Imjin Buddy Bunker - Page Seven

Entry #57 - 26 Nov 2001

Colin Demaline
deceased, formerly of
Nelson, Lancashire, UK

Served in Korea: 4 Aug 1952 to 24 Aug 1953 as a Sound Ranger in the 15 Locating Battery, Royal Artillery.

The Story: I arrived in Pusan on 4 Aug 1952 and, before nightfall of the following day, joined my unit (then attached to the Commonwealth Division) in the front line. For the next five months, I was stationed on Point 159 which is located one mile northwest of Little Gibraltar, ten miles north of Pintail, and slightly to the west of the geographical area of the Imjin Buddy Bunker.

On 26 Dec 1952, we moved over to an AP 500m east of Hill 355 (grid reference 1781 1945). Our four microphones were on the forward hills ranging from 1k east of Hill 355 to about 3k northeast of Hill 355 and just south of Hill 199, which (as I just learned) is better known to many of the guys in the IBB as Outpost Kelly.

In January of 1953, the Commonwealth Division was relieved by the US 2nd Infantry (Indianhead) Division. The 2nd Div artillery was elsewhere at the time; so, Commonwealth artillery stayed on the line in support and, because the 2nd Div was without a Locating Battery, we Sound Rangers had to stay behind and become attached to whatever infantry platoon was in our area at the time. I was attached to 1st Plt, Co F, US 9th Inf Rgt; and, except for 1 week on The Hook (10 mile southwest) with the US 38th Inf Rgt, 3 days on leave in Inchon, and 5 days on R&R in Japan, I remained on the front line and in the geographical area of the Imjin Buddy Bunker until about 20 minutes before the deadline of high noon, Friday, 31 Jul 1953.

Our unit then set up at Majon-Ni on the north bank of the Imjin near Pintail bridge. We slept in tents instead of holes in the ground for the first time in a year. Then, on 24 Aug 1953, I left my unit and was bound for Kure, Japan, from which I sailed on 4 Sep 1953. That was exactly 13 months after I arrived in Pusan. I arrived back in the UK on 12 Oct 1953.

MK note 20 (Apr 2004): Under construction is a page with a great map correctly locates Hill 355, Outpost Kelly and Hill 199. If you visit the great map on the page I call Hill 355, Hill 317, Hill 199, Kelly, and Nori, you will see that Outpost Kelly and Hill 199 are not the same hill as I mistakenly thought at one time and, I guess, and misinformed Colin about that. The listening post mentioned by Colin as being "just south of Hill 199, which (as I just learned) is better known to many of the guys in the IBB as Outpost Kelly" was, as Colin correctly thought, just south of Outpost Kelly. MK.

MK note (20 Apr 2004): It is always sad to pass along a message that we have lost another Bunker Buddy. Colin's son, Graham, has sent me a copy of an email which said:

I am sorry to inform you that my father, Colin Demaline, passed away, suddenly, on the 7th of April.

Regards,
Graham Demaline.

Graham, the IBB gang is proud to have had your father in the Bunker with us. MK.

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Entry #58 - 3 Dec 2001

George Philipson
82 Glenridding Drive
Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, UK LA14 4PA

Telephone: 01229 832 559
E-mail: George Philipson

Served in Korea: 20 Nov 1950 to 16 Dec 1951 as a Vehicle Mechanic in the 170 Independent Mortar Battery, Royal Artillery.

The Story: During WWII, I had served as the OP vehicle driver for the Bn CO. I was wounded at Monte Cassino, returned to the line about 6 months later for the Rimini fight, got to Germany in July of 1946, and went home in March, 1947. On 10 Aug 1950, I was recalled to the Colours (as a reservist) and sent to Korea.

In Korea, I went from one stripe to Sgt as a Vehicle Mechanic (Base Whallah, if you like). My duties included visiting the forward positions of the Mortar Troops, usually on a daily basis - one day with Able Troop, next day with Baker Troop, then a day with Charlie Troop, and then, maybe, a day at the BHQ.

At the time of the Imjin Battle, I was on the way up to the OP with a Bren Carrier but was ordered to return to base because the Carrier was a bit 'Dickie'. Fortunate, I suppose.

I am now 78 years old (born 6 Sep 1923) and am enjoying my retirement after more than 37 years in the Civil Service. I am married, and have one son (now retired at age 50) and two s/children. George.

