"...the casualties are heavy," Op Nomad

“These rough hills are hard to get at. It’s just like when a fellow tries to scale a wall, and somebody is hitting his fingers with that machine gunning coming down at us. The mortar and artillery fire is thick, and the casualties are heavy.”
MSGT Keeble to his wife, Nettie, during Op Nomad.


G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
14 Oct 51 Unit moved out by march in the early morning apprx 1 1/2 miles to forward hill positions  6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs  2 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th Inf for rats & qtrs weather fair & WArm morale high 14Oct51
Stockwell Edward H RA14147141 LWA 14-10 Chupa-ri Rsgnd121stEvacHosp 16-10 Los Angeles CA


G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
15 Oct 51, Unit moved into the attack apprx 0500 hrs received heavy artillery & small arms fire secured position apprx 0930 hrs 6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th Inf for rats & qtrs
15Oct51
Armstrong    John T US53025990 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri Bartow GA
Banascewski Eugene F US55083739 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri Dakota MN
Browning John W RA14276674 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri Greenville SC
Dente Sabato US51085439 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri TrtdRtndDy 16-10 Kings NY
Dixon Bervin L US56111150 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri
Huckleberry Charles L US56075852 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri Los Angeles CA
Hooper Alonza L US53012332 KIA 15-10 Chupa-ri NC
Kilgore Kenneth G US55007110 LWA 15-10 TrtdRtrndDy Jackson MO
Kirksey johnathan US55043874 KIA 15-10 Chupa-ri
Kolessar Edward L 1stLt 0-1330192 KIA 10-15-51 Allegheny PA
Kurgan Billie RA16348111 KIA 10-15-51
Larson Earl US56060060 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri Weber UT
Lavorgna Anthony L US56074599 LWA Chupa-ri 15-10
Liner William B US52045784 KIA Chupa-ri 15-10 Jefferson, Ky
Lopez David US56141047 LWA 15-10 TrtdRtndDy Torrence CA
Lynch William T RA14391966 LWA Hudong-ni 15-10 Greenville SC
Monk Charles C US52090094 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri RsgndSwdshRdCrssHosp22-10 Russell VA
Nagle Harry E US550359190 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri
Smith Billy G RA19396442 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri CA
Stevens Charles R RA17286627 LWA 15-10 TrtRtrnDy Scott IA
Troff Harold L RA17315426 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri Dodge MN
Williams Edward D RA13297914 LWA 15-10 Chupa-ri TrtdRtndDy 16-10 Lackawana PA
Zumwalt Harold RA17285518 LWA 15-10 TrtRtrnDy Blue-Earth MN


 G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
16 Oct 51 Unit went into an other attack and secured an other position  6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th Inf for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale high16Oct51
Adcock Gerald W RA16296249 LWA 16-10 TrtdRtrdDy NY
Bayley Ralph H RA16359049 KIA Chupa-ri 16-10 Henry IN
Davitt Michael US51061688 SWA 16-10 Chupa-ri New-York NY
Keeble Woodrow W NG20711396 LWA 16-10 TrtdRtrdDy Wahpeton ND
Worker Ernest US51085305 SWA 16-10 Chupa-ri
Deutsch Tony US51061460 LWA 16-10 Chupa-ri Bronx NY
Moreno Thomas US56144800 LWA 16-10 Chupa-ri Los Angeles CA
Pearce William D US55139095 LWA 16-10 TrtdRtrdDy
Slater Donald K RA19346105  KIA 16-10 Chupa-ri
Taylor William F RA19397761 KIA 16-10 Chupa-ri
Tyler Emile US53085698 KIA 16-10 Chupa-ri   
Wingard James R RA13355020 LWA 16-10 Chupa-ri Fayette PA
York Robert J US55080795 LWA 16-10 Chupa-ri Gallatin IL


G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
17 Oct 51 Most of unit remained in positions taken earlier & defended them 6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs  1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th Inf for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale excellent

G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
18 Oct 51 Unit remained in positions  6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th Inf for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale high

 G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
19 Oct 51 Unit went into the attack in the early morning 6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs  1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th Inf for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm 
 morale high

