Volume IV, “The East-Central Front

Library of Congress Catalogue Number: 55-60727

For Sale by the Superintendent of Documents U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402--Price $4.50 (Cloth) Stock Number 0855-0059

Foreword

Mention the Korean War and almost immediately it evokes the memory of Marines at Pusan, Inchon, Chosin Reservoir, or the Punchbowl. Americans everywhere remember the Marine Corps’ combat readiness, courage, and military skills that were largely responsible for the success of these early operations in 1950–1951. Not as dramatic or well-known are the important accomplishments of the Marines during the latter part of the Korean War.

In March 1952 the 1st Marine Division redeployed from the East-Central front to West Korea. This new sector, nearly 35 miles in length, anchored the far western end of I Corps and was one of the most critical of the entire Eighth Army line. Here the Marines blocked the enemy’s goal of penetrating to Seoul, the South Korean capital. Northwest of the Marine Main Line of Resistance, less than five miles distant, lay Panmunjom, site of the sporadic truce negotiations.

Defense of their strategic area exposed the Marines to continuous and deadly Communist probes and limited objective attacks. These bitter and costly contests for key outposts bore such names as Bunker Hill, the Hook, the Nevadas (Carson-Reno-Vegas), and Boulder City. For the ground Marines, supported by 1st Marine Aircraft Wing squadrons, the fighting continued until the last day of the war, 27 July 1953.

The Korean War marked the first real test of Free World solidarity in the face of Communist force. In repulsing this attempted Communist aggression, the United Nations, led by the United States, served notice that it would not hesitate to aid those nations whose freedom and independence were under attack.

As events have subsequently proven, holding the line against Communist encroachment is a battle whose end is not yet in sight. Enemy aggression may explode brazenly upon the world scene, with an overt act of invasion, as it did in Korea in June 1950, or it may take the form of a murderous guerrilla war as it has more recently, for over a decade, in Vietnam.

Whatever guise the enemy of the United States chooses or wherever he draws his battleline, he will find the Marines with their age-old answer. Today, as in the Korean era, Marine Corps readiness and professionalism are prepared to apply the cutting edge against any threat to American security.

L. F. CHAPMAN, JR. _General, U.S. Marine Corps,_ _Commandant of the Marine Corps_

Reviewed and approved: 12 May 1971.

Preface

This is the concluding volume of a five-part series dealing with operations of United States Marines in Korea between 2 August 1950 and 27 July 1953. Volume V provides a definitive account of operations of the 1st Marine Division and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing during 1952–1953, the final phase of the Korean War. At this time the division operated under Eighth U.S. Army in Korea (EUSAK) control in the far western sector of I Corps, while Marine aviators and squadrons functioned as a component of the Fifth Air Force (FAF).

The period covered by this history begins in March 1952, when the Marine division moved west to occupy positions defending the approaches to Seoul, the South Korean capital. As it had for most of the war the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, operating under FAF, flew close support missions not only for the Marines but for as many as 19 other Allied frontline divisions. Included in the narrative is a detailed account of Marine POWs, a discussion of the new defense mission of Marine units in the immediate postwar period, and an evaluation of Marine Corps contributions to the Korean War.

Marines, both ground and aviation, comprised an integral part of the United Nations Command in Korea. Since this is primarily a Marine Corps history, actions of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force are presented only in sufficient detail to place Marine operations in their proper perspective.

Official Marine Corps combat records form the basis for the book. This primary source material has been further supplemented by comments and interviews from key participants in the action described. More than 180 persons reviewed the draft chapters. Their technical knowledge and advice have been invaluable. Although the full details of these comments could not be used in the text, this material has been placed in Marine Corps archives for possible use by future historians.

