July2009
KWVA Chapter 265 Newsletter
July 2009
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Our July 8 Chapter meeting will be at the Indian Trail VFW Post 2423 at 100 VFW Lane, Indian Trail, NC 28079 starting at 10:00 AM.
Directions – Take exit 51 off I-485 to US-74/Independence Blvd then go east toward Monroe NC about 2 miles. At the second stoplight, Walgreen Drugs is on the right. Turn right there on Indian Trail, go about half a mile and VFW Lane is on the left just before the railroad tracks.
Directions to the Chapter Dinner
Jonathan’s Restaurant is at 10630 Independence Pointe Parkway – off NC-51 near the intersection with US-74 Indep. Blvd.
Note: The Chapter Dinner is every other month on the last Thursday of the month. The next dinner will be Sept 24. Location to be determined.
Bill Stegall
Our July 27 Korean War Armistice Observance
Our Chapter will honor Cpl Jerry Kirt Crump with a Memorial observance at his grave on
Monday July 27, the 56th anniversary of the Korean War armistice.
Join us at 12:00 noon at the Mt Zion Methodist Church cemetery in Cornelius NC for this ceremony. The church and cemetery are on the right side of NC-115 or Old Statesville Rd traveling north. The address is 19600 Zion Ave. Cornelius NC.
If you take exit 28 off I-77, go east almost 1 mile and turn right onto NC-115. The church will be ¼ mile on the left.
Jerry Kirt Crump. a North Carolina native, received the Medal of Honor for his heroics during the Korean War.
The 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice on July 27, 1953, with neither side able to claim outright victory. No peace treaty has ever been signed.
Please join us in this observance.
Election of Chapter Officers
At the June 10 Chapter meeting at the Mint Hill VFW, ballots were counted and KWVA Chapter 265 members elected a Commander, two Vice-Commanders and a Secretary/Treasurer for a two-year term expiring in June 2011.
COMMANDER – William Sanford Stegall – Navy, Korea 1952-53, Director, Founder and past Commander.
VICE CMDR – Roland Belletete – Army, Korea 1950-51, 7th Inf Div, Inchon landing & Chosin, Honor Guard Captain.
VICE CMDR – Henry Eubanks – Army, Korea 1953-54, HQ 44th Eng Const Group.
SECRETARY/TREASURER – Carl Johnson – USAF Korea 1952-53, K-18 Kangnung radar mtn, Sec/Treasurer.
Thank you for participating in this election.
(Above) – New Officers (L-R) Roland Belletete, Vice Commander; Henry Eubanks, Vice Commander; Carl Johnson, Sec/Treas; Bill Stegall, Commander
The oath of office was administered by Chaplain Bill Reid.
(Above) Former Commander James Hughes hands the gavel to newly elected Commander Bill Stegall. . Photo by Don Putnam.
Other Chapter officers appointed by Commander Stegall and approved by the Chapter 265 Board are:
+ Honor Guard Captain – Roland Belletete
+ Sgt at Arms – Merwin Foard
+ Chaplain and Co-Chairman Memorial – Bill Reid
+ Co-Chairman Memorial – Don Putnam
+ Asst. Secretary/Treasurer – James Humphries
We thank our Officers for serving the Chapter!!
A South Korean Church honors our Chapter members.
An expertly prepared luncheon consisting of a variety of authentic Korean cuisine followed the June 21, 2009 Sunday afternoon Worship Service at the Church of the True Light in Ballantyne, Charlotte NC. The service and luncheon was the second annual event honoring American Korean War Veterans. Reverend Mark Lee preached his sermon first in Korean, then in English. Col. Billy Reid USAF (Ret) sang the Hymn “Jerusalem”.
Chapter members attending were Col. Billy Reid, his sister, associate member Sandra Hayes, Henry and Irene Eubanks, Joe and Carolyn Featherstone and Don Putnam. During the service a member of the congregation read the following letter that he wrote to the Veterans, (unedited).
