KOREA 1950


UN soldiers fought and were forced to retreat
Behind sandbags protected by barbwire hoops.
Many GI's died as they held off attacks
By 810,000 Communist troops.

Our guys used phosphorus, flame-throwers and napalm,
For without these weapons they could not survive.
The Communist charges led by buglers
Till the UN could start it's offensive drive.

On the battlefield of death and misery
Many froze with their hands still stuck to their guns.
While others hobbled with their boots wrapped in rags
City boys, farmers, students, fathers and sons.

With a million and a half dead or wounded
Both sides singed a truce before generals involved.
July 27th, 1953,
And though thousands were orphaned, nothing was solved.


By Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TomZart,

At age 17, in 1953, I volunteered for service in the US Army.I was trained as cook & baker, then deployed in 1956 to Korea, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment. My unit was the last to be stationed in North Korea.
While performing cook duties, we were attacked from the rear of our camp.While a buddy and I were fueling field ranges, an explosion from the attack knocked me to my knees. As I arose from the fall, I was butted in the mouth by the enemy with his rifle. I was left with with missing teeth, a ringing in my left ear and metal scrap in my left hand. I was sent to the field hospital, treated and returned to my unit. My buddy, with more serious injuries was sent to a Japan hospital.
As a cook, every other weekend we were relieved of our duties. On a weekend following my injury, a fellow soldier and I requested permission to go to nearby Seol. Permission was granted, with the condition that we make a purchase for our Commanding Officer while there. My buddy, Joe, and I started toward Seol, (approx. 60 miles from camp) on foot. After crossing "Freedom Bridge", we were approached by an Army ambulance and asked if we would like to ride into Seol with them, their destination also. We were not alarmed, even though the drivers were Korean, because many Koreans worked with the troops, plus the driver and passenger wore US uniforms. After conversation between us,and as we approached Seol, we were asked to join them at a bar for a beer or two."Sure", my buddy and I replied..we were on a weekend pass...I awoke in a dark room alone, where I was approached by a Korean girl, who motioned for me to remain silent as she led me down a corrider to a beach. I had been drugged and kidnapped by the ambulance driver in kahoots with the one who had served our beer! During the conversation with my kidnappers, they were awre that I was a cook and the island I had been put on, I was to serve Korean Officers as a cook...that was their plan, the girl told me. But, before I was used, she had rescued me. Near the waters edge, her brother waited undercover in a small fishing boat, on which he hid me. I was carried to a nearby island to his families house, where I was asked to remain hidden, while being treated well till they could transport me safely. I knew they were helping me, risking their own safety. I was eventually smuggled to a larger boat, where I was also hidden, eventually I arrived at a Catholic Mission. There, a priest aided me and I finally arrived in Okinawa safely, where I immediately went to the nearest base. While absent, my unit had relocated to South Korea, North of Seol.
The rest of my story is a nightmare, in fact I stiil have nightmares.
As a youth, I was told it was best to keep silent. Scared and frustrated, I wanted to go home........eventually leaving the Army with a Honorable Discharge, which I proudly display on my home wall. Would you like to hear about........., if so please contact me. I am treated at the local VA Hospital and I have shared my story with my physicians. I was told, don't give up, get the facts known, don't give up. As a POW, I am not recognized as a POW. Somewhere there must be facts. Bits of my records have been found, just not the bits I need. I was told my records were lost, being destroyed in a fire. Yet, bits have ben found. I pray, every young man will keep his service records current (DON'T LOSE THEM THROUGH THE YEARS) and will not have to endure what I have. God is my witness, I will not give up.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL STORY.
Tom, Zart

Thank you Tom, Every word is the truth. I just
wish could reach someone who was there while I was there,
Carl Bowman

Nice story Carl, but it's full of holes and sounds like total BS. Better get your facts straight if you want any VA benefits.

