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THE BEGINNING

Written and submitted by Maj. Paul Sanders, Sgt. Gorden Greene and PFC Frank Gross

When sunlight warms the statue, casting shadows to the ground
Can it cast the frozen fury, that these gallant men once found
See the courage in their faces, see the pride which understood
Their faith in one another, that forged a chain of brotherhood

In bronze and granite marble, see how strong how proud they stand
In their honor and their glory, with a brotherhood of man
The ones who died at Chosin, did not give their lives in vain
God took them from that frozen hell, and blessed them in His nameMen who died in all the battles, from Pusan to Pork Chop Hill
Call from the grave, remember us, as this statue says we will
Our missing brothers call us, from some prison grim and drear
Remember our misfortune, we answer, never fearTheir cause is not forgotten, for we surviving mortal men
Place this wreath and pray a prayer, that the sword wont rise again
When moonlight paints the statue, with a gleaming silver beam
Will the spirits of the ones who died, enhance this noble scene

We ask our God for guidance, as we stand in silent prayer
Our tears say that we miss them, as this statue says we care
So blow the bugle softly, let its lonely echo sound
Let the music and our memories, dedicate this hallowed ground.

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"KOREA THE POLICE ACTION WAR"

25 July 72-Written and submitted by Frank G. Gross

In the words of the five star general as he spoke to the USA,
"Old soldiers never die they just fade away",
But speak not of the Korean Veteran as you hear him coming through,
in remembrance of his comrades with his tears of gratitude.

In the year of Nineteen Fifty the communist had a plan,
To capture South Korea, but the free world made their stand,
Yes John Q there was Korea, but not like the wars before,
For this action came with a police action name, when the bear had knocked on the door.Many countries remembered their fallen with respect of honor due,
but in thease states such little relates and our historys words were few,
For in the hallway of the high school mahogany plaques stand ou,t
Of the names engraved and the sacrifice made to remind us what war is about.There are names there of the first war, the very first bugle call,
And for the Taps that blew in world war two, and of the boys from Nam on the wall,,
But the Korean War forgotten, Fifty Four Thousand lost their place,
And the Eight Thousand more are MIAs, of them theres such little trace.

So hear us Five Star General, we heed to the words you say,
That Old Soldiers never die, but why must they fade away.

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For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother...

In the last month of the Korean War, July 1953, the 1st Marine Division lost 186 Marines killed and 1,798 listed as casualities. We were told the War was winding down, but if you were a member of a rifle company in the 1st Marine Division, the feeling you had at that time was that your life was winding down.

On July 8,1953 my Company, "H"-3-7, returned to the MLR (Front Lines). At 0630 8 July Outpost East Berlin manned by 2-7 was over run and under enemy control. At 1000 8 July a reinforced two-platoon unit from Companies "G" and "H" was launched to retake East Berlin. My 2nd Platoon from "H" was in the lead; we got caught between the Chinese Artillery and the protective wire. In fewer than 15 minutes the 2nd Platoon was reduced to 20 "effectives". A platoon from "G' Company passed through what was left of my platoon. Among the wounded was my platoon commander, 2nd Lt. Richard Vaught. 2nd Lt. Vaught and I had served in the same company in Tsingtao, China, in 1948-49. My platoon was under strength, but we had to man the same amout of ground as a full platoon.. In a rifle company you had to do with what you had.

On the 24th of July, "H"-3-7 was in the area called the "Hook" on Hill 111. My 2nd Platoon was on the right flank of the company and tied in with the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment. A machinegun section from 2RAR tied in with my platoon. This section was commanded by Sgt. Brien C. Cooper. (Photo to right shows Sgt Cooper in Korea on the front lines, holding a Chinese burp gun). "H"3-7 was suppose to be relieved by "H"-3-1 on the night of 24 July, but this was made impossible by heavy incoming from Chinese artillery and by enemy troops probing our positions. Before midnight we had enemy troops in our trench line.