19Oct51
Curl Joe E US56058314 LWA 19-10 Kumsong Placer CA
Hedstrom John C US55083746 LWA 19-10 TrtdRtrndDy
Jamison Charles E US51028915 LWA 19-10 Kumsong York SC
Huitt Martel W US56075565 LWA 19-10 Hudong-ni Los Angele CA
Plata Frank J RA13252982 LWA 19-10 trtd aid stn & rtrn dy
Smith Wilfred H US55062762 LWA 19-10 Hudong-ni Vermilion IL
Steen Gerald D US53034931 KIA 19-10 Chupa-ri   
Wilson Jesse Jr RA14414294 LWA 19-10 TrtdRtrndDy


G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
20 Oct 51 Unit went into the attack in the early morning taking their objective 6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs  1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th Inf for rats & qtrs weathercool & rainy20Oct51
Cabrera Valentine J US56143589 LIA 20-10 Nodong-ni
Emerson Robert G RA34086840 LWA 20-10 TrtdRtrdDy Thompkins NY
Hadley William C 1stLt 0-439454 KIA 20-10 Hudong-ni Mahoning City OH
Keeble Woodrow W NG20711396 LWA 20-10 TrtdRtrdDy Wahpeton ND
Koehler Ervin C US55083829 LWA 20-10 Hudong-ni Stevens MN
Kuykendall Robert US54001962 LWA20-10 Hudong-ni Mississippi AR
Lockhart Lester B US55070455 LWA 20-10 Nodong-ni
McIntyre Lawrence W US55055272 LWA 20-10 Hudong-ni Nodaway MO
Newton Marshall H US52018692 LWA 20-10 Hudong-n
Pender Sylvester Jr US53058915 LWA Hudong-ni 20-10/DOW 21-10 Edgecombe NC
Saunders Harry V US51086271 LWA 20-10 Rsgnd11thEvacHosp 23-10 Suffolk NY
Smith James I US53010951 LWA 20-10 Nodong-ni/Rsgnd11thEvacHosp 23-10 Randolph AL
Stewart Doyle J US55055247 LWA Hudong-ni 20-10 Greene MO
Ulb Ralph L RA17315281 LWA Hudong-ni 20-10
Warnke Eugene E RA17286872 LWA Hudong-ni 20-10 Adams/Boone NE
Williams Edward D RA13297914 LWA 20-10 Hudong-ni Lackawana PA


 G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
21 Oct 51 Unit went into the attack in the early morning pushed till late afternoon then dug in for the night near their objective  6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th Inf for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale high21Oct51
Marty Raymond R US52091988 KIA 21-10 Yongo-ri Louisa VA
Strubcewski Joseph J US52062665 KIA 21-10 Yongo-ri
Rhoads Robert L US56626164 KIA 21-10 Yongo-ri


 G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
22 Oct 51 Unit remained in positions 6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale high22Oct51
Loncosky Paul H US52008903 LWA 22-10 Nodong-ni Summit OH
Orcutt Lawrence E US56140510 LWA 22-10 Nodong-ni


  G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
23 Oct 51 Unit went out in platoon size patrol  6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale high 23Oct51
Nafrady Joseph W US55021082 LWA 23-10 Nodong-ni St-Joseph IN


G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
24 Oct 51 Unit remained in positions (24 Oct 51) 6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale high24Oct51
Clark Charles C RA23462954 LWA 24-10 Nodong-ni/Rsgnd11thEvacHosp Franklin OH
Meiselman    Joel J RA12335426 SWA 24-10 Nodong-ni Kings NY
Miranda Robert RA19397490 LWA 24-10 Nodong-ni/Rsgnd11thEvacHosp 25-10 Los Angeles CA
Nunes Paul J 1Lt O-1018841 LWA 24-10 Nodong-ni Los-Angeles CA
Owens Herbert K US55057762 LWA Nodong-ni 24-10/RtrdDy 27-10 Franklin MO
Pearce William D US55139095 LWA 24-10 Nodong-ni
Toney Eli US53072618 LWA 24-10 Nodong-ni
Troff Harold L RA17315426 LWA 24-10 Nodong-ni Dodge MN
Wilson Jesse Jr RA14414294 LWA 24-10 Rsgnd11thEvacHosp 23-10


