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Korean War: Battle on Pork Chop Hill

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Officially it was designated Hill 255, but its contour lines on a map of Korea and a 1959 film made it world famous as Pork Chop Hill. Based on a book by military historian S.L.A. Marshall, the movie dealt only with the penultimate, two-day battle for Pork Chop Hill in April 1953. In actuality, that hill claimed the lives of soldiers from the United States, Thailand, Colombia, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China in an ongoing struggle that lasted longer than on any other single battlefield in Korea.

After Communist North Korean forces invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, the war raged up and down the peninsula several times as the United States, the United Nations (U.N.) and finally Communist China sent ground forces there. By July 1952, however, both sides had constructed such strong defensive lines that neither could undertake a major offensive without suffering unacceptable losses. In 1952, North Korea and China had 290,000 men on the front lines and another 600,000 in reserve. The U.N. countered with 250,000 troops on the line, backed by 450,000 reserves.

While the two sides engaged in tedious, often exasperating truce negotiations at Panmunjom, their soldiers huddled in trench systems resembling those of World War I. The constant patrolling and artillery duels seldom made headlines at home. But occasionally battles for outposts such as Heartbreak Ridge, the Punchbowl, Capitol Hill and the Hook drew media attention, giving them propaganda value at the talks.

Much of the focus on Pork Chop Hill was a result of Communist political structure. At that time, Marshal Peng Dehuai commanded the Chinese People’s Volunteer Forces in Korea, taking his orders from the Central Military Commission (CMC), of which Mao Tse-tung was chairman, and Mao’s foreign minister, Zhou Enlai, vice chairman. Peng’s lieutenants often had multiple responsibilities. For example, Peng’s deputy, General Deng Hua, was also commander of the 13th Field Army and a delegate at the peace talks. Li Kenong, chief of military intelligence for the CMC, was also vice minister of foreign affairs, chief of the Military Intelligence Department of the People’s Liberation Army, and headed the Chinese delegation at Panmunjom. Because of Li’s ministry and intelligence positions, he had his government’s authority to coordinate armistice talks and battlefield strategy. Consequently, whenever negotiations reached critical stages, the Chinese military was used to test the U.N.’s will on the battlefield. As the action raged around relatively unimportant outposts, the battles themselves took on political and propaganda significance far beyond their military value.

In May 1952, Maj. Gen. David Ruffner took command of the 45th Infantry Division, holding the right flank of the I Corps’ line in west-central Korea, facing the 39th Army of the Chinese 13th Field Army. Wishing to take the high ground in front of his division’s main line of resistance (MLR), Ruffner and his staff developed a plan to seize a dozen forward hills, stretching from northeast to southwest. The last two in the southwest, Pork Chop and Old Baldy (Hill 266), were held by the Chinese 116th Division.

On June 6 and 7, the 279th Infantry Regiment seized the six northern hills, while the 180th Infantry advanced on the six southern ones. Company I of the 180th took Pork Chop after a one-hour firefight and immediately fortified the position. The Chinese 346th, 347th and 348th regiments counterattacked over the next several days, but I Company, with artillery support, held them off. Ruffner had extended the 45th Division’s line to provide a breakwater for his MLR, with Port Chop Hill, partially protected from Old Baldy, providing a vital part of the buffer.

The 2nd Infantry Division replaced the 45th in the fall of 1952, and its 9th Regiment was assigned to Pork Chop and Old Baldy. In October the Thai 21st Infantry Regiment occupied Pork Chop and managed to beat back assaults by elements of the Chinese 39th Army in November. When the 7th Infantry Division replaced the 2nd, troops of its 31st Regiment occupying Hill 255 found words written on the bunker walls by the departing Thais: ‘Take good care of our Pork Chop.’

In the late winter of 1953, General Deng argued that Chinese forces should adopt a retaliatory (zhenfeng xiangdui) strategy rather than remain on the defensive. The CMC endorsed his idea, and Marshal Peng moved the 23rd and 47th armies into line near Pork Chop Hill. On March 1, 1953, Chinese artillery opened an 8,000-round artillery barrage. Then, on the night of March 23, elements of the Chinese 67th Division of the 23rd Army and the 47th Army’s 141st Division launched simultaneous ground assaults on Old Baldy, Pork Chop and Hill 191.