Dear Korean War Veterans,
My name is Andy Kim, and I’m 9 years old. I came from Seoul, Korea 3 years ago. I’m very honored to meet Korean War Veterans here in Charlotte. Korean War ended in 1953 and it’s been 56 years since the war ended. Korea has developed tremendously in those years. However, we all know that without United Nation and U.S. Allies, we can’t be living happy with freedom now. From the school and from our grandparents and parents, we learned how American Solders Sacrificed for South Korea.
Also, we know there are some soldiers never came back from North Korea who have been captured as a P. O. W, prisoners of war. I want to pray for those prisoners and again I want to let you know how much it’s appreciated that you fought for our country. “I am your big fan !”
Thank you for taking your time to come and worship with us today. May God Bless you and your family.
With love, Andy (Dohoon ) Kim
(We are not forgotten – Don Putnam)
Several Chapter Members attended the New Life Church Program in May
Mr. Young Choi, Chapter member and a member of the New Life Church, invited us to a great program at the church on Sunday May 17. Several Chapter members and spouses attended: Don Putnam, Bill Reid, Carl Johnson. Roland and Jessie Belletete, James and Lottie Humphries and Dick Pellicciotta all enjoyed the dance and musical program honoring those who had escaped from North Korea. A Korean meal was served after the program.
Thank you, Mr. Choi and we thank the New Life Church.
Memorial Day Service by Bill Williams
Chapter Member Bill Williams did a Memorial Day service at his church on Sunday May 24th and it went over very well.
Bill describes the service:
I had some veterans come to me after the service and commented that it was the best Memorial service that they had ever attended.
In preparation for the service, I made a list of all veteran members of our Church, both living and deceased.
Betty and myself made a plaque (certificate) honoring each of these veterans.
We also had a table display at the front of the congregation showing the names of the deceased veterans along with a vase of white roses. As the name of each veteran’s widow was called they came down to the altar, took a rose from the vase and placed the rose in front of their husband’s name. At which time the widow was presented the certificate.
Betty did the laying of the wreath and my Daughter Cindy sang the National Anthem.
All living veterans were recognized by being called down to the altar and presented with a certificate.
The service lasted about 45 minutes since our pastor had me do the entire service.
Harold Phifer assisted me in presenting the flag and he, Betty and the pastor helped in giving out the plaques or certificates.
The service was closed with the playing of taps after which all quietly left the sanctuary.
Bill Williams
Ed. Note: Your church might appreciate a Memorial Day ceremony such as this. Ask your pastor next year.
Chaplain’s Column
Pray for those reported ill:
George Barringer
Stephen Barringer
Joseph McGinnis
Henry Oder
Roland Henry
Steve Gravier
Assisted living:
Eunice Barrow
Denzil Hernandez
Please let me know if you know a Korean War Veteran or his family that is in distress and needs assistance.
Please remember those in need.
May God bless you and yours.
Billy J Reid, Chaplain
704-365-1044
Cell 704-819-7361
(Above) Funeral of Paul James McGee in May
Richard’s Coffee Shop is the new name
Pat’s Coffee Shop is no more – but Richard’s coffee shop is at 128 South Main St in Mooresville NC.
Information below is from their website:
www.welcomehomeveteran.org/
UNTIL JULY 4:
EVERY Thursday from 8am – Noon, until July 4th, 2009, there will be a meeting at the Bob Evans Restaurant located in Mooresville, NC, at I-77, Exit 36.
Bob Evans has donated the space for the Veterans, in memory of Richard Warren.
130 Consumers Square Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117 704-799-8080. (by Wal-Mart)
AFTER JULY 4:
The Coffee Shop has moved…
We are one block down, across the street at 128 S. Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115. We plan to have the new place ready July 4th, 2009.
We are “in-n-out” right now and may just be there doing some work if you come by… Thanks to all for YOUR support of Richard’s dream!
NEW MEMBERS
47 new members since 1/1/08.