G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
25 Oct 51 Unit was attacked apprx 0400 hrs withdrew but regained the positions during the daylight hrs 6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale high
25Oct51
Hopkins Paul C US52064522 SWA 25-10 Nodong-ni Sussex DE


G Co RECORD OF EVENTS
26 Oct 51 Unit remained in positions 6EM & 2 ROK atchd fr Med Co fr rats & qtrs 1 Off & 4 EM atchd fr 13 FA Bn for rats & qtrs 25 EM atchd fr H Co 19th for rats & qtrs weather fair & Warm morale
26Oct51
Hannan William F RA12334079 LWA 26-10 Nodong-ni
Lynch William T RA14391966 KIA 26-10 Nodong-ni Greenville SC
Mendoza Joseph US56144419 LWA 26-10 Nodong-ni
Moore Al SUS53061320 LWA 26-10 Nodong-ni Surry NC
Moton Cleother US53085588 LWA 26-10 Nodong-ni   
Plata Frank J RA13252982 LWA 26-10 trtdRtndDy

 From: Bernard Shanzmeyer <basnjs@socket.net>
To: mario8@ptd.net
Cc: Frank J. Plata 4-10 <silverfjp75@yahoo.com>; Edward.D.Williams@att.net; lngay@att.net
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2012 11:57 AM
Subject: 24th Infantry Division Blog

I really like your 24th Infantry Division Blog. It makes for good reading and brings back a lot of old memories.
There are a number of names in your blog that are very familiar to me.
John T. Armstrong  was a very good friend of mine. I have a picture of him in my book.
Douglas C. Wold, was a friend of mine.
Martel W. Huitt, Thomas A. Schramm, and Joseph J. Secoges are all in my squad and are in the picture of my squad in my book.
Josep W. Nafrady was my assistant squad deader and is in the picture of my squad in my book.
Edward H. Stockwell was a good friend of mine. While in reserve along the Puck Han River near Chunchong, one Sunday afternoon, we got permission to see a friend and hitch-hiked to an Air Force airfield near Chunchong. We ate lunch and later on ate dinner with them.
We sat at a table and had silverware, a fork, knife and spoon. We thought that was great. Later on Stockwell talked some supply outfit out of a sack full of white T-shirts and a cot. We took them all back to our Company area. We gave out all of the T-shirts to buddies in G Company and I suppose Stockwell used the cot until we moved on.
Another time Stockwell and I got a week end pass to see a friend of mine from my hometown that was stationed in Seoul. Again we hitch-hiked to Seoul stayed overnight with an MP outfit. Slept on a cot, took  a hot shower, they fed us breakfast, we had a cup of tea at a tea house then hitch-hiked back to our Company area. I was an enjoyable week end. My friend was not here, he had been sent back to Japan on sick leave.
Keep the stories coming.
Bernie Schanzmeyer
----
Bernie, several of those names are also familiar to me and I can see their faces as I'm sending this to you. Johnny Armstrong left shortly after I arrived in G Company.  For the life of me I can't remember who was the Plt. Sgt when I arrived.  Lt Beidle was the Plt Ldr. Doug Wold was a farmer from Wisconson and a nice easy going guy. Joe Nafrady was hit in the hand and I remember his his finger almost severed. I found Ed stockwell about ten years ago and we communicated frequently and exchanged jazz music.  Ed was living in Oregon, had two sons and a daughter. Prior to his army time Ed spent an enlistment in the USAF, I suspect your visit to an Air Force Unit was because Ed was probably looking up and old buddy. He was a couple of years older and had been a drummer in a jazz band out of his hometown, Memphis, TN. Ed died about two years ago...not sure if you knew that Stockwell was a Phd and worked for the navy as an electronics specialists in the
weapons functions. Throught the years I had found and contacted several former G Company alumni...Remember the Ledbetters, brothers or cousins, not certain which.  Met them at Camp Picket VA.  Found Eugene Shafer (Banzai) in a small town in Illinois, he passed away about the same time as Stockwell. Met WARRANT OFFICER Edward L. Shea at Ft Dix NJ at a football game. While on recruiting duty in NY in 1964 I met up with a couple other 3rd platoon alumni, Sabato Dente, and Angelo Calanna, now both gone.  Hard to believe that so many years have passed and so many old buddies have left us.
 In any event, hope all is going well with you.
  Take care and stay in touch
 From "The City of Brotherly Love"
 Yo!
---------

You guys might not like this but it is a fact. Thomas A. Schramm refused to go up the hill. “they might shoot me” I told him if he did not I would shoot him. He went up the hill. Would I have shot him? We will never know.

