Chosin Reservoir MIA
On Thu, 1 Aug 1996
carol hampton hampton3@ix.netcom.com wrote:
Mr.Barker,
My name is Carol Hampton and I am trying to help my Mother locate any
information concerning her brother who is MIA from the Korean War. I
would appreciate any help that you can give me. I am pretty new to
the internet and I haven't been very successful up until now.
Here is the information that I do have:
CPL. Harold Levy
Serial # 12322637
Born Brooklyn, New York
North Korea, Chosin Resivoir, Khoto-ri
lost 12-6-50
Mother: Ruth Ecker
Father: Sam Levy Vahab
-----from KWP----
Unit: Harold was in the 7th Arty Hq Battery of the 7th Inf Div.
Kumhwa / Chorwon
On Sat, 18 Jan 1997 Irving August wrote:
240 Byron Avenue
Ventura, CA 93003
Telephone: 805+644-1679
Fax: 805+644-4018
I served in the 7th Inf. Div from May '52 to March '53,
mostly in the area between Kumhwa and Chorwon,
as an Inf. Plt. Ldr., Asst. Div. PIO and Aide to the Div Arty Cmdr.
Provisional AA Battery
On Tue, 6 Oct 1998
John R. Carpenter Email address wrote:
Subj: Korean War 1953 Bloody Ridge
I am trying to research combat action between the dates of 20 June 1953
to 6 July 1953 by elements of the Divisional Headquaters Company,
Provisional AA Battery, 7th Infantry Dvision on Bloody Ridge.
They were in support of the ROK Capitol Division.
They were testing battlefield radar in conjunction with AA weapons for
groundfire against enemy actions. This group had come from Germany to
test the battlefield radar and had entered the line on 15 May 1953.
During the ChinCom offensive, and for 14 days they were surrounded and
this group of 28 American and some 180 ROK troops held off or at bay
several enemy Divisions.
Cpl. (acting Sgt.) Richard L. Carpenter was given a battlefield
promotion by radio to 2nd Lt. (and as a ROK Major) shortly after the
group was isolated and cutoff on the third day after all above him were
killed. He rejected twice the enemy's offer of surrender and provided a
forward communications to hinder enemy movement and resupply.
Second Lt. Carpenter repeatedly rebuilt the automatic weapons knocked
out of action from parts and kept the battlefield radar operational for
most of the battle.
Even though wounded several times, he managed to maintain his position
against strong enemy attack severely crippling enemy action and movement
in the area along Bloody Ridge and the valley it overlooked. Only 3
Americans, all wounded, walked out after being relieved by elements of
the 6th Infantry Division in the afternoon of 6 July 1953.
Because the battlefield radar was rated "Top Secret" and the end of the
hostilities, the nomination for the Medal of Honor was shelved.
Second Lt. Carpenter received a Purple Heart for his actions.
I have searched many local records on the Korean War and can find no
details on this action. I have confirmed the general facts of the
battlefield promotion, citation and local from Carpenter's military
records. One book on the ROK Capitol Division does indicate while most
ROK troops folded under enemy presure, one element withstood the attack
on Bloody Ridge during the entire Communist Offensive in that local.
If you can provide any information, I would be grateful.
Richard Carpenter is my father and I would like to document his actions
by historical records.
Sincerely,
John R. Carpenter
5850 Yorkshire Ave.
La Mesa, CA 91942
(619) 466-5735
jrcrin001@juno.com or jrcrin001@aol.com