HOORAH!
Kenneth Ward Miller Jr – Assoc.
Welcome to the Chapter !!
Please join us in making our Chapter the best.
JULY BIRTHDAYS
Roland J Belletete 7/8
Roy G Bird 7/11
William F Borer 7/25
Joseph B Brandon 7/1
William J Donnelly 7/23
Bobby G Graves 7/30
Paul M Hurd 7/24
Ben L Johnson 7/14
Irvin H Jones 7/21
Ivan J Lee 7/11
Raymond Morton 7/9
Charlie B Nicholson 7/17
Robert Phillips 7/14
Kenneth W Rogers 7/31
Kathy Torgerson 7/24
Joseph Witkowsky 7/23
Happy Birthday to everyone!!
2nd Infantry Division – Over 80 years between photos
(Above) 1925 – Members of the 2nd Infantry Division pose for a “human insignia” of the division patch at Fort Sam Houston in Texas on Nov 27, 1925.
(Above) 2009 – Over 5000 2nd Infantry Division soldiers at Camp Casey in Korea pose for emblem picture on May 21, 2009
About 5,000 members of the 2nd Infantry Division came here from bases all over the peninsula Thursday to be photographed as part of a “living insignia,” or human re-creation of the patch worn by those in the division.
In doing so, the 2nd ID was repeating something done 84 years earlier, in November 1925, when a comparable number of division soldiers gathered on a parade field at Fort Sam Houston in Texas to pose for a similar photograph.
After Thursday’s photo was snapped, division commander Maj. Gen. John W. Morgan III thanked those in attendance for being “part of history.”
Stars & Stripes Pacific Edition
SAVE THE USS LAFFEY
The USS Laffey Association is fighting to keep the ship from sinking.
The U.S.S. Laffey, the most decorated American destroyer in World War II, also went on to survive the Korean War and 25 years of Cold War sailing.
Now moored at the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant, the historic vessel faces ruin if more than $6 million is not raised to cover extensive and immediate repairs.
Patriots Point staff and members of the association did not notice the Laffey was in bad condition until last October, when former crew members had gathered on the port side of the ship for a reunion ceremony and the destroyer started to list and take on water.
Though the leaks were immediately repaired, water trapped between the Laffey and an outer shell welded onto it in 1994 had been corroding the ship. Experts have given the destroyer a year before the hundreds of holes in the hull sink it.
To make a contribution to the “Save the Laffey Fund,” mail checks to:
Patriots Point Development Authority
40 Patriots Point Road
Mt. Pleasant, SC29464
Attn: CFO, Save the Laffey Fund
Ed. Note: Cmdr. Bill Stegall served on the Laffey during the Korean War.
A Communist view of the Korean Air War
SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2009
Posted by Chester Campbell – a Korean War veteran.
With Memorial Day coming up, I thought a little story from the past about American airmen supposedly shot down that was pure fiction might provide an interesting sidebar. I found it while looking through letters I wrote home from Korea in the spring of 1953 shortly before I was shipped back to the States.
I worked in the Estimates Division of the Directorate of Intelligence at Fifth Air Force Headquarters in Seoul. We were housed in the old Seoul University Medical School buildings. My job was to keep up with enemy air activity from debriefings of aircrews as they returned from missions. At that point, we ruled the skies over North Korea.
My section was involved in putting out the DINTSUM, or Daily Intelligence Summary, that went all around the Far East Air Forces command. I sent home a couple of pages from No. 307 on 9 Mar 53 that had been declassified. It was a translation from Radio Pyongyang in Korean dated Sunday, 1 March 53.
“Falcons of an Air Force unit commanded by Comrade Choe Sang Tae scored brilliant gains in recent battles with the American imperialists air bandits in which they shot down two F-84 jets and one F-86 Sabrejet.