New Replacements 23-27 March 1951

               In the third week of March, 1951, G Company was on reserve and needing to replenish itself back into a whole fighting unit for the next attack. I was one of the forty-five replacements that joined G Company on the 23rd and 27th.  They are listed alphabetically:

Anderson    Stanley    G    US55007078    Pvt2
Argott    James    W    RA12338774    Pvt2
Armstrong    John    T    US53025990    Pvt2
Arsenault    Chester    E    RA11201436    Pvt2
Blake    Errol    M    RA11162771      Pvt2
Blue    Charles    W    RA28131169    Pvt2
Brown    Claude    S    RA13451202    Pvt2
Campbell    David    O    US17173981    Pvt2
Calanna    Angelo    F    US51062893    Pvt2
Canodi    Claude    E    RA24295275    Pvt2
Conner    Jimmie    R    RA17279883    Pfc
DiBello    John    Jr    RA13334692    Pfc
DeRiso    Joseph    M    US51062800    Pvt2
Earley    Robert    L    RA15431268    Pvt2
Feragen    Elmer    L    US55015401    Pvt2
Fitz    George    P    US57157394    Pvt2
Franz    Edwin    F    US55031026    Pvt2
Groves    Robert    W    US52037447    Pvt2
Gruener    Jacob    -    US55019697    Pvt2
Hale    William    R    US56080579    Pvt2
Healy    Martin    F    US55050596    Pvt2
Hill    James    L    RA14339534    Pvt2
Hunter    Eugene    -    US55030959    Pvt2
Iezzoni    Mario    -    RA13353191    Pvt2
Kilgore    Kenneth    G    US55007110    Pvt2
Kinoshita    Charles    S    RA10104729    Pvt2
LeClair    Bruce    P    RA11189768    Pvt2
Monaghan    Edward    P    RA13248643    Pvt2
Myers    Melvin    L    RA17240700    Pvt2
Odle    Alva    S    US55007149    Pvt2
Oldson    Albert    H    RA15298612    Pvt2
Phillips    Wallace    A    RA14319777    Pfc
Posey    Wesley    L    US52018439    Pvt2
Price    James    A    US52034492    Pvt2
Riehle    Joseph    N    RA16276058    Pvt2
Robison    Johnny    A    US44188467    Pvt2
Schaffer    Leon    -    US52039247    Pvt2
Schanzmeyer Bernard A    US55028480    Pvt2
Schramm    Thomas    A    RA14354466    Pvt2
Secoges    Joseph    J    US52039106    Pvt2
Spurlin    Edwin    E    US15232382    Pvt2
Stockwell    Edward    H    RA14147141    Cpl
Swaen    John    A    RA12340791    Pfc
Williams    Edward    D    RA13297914    Pfc
Wold    Dauglas    C    US55034468    Pvt2
Above 45 EM jd 23/27 Mar 51

               After being assigned to our platoon, squad or section, the replacements went on to train with their respective platoon. I was assigned as an ammo bearer #2 in the 60mm mortar section of the 4th Platoon with Sfc Balingit Aniceto (Gabby) Leader, Sfc Alley Thane as section leader, Sgt Coleman Ellis gunner, Pfc McMinn Clark assistant gunner, Miranda Jose ammo bearer #1. We all trained as a gunner and assistant gunner. Our training was conducted using live ammo to hit a given target. We had to set up the mortar as fast as possible, and faster, zero in on the target and put it out of action by firing multy rounds for effect. We repeated this over and over, to a point where we wished we were in actual combat.    

               On our way back from training, the 4th platoon sang, ‘Pees-onia’, ‘Lee-onia’, or whistled the tune to the Bridge on the River Kwai. After one long and hard day training, my section leader asked me if I was tired, knowing full well that I was, he still wanted me to answer.
               He kept asking until I said, “Yes.”
               Then he replied, “You’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

               It took me six weeks to realize the meaning of his answer. In battle, you attack, dig in, defend your position when attacked and rotate guarding hourly the most sleep you get is nothing but a Cat Nap. Sleeping is a luxury you can only afford when you are on reserve, and, only if you are not on guard duty that night.
             After my first attack, 11 Apr 51, I had one day on reserve out of 55 consecutive days on line or attack.