MK comment: When I read George's registration form, I knew he was the kind of soldier who would bring honor to our Bunker; but, I was worried about bending my own rule about including only those men who served in the area of "our" hills at any time before 30 Sep 1952. I'm glad I asked Reg Kitchener about it, because he sent an answer which now follows. The technicality (whew!) for George's entry is Reg's Hill 317 story. MK.

Owen ("Reg") Kitchener (#41) email comment: Merv, George Philipson was our Sergeant Vehicle Mechanic and, without him, we would have been in deep stuff at times. He knew his way around "our" hills and I'll give you an example:

In late Oct 1951, A Troop Mortars were in a re-entrant up close to Hill 317 where an error in parking the mortar vehicles had been made. Instead of the radiators having been faced into the hillside, the vehicles had been parked side by side with the radiators facing outwards. So, incoming Chinese mortar bombs exploded in front of the vehicles and blew out their radiators. Well, to cut a long story short, it was George to the rescue.

No, George was not a rear base man by any means and he is being modest in his application. We used to take the micky out of any one from Battery HQ who arrived up at the sharp end; but, you can be sure that, if George arrived on the scene, we were glad to see him - not only because he attended to our vehicles but also because he used to bring us goodies from the rear. He and his fitters were always in danger as they traveled all alone up to the sharp end. Yes, Merv, he has served in the area of "our" hills along the Imjin. I would like to add that he is an old soldier who knows what war is all about. He visits Monte Cassino, Italy, every year, was wounded there, and, in my mind, is a real warrior. Reg.

MK late note (24 Sep 2003): Today, another bit of news (especially sad to all of my Bunker Buddies) was relayed to me by Frank Pearson (#45). His email read as follows:

"Hi Merv, I have a bit of sad news to impart. This AM a Korean Veteran (navy) informed me that he had received word from Mrs. Philipson that her husband George had died in the hospital last night, (Tuesday, 23 Sep 2003). Apparently, he had been admitted to the hospital last Thursday and, if my memory serves me correctly, I do believe that he had undergone heart surgery recently.

"This sad news will also be taken particularly badly by Reg Kitchener who was with George in Korea. Frank.''

Part of Reg Kitchener's Korean service along with George is told by Reg just above.

I confess that, although this kind of sad news is coming more often these days and even though I did not personally know the now deceased Bunker Buddy, my eyes still mist up a bit each time I hear that kind of sad news. MK.

MK late late note (11 Oct 2004): Reg has come up with a great photo of George standing in front of a well known painting of their unit's troops in action. Click on George Philipson to see the photo and read the story that goes with it. MK

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Entry #59 - 8 Dec 2001

Daniel Wolfe
1200 Midland Ave
Bronxville, New York 10708

Telephone: 914 961 5709
E-mail: Daniel Wolfe

Served in Korea: 12 Apr 1952 to 14 Nov 1952 in L Co, 15th Inf Rgt, 3rd Inf Div.

The Story: Our company commander was Lt Wilbur A. Sidney. We were on the MLR opposite the Bubble, Little Nori, and Big Nori from the end of July until the end of September, 1952. Lt Sidney was a heroic leader who, during an ambush and also an attempted ambush by the Chinese, made on the spot decisions that saved my life and the lives of many other men of L Co. He inspired a group of green draftees mixed with Rangers to perform above and beyond the call of duty. Lt Sidney rose to the rank of Lt Col. He was installed in the OCS Infantry Hall of Fame, and he was awarded two Silver Stars, 8 Bronze Stars, and seventy other military citations.

MK add-on (10 Oct 2001): At long last, Dan and I have made the photo page L on the Imjin which tells much about two operations of Co L across the Imjin and past OP Nori. The page also has vignettes about some of the men of Co L who were MIA, KIA, or WIA. MK.

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Entry #60 - 11 March 2002

Victor H. Hauret
506 Moose Ave.
Patton Pennsylvania 16668

Telephone: 814 674 5478
E-mail: Vic Hauret

Served in Korea: 12 Dec 1951 to 3 Dec 1952 in Item Co, 7th Inf Rgt, 3rd Inf Div ("Rock of The Marne").

The Story: Today is a very bad day for me to talk about Korea. It was 50 years ago tomorrow that I lost two of my best friends from a mortar and artillery attack on Outpost Nori. Maybe I will talk about it at a later time.
Thank you, Vic Hauret.

MK note (26 May 2002): I, too, lost some friends (of Able/15th) on Nori during the same time period as Victor did. Today is Memorial Day and not a good day to talk about Korean either; but, with apologies to Vic for the delay in making this entry, I do hope that we will hear more of his story soon and that he has some photos that belong in our Bunker. MK.

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Entry #61 - 14 Mar 2002

Paul E. Tardiff
3 C St., Birch Hill Estates
Bangor, Maine 04401

Telephone: 207 947 7296
E-mail: Paul Tardiff

Served in Korea: April of 1952 to November 1952 in I Co, 3rd Bn, 7th Inf Rgt, 3rd Inf Div.

The Story: Over the night of July 6-7, 1952, while members of our Item Company were manning Little Nori, it came under attack.

Our Company Commander at the time was Captain J. Ross Franklin (USMA Class of 1950 - now a retired Colonel). He was awarded a DSC for his part in the action that night. The attacking Chinese took very heavy casualties. We had one KIA and several wounded. I recall crossing the Imjin by pulling a metal boat along a rope tied across river. The following night after that attack, Larry Hawley of Brooklyn NY (now retired from the NYPD) and I spent a long night manning a Listening Post on Big Nori.

On 4 Nov 1952, I was wounded on White Horse and evacuated to states. I recovered and served in Vietnam. I retired in 1976 as a CSM. I am in touch with ten members of our company. This is excellent coverage and I really appreciate the work gone into it. I will pass it on. Paul.

MK note (26 May 2002): Paul, now that the IBB is up and running again, I'll ask you to go ahead with dragging those other Item members into our Bunker.

I remember well the boat we often used when crossing the Imjin between Nori and the MLR. I hope Paul has some photos of life along the Imjin to send us along with more of the story that goes with them. MK.

MK late add-on (02 Jan 2003): Paul was pleased to learn his Company Commander J. Ross Franklin (#75) just jumped in our Bunker. MK.

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Entry #62 - 1 May 2002

Norman Burgess
907 Vegas Drive
St. Louis, Missouri

Telephone: 314 544 0630
E-mail: Norman Burgess

Served in Korea: December, 1951 to August, 1952 in the 45th Inf Div and the 245th Tank Battalion.

The Story: I was with the 245th Tank Bn while it was attached to the 1st ROK Infantry Division. Around June of 1952, we were in combat on Big Nori and near Little Nori with the big valley out in front of us. There was a lot of combat action in that area at that time and I served there and then with some of greatest combat veterans of the war. Very often I think of the ones who were not able to return home as some of us did. They were truly heroes and, sometimes, tears come to my eyes as I think of them. Norman.

MK note (26 May 2002): Norman's tank unit served in the same area and in the same general time period as (off and on) did at least a company of the 64th Tank Battalion which was supporting the 1st Bn of the 3rd Inf Div while it was in the same positions along the Imjin - that's the bunch of tankers I remember well. I admired their .45 caliber "grease guns" with the curved barrels but hated their penchant for firing their biggest gun at very inopportune times - for instance, sometimes, usually in the middle of a very dark and very cold night, the tank a few feet from my bunker on the MLR bluff overlooking the Imjin would, WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE, let go with a round aimed in the general direction of Nori. I suspect that the loud blast would startle me more than the round did the Chinese, if any, on Nori. Well, I also saw the tankers do some good work too from time to time. MK.

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Entry #63 - 4 May 2002

Bobby Dean, Sr.
Route1 Box 17a
Morven NC  28119

Telephone: 14 544 0630
E-mail: Marshall Dean

Served in Korea: Part of 1952 and 1953 in Co M, 15th Inf Rgt, 3rd Inf Div.

The Story: (Marshall Dean note) This entry made is to list my grandfather who passed away on March 31, 2002.

To see the list of the hills that my grandfather showed me pictures of is remarkable. I wish I could understand all that went on over there - my grandfather always told me it was the coldest he had ever been. All I know of his service is that he operated recoilless rifles. My snail mail and e-mail addresses are shown above. If any of you knew my grandfather and would like to tell me about him, your doing that would be greatly appreciated. Marshall.

MK note (26 May 2002): Good luck in finding out more about your grandfather's service in Korea, Marshall. MEANWHILE, your finding some of those pictures of "our" hills would be appreciated also. I would like to make a couple of photo pages to honor your grandfather.  MK.

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Entry #64 - 5 Jul 2002

John Howard Clark
3456 Josie Avenue
Long Beach, California 90808

Telephone (home): 562-429-9893
Telephone (cell): 562 619 8929
Fax: 562 429 9893
E-mail: John H. Clark

Served in Korea: Before and up to 15 Aug 1952 in Co I, 15th Inf Rgt, 3rd Inf Div.

The Story: When I first joined my unit, we went to a position which I think was near Dagmar. Then, we went back to reserve where I completed a course in battle patrol. After that we were on a position above a river with a small knoll on the other side of it.

I hope this is the same position targeted by the IBB. I remember that river because, during rainy season, they had to bring up landing barges and go full power up river on our side in order to come back down river on the other side.

On 15 Aug 1952, our company went out 3.5 miles into the valley in order to knock out a cave in the center hill. I was wounded during that raid, so I don't know anything about the company from then on. I remember that my Platoon Leader was Lt Yerks and that I had a buddy named Keith Boyle, who was from Wisconsin. I have tried to contact them with no results.

I had to look in my medical records to be sure of the company I was in and the date I was wounded. John.

MK note (5 Jul 2002): John, you belong in the Bunker and we are honored to have you jump in. Yesterday, when I received your registration, I also received a copy of an email to you from Sherwin ("Arc") Arculis (#6).

Arc said: "John, you were in I Co, 15th Inf, and I was in the same company at much the same time. I came to I Co after having been wounded on Kelly. Bob Yerks was a platoon leader and later Company XO. You were near the same location that Mervin was in earlier when A Co was east of the Imjin across from Nori. I was also on a raid across the Imjin in rubber boats and up that valley. We might have been on the same two platoon raid. Arc.

I think that John will recognize and identify his 1952 position along the Imjin after he has had a chance to visit the Outpost Nori page. While John and his Co I were across from Nori and near the old position of Co A, Co A and MK were on and near Kelly where Arc had been wounded earlier. For me, it's food for contemplation.  MK.

MK add-on (15 Oct 2002): I finally got posted a photo page for John. It is called Near Dagmar and Beyond Nori because that's where its photos were taken and where the tales told on the page happened. MK.

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Entry #65 - 13 Jul 2002

Lawrence Leland Harper
7202 Glen Trail
San Antonio, Texas 78239-3428

Telephone: 210 653 6054

Served in Korea: Apr 1952 to Mar 1953 in Co I, 15th Inf Rgt, 3rd Inf Div.

The Story: I joined Co I in Apr 1952, while it was on the MLR just west of the Imjin River, and was placed in the 60mm mortar squad. Shortly after, we went into reserve and, later, went back to the MLR, but were just east of the Imjin. Outpost Nori was on the other side of the river. While we were there, 1st Sgt John Compton, who was looking for a clerk to replace Cpl Blackway, learned that I could type and made me a clerk typist.

We men of the fourth platoon carried concertina wire from our platoon area to the river to be taken across to our men on the outpost. Our company took a prisoner - he had come to the river to wash clothes. During his interrogation he said, "green troops over there" and "they don't want to fight".

Item Company was assigned a raid and some of the men were pulled off the line to go through a dry run. The raid was pulled off on the 15th of August 1952. That was the same day that 1st Sgt Compton took me from the fourth platoon and placed me in his orderly room as clerk typist. I went to the forward aid station around 2100 hours so as to be there if casualties were brought in - casualty reports had to be in Regiment within 24 hours.

I worked along side the Medics, helping to move the men on litters, because the Doctors told me they needed the help and if I would help, they would make sure that I got the reports I needed. I got 32 wounded reports and 8 KIA reports that night and morning. I helped to identify the 8 KIAs. I remember some of them were from Mike Company - the heavy weapons Company.

When the Battalion was on the front lines, we clerks from each Company (I, K, L & M) were set up in a tent somewhere in a rear area (along with Bn S-1 in their tent). S-1 was known as Blue One and we were Blue One Able. We clerks typed all the Company correspondence, to include morning reports, award recommendations, promotion rosters, casualty reports and much more - many daily, weekly or monthly reports.

I finished my tour in Korea in the Orderly Room of Item Company being Company Clerk under 1st Sgt Harold Krull, Lt Edwin D. Chavous (KIA) and Lt Robert G. Yerks. (14 Jul 2002 Add-On) I remember that Item Company was commanded by Capt Jack Whitted for a while before Lt Chavous became CO and that WO Louis Carey was the Administrative Assistant. L. L. H.

MK note (13 Aug 2002): Leland's photo and tale pages begin with the page named West of the Imjin. You'll enjoy a look-see. MK.

Entry #66 - 17 Jul 2002

Robert "Bob" Tartaglione
3604 NW 36th Terrace
Gainesville, Florida 32606

MK add-on (21 Nov 2002): Bob sent me sixteen photos from his life in dear old A/15/3. They are on the If Money Holds Out, Luck Will Change page, along with my more than usual chinchy comments. MK.