‘On March 23rd, we ran a 50-man patrol along the perimeter of Pork Chop,’ recalled Corporal Joe Scheuber of I Company, 31st Infantry. ‘We just got into our foxholes on the finger of Pork Chop when enemy mortar and artillery hit us. To our right, more incoming rounds. Then we saw Chinese behind us and realized we were surrounded. We fell back to the trench line at the top of the hill, but the Chinese had reached it first. Hand-to-hand fighting broke out. There was a tremendous amount of noise. I got nicked in the arm and my helmet got shot off. I worked my way down the hill, killing a Chinese soldier with a grenade. I ended up in a shell hole the remainder of the night, as the enemy artillery lasted most of the night. When dawn broke, I was found by another unit from I Company as they pushed the Chinese off the hill.’ The Chinese drove the defenders back 800 yards. Just after midnight, however, two companies from the 7th Division reserve counterattacked and recovered Pork Chop by morning.

The 1st Battalion of the Chinese 141st Division, commanded by Hou Yung-chun, was selected to assault Old Baldy. The unit’s political officer hand picked the 3rd Company to lead the attack and plant the ‘Victory Flag’ on the hill. Facing the Chinese was the recently arrived and inexperienced Colombian 3rd Battalion. Supported by heavy artillery fire, the Chinese penetrated the U.N. position at about 2100 hours. Although the Colombians were reinforced by an American company, it was not enough to prevent them from having to fall back. Kao Yung-ho, a young soldier in the 3rd Company, declared, ‘This victory is to our company commander’s credit.’

‘When the Chinese seized Old Baldy there was good military logic to abandon Pork Chop,’ S.L.A. Marshall wrote. ‘That concession would have been in the interest of line-straightening without sacrifice of a dependable anchor. But national pride, bruised by the loss of Old Baldy, asserted itself, and Pork Chop was held.’

A lull fell over the area while the Chinese 47th Army was resupplied for its next objective — Pork Chop. Back in the United States, the press lambasted the 7th Division for the loss of Old Baldy and described the division as weary, slipshod and demoralized. Unwittingly, the American press supplied the Chinese with a propaganda tool — during the April and July fighting, 7th Division troops would hear those same caustic criticisms loosed at them from Chinese loudspeakers.

In April 1953, two platoons of E Company, 31st Regiment of the 7th Division, both under the command of 1st Lt. Thomas V. Harrold, garrisoned Pork Chop. The total strength within the perimeter came to 96 men, including attached artillery, engineer and medical personnel. The 1st and 3rd platoons mustered only 76 riflemen, and 20 of them were stationed at listening points outside the perimeter. Easy Company normally had twice that many, but it had begun its rotation out of the sector.

The bunkers and trenches had been engineered according to the then-conventional pattern of the Eighth Army. As Marshall described it: ‘A solidly revetted rifle trench encircled it at the military crest, providing wall and some roof cover, which served for defense in any direction. Sandbagged and heavily timbered, fire-slotted bunkers were tied into the trench line at approximately 30-yard intervals. They gave troops protection while affording observation and command of the slope.’ The natural terrain, however, divided the two platoons, because Pork Chop was pushed in like the dent in a hat.

General Deng’s plan to assault Pork Chop had been endorsed by the CMC on April 3, but Mao intervened, delaying the operation until the peace talks stalled. In that same month, the negotiators at Panmunjom agreed to exchange their sickest POWs, an operation called Little Switch. At that point, however, the Chinese political leadership wanted to show the U.N. that its cooperation did not reflect an unwillingness to fight. Deng was therefore authorized to attack Pork Chop Hill before April 20, when Little Switch was slated to begin.

At 2000 hours on April 16 a patrol from the 31st Infantry, consisting of 10 soldiers from Fox Company and five from Easy, advanced to within 100 yards of the shallow stream at the valley bottom and set up an ambush. At about 2300, some 50 Chinese soldiers approached from Hasakkol. Sergeant Henry W. Pidgeon of Fox Company flung grenades at them, thereby striking the first blow in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. He then ordered the patrol back, but Easy Company’s mortars, firing at the advancing Chinese, cut off the American patrol. A few individuals filtered back into the trenches at 0445, but most of the patrol remained on the slope until 1900 the next evening.