Attack The 3604ft Mountain on 38th Parallel 2nd Day

 In each attack, you’re faced with situations that may take your life. The attack for Mae-bong, a 3604 ft mountain on the 38° parallel, lasted five days 20 - 24 of May 1951. My first experience came, I think, the second day, while standing in line waiting for the assault platoon working on it’s objective.
I saw an enemy soldier laying on a big boulder about twenty-five feet above me, his rifle and fully extended bayonet aimed directly at me. I quickly dropped down on my left side and pulled my pistol and stared at each other for a long time. I fired once and he rolled towards me, off the rock dead. Why he didn't fire first, I don't know...Maybe he new that others would get to him.

               Sgt. Alley did not believe ‘one shot Iezzoni’. Weeks later, he bet me $50 that I couldn’t hit a good size tree to our front – I missed all eight times. He did not take the money when I offered it to him. So, it could be that someone else saw and at that enemy at the same time I fired my pistol or the Guardian Angel was with me.

               The objective taken, we moved up a quarter mile where the mortar was set up to fire. Shortly after, the BARman next to us on the line was hit. Over an hour later, a squad of enemy soldiers appeared on the ridge just eight feet away from us. Before they could fire, two of our new US ammo bearers opened fire and killed at least six of them. Counter-attack was called and we all ran back a half mile, down the ridge and started digging in.

               That night we were attacked five or six times.

               We continued our attack in the morning and retook our objective and more. On the way past our old position, I counted the 5 dead enemy out loud to Sgt. Alley and added one more 6th on the other side of the ridge.

Attack The 3604ft Mountain on 38th Parallel 4th Day

    The fourth day on the attack, we reached the top of the mountain, altitude: 3604 feet. It was littered with bloated decomposing enemy bodies from an earlier air strike. The stench was so strong a reason for the missing enemy, we thought . As the 3rd platoon diceded to clear the area the enemy opened fire on us. When  Automatic fire came my way I hit the ground with the mortar tube and base plate on my side shielded only by tall weeds.

               Sgt. Alley called me to set up the mortar. As I moved the weeds moved and the enemy's automatic fire came just overhead. Alley kept calling for the mortar. As I responded, so, too, did the enemy. This went on until automatic fire hit me on the pistol belt and the ground just around me! He had me zeroed in, I knew that I could not move again. So, I played dead let the enemy think he got me that time. Even Sgt. Alley stopped calling.

               As I played dead, I began to believe that the enemy had stopped firing at me but I felt obligated to set up my mortar. I could let someone else be the first to move, I thought, so I pretended to be ready for a ‘fire mission’. My body deep still to the ground, I started calling for ammo to fire.
 “Ammo, ammo, Ammo” I yelled, “get that ammo here.”

 As I figured, no one else was about to move, either. Thanks to God.

 A squad of the 3rd platoon worked their way around the right flank placing the enmy in a crossfire and running them off.

 I don’t remember how long we lay there, in the prone position, but I knew that I was not going to be the first to move. That was just too close. What if I’d gotten hit? How would that have been going down a 3604ft mountain, for me or for my carriers? Would I have been carried on a stretcher or would I have had to make the walk down on my own? No matter how bad I think I may have preferred the hard walk down to the stretcher for it was too steep and too far down to the bottom.


 The bullet had put a deep gash on the flap of my Pistol Holster for everyone to see and comment, how I hated when I had to turn in my Pistol and my badge of Honor.