“Last Sunday morning, (22 February) a formation under the command of Choe Sang Tae was flying the skies of the Fatherland southeastward on a (? ? ? ?) mission. Watching the skies with high alertness, our young Falcons continued on their course. When they reached the skies of an undisclosed area, Commander Choe Sang Tae, flying with utmost caution sighted a formation of enemy F-84 jets flying at an altitude of 1,800 meters above an undisclosed place. He immediately passed a combat order among the aircraft under his command.
“The hateful enemy planes, fleeing upon their discovery by our heroic Falcons, were caught from the rear by Comrade Choe Sang Tae, who was skillfully maneuvering his plane in attack. Comrade Choe Sang Tae quickly intercepted an enemy plane in his sights. Drawing clear red lines in the sky, the mighty fire penetrated the body of the enemy. In a moment, the enemy, now a fireball enveloped in black smoke, crashed to the valley below. Having lost their commander, the other enemy planes, afraid of our brave Falcons, took to their heels. After ascertaining that there were no enemy aircraft around, all the planes in the formation commanded by Choe Sang Tae returned to the base safely.
“Then, at an undisclosed time on the fifteenth (of February), a formation led by Comrade Kim Chi Pom of the same unit on a pursuit mission encountered an American Air Force F-84 jet formation. As soon as Formation Leader Kim Chi Pom gave the order to prepare for combat, planes in the formation thrashed into the enemy formation, while tightly guarding the commander’s plane. The enemy planes arrogantly counter-attacked but their fire hit only empty air. Trained in outstanding flight technique and turning with iron determination, Flier So Chol Ha swiftly raised the nose of his plane and, turning to the left and right to elude the enemy fire, followed the rear of the enemy and poured revengeful fire into it. In a moment, the enemy crashed and buried itself in a hill behind an undisclosed position.
“The same day brave Falcons led by Cho Song Chol sauntering in the sky over an undisclosed place saw an enemy formation of F-86 Sabrejets about to bomb peaceful inhabited areas. The Cho Song Chol formation at this crucial moment skillfully shot down one enemy plane, scoring another bright victory.”
(Above) F-86 airplanes on the flight line getting ready for combat. June 1951 Air Force.
My boss, Maj. Harry Kelliher, provided the following explanatory note at the end of the broadcast translation (I have added parenthetical explanations of the military acronyms):
“Here’s what actually happened: On 22 February, UN air made no claims against the enemy and suffered no losses, although two friendlies sustained minor damage from SA (small arms) and AW (automatic weapons) over the MLR (main line of resistance, or the battle front). If the date is in error, however, F-86s on 21 February shot down three MIGs (Russian-built fighters) and probably destroyed another. On 15 February, F-86s destroyed three MIGs, probably destroyed three others and damaged six more, most of the action taking place in the vicinity of Sinuiju and the Suiho hydroelectric plant (both on the Yalu River border with China). One F-86 incurred minor damage from flying debris while firing on a MIG, one F-84 received minor damage from SA in the YC area and one AD (Marine Skyraider fighter-bomber) was slightly damaged by AW in the CT grid square.” (The YC and CT grid squares refer to 100,000 meter squares on the aerial charts we used.)
Major Kelliher added another explanatory box saying, “The story, of course, is completely unrelated to facts, and despite the flowery language the material is considered good ‘copy’ in the North Korean radio trade. The ‘hammy’ dramatics of the script are typical of all their narratives and the complete lack of coordinates are normal in the reporting techniques of Red journalism.”
Following enemy air activity over a period of months made it obvious the war was being used as a training ground not just for North Korean pilots but for Chinese and Russians as well. When a new class started out, they stayed close to the Chinese border, where they could dart for safety when the F-86s got too aggressive. As they gained more confidence, they ventured farther to the south. Then the situation would reverse with introduction of a new group of trainees.
Hardly seems that was nearly 60 years ago. And though we did quite well in the air war, a lot of good guys from both air and ground units didn’t make it back. We’ll be remembering them this Memorial Day.
http://chestercampbell.blogspot.com/2009/05/communist-view-of-korean-air-war.html
Ed. Note: As you have noticed, I am including columns from various sources which describe or discuss the Korean War or the effect of the war on the Korean people and those of us who served during the war. If you have a favorite article, please send it to me.