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  1. 43 Comments to “Korean War: Battle on Pork Chop Hill”

  2. My Father Lawrence Stanley Huntley is one of those men who came home from the war on Pork Chop Hill Second Infantry Division, 38th Regiment, First BN Baker Company Second Platoon; He is still alive and well and lives in Michigan, he recently learned that 2 of the men he served with and came home from that war have passed one 2 years ago from heart, another just this last week 6-09-08 killed in a car accident. My father has often hoped he could one day meet up with any of the others that may remain from his division.

    By Lois M. (Huntley) McClurg on Jun 16, 2008 at 10:43 pm

  3. mi padre combatio en Old baldy como integrante del batallon colombia en la guerra de corea, compañia A.

    By roberto sanchez on Jul 2, 2008 at 5:48 pm

  4. Would appreciate your information on the only
    survivor of Fox Company, 7th Infantry from
    battle on Pork Chop Hill- PFC Ervin Wenski of
    Cicero, Ill. Died in Sept.19, 1977

    By Edna McDaniel (Wenski) on Jul 17, 2008 at 2:55 pm

  5. My father was one of the soldiers in the battle for Pork Chop Hill. His name was Martin (Marty ) Ward. If anyone remembers him I would like to hear from you. We will figure out a way to get in touch.

    By June Martin on Jul 20, 2008 at 3:12 am

  6. I was the staff guardian of a gentleman by the name of Stanley C. Wynn, who was one of the few who survived Pork Chop Hill. He recently passed away after a lengthy illness. Today was the day he was buried, with the Color Guard giving him a send off that was fitting for the 6 Bronze Star recipient hero he was. May he rest in peace!

    By Diane on Aug 1, 2008 at 3:15 pm

  7. my father served in king company on pork chop hill. he passed away in september of 1987.I would like to find someone to bridge the gap I was young when he passed and dont know much about his combat history other than he carried a BAR and lost his left eye on pork chop.

    By Matt yeager on Aug 3, 2008 at 2:59 pm

  8. My grandfather served in the Korean War and he did fight at the first battle of Pork Chop Hill in April of 1953. On July 23, 1953. He was wounded by a grenade at a place called Finger Ridge. Even though he lost his left eye, he made a full recovery. Sadley my grandfather died in Sept. of 1987, I was born in Jan. two years later, everything that my grandfather did in Korea died with him. I’m looking for information about his actions and some of the battles that he might have participated in (including info. about the battle of Finger Ridge) and see if my grandfather was supposed to receive a medal. I’m also hoping to find all of his buddies too if any of them are still alive and find out what do they remember about my grandfather. Here are some things about my grandfather:

    Name: Bruce Donald Yeager
    Rank: Private First Class
    Branch of Service: U.S. Army
    Serial No.: US52198042
    Blood Type: B+
    Unit: 7th Infantry Division, 31st Infantry Regiment, King Company

    If anyone has information about my grandfather, please post a message to me or to Matt Yeager.

    By Billy Ruprecht on Aug 24, 2008 at 9:31 pm

  9. I recently found a scrap book kept by my grandparents with stories of my uncle Reverend James Madden who served in the 32nd Infantry regiment as a Chaplain. I was fascinated and moved by the stories of his bravery and amazing faith. I have some wonderful pictures of Father Madden serving Mass with the soldiers. It would be great to hear from anyone familiar with Father Madden. Thanks.

    By Theresa Arant Kimmel on Sep 21, 2008 at 8:56 pm

  10. My father was in the 32nd Infantry of the 7th Division; he was in communications and ran wire to the various patrols. His name is Jose M. Ramirez. He remembers the battles of Pork Chop and Old Baldy. Anyone with more details of what these communication soldiers did would be appreciated.

    By J. Javier Ramirez on Oct 13, 2008 at 6:31 pm

  11. I SPENT TWO YEARS IN KOREA, ONE YEAR IN IRAQ.RETIRED IN 1997. GOD BLESS YOU SIR FOR YOUR INFO.

    By DUANE FISH on Oct 14, 2008 at 6:23 pm

  12. My Father Bruce B. Wainwright entered the Korean War on May
    19, 1952. He was a Lieutenent during the final battles at Pork
    Chop Hill in charge of the heavy artillary. The movie “Pork Chop
    Hill was based on his brother’s company. After he came back, he
    said when he returned home he kept having this strong feeling to
    let people know what all had been done to bring about the
    sacrifice to keep our freedom. Two of his friends who survived
    with him were Jack Roberts and Herb Pawlowdski. They still vist
    after all these years. He felt like an emissary for those who died
    and wants to do what I can for them. Those who gave their lives
    did not do so because they were in any way less worthy–infact,
    they may well have been the more worthy ones.