For one, the Korean War ended the day I was born, July 27, 1953, so I don't see how you were in North Korea in 1956. My dad was part of the withdrawal from North Korea, elements of his 2nd Infantry Division being slaughtered while trying to fight their way south as the Eighth Army escaped by ship from the east coast at Hungnam.

The 34th Infantry Regiment was NEVER in North Korea. Their entire Korean combat was from June to August, 1950. They were wiped out in fighting at the Naktong River, and returned to Japan on August 31, 1950. They returned to (South) Korea in June/July 1953 to help round up escaped POW's. The regiment was returned to Japan in November 1954.

Undoubtly, more research needs to be done by you. My outfit which was "The 75th Marauders", was deactivated in Okinawa. Then my unit was was sent to North Korea, joining the 34th Infantry. We were referred to as "the Clean-Up Crew"...in January of '56.

In North Korea, our troop was located over looked P'anmunjom, where the treaty was signed
in '53. But, there were still many groups of North Koreans that continued to attempt to cross the line between North and South Korea.
Some were starving and freezing, desparate.
Others were rebel groups of North Korean
soldiers that continued to fight even after the
treaty was signed.



When my troop was finally pulled out of North Korea,June of '56, our commanding officers said, "You will be the Forgotten Few".

Now, so you can fill in your holes, the 34th infantry was North of Seol, across Freedom Bridge, which was North of the Emjem River. This was the 38th paralell. In case you don't know, the parallel was the line that separated North and South Korea.

PS. This is not what you refer to as "B.S.".
I WAS THERE!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 13598540,

Nothing would please me more than to eat a plate full of crow on this one Carl! It isn't the first time I've had my head in the six position, and won't be the last.

I sincerely apologize to you sir for doubting your service. Thank you for taking the time and effort to educate this young upstart in such a gentlemanly manner.

quote:

Originally posted by RB47E:
THE KOREAN CONFLICT

Thanks RB...I had seen that before...

Are there any additional resources for the 3rd Recon Company, 3ID in the Korean War...beyond the book..."3ID in Korea"...

They simply state the Company was used in a "great number and variety" of missions.

Thank you all for your time taken.

Tom Zart

the Korean War 57 years ago today. I would like to mark this historic event by creating this thread. So Happy Korean War Anniversary!

The start of a brutal war that killed 36,000 Americans (and left another 8000 MIA) is not exactly something to celebrate.

Thank you for your time and reply.

Tom Zart

quote:

Originally posted by deddygetty1:

For one, the Korean War ended the day I was born, July 27, 1953, so I don't see how you were in North Korea in 1956.

The Korean War did not end on your birthday, its still not over. There has been a cease fire in effect since July 27, 1953 with numerous examples of attacks from North Korea against soldiers defending the DMZ.

Dear Tex, Thank you for your input. Were you there also? My unit was the last to pull out of North Korea during the Korean Conflict. We were called the
"Clean Up Crew". I have been contacted and told that my records were lost, yet pieces have been found. It would be good if I could get in contact with someone who was there also in 1956.
Sicerely, "One of the Forgotten Few"

Spent two tours in Camp Casey/Hovey area, 1989-1990 and 1992-1994.

A cousin of mine was killed by a mortar round 10 days before the cease fire went into effect. He was with the 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. So serving over there did have some personal impact for me. I proudly served there and would do it again.

Thank you for your service!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TEX19K40,

Hi everyone. I'm a college student doing a research paper on my birthday. Sounds weird but it's what the professor has told us to do. It's about something that happened on our birthdays. The one thing that happened birthday was that my uncle was sent to korea. He's not around to tell me why he was sent there so I'm wondering if anyone here could give me some clues as to why he would of been sent to Korea and not to Vietnam. I would appreciate any feedback anyone could give. You can email me at ccalvin@mail.uas.alaska.edu. Thank you very much!

This War never ended officially...Troopers are still there...along the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) and elsewhere...per armistice...a powderkeg...

Father served there...

3rd Recon Company..3rd Infantry Division...1951-52...tryin times...