circle around the forward position of the outpost; this position of
the outpost is refered to as The Loop. Approximately 80 yards to the rear
of The Loop, along a finger of the ridge running to the right side of the
outpost, an additional trench extends approximately 110 yards. This finger
is mutually supporting with The Loop position and helps protect the probable
avenues of approach into position. The left side of the outpost is steep
enough to afford a natural barrier to the attacking enemy force.
Aerial reconnaissance from 1 June to 8 June showed much increased enemy
activity. This activity included construction of new ant-aircraft artillery
positions, self-propelled gun revetments. artillery positions, supply
bunkers, personnel bunkers, a new bridge and road improvements along the
enemy main supply routes. An enemy offensive was obvious.
During the same period prior to the attack of 10 June, increased personnel
sightings were reported during daylight hours. During the period of
darkness, an increasing number of vehicle lights were reported, generally in
the rear areas moving south and southwest toward the enemy's main battle
positions. Prior to the attack CCF artillery battalions positioned to fire
into the 3rd Infantry sector disclosed the enemy to be employing 102mm rocket
for the first time in this area.
Also evident during this period was increased enemy counter battery fire on
friendly artillery positions. Incoming artillery and mortar rounds reported
in the regimental sector increased from an average of 275 per day to 670 per
day, during the 4 to 5 days prior to the initial attack on the outpost.
During the attacks on HARRY , a tremendous volume of rounds fell in all of
the regimental sector, including service units and regimental headquarters.
The enemy disposition at this time were not pinpointed; however ; it was well
known that there were in contact two unidentified battalions of The 22nd
Regiment, 74th Division, in the left sector and two unidentified battalions
of the 221st Regiment, 74th Division, in the right portion of the 15th
regimental sector. The 221st Regiment, 74th Division was located in the
sector immediately opposite outpost HARRY. Reserves capable of intervention
in the outpost HARRY action were the two reserve battalions of regiments in
contact with the 15th Infantry in the left sector, as well as three
battalions of the 220th Regiment, unlocated which were in the 74th Division
reserve.
Then began the concentrated enemy drive which was to last for a week and was
to cost the Chinese dearly for every engaged minute. At 1950 hours on the
night of 10 June the first CCF sightings were reported, and each sighting was
engaged by mortar and artillery fire. At 2130 hours an ambush patrol west of
OP DICK in the sector of the Greek Battalion reported Chinese numbering
approximately 250 coming of JACKSON HEIGHTS (in front of OP TOM). Mortar and
artillery began falling on the 15th MLR as well as outposts DICK and HARRY.
After a short but intense fire fight in the vicinity of Outpost DICK,
including 2000 rounds of enemy artillery and mortar fire, the enemy withdrew.
This was recognized as a possible enemy feint, and all units were alerted.
At 2245, while attention was still focused on Outpost DICK, word came that
the CCF were in the trenches on Outpost HARRY, Bitter hand to hand combat
was engaged in by members of Company "K", 15th Infantry and the Chinese were
killed or driven from the trenches. The Chinese reinforced their attack four
more times during the early morning hours, and as late as 0430 hours 11 June
, were in the trench on the northern side of the outpost. In addition to a
composite reserve local reserve committed by the 3rd battalion commander,
Companies "E" and "C" 15th Infantry were committed to reinforce. One platoon
of tanks from Heavy Tank Company, 15th Infantry, and one platoon of infantry
were committed to the valley east of Outpost HARRY. as a diversionary force.
This tank-infantry team proved to be of great value in channelizing the
enemy attack.
About 0530 the morning of the 11th, a daylight CCF attack in battalion
strength was repulsed by elements of The outpost. An hour later, evacuation
of dead and wounded began. This continued through the daylight hours.
Colonel Russell F. Akers Jr., Regimental commander, reorganized placing
Company "B", 15th Infantry, on the outpost, and placing responsibility for
defense of this section on the 1st Battalion. The day continued with
intermittent shelling of the outpost.
On 12 June at 0005 hours the Chinese moving through their own and friendly
artillery gained the trenches in the rear of the outpost: hand to hand
fighting followed. At 0032 hours the CCF gained the trench on the northern
slope of The outpost while friendly forces held the southern trench. Bitter
fighting ensued and the CCF made numerous attempts to reinforce through the
protective artillery ring. Company "B", 5th Regimental Combat Team, was used
to reinforce. One platoon of tanks from Heavy Tank Company, 15th Infantry,
and one platoon of infantry were committed to the valley east of Outpost
HARRY. as a diversionary force and again this force was highly successful in
channelizing the enemy attack
At daybreak, about 0545 hours, the enemy withdrew and all action ceased.