    By Janet W. Reed on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:18 am

  13. I am looking for one of the survivors of pork chop hill.
    He also served as Mess Sargeant in veitnam with the 6Bn 33rd
    Artllery B Battery 1968 and1969 . I served with him in Nam.
    We were part 108th Artillery Group. I do not remeber his name,
    I think he was one of the pupel hart winers.Last time I saw him
    was April 1969. He was a Staff Sageant.

    He he still a live ?

    Bill Bourke

    By Bill Bourke on Nov 13, 2008 at 12:05 am

  14. My Father Willis Chaisson from Louisiana served in the Korean
    War and got wounded twice. He never spoke about the War, but
    after he passed away in 1988 my Mom advised us that in the
    years of their marriage he would have night mares about Pork
    Chop Hill. Later is when I had heard about the battle there.
    Anyone who may have known my Dad I would like to hear from
    them.

    Thanks
    Bryan Chaisson

    By Bryan Chaisson on Nov 14, 2008 at 5:25 pm

  15. My uncle, Matt Finkle from New Haven, Ct. area served in the
    Korean war at Pork Chop Hill. He had survived a bullet wound to
    his head. LIFE Magazine had a picture of him with his helmet
    that had a huge hole in it where the bullet had entered. I dont
    have anymore details. He would occassionally share a story or
    two but didnt care to talk about it much. There were many
    painful memories. I will always remember the look in his eyes,
    those few times he would talk about his time in Korea. He was one
    tough marine, he has sinced passed and his memory will be with
    us forever.

    By Mark Freer on Nov 14, 2008 at 7:32 pm

  16. My father Paul Fern Eldridge was in the Battle at Pork Chop Hill. He died 10/26/08 and on his deathbed he worried about the atrocities of Pork Chop Hill. He rarely talked about his time in Korea. Anyone who knew my father during this time and has any information please contact me.

    By Paula Eldridge Tuttle on Nov 20, 2008 at 11:24 pm

  17. i was a field wireman in korea 1953 we would keep commo lines open to different companys an to out post sometimes i would run a switchboard when not running wire lines i have some photoes of pork chop hill the hill an bunkers on the hill o dean nebraska responce to theresa a kimmel

    By orville l dean on Dec 1, 2008 at 4:17 pm

  18. I was with the 32nd. Inf. of the 7th. Inf. Div. as a rifleman and a Barman. Late 1952 to Aug. of 1953. Eight months and 20 days on the front lines. Outpost served on were Kelly Hill, Erie and Arsnel and Pork chop Hill. I have some memory loss of a battle for which I am not sure, but believe it was Pork Chop Hil. All I remember is comining of a Hill and having a very hazy feeling in my head. Asking why we were being tr
    aken off the hill and told that a Phychicrist ordered us off the Hill. Two of our guys shot them selves. I can’t remember anything about the fighting.
    Jomarhartman@verizon.net
    717-564-6136

    By John J. Hartman on Dec 5, 2008 at 6:15 pm

  19. My father (Robert Shackleford) was a field wireman with Charlie Co. , 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry during the battle for Old Baldy (Westview) and Pork Chop in 1953. He is alive and well. He has many photos and stories related to this time.

    By Craig Shackleford on Dec 10, 2008 at 2:26 am

  20. wanting to know anyone who knew my Uncle, his name was Hubert Theriot. He was killed on Pork Chop Hill. he was from Golden Meadow, Louisiana!