After 58 Years I Find the Family of John J Earley 11 April 1951-2009

   Merry, you made an OLD soldier and the families of a soldier that Gave It All finally close their wondering of  that happened long ago.
  Tom, that picture of Kelly, Valletta, you and the article on the 24th IDA got me going.
  Bernie, your Morning Reports sure helps

"Thanks You All"

THE LETTER

 Dear Jimmy & Jackie
     How are you boys? I wanted to write you before but boys I haven't been able to do much writing more than I have. I have some spare time today so I'm writing to you and Aunt Ann. We have been moving a lot in the last week so I have been pretty busy the only chance we have to write is daytime as atnight there is a blackout no lights, fires just blackness.
     I know that you both are praying for your Uncle John to come home safely please keep on praying as God will surely listen to your prayers. War is really tough and with God's help it will be over soon. Have your Sister (Nun) at school pray for my buddies (John Kelly, Bill Valletta) and me we allneed your prayers as they mean more to us than anything else.
    You two boys are fortunate that you live in America where there is everything at your disposal home, clothes, food and education. Here in the Far East in Korea boys your age have a completely different life and have never seen anything but poverty starvation and the majority of them are diseased. Well boys you in America have a great deal to be thankful for.
     The weather here is still cold and very windy climbing these rugged mountain is something. It's not like back home flat land or some mountains. Here boys in Korea is one continuous mountain after an other. And all are very high.
      They have no  radios, cars, television sets or any modern convenience here. The country is the same it was 3000 years ago the homes are made of mud and straws a few homes are made of wood.
      Actually there are no cities like back home here there is just small villages scattered here and there.
       I know you boys would like to know about the chinese soldiers. They are tough and fight mostly in the nighttime. Most of their weapons are american made given to them by us years before.
       Well boys I'll close for now hoping you'll pray for me and write me. Give my love to Kathy also to your Mom and Dad
 Love from Uncle John
 Tell Mommy I haven't had (?) mail from home yet!
Give my love to Ganlea! (?)

1.
10/19/2009 5:06PM
Email Via The Korean War Project Remembrance Entries
From: Jim Dolan
Email: jcdubliner@aol.com
Subject: John J. Earley

Mr. Iezzoni,
   I am the great-nephew of John J. Earley, who was from Waterbury, CT.
   Since childhood I was told the stories of my uncle, especially from his sister Kathy, who was my Grandmother, as well as stories from my father. It was a devistating blow to the Dolan family when he was killed in Korea, one that I believe my Grandmother never fully recovered from, however, his short life has served as inspiration to all of us.
   I've often wondered what actually happened that fateful day in Korea and your posting has certainly given us insight.
   I do hope all is well with you. I thank you for your service to our great country and your heroic attempt to save my uncle. May God Bless you and your family.
   Should you have the time, I would love to speak with you again, either by e-mail or telephone.
   Coincidently, I was born April 11, 1968, some 17 years to the day that John Earley died.

Respectfully,
Jim Dolan Southington, CT

2.
 10/20/2009 1:04:12 P.M.

Ciao Jim,
You gave me CHILLS ALL OVER w/ this e-mail.
I must ask if your family  knows the name of John Kelly, from NY City and Ireland, a good friend of John J Early. I met them on the ship going over and became a trio w/ them. I was assigned to G Co and they to E Co. on the 23rd of march 51.
It was our 1st attack, 11 Apr 51, I carried John J Early to the Aid station that day.
I have this address for:
John Kelly
32 Av of the Americas Ste N 338
NY NY 10013-2513
917 237 9558
   I wanted to locate the family of John J Early but I was not able to locate John Kelly (who new the real name of the other "Irishman" I  called "U.S. Kelley").
I remember that day he was wounded well (11 Apr 51), even now.
Ciao for now
Pace e Bene da mario

3.
10/20/09 4:06PM
Mr. Iezzoni,
 Thank you so much for responding!
I related your posting to my father and he told me how he vividly remembers the last time
he saw his uncle, John Earley alive.  He was walking home from school for lunch and saw his uncle
as a passenger in a car being driven to the train station in New Haven after being home for leave.  He recalls his uncle waiving at him.  Perhaps he was waiving goodbye.
 Do you know if there are any morning reports or other documentation available with regards to 11 Apr 1951?  My father and I would be curious to read them.
  I will report back to you with an update on John Kelly, hopefully as soon as tomorrow.
 Thank you again Mr. Iezzoni,
-Jim

4.
   Hi Jim,
   I waited too long to pass on Earley John J's last hrs-please give me time to remember and pass it.
   I was not in his company Co E and don't have E's morning reports but I have - us being assigned to Company E, F, G, H. and scanned it here as attchmnt.
MR Rec of Events for G Co my company for that day Attchd and a photo of E Co. men John Kelly, Tom Thiel, Valletta Bill.