Evacuation of the wounded and dead was begun and Colonel Akers took immediate
steps to reorganize for renewed attacks, placing Company "A" 5th Regimental
Combat Team on the outpost.
On the night of 12 June at 2200 hours, enemy artillery and mortar fire
preceded a CCF attack on the outpost which was broken up by friendly
defensive fires. CCF were in the trench for a short time but were forced to
withdraw. Fighting ceased at 2247. However at 0208 the CCF attacked from
the north, northeast, and northwest of the outpost. Bitter hand to hand
fighting ensued as the enemy gained the trench on the northern slope of the
outpost. Company "L", 15th infantry, reinforced and by 0450 hours the enemy
was driven from the trenches and forced to withdraw. A platoon of tanks from
the 64th Tank Battalion plus one platoon of infantry were dispatched to the
valley east of outpost HARRY and operated successfully as a diversionary
force. All action ceased with the exception of friendly counter battery and
counter mortar fire. Evacuation pf wounded and dead was begun, and the
regimental commander took immediate steps to reorganize for renewed attacks,
placing Company "C", 15th Infantry, on the outpost.
Daylight hours were utilized to clean the trenches and refurbish weapons'
positions in anticipation of another attack during the hours of darkness. On
the night of 13-14 June, ant approximately 0255, enemy artillery and mortar
fire preceded a CCF screening action against he outpost from the east and
west for the purpose of protecting recovery of their dead. This screening
force was broken up by friendly defensive fires. Action became sporadic,
with light enemy artillery and mortar fire falling on the outpost and MLR. By
0440 the enemy withdrew and all action ceased. The regimental commander took
immediate steps to reorganize for renewed attacks, placing Company "G", 15th
infantry on the outpost.
During the night of 14-15 June, at about 0125 the Chinese moving through
friendly artillery and defensive fires, gained the trenches on the rear of
the outpost, and intense hand to hand fighting followed. At 0222 hours,
friendly forces held the outpost with the enemy reinforcing in the bitter
hand to hand action. Company "E", 15th Infantry was committed to reinforce.
One platoon from Heavy Tank Company and one platoon of infantry were again
dispatched as diversionary force. At 0345 the enemy withdrew and action
ceased; the regimental commander again reorganizing for new attacks, placed
Company "A", 15th Infantry on the outpost.
The night of 15-16 June was a quiet night on the outpost, and the following
morning the regimental commander placed the GEF Battalion in the area of the
outpost HARRY sector in order that his US battalions, all of which had
suffered heavy causalities, could refit and reorganize. During the night of
16-17 June there was no significant action, permitting much needed engineer
work on the outpost to be accomplished by Company "P", GEF Battalion and
elements of Company "B", 10th Engineer (C) Battalion.
On the night of 17-18 June, the Chinese returned at about 0052 hours, moving
through their own and friendly artillery and mortar fire to attack Outpost
HARRY from the northeast and northwest. The enemy was repelled and forced to
withdraw, but stayed in the area. At 0240 the enemy attacked from the north
under intense artillery and mortar fire. The CCF gained the trenches of the
outpost on the northern slope at 0313. Bitter hand to hand fighting ensued
with the enemy making numerous attempts to reinforce through the protective
artillery ring. Company "N", GEF Battalion was committed to reinforce. One
platoon of tanks from Heavy Tank Company, 15th Infantry Regiment, and one
platoon of Greek Infantry were dispatched to the valley east of Outpost HARRY
as a diversionary force. By 0402 hours the enemy was forced out of the
trenches on the outpost, and all action ceased with the enemy withdrawing,
having fired 22,000 rounds in support of this attack.
The enemy forces employed against Outpost HARRY during the period 10-18 June
were tabulated by Intelligence Sections to be substantially as shown in the
following table:
10-11 June A reinforced CCF regiment (Approx. 3,600 CCF)
11-12 June A CCF regiment (approx. 2,850 CCF)
12-13 June A reinforced CCF regiment
13-14 June An estimated 100 CCF
14-15 June An estimated 120 CCF
15-16 June Negative
16-17 June Negative
17-18 June A CCF regiment.