    By John Rosenberger on Jan 26, 2009 at 3:38 am

  21. My dad was on Pork Chop during the last battle. He was with Love Company 32nd Inf. 7th ID. I have a copy of his orders for his Bronze star that was for actions on 11 july1953 on Pork Chop. His name was Wirt Hughes. If anyone knew him please contact me at:

    thughes@albemarle.org

    By Tim Hughes on Feb 27, 2009 at 1:12 pm

  22. The Colombian soldiers were not neither inexpert neither cowardly, they came combatting against the Chinese with great heroism that was worth them two citations presidential and numerous silver stars and of brass, for heroism beyond the duty. the position of the Old baldy was taken by the Chinese because these they attacked with a very superior force in men that the battalion Colombia, supported by a devastating artillery fire that took several days on the position. Not in vain Old baldy a cemetery was considered and an unit didn’t remain but of five days in that position. The Colombia was 11 days to its luck, because the American company assigned as reinforcement was not him correspondent in the battle of March 23 in the night, because it was used to shelter Pork Chop. Nevertheless to be evicted of Old baldy, the Colombians completed their mission: the Chinese could not take the position due to the strong defense presented by the Colombians and to the support, although late, of the artillery and the North American aviation during the day 24.

    By Leonard Grass on Mar 7, 2009 at 8:00 pm

  23. My uncle was on hill 255 . He died in 2005, he never talked to much about it though.

    By mike sherman on Apr 3, 2009 at 9:45 pm

  24. Hello, Does anyone remember the “human bridge”? He was my cousin and his name was Bonnie Bartlet. If someone knows of him please respond.

    Thank you,

    Rick Anaya

    By Rick Anaya on Apr 11, 2009 at 4:47 pm

  25. I JUST FOUND OUT MY DAD ALSO WAS AT THE PORK CHOP HILL IN KOREA. MY DAD PASSED AWAY AWHILE BACK. HE IS FROM NORTH ALABAMA. I REMEMBER MY DAD TELLING ME HE COOKED AN MADE LOTS OF BISCUTS.FOR THE MEN I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE REMEMBERS MY DAD.ARE MAYBE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS EVER HEARD THEM TALK ABOUT MY DAD THEY ALL CALLED HIM (BUSTER)

    By W.E (BUSTER) STARNES on Apr 19, 2009 at 12:48 am

  26. My grand father James Woodrow Miller fought in Korea from nov.28 1951 to aug 13 1953. He fought on pork chop hill before he was discharged in aug. My grand father didnt talk about the war at all so we have very little info. His service # was 52160668. If any one remembers him or has any information please email at saramorelan@yahoo.com.Thank you.

    By sara morelan on Apr 22, 2009 at 12:14 am

  27. Can someone please shed some light on the korean war? My father was there and never could talk about the war. He was from Mississippi and died almost 2 years ago. At the end of his life he cried alot about what happened in Korea never telling us why. This has haunted me since then. I just want to try to understand. He said, “War will change your life forever”. Maybe if someone knows I can come to understand why he was so upset. I am sure he saw alot of horrendous things. He said he wanted to tell us something but he said he couldn’t tell us. If anyone remembers Charles Cole from Smith County MS plese comment.

    Charlotte Embry

    By c embry on Apr 23, 2009 at 12:01 am

  28. My husband was On pork chop Hill he wrote an account of what happened there he was wounded In action there.
    He Is 78 now and he tells stories that were grusome to be sure , War Was Hell , It was not a tea Party not to be insulting but I dont think most people have a full grasp about it, except those who have Lived it. You c an write me back if you would like and I could send you some of the writeing that he has done. One thing I will post is that during the march up pork chop thay had to march past a young man who;s head had been ran Over by the tanks and he told about how his head was flattened, I m sure he was dead before that happened, but it still vivid in my husbands Mind

    By Sharron Parker on Apr 26, 2009 at 6:53 am

  29. In Nov & Dec 1951, the 2nd Bn 8th Cav Regt outposted HILL 255
    (before it was called Pork Chop). On Thanksgiving eve, 1951 (Nov 21, 22), after a heroic stand there, a plt from Fox Co 8th Cav Regt was overrun. Lt (later Col) James Stone & 5 0thers were taken prisoner. 30 were KIA & 2 WIA were returned to the MLR. Lt Stone was awarded the Medal Of Honor for his actions that night. Read MOHs for the Korean War.
    I was a member of the relief force from George Co 8th Cav, early the next morning. The carnage on that hill is difficult to remember and harder to forget.
    It’s only recently that we who were there in 1951 have come to realize that our Hill 255 was also Pork Chop.

