Born: May 29, 1929 1st Lieutenant, United States Army Service# O-2211634
C CO, 1ST BATTALION, 31ST INFANTRY REGIMENT, 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Date of Enlistment: September 18, 1951 Home or Place of Enlistment: Bayview, Idaho Killed in Action: October 28, 1952 Battle of Triangle Hill, North Korea
The Battle of Triangle Hill, also known as Operation Showdown was a protracted military engagement during the Korean War. The main combatants were two United Nations infantry divisions, with additional support from the United States Air Force, against elements of the People’s Republic of China. The battle was part of American attempts to gain control of “The Iron Triangle”, and took place from October 14 – November 25, 1952. The immediate American objective was Triangle Hill, a forested ridge of high ground near the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Over the course of nearly a month, substantial American and South Korean forces made repeated attempts to capture Triangle Hill and the adjacent Sniper Ridge. The defending company of Sniper Ridge was forced to withdraw into the tunnels after it was reduced to 20 survivors. They suffered over 4,000 casualties in just ten days. Over the course of the battle, 1,500 U.S. forces from the 7th Infantry Division were killed, wounded or captured, and many thousands more casualties among the South Korean troops. With the high numbers of UN casualties, it was decided to cease Operation Showdown on November 28, thus ending the Battle of Triangle Hill.
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending:
THE FIRST MARINE DIVISION, REINFORCED AND ITS ASSIGNED AND ATTACHED UNITS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION: For exceptionally meritorious service during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 11 August 1952 to 5 May 1953 and from 7 to 27 July 1953. During these periods the First Marine Division, Reinforced, maintained the integrity of over thirty-five miles of defense line in the Panmunjom Truce Area against the constant aggression of the enemy. During the time the Division was in the lines, it was under fire and attack by a resolute, well-equipped and fanatical hostile force. The Division maintained an aggressive defense and constantly kept the enemy off balance by continuously patrolling, probing and raiding enemy positions, accompanied by the full weight of artillery and air support. Commencing in August 1952, and frequently thereafter, during the months of October 1952, March 1953, and July 1953, the enemy launched a series of large scale attacks to capture certain terrain features critical to the defense of friendly lines. The outposts and main defensive positions called Bunker Hill, The Hook, reno, Carson, Vegas, Berlin and East Berlin, along with certain smaller outposts, gave title to battles of unsurpassed ferocity in which the full effort of the Marine Division was required to hurl back the attackers at heavy cost to both the Division and the enemy. That the lines in the Division sector remained firm and un-breached at the cessation of hostilities on 27 July 1953 gave eloquent tribute to the resourcefulness, courage, professional acumen and stamina of the members of the First Marine Division, Reinforced. Their inspiring and unyielding devotion to the fulfillment of their vital mission reflects the highest credit upon themselves and the United States Naval Service.
REPUBLIC OF KOREA PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
By Order of the Secretary of the Army, the Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded by the President of the Republic of Korea to:
SEVENTH INFANTRY DIVISION, UNITED STATES ARMY
CITATION: The 7th Infantry Division, after playing a significant role in the liberation of Seoul effecting a link-up with the 1st Cavalry Division, was landed amphibiously at Iwon in North Korea on October 28, 1950. Elements of the Division spearheaded a drive to the north and entered the Yalu River city of Hyesanjin in November 1950 and a task force moved to the eastern shore of the Chosin Reservoir and with the 1st Marine Division participated in severe fighting against the Chinese Communist Forces. The task force reached Hungnam in December 1950, and rejoined other elements of the Division. After successfully defending a sector of the perimeter, the Division was evacuated by sea for further operations. Early in 1951, the Division advanced in the eastern sector to a position just south of the 38th parallel and continued its attack to the north, capturing important objectives and defeating enemy attempts to break through key positions. In May the Division led a drive on the central front and captured the key city of Hwachon. Limited objective attacks were conducted during August and September, and from October 1951 to February 1952 the Division with exceptional gallantry occupied and defended positions in the Heartbreak Ridge and Punch Bowl areas. From April 1952 until the cease-fire was effected on 27 July 1953 the Division launched coordinated attacks with the Second Republic of Korea Division, successfully defending important positions in the Chorwon Valley sector, and actively and effectively patrolled vital areas. The outstanding performance of duty by each individual member of the 7th Division and attached units contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of the mission of the United Nations Forces and is in accord with the highest traditions of the military service. By this citation each member of the 7th United States Infantry Division and attached units who served in Korea during the period 30 September 1950 to 27 July 1953 is entitled to wear the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.