(Above) A long trek southward. A seemingly endless file of Korean refugees slogs through snow outside of Kangnung, blocking the withdrawal of ROK I Corps on January 8, 1951.
(Ed.Note) Kangnung is on the east coast of Korea near the USAF 608th AC&W radar mountain where your editor served.
THIS MONTH IN THE KOREAN WAR
1950
July 2, 1950
The only major naval engagement of the war occurred when the USS Juneau, the HMS Jamaica and the HMS Black Swan intercepted four North Korean torpedo boats escorting 10 converted trawlers on the east coast. Naval gunfire sank two of the four torpedo boats and seven of the trawlers.
July 5, 1950
Task Force Smith, B and C Companies of the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, and A Battery, 52nd Field Artillery Battalion, all of the 24th Infantry Division, met a large tank and infantry element of the North Korean 4th Division just north of Osan. After seven hours of brisk action, battered by the T-34 tanks’ fire and flanked by overwhelming numbers of infantry, the Task Force Smith withdrew under fire. Of the 520 infantry and artillery men of the Task Force, only 185 made it to friendly lines. A North Korean soldier who came on the scene just after the battle recorded in his diary, “We met vehicles and American PWs. We also saw some American dead. We found four of our destroyed tanks. Near Osan there was a great battle.”
July 10, 1950
The first engagement between U.S. and North Korean tanks occurred near Chonui. One enemy T-34 was destroyed while two outclassed U.S. M-24 Chafee light tanks were lost. Near Pyongtaek, the Air Force achieved its greatest single-day destruction of enemy tanks and trucks during the war.
July 12, 1950
In a series of desperate battles, the 21st Infantry Regiment fought delaying actions from Chonui to Chochiwon. Not only did the two under strength rifle battalions of the “Gimlet” Regiment delay two of the best North Korean People’s Army divisions, but they turned in the best battle performance of U.S. troops in the war to that date.
July 14, 1950
The U.S. 555th Field Artillery Battalion (”Triple Nickel”) was overrun and lost 300 soldiers.
July 15, 1950
The North Koreans penetrated the U.S. 24th Infantry Division’s defense and crossed the Kum River. The 19th Infantry Regiment lost 20 percent of its fighting force, the 1st Battalion alone losing 338 out of 785. The 63rd Field Artillery Battalion was overrun and sustained heavy casualties.
July 22, 1950
After 17 days of continuous combat, the U.S. 24th Infantry Division had been driven back 100 miles, suffered more than 30 percent casualties, and had more than 2,400 men missing in action.
F4U’s (Corsairs) returning from a combat mission over North Korea circle the USS Boxer as they wait for planes in the next strike to be launched from her flight deck – a helicopter hovers above the ship. September 4, 1951. (Navy)
July 23, 1950
The carrier USS Boxer made history with a record-breaking Pacific crossing of eight days and 16 hours while transporting 145 F-51 Mustangs, 1,000 US Air Force personnel, and several hundred tons of cargo.
July 25, 1950
The independent U.S. 29th Infantry Regimental Combat Team was committed to action near Chinju. The North Koreans ambushed its 3rd Battalion at Hadong, killing 313 and capturing 100.
July 27, 1950
The 3rd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, attached to the 19th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 24th Infantry Division, was ambushed at Hadong. One half of the battalion was reported killed or missing in action
July 29, 1950
As the U.N. forces formed the 100-mile by 50-mile Pusan Perimeter, Lieutenant General Walton Walker issued his controversial “stand or die” order to Eighth Army, declaring, “there will be no Dunkirk, there will be no Bataan.”