    By John R Krull on May 8, 2009 at 11:23 am

  30. Looking for anyone that recognizes Edward Rosipaja, he was a sargent in the army and were told he was in the battle at Pork Chop Hill. I am his daughter, he passed away in the early 90’s, didn’t ever talk to any of us on what happened there, but recently started to put some pieces together of his time there. He was awarded a star, not sure which one. They say his personnel records were bured in a fire, we arent’ sure what division he was in. I do know he had a patch on his shoulder that appears to bea white with a circle. We are looking for any information. He did his training at Ft Polk and was from Pittsburgh PA.

    By Suzanne Rosipayla on May 21, 2009 at 10:24 pm

  31. How many men died taking the Hill?

    By Lyle Stevens on May 29, 2009 at 7:54 pm

  32. My dad was in the battle on pork chop hill in June and July. He was in K(KING) company in the article attached to this website. He told me several stories of his personal experiences and I also went to Korea with him before his death. The only indication he gave me of how horrible it must have been was that he never told my mom just how bad it was in his letters to her during the last 2 months prior to the truce agreement. His name is Jerry Ulm and if anyone involved in this forum knew him, please let me know. Thanks, Phil Ulm phil_ulm@yahoo.com

    By Phil Ulm on Jun 14, 2009 at 11:28 am

  33. I just posted the prior email and left out something I wanted to add. One thing that struck me when I went to Korea with my dad was the life and activity I saw in Seoul. I know a veteran’s sacrifice(as well as that of the family at home waiting and worrying) can never truly be appreciated and understood, but the South Korean people at least did not let it go in vain. They have the freedom that I so dearly appreciate in America(although is now under attack by the current administration). I for one want to thank the Korean veterans and all our veterans for the price they have paid for us. Phil Ulm

    By Phil Ulm on Jun 14, 2009 at 12:03 pm

  34. I’m looking for anyone that might have known my father, Staff Sereant Earl E. Brown. I’m trying to find out the date that he was wound on Pork Chop Hill.

    My father passed away November 13. 2008

    Joseph Brown

    By Joseph brown on Jun 24, 2009 at 6:06 pm

  35. My father, Natale Jannello just passed away on 11 July 2009. Me and my brother knew he was in the Korean War but he never wanted to talk about it, so we know practically nothing. The only time he ever gave me a glimpse into his experience was when he spoke to being in the tenches, and was terrified his hands would be blown off. My fahter was a very gifted artist. I dont know what infantry he was in or anything else but if there is anyone who recognizes his name it would be great o find out more information.

    By Tina Jannello on Jul 16, 2009 at 7:18 pm

  36. My father Sergeant Lowell George was in the 7th Infantry 17th Regiment G company. He is sitting here telling me some of the memories he has about the battles. One of his friends Sam Tabert has emailed pictures he had and I have them on my computer. Would be happy to forward them onto anyone who wants them my email address is dvillesgeorge@gmail.com

    By Steve George on Jul 22, 2009 at 10:22 pm

  37. My father, Arthur Marshall, was in Love Company. He recieved a purple heart for his leg wounds. He never speaks of this war, like the others who so bravely fought and mentioned on this page. He suffered with his war wounds his whole life, lucky to be alive and to walk. Now, he is 78 and his health is not good. The Pork Chop hill war wound give him walking problems to this day. Like the others, he fought bravely for his country and is the most patriotic man I have ever met.

    By tmarsh213 on Aug 13, 2009 at 12:07 am

  38. My father, Duane Hanig was in the 31st Infantry, “K” company. He was assigned to it just after it was virtually wiped out in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill in April, 1953. He was in the front lines and saw action, but was transferred out before his unit was hit in the last battle of OP Westview on July 23rd. He had to identify all the dead from his unit after this battle. He passed away this spring.

