September 2010 Philadelphia Chapter of Pax Christi U.S.A.

Some Memories of the Forgotten War in Korea

Sixty years ago, June 25, 1950, units of the North Korean Army crossed the 38th parallel, invading South Korea and starting the Korean War – which eventually grew into a cold war between the United States and China. Although more than two million soldiers and civilians died over the next three years, including 54,542 Americans, before cease-fire truce was negotiated on July 25, 1953; the war is now an overlooked part of United States history.

A member of St. Malachy’s parish, Richard B. Thornton arrived in Korea, February 1953, as a replacement assigned to Service Battery, 5th Regimental Combat Team, 555th Field Artillery Battalion (the “Triple Nickel”) in the war zone known as the “Punch Bowl” where they provided artillery support for the 45th Infantry Division from Oklahoma. On July 14, 1953, the 555th moved along the “goat tail” to Kinsong to support the ROK (Republic of Korea) army which was made up of predominantly 13 and 14 year-old conscripts who vacated their posts and were overrun by the attacking Chinese army so that the “Triple Nickel” was left to fight hand-to-hand. Richard Thornton (who also engaged at Old Baldy and Heartbreak Ridge) said the casualties were too many to remember. Between August 12, 1950 and July 14, 1953, “Triple Nickel” suffered the most dead and wounded in the U.S. Army.

Korea witnessed some of the highest casualty-producing battles in U.S. history. Among these engagements was “Bunker Hill” from August 13-15, 1952, where Joe Kelly from Fishtown in Philadelphia served. As a result of the battle Private First Class Kelly received the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal from Headquarters 1st Marine Division. The award reads: “For heroic achievement in connection with operation against the enemy with a Marine Infantry Company… Serving as a platoon runner, PFC Kelly displayed exceptional courage and devotion to duty when the unit was defending an important hill position against repeated fanatical enemy attack. When the platoon communication system to the squads and to the company command post was destroyed, he moved up and down the line from position to position carrying messages, relaying information and carrying much

needed ammunition and other supplies to the men. Although wounded, he continued to tour the lines carrying out his duties in an outstanding manner. When the company was relieved and although suffering from physical exhaustion, he acted as a stretcher bearer in evacuating a wounded comrade. PFC Kelly’s heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Marine Corps.”

Joe Kelly exemplifies Semper Fidelis and Richard Thornton a keen knowledge of names and places: The Kinsong River Salient, Old Baldy, Heartbreak Ridge, and other battles during the last seven months of the Korean War. Both sides fought for small advantages during the Truce Talks.

As Hemingway wrote in A Farewell to Arms, set in Italy during World War I; “There were many words that you could not stand to hear and finally only the names of places had dignity. Certain numbers were the same way and certain dates these with names of places were all you could say and have them mean anything. Abstract words such as glory and honor were hollow beside the concrete names rivers and comrades, the numbers of regiments and the dates.” (p. 185)

For PFC David M. Graham the main memory of Korea was when the weapons ceased to fire and an eerie silence prevailed on July 25, 1953 all along the 38th parallel. Afterwards certain memories are not forgotten even if the war is forgotten, namely, fallen comrades like Billy Carroll from Bridesburg, Philadelphia, Phil Carney from South Philly, and Willie Frazier from Washington, D.C. If life is sacred, then their lives are sacred, and they did not die in vain. As Fr, John McNamee writes in a poem, “Korean War Memorial,” May 2010:

Two detours the one now daily and deliberate through interfacing granite monoliths

where a large grainy black-and- white photograph of a foot soldier heads a litany of local names

Weary frightened-looking unshaven he could be me sixty years ago

he and the others never safe home I by exemption home safe . . .

PFC Graham was fortunate to leave Korea behind forever by extending a year in the army in order to transfer to the other front of the Cold War in Europe. There I was assigned to the 26th Infantry Regiment, “Blue Spaders” of the First Infantry Division, of the “Big Red One.” Their motto was, “Born at Sea, Baptized in Blood, and raised in Glory.” I was able to pursue Glory as a baseball and football player in a regiment that was known as the “Notre Dame of Europe” because of its outstanding sports teams.

Evidence released from the archives of the Peoples’ Republic of China that Mao and Stalin conspired with the North Korean leader Kim Jong I to invade South Korea, believing the United States would not react. The United States, acting through the United Nations, pushed through a resolution approving a “police action” against the North Korean invading army which had pushed the Republic of Korea forces back to a narrow perimeter around Busan near the southern tip of the Korean peninsula. Gradually, the U.N. forces would drive the North Korean back beyond the 38th parallel and led by the United States would begin an invasion of the north after the famous Inchon landing. As the predominantly American forces reached the border with China at the Yalu River, 6 divisions of Chinese crossed the river and overran the Americans at the Chosen Reservoir (“frozen Chosen”). The U.N. forces then retreated to the 38th parallel and a war of attrition followed until the cease fire. Between June 25, 1950 and July 25, 1953 a new concept of “Limited War” entered the military lexicon, as two states, The Peoples’ Republic of Korea in the North, and the Republic of Korea in the South were established on the Korean peninsula. The question remains for members of the Catholic Peace Fellowship, “Was this war necessary?”

David Graham

Dave is a member of CPF and St. Malachy’s