During this period the entire 74th CCF Division was utilized against this
position and at the end of the engagement was considered combat ineffective.
Enemy rounds fired in support of their attack during the period 10-18 June
amounted to 88,810 rounds over 81 mm size: friendly mortar and artillery
units in conjunction with friendly tank fires were 368185 rounds over 81mm
size."
Martin
General Order 18
On Mon, 19 May 1997
Updated: 27 Jan 2012 Martin Markley
m.markley@sbcglobal.net wrote:
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY Washington D. C., 10 March 1955
GENERAL ORDERS 18
DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATION
Company K,15th Infantry Regiment,3d Infantry Division (Third Award) is cited
for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action
against the enemy in the vicinity of Surang-NI, Korea during the period 10
June to 11 June 1953. Defending a critical sector of the battlefront, the
company was subjected to repeated attacks by numerically superior Chinese
Communist Forces. Enemy assaults ranging from company size to a reinforced
regiment were directed against the company's position in repeated waves in a
desperate attempt to take the critical outpost (Harry). By massing his
strength in depth, the enemy was at times successful in penetrating friendly
positions but was consistently pushed back by members of this company
following rigorous hand to hand combat. On the night of 10 June, a
reinforced regiment, employing small arms fire, automatic weapons and
grenades, and supported by 20,000 rounds of artillery fire and mortar fire,
launched the initial assault of a series of new attacks on the
position.Although having sustained over 200 casualties in their initial
attempt to overtake the outpost, the enemy was determined to seize the key
terrain at all costs and charged repeatedly throughout the night of 10 June
and the following morning. During the height of the battle the trenches at
times were overrun, but met with the inspired close-in fighting of the
beleaguered but courageous members of Company K, the enemy was ultimately
repelled from the position. The extraordinary heroism of the members of Compa
ny K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division ,in fulfilling their
assigned mission reflects great credit on themselves and upholds the highest
traditions of the military service.
Company B , 15th Infantry Regiment,3d Infantry Division (Third Award) is
cited for extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action
against the enemy in the vicinity of Surang-NI, Korea during the period 11
June to 12 June 1953. During the night of 11 June, while occupying a vitally
important outpost (Harry), the members of this unit successfully repelled
several determined attempts by the Chinese Communist Forces to overtake their
position. The enemy, moving up through its own artillery and mortar fire in
an attempt to seize the key terrain occupied by Company B , assaulted the
outpost repeatedly with forces up to regimental strength. With reinforced
firepower, the enemy at times was successful in penetrating friendly lines
but was subsequently expelled by the members of the defending unit in bitter
hand to hand combat, thereby re-establishing the outpost line. On two
separate occasions the assaults by the hostile forces were beaten off by
close-in fighting and aggressive counter attack, causing the enemy forces to
turn back with heavy casualties. By early morning of 12 June, the enemy had
been forced to withdraw from the entire position and cease action. The
extraordinary heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed of the members
of Company B , 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division ,in fulfilling
their assigned mission reflects great credit on themselves and are in keeping
with the highest traditions of the military service of the United States.
Company P Greek Expeditionary Forces Battalion (Second Award) is cited for
extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against
an armed enemy in the vicinity of Surang-NI, Korea during the period 17 June
to 18 June 1953. Assigned the defense of a vital outpost position (Harry),
the company encountered a major enemy assault on the evening of June 17.
After an intense concentration of enemy mortar and artillery fire, the
hostile forces, which had taken up an attack position on the northeast and
northwest side of the outpost , moved rapidly through their own and
friendly artillery fire to gain a foothold on the northern slope of the
position. Refusing to withdraw, Company P closed in and met the attackers
in a furious hand to hand struggle in which many of the enemy were driven
off. The aggressors regrouped, quickly attacked a second time, and again
gained the friendly trenches. Immediately, the Greek Forces launched a
series of counterattacks, simultaneously dispatching a diversionary force to
the east of the outpost which successfully channeled the enemy thrusts.
After 2 hours of close in fighting, the aggressors were again routed and the
friendly positions restored. The outstanding conduct and exemplary courage
exhibited by members of Company P, Greek Expeditionary Forces Battalion,
reflects great credit on themselves and are in keeping with the finest
traditions of the military service and the Kingdom of Greece.
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