    By Jeff Hanig on Aug 14, 2009 at 5:18 pm

  39. I led one of the attacks on Pork Chop Hill as a member of ‘C’ Co.of the 17th Inf. reg.7th Inf. Div. We jumped off at 200 a:m from the MLR checkpoint and crossed the valley up to Pork Chop Hill,arriving at 5:00 a:m.As we entered the lower trench leading up to the summit,A frightened S.Korea soldier ran right into me as i rounded a bend in the trench,i nearly shot him.A bit further up,i stepped on something soft,it was a partialy buried Chinese soldier,just the top of his head showing.A bit after that,we were spotted by the enemy and shells started coming in.we couldn’t go further just then as the trench was blocked by dead enemy.I dove into a bunker and found i had three dead chinese soldiers for company.I was there for just a short stay,we were relived and sent over to Erie Outpost to defend against a suspected attack.I rotated four days later off of Erie.Was in Korea for 9 months and seven days.Landed at Inchon on July 4,1952.

    Korea War combat & Koje-Do enemy prison camp photos

    http://www.rocketroberts.com/korea/korea.htm

    By Joe Roberts on Sep 3, 2009 at 7:49 pm

  40. My Dad, Richard Maurice, was in the Battle for Pork Chop hill, around July 4, 1953. He past away 2 weeks ago, and had a military funeral with flag drapped and taps playing. The honor guard was the best and was very dedicated to the ceremony. Dad spoke of Bill Leveque, a fellow soldier from Newburyport MA (last heard of). Dad had a 30 caliber Browning machine gun. One day, he claimed that only a handful of men came back from a battle, then he got in an accident in a jeep, and he finally walked back to camp and fell asleep in the mud. He was always proud to serve in the Army…

    By Mike Maurice on Oct 1, 2009 at 5:18 pm

  41. To ALL:
    I placed a comment about my father participating in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. I really didn’t think this would go far, wow was I wrong. I am asking all to not make the mistake that I made and not leave contact information. I see there are people who have stories and pictures. I would like to receive any information available. PLease send to my email address bchaisson@centurytel.net I reside in Welsh, LA. and would like to continue hearing from family members, it seems that we all share the same experience. Fathers in Battle at Pork Chop Hill but never heard the stories.

    Thanks Bryan
    bchaisson@centurytel.net
    337-794-3986

    By BRYAN CHAISSON on Oct 27, 2009 at 9:08 am

  42. My father Elton Taylor fought in the battle of Pork Chop Hill. He like many of the other men as described on this site never spoke much of his experiences at all or if they did, very little. I’m sure that the hell that these brave men endured wasn’t something that they wished to rehash to others as they relived it in their private minds on a constant basis. The only thing that I do know for sure is that my father had many, many horrific nightmares as he would yell our in his sleep quite often dreaming that he was back on the hill. As a child I remember my Dad spending countless days in the V.A. Hospital being treated for the mental trauma that he endured. My father served in Co. K 31st Infantry Regiment
    (APO 7 C/O PM San Franscisco California) whatever this means as this this was written inside of his small bible that he carried with him faithfully while in the military and on the hill. Dad is alive and is a permanent resident of the V.A. Hospital in Ohio due to his failing health. Oh, yeah, dad also had the letters CPL.or CPT. listed in the front of his name inside of his small bible. I figure that it must mean Corporal or Captain but I’m not sure as the words are sort of faded. I’m a lady that doesn’t know much about the military,or their meanings. I know that my father did serve as a medic during his time in the military. Also if their is someone out their that could help me obtain my fathers metals I would appreciate it. He was in the Walter Reid Hospital at one time, and he said that his metals were secured there and then when he was released from the hospital he never got them back. The metals that he did have in his possession when he completted his stint in the military were all destroyed in a house fire, and our family lost everything as we had no insurance and the greatest loss was that of a beloved family member. Dad was currently in the V.A. Hospital in a coma when the fire occured, and to be awaken from a coma and be told that you lost everything was horrific. I would love to have all of my fathers medals presented to him by someone representing the military if possible. His health is fading and my wish is to have my father receive his medals that he worked so hard for rewarded to him. If anyone can help you may contact me at savage.jeannie@yahoo.com. I would like to thank all of you brave soldiers who have served our country, and may GOD in Heaven bless you all.

    By IVA SAVAGE on Oct 31, 2009 at 2:57 pm

  43. my father inlaw was on porkchop hill mervin baylis from n,j he has passed away 15 years ago. he was a true hero and never talked much about the war, i would like to hear from anyone who knew of him. i would like to know if anyone has any stores or pictures i can be reached at gibcoben@aol.com

    By ben on Nov 16, 2009 at 11:11 pm

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