(Above) A U.S. Army truck and trailer back up to the gaping jaws of a C-119 “Flying Boxcar” to be loaded for evacuation from Yonpo Airfield, the most concentrated air evacuation of the Korean War by planes of the U.S. Far East Air Forces Combat Cargo Command. In the background, smoke rises from burning supplies and buildings which were destroyed before the field was left to advancing communist troops.
(Ed. Note) Chapter Member William E. Culpepper served as aircrew from Mar 1953 to Mar 1954 in the “Blue Tail Flies” (817th Troop Carrier Sq, 483rd Grp) which flew the C-119.
1951
July 2, 1951
The U.S. 3rd Infantry Division launched Operation DOUGHNUT, a series of attacks directed against hills in the Iron Triangle.
(Above) United States Army artillery crew fires a 105-millimeter howitzer against North Korean Communist positions during a battle in the Republic of Korea.
1952
July 17, 1952
The U.S. 2nd Infantry Division’s 23rd Infantry Regiment sustained heavy casualties, including 39 killed and 84 missing in action, during the Battle for Old Baldy.
1953
WE DO REMEMBER
Korean War Armistice Day
July 27, 1953
After three years, one month and two days, combat ended in Korea as the armistice was signed at Panmunjom. Signed at 1000, it became effective at 2200 on the same day. Korea remains in an armistice status without a formal peace treaty to this day. Sergeant Harold R. Cross, K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regimental Combat Team, was killed by a mortar blast at 2040, the last American soldier killed in action in the Korean War.
AN ODE TO LOW FLIGHT
Oh, I have slipped through swirling clouds of dust,
A few feet from the dirt,
I’ve flown the F-84 low enough
To make my bottom hurt,
I’ve flown the desert, hills, and valleys,
Mountains too,
Frolicked in the trees,
Where only flying squirrels flew.
Chased the frightened cows along,
Disturbed the ram and ewe,
And done a hundred other things
That you’d not care to do.
I’ve smacked the tiny sparrow,
Bluebird, robin and all the rest.
I’ve ingested baby eagles
Simply sucked them from the nest.
I’ve streaked through total darkness,
Just the other guys and me,
And spent the night in terror of
Things I could not see,
I turned my eyes to heaven,
As I sweated through the flight,
Put out my hand and touched
The Fire Warning Light.
(Contributed by an F-84 driver who served in the 136th FBW and crash-landed in a rice paddy after being shot up)
REMINDER
Our July 8 Chapter meeting will be at the Indian Trail VFW Post at 10:00 AM.
Our Chapter Meetings are normally held on the second Wednesday of every month. Starting time is 10:00 AM with coffee/cake at 9:30 AM. Spouses are welcome. All members are encouraged to bring a guest.
Second Memorial Advisory Committee Meeting Held
Don Putnam, Memorial Chairman, held a second meeting at Jonathans on Monday June 15.
The committee members are:
Mint Hill Mayor – Ted Biggers
Mayor Pro Tem – Mickey Ellington
MH Times Editor – Tim Long
Architect – Kent Goolsby
USAF Ex-POW – Colonel Quincy Collins
USO Director – Shelia Crump-Waskow
Meet our Advisory Committee
Meet Mr Ted Biggers, Mint Hill Mayor, a valuable member of our Memorial Advisory Committee.
Mayor Biggers is very supportive of our men and women in the armed forces. He is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served as a Second Lieutenant in the USAF as a fighter pilot and rose to the rank of Captain. He was instrumental in establishing the Veterans’ Day Breakfast to honor our Town citizens for past and present service in the military.
Mayor Biggers was elected as the Town’s Mayor in 1999, and prior to his election was a member of the Town’s Board of Commissioners. He has been an airline pilot for the past 28 years and is currently a Captain for US Airways.
Thank you, Mayor Biggers, for serving on our Memorial Advisory Committee.
MEMORIAL CONTACT
Don Putnam
Memorial Captain
Phone 704-496-4709
email: donput@juno.com
KWVA NC Chapter 265
P.O. Box 125
Huntersville NC 28070
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