Tom J Thiel of "E" Co. lives in FL and may have Morn. Report of E Co...
I can also give you info on getting your own MR from ST Louis, MO.

 Tom J. Thiel, Taro Leaf Editor
19147 Park Place Blvd
Eustis, Florida 32736
352-357-3943
thetaroleaf@gmail.com

5.Mario,
   Thank you for the attachments.  The paper work and photograph are truly historic.  I will be sending a form to St. Louis in hope of retrieving some of John Earley's Army file.  Also, since I did not make it today, I will try to check the Waterbury address for John Kelly.

6.
Mario,
    I received the packet of information last evening when I arrived home from work that you mailed me .
    Wow.  Simply...wow.
    I can't begin to thank you for all of your life's work. I telephoned my father this morning on my way to the troop and told him of what I read.  He was waiting for me to return home so he, too, could put his hands on your words and work and witness and feel his uncle once more.  As I write I'm sure he's sleeping and having a pleasant connection to his past.
    I went to the now Former St. Andrew's Health Center in Waterbury today and they have no record of a John Kelly ever living there.  They checked computer records as well as hard bound books for me.  Now on to our next address.
 Tis' not the hour but the days events that bring me solace.
 Thank you again Mario.
 I'll talk with you soon.
 God Bless,
  Jim

7.
Mario,
  We're working on things from our end.  My father is ecstatic. As I am.  He's been to the Waterbury Paper to recover the history of John Earley. Certainly, he was your friend.
   We have found remembrances. All thanks to you, Mario.
 Hugs,
 Jim Dolan
 ps- more to come!

8.
Hello Mario,
 Here is our progress so far.
 My father has sifted through his files and found dates and one picture.  We think my aunt has another and, possibly, letters home or, the notification telegram.
The local news paper, the Waterbury Republican, has John Earley's obit and picture.  My father has them ordered.
 I will pass everything along to you as soon as it's available.
 John's family was small.  Since he never married he had no children of his own.  The only family left is my father, his brother and sister, and one cousin as far as I know.
 Another odd coincidence is, as I mentioned before, I was born on April 11, 1968.  He was waked on November 10, 1951.  That is the Marine Corps Birthday and my wedding anniversary.
 Peace Mario,
 Jim

9.
In a message dated 11/14/2009 8:58:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, mario8@ptd.net writes:
Ciao Jim,
Please keep me informed of your finds?
For 50+ yrs I had his first and last name confused and thanks to Merry Helm for her help in getting me straight (and, a couple of sleep recalls of my inability to Say EARLY - HEarly and settled calling him Kelley).
Where is he buried?
I don't remember him having a family??
Do you have any photos of him?
Ciao for now Pace e Bene da mario

10.
In a message dated 11/14/2009 10:20:53 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, mario8@ptd.net writes:

Hi Jim,
I can't believe all of this coming to an end. I would like to visit his grave if possible on the 11th of April.
I'm looking forward to any clips or photos but take your time and don't rush anything.
mario

11.
Mario,
Absolutely.  My father and I were discussing how we'd like to meet you in person.
We'll make it happen and the 11th of April would be fitting.
I'll get to work on it.
I'm just in from working a midnight shift so I'm off to bed.
 I'll talk with you soon,
-Jim

12.
Mario!
  I received your booklet this afternoon.  My golden retriever was barking at the front window and I saw that the mail man had stopped by earlier than usual.  Then it struck me peculiar that it wasn't our usual mail man but a fill in, a reserve as the Army would call it.  And it was a female.  She had a package amongst my bills and I greeted her in my driveway. (Maybe she's the one Williams and Fritz were looking for).
  What a surprise!  I could not put the book down.  I think I've memorized each line, each picture, imagined each moment from poignant description.  Thank you so much.
   I happened to be home early today because I had to drop my father off at the airport so he could fly to Florida and visit my mother for a spell.  You see, she's a snow-bird and he can't stop working.  What a pleasure being handed such a piece of history.
  We're looking forward to April 11th and finally meeting you!  We'll work out the logistics after the holiest of holy days-- St. Patrick's.
 Peace,
 Your friend,
-Jim