Sgt Cooper of the 2RAR gave the 2nd Platoon machinegun fire in front of our position and courageously called in artillery fire on top of my position and his own because of the enemy in my trench line. He also sent a British tank to my position to carry out my wounded. In the 2RAR, company and platoon level action was commanded by sergeants and corporals.

.A Chinese Division was ordered to fight to the last man on the night of 24/25 July 1953, an engagement which finally left the enemy barely hanging on. At 2200 on 27 July the truce was signed. The enemy dead were estimated to be 3,000. The 2RAR had 15 killed and 72 wounded.

Sgt Brian Cooper was awarded the Military Medal. In the Korean War the 1RAR and 3RAR were given Battle Honours emblazoned on their regimental colours, but the 2RAR was inexplicably not awarded this honor. The former CO of "H"-3-7, BrigGen.Bill McCulloch USMC Ret, Sgt Maj. Bill Parks USMC Ret, Company Gysgt. of "H" 3-7, and myself, wrote a submission to Lt. Gen. P. Cosgrove, the Chief of Staff of the Australian Army, to consider having the Battle Honour emblazoned on the Regimental Colours of the 2RAR, for their courageous action in the Battle of the Hook, and we expressed our surprise that Sgt Cooper had not received the Victoria Cross for his extraordinary heroism on the night of 24 July.

On the 24 July 2003, Brian Cooper arrived in Townsville, Lavarack Barracks, which is home for the 2RAR, fifty years after the Battles of the Hook in Korea. The 2RAR will belatedly receive its battle honours when the Regiment returns from the Solomon Islands. The street leading up to Battalion Headquaters has been named "Sgt. B.C. Cooper" as of the 24 July 2003.

I would like to think that our letters had something to do with the honors bestowed on Sgt Cooper and the 2RAR.

Charles H. Owens, M/Sgt. USMC (Ret)
MSgt USMC Ret.
LaFayette,GA

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E-mail "Thank you" - March 17, 2002

Hi,

I am a second generation Korean American. I came across your site researching the Korean War for my College paper. I only know the tragedies of the Korean War through the stories and recollections told to me by members of my family who has survived the war. My father was only about nine when the country was torn apart.He remembers the kindess of American soldiers who handed him candy
and chocolate and reasurred him that things will be o.k. with a warm smile.
That was the only reassurance he had..

I am so grateful for your sacrifices. Thank you. . . I am heartbroken as I read about the thousands of American soldiers lost and wounded.. I just wanted to take this time to thank you once again for your sacrifices.

My father's family fled to South Korea from the North to escape tyranny and communism. If American forces had not been there to secure the South, I wouldn't be here today.

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A G.I.'s Combat Chronology of the Korean War

Thanks to VFW Magazine

"Though most attention has focused on the Korean War's first year, bloody fighting persisted throughout the entire war. In fact, some 46% of American casualties were sustained between mid-1951 and July, 1953. This chronology is intended to fill the historical void." - The Editor, VFW Magazine

Key Events in the Korean War

1950

Jan.12: Secretary of State Dean Acheson excludes South Korea from U.S. defense perimeter in Asia.

June 25: North Korea invades South Korea; Seoul is overrun two days later.

July1: U.S. troops arrive in the southern port city of Pusan, move north to engage the enemy.

July-Aug: U.N. forces retreat steadily southward.

Sept. 10: North Koean offensive is halted at the Pusan perimeter.

Sept. 15: Inchon landing begins.

Sept. 27: Seoul is liberated after a week of fighting; South Korean president Syngman Rhee's government returns.

Oct. 7: Advancing U.N. forces push north across the 38th parallel.

Oct. 15: Truman and MacArthur meet on Wake Island.

Nov. 24: U.N. troops near Yalu River, their farthest northern advance.

Nov. 26: Chinese enter war and counteroffensive begins. Greatly outnumbered, U.N. forces begin to retreat.

1951

Jan. 4: Communist reoccupy Seoul.

March 15: Seoul again retaken by U,N. forces.

April 11: Truman fires MacArthur for insubordination.

July: Truce talks initiated at Kaesong, soon move to Panmunjom; "stalemate war" begins.