[cdbeaver]

I won't be out shooting today. I'll be attending a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the armistice that ended hostilities of the Korean War.

More than 36,000 Americans lost their lives in combat in that three-year conflict, and another 8,000 are still listed as missing in action.

The Korean War has often been referred to as America's "Forgotten War." Few returning servicemen were welcomed home with brass bands, waving flags and cheering crowds. Most war vets were treated as though they had never been gone from home.

They endured near 50-below temperatures at the Chosin Reservoir in winter and torrential monsoon rains in summer. They climbed 70-degree slopes on mountain ridges and lived in rat and flea-infested sandbag bunkers. They were vastly outnumbered by their Chinese and North Korean adversaries.

There still is no peace treaty, and the war has never officially ended. WWII and Korean War veterans are dying off at the rate of between 1,200 and 1,500 a day. Before many years have elapsed we, too, will be forgotten.

If you fly an American flag at your home or place of business, it would be nice if you would lower it to half-staff today in memory of those who died during the conflict and while defending the DMZ in the years that followed.

[Duncan Idaho]

The hometown hero for whom our American Legion Post 159 is named:

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to

WILSON, BENJAMIN F.

Rank and organization: First Lieutenant (then M/Sgt.), U.S. Army Company I, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Hwach'on-Myon, Korea, 5 June 1951. Entered service at: Vashon, Wash. Birth: Vashon, Wash. G.O. No.: 69, 23 September 1954.

Citation:
1st Lt. Wilson distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and indomitable courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Company I was committed to attack and secure commanding terrain stubbornly defended by a numerically superior hostile force emplaced in well-fortified positions. When the spearheading element was pinned down by withering hostile fire, he dashed forward and, firing his rifle and throwing grenades, neutralized the position denying the advance and killed 4 enemy soldiers manning submachineguns. After the assault platoon moved up, occupied the position, and a base of fire was established, he led a bayonet attack which reduced the objective and killed approximately 27 hostile soldiers. While friendly forces were consolidating the newly won gain, the enemy launched a counterattack and 1st Lt. Wilson, realizing the imminent threat of being overrun, made a determined lone-man charge, killing 7 and wounding 2 of the enemy, and routing the remainder in disorder. After the position was organized, he led an assault carrying to approximately 15 yards of the final objective, when enemy fire halted the advance. He ordered the platoon to withdraw and, although painfully wounded in this action, remained to provide covering fire. During an ensuing counterattack, the commanding officer and 1st Platoon leader became casualties. Unhesitatingly, 1st Lt. Wilson charged the enemy ranks and fought valiantly, killing 3 enemy soldiers with his rifle before it was wrested from his hands, and annihilating 4 others with his entrenching tool. His courageous delaying action enabled his comrades to reorganize and effect an orderly withdrawal. While directing evacuation of the wounded, he suffered a second wound, but elected to remain on the position until assured that all of the men had reached safety. 1st Lt. Wilson's sustained valor and intrepid actions reflect utmost credit upon himself and uphold the honored traditions of the military service.


Citation Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com



Yet another resident of our little island:

The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor to

BARBER, WILLIAM E.
Rank and organization: Captain U.S. Marine Corps, commanding officer, Company F, 2d Battalion 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein.). Place and date: Chosin Reservoir area, Korea, 28 November to 2 December 1950. Entered service at: West Liberty, Ky. Born: 30 November 1919, Dehart, Ky.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company F in action against enemy aggressor forces. Assigned to defend a 3-mile mountain pass along the division's main supply line and commanding the only route of approach in the march from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, Capt. Barber took position with his battle-weary troops and, before nightfall, had dug in and set up a defense along the frozen, snow-covered hillside. When a force of estimated regimental strength savagely attacked during the night, inflicting heavy casualties and finally surrounding his position following a bitterly fought 7-hour conflict, Capt. Barber, after repulsing the enemy gave assurance that he could hold if supplied by airdrops and requested permission to stand fast when orders were received by radio to fight his way back to a relieving force after 2 reinforcing units had been driven back under fierce resistance in their attempts to reach the isolated troops. Aware that leaving the position would sever contact with the 8,000 marines trapped at Yudam-ni and jeopardize their chances of joining the 3,000 more awaiting their arrival in Hagaru-ri for the continued drive to the sea, he chose to risk loss of his command rather than sacrifice more men if the enemy seized control and forced a renewed battle to regain the position, or abandon his many wounded who were unable to walk. Although severely wounded in the leg in the early morning of the 29th, Capt. Barber continued to maintain personal control, often moving up and down the lines on a stretcher to direct the defense and consistently encouraging and inspiring his men to supreme efforts despite the staggering opposition. Waging desperate battle throughout 5 days and 6 nights of repeated onslaughts launched by the fanatical aggressors, he and his heroic command accounted for approximately 1,000 enemy dead in this epic stand in bitter subzero weather, and when the company was relieved only 82 of his original 220 men were able to walk away from the position so valiantly defended against insuperable odds. His profound faith and courage, great personal valor, and unwavering fortitude were decisive factors in the successful withdrawal of the division from the deathtrap in the Chosin Reservoir sector and reflect the highest credit upon Capt. Barber, his intrepid officers and men, and the U.S. Naval Service.


Citation Courtesy of www.HomeOfHeroes.com


Never forget the sacrifices that were made for you and yours. Never.

[cdbeaver]

Idaho:

I salute Benj. F. Wilson and Wm. E. Barber for their conspicuous valor in the face of the enemy; but I am especially proud of Wilson because he served with the 31st Infantry Regiment, my own outfit. Pro Patria!

[HBK]

Amazing courage and...brass balls. These guys are true heros.

[BowStreetRunner]

I sat down to watch TV last night and saw 2 and a half hours of Korean War history on the History channel's show "The Korean War:Fire and Ice"
it was really well done and I learned a lot, and gained more respect for our veterans of that war
its hard to study the Korean War much because it is in a sense "Forgotten"
but as i found out last night there is a lot to learn from the war, both militarily, politically, and personally
if anyone can catch that program on reruns i highly recommend it
God bless our vets and their families
BSR