13.
Mario,
 Wonderful!  We have a graveside service scheduled for 1030 hours on 04-Apr-2010.
 My brother, Father Michael Dolan, will officiate.  He found his notebook!  It must be a sign!
 My father, James J. Dolan, will take all to a Waterbury lunch, which I promise you will love.
 We're all looking forward to your arrival.
 Give me your details and request when you can.
 Peace
Jim

The Chief of 1st Plt G Co. 19th 24th

The Chief's Medal of Honor Ceremony

mms://a753.v5913f.c5913.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/753/5913/v0001/whitehouse.download.akamai.com/5913/2008/03/20080303-3.v.wmv
bush remarks

President Bush Attends Medal of Honor Ceremony for Woodrow Wilson Keeble - March 3, 2008
President Bush on Monday said, "The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor a President can bestow, and I'm honored recipients of the Medal of Honor have joined us. Thank you for coming. During my time in office, I've had the privilege of performing this duty on nine separate occasions. Every ceremony has been inspiring. Many have been joyful. Some have been poignant. But I'm not sure I can remember many ceremonies quite like this one."

Earley John J 11 April 1951

Merry Helm said...(Your not Thanks mario)

Mario, I hope I'm not pushing my limits here, but I suspect you would be too bashful to post the decoration you received for saving John J. Earley. So as historian for the 24th ID Association, I'll provide it here:    By direction of the President, Private First Class Mario Iezzoni (the Private), RA13353191, (then Private), Infantry, U.S. Army, a member of Company G, 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, is awarded the BRONZE STAR MEDAL with V device for heroic achievement near Chipo-ri, Korea, on 11 April 1951. His company was attacked by numerically superior enemy hordes and was forced to withdraw. Private Iezzoni volunteered to remain behind with several others to help evacuate the wounded. The small group worked furiously, in the face of the rapidly advancing enemy mass, to assemble the wounded, place them on litters and carry them out under a murderous hail of enemy fire. Having gone only a short distance, Private Iezzoni discovered another wounded man. Although he knew he would have to carry him by himself and that he would be dangerously slowed down, he unhesitatingly picked up the soldier and proceeded to carry him down the hill. He was so delayed that the rest of the group was soon out of sight. Several times the enemy approached close enough to place him under heavy automatic weapons and sniper fire but, with complete disregard tor his personal safety, he relentlessly continued on. The task became so laborious that he was forced to rest frequently although the enemy was nearly upon him. For three hours, he plodded on with his human burden over extremely rough and treacherous terrain, always keeping just ahead of his pursuers. His strength nearly lost, only his determined will kept him going. He finally reached friendly lines and, turning over the wounded man to medical aidmen, collapsed from exhaustion. Private Iezzoni’s heroic action, selfless devotion to a wounded comrade and unswerving determination reflect the greatest credit on himself and the United States Infantry. Entered nilitary service from Langsford, Pennsylvania. (24th Div GO 707, 1 Nov 1951)

November 27, 2011 3:01 PM

G Company Going on the Attack

               10 Apr 51 G Company went on the attack. We road marched, then went up a mountain and replaced the unit on the MLR(main line of resistance). Around 2030, we moved out of the foxholes and slowly went downhill along a ridge. Stopping in place about 0100. I dozed off for awhile. We were on the move again at 0300.

               At 0630 we attacked the next hill, reaching our objective a few hours later. The rifle platoon located on the ridge line and the 4^th Platoon 60mm mortar setup twenty yards below. I delivered my seven rounds of 60mm ammo and was told to take a guarding position near a big rock where I came under fire from somewhere above on a ridge to the right.

               I quickly moved to a crevice in the rock but part of me was still visible. The sniper kept shooting at me and the bullets ‘zinged’ around me. With each ‘zing’ I shrank deeper into the crevice.

               The gunner, Ellis Coleman, yelled to me, “He’s after you.”

               I said, “Yeah, I know.”

               I figure the sniper must have taken at least fifteen to twenty-five shots at me over an hour’s time. Thank God he missed but they were too close for my first attack.

The Name was not the same

    Kelley, Kelly, Cully, Earley Hearley-(HURLEY)
     Way back in 1951, when I was 17 years old, on my way to the Korean War, I became friends with three guys: an Irishman, John Kelly, born in Ireland but hailing from New York City; another Irishman, John J. Earley, born in the USA, Waterbury, CT; an Italian, William "Bill" Valletta, also born in Waterbury, CT.