The manuscript of this volume was prepared during the tenure of Colonel Frank C. Caldwell, Director of Marine Corps History, Historical Division, Headquarters Marine Corps. Production was accomplished under the direction of Mr. Henry I. Shaw, Jr., Deputy Director and Chief Historian, who also outlined the volume. Preliminary drafts were written by the late Lynn Montross, prime author of this series, and Major Hubard D. Kuokka. Major James M. Yingling researched and wrote chapters 1–6 and compiled the Command and Staff List. Lieutenant Colonel Pat Meid researched and wrote chapters 7–12, prepared appendices, processed photographs and maps, and did the final editing of the book.

Historical Division staff members, past or present, who freely lent suggestions or provided information include Lieutenant Colonel John J. Cahill, Captain Charles B. Collins, Mr. Ralph W. Donnelly, Mr. Benis M. Frank, Mr. George W. Garand, Mr. Rowland P. Gill, Captain Robert J. Kane, Major Jack K. Ringler, and Major Lloyd E. Tatem. Warrant Officer Dennis Egan was Administrative Officer during the final stages of preparation and production of this book.

The many exacting administrative duties involved in processing the volume from first draft manuscripts through the final printed form, including the formidable task of indexing the book, were handled expertly and cheerfully by Miss Kay P. Sue. Mrs. Frances J. Rubright also furnished gracious and speedy assistance in obtaining the tomes of official Marine Corps records. The maps were prepared by Sergeants Kenneth W. White and Ernest L. Wilson. Official Department of Defense photographs illustrate the book.

A major contribution to the history was made by the Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army; the Naval History Division, Department of the Navy; and the Office of Air Force History, Department of the Air Force. Military history offices of England, Canada, and South Korea provided additional details that add to the accuracy and interest of this concluding volume of the Korean series.

F. C. CALDWELL _Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) Director of Marine Corps History_

Contents

_Page_

I Operations in West Korea Begin 1

From Cairo to JAMESTOWN--The Marines’ Home in West Korea--Organization of the 1st Marine Division Area--The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing--The Enemy--Initial CCF Attack--Subsequent CCF Attacks--Strengthening the Line--Marine Air Operations--Supporting the Division and the Wing--Different Area, Different Problem

II Defending the Line 51

UN Command Activities--Defense of East and West Coast Korean Islands--Marine Air Operations--Spring 1952 on JAMESTOWN--End of the Second Year of War--A Long Fourth of July--Changes in the Lineup--Replacement and Rotation--Logistical Operations, Summer 1952

III The Battle of Bunker Hill 103

The Participants and the Battlefield--Preliminary Action on Siberia--The Attack on Bunker Hill--Consolidating the Defense of Bunker Hill--Company B Returns to Bunker Hill--Supporting Arms at Bunker Hill--In Retrospect

IV Outpost Fighting Expanded 145

From the Center Sector to the Right--Early September Outpost Clashes--Korean COPs Hit Again--More Enemy Assaults in Late September--Chinese Intensify Their Outpost Attacks--More PRESSURE, More CAS, More Accomplishments--Rockets, Resupply, and Radios

V The Hook 185

Before the Battle--Preparations for Attack and Defense--Attack on the Hook--Reno Demonstration--Counterattack--Overview

VI Positional Warfare 217

A Successful Korean Defense--Six Months on the UNC Line--Events on the Diplomatic Front--The Marine Commands During the Third Winter--1st MAW Operations 1952–1953--Behind the Lines--The Quiet Sectors--Changes in the Concept of Ground Defense--Before the Nevadas Battle

VII Vegas 263

The Nevada Cities--Supporting Arms--Defense Organization at the Outposts--Chinese Attack on 26 March--Reinforcements Dispatched--Massed Counterattack the Next Day--Push to the Summit--Other Communist Probes--Three CCF Attempts for the Outpost--Vegas Consolidation Begins--Aftermath

VIII Marking Time (April-June 1953) 313

The Peace Talks Resume--Operation LITTLE SWITCH--Interval Before the Marines Go Off the Line--The May Relief--Training While in Reserve and Division Change of Command--Heavy May-June Fighting--Developments in Marine Air--Other Marine Defense Activities--The Division Is Ordered Back to the Front

IX Heavy Fighting Before the Armistice 363

Relief of the 25th Division--Initial Attacks on Outposts Berlin and East Berlin--Enemy Probes, 11–18 July--Marine Air Operations--Fall of the Berlins--Renewal of Heavy Fighting, 24–26 July--Last Day of the War

X Return of the Prisoners of War 399

Operation BIG SWITCH--Circumstances of Capture--The Communist POW Camps--CCF “Lenient Policy” and Indoctrination Attempts--The Germ Warfare Issue--Problems and Performance of Marine POWs--Marine Escape Attempts--Evaluation and Aftermath

XI While Guns Cool 445

The Postwar Transition--Control of the DMZ and the Military Police Company--Organization of New Defense Positions--Postwar Employment of Marine Units in FECOM

XII Korean Reflection 475

Marine Corps Role and Contributions to the Korean War: Ground, Air, Helicopter--FMF and Readiness Posture--Problems Peculiar to the Korean War--Korean Lessons

Appendices

_Page_

A Glossary of Technical Terms and Abbreviations 537

B Korean War Chronology 541

C Command and Staff List 549

D Effective Strength, 1st Marine Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing 573

E Marine Corps Casualties 575

F Marine Pilots and Enemy Aircraft Downed in Korean War 577

G Unit Citations (during 1952–1953 period) 579

H Armistice Agreement 587

Bibliography 611

Index 617

Illustrations

_Photographs_

Sixteen-page sections of photographs following pages 212 and 436

_Maps and Sketches_

_Page_ 1 EUSAK Dispositions--15 March 1952 9

2 Western Korea--I Corps Sector--1952–1953 14

3 1st Marine Division Sector--30 April 1952 23

4 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Dispositions--30 April 1952 25

5 2/5 Sector--15–16 April 1952 35

6 West Coast Island Defense Element--Summer 1952 54

7 East Coast Island Defense Element--Summer 1952 57

8 Objectives for 1/5 Attack--9 May 1952 78

9 1st Marines Sector of JAMESTOWN (Division Center)-- 8 August 1952 110

10 2/1 Sector--9–11 August 1952 115

11 Bunker Hill Area--2300, 12 August 1952 120

12 Combat Outposts and Ambush Sites--5th Marines Sector (Division Right)--Early September 1952 151

13 Combat Outposts--KMC Sector (Division Left)--5–7 September 1952 154

14 7th Marines Sector (Division Right)--Early October 1952 164

15 “CCF Creeping Tactics”--March-October 1952 189

16 Hook Sector of MLR--1800, 26 October 1952 198

17 Hook Penetrations--26–27 October 1952 201

18 Outpost Reno Attacks--27 October 1952 204

19 CCF Attack Against KMC Sector (Division Left)-- 31 October 1952 219

20 Organization of Ground Defense--Winter 1952–1953 252

21 Typical Hill Defense (Cross Section)--Winter 1952–1953 254

22 5th Marines MLR Sector--26 March 1953 266

23 1st Marines MLR Sector (Division Center)--26 March 1953 269

24 COP Carson--March 1953 272

25 COP Reno--March 1953 274

26 COP Vegas--March 1953 277

27 Attack on 5th Marines Front--26–30 March 1953 282

28 25th Infantry Division Sector (Following Relief of the 1st Marine Division)--5 May 1953 330

29 Eighth Army Sector--1 January-27 July 1953 343

30 7th Marines MLR Sector (Division Right)--Linear Defense-- 19–20 July 1953 380

31 7th Marines MLR Sector--Defense-in-Depth--20–21 July 1953 382

32 7th Marines MLR Sector--Defense-in-Depth--22–23 July 1953 384

33 Eighth Army Front--27 July 1953 395

34 POW Camps in which Marines Were Held 417

35 1st Marine Division Post-Armistice Main Battle Position-- 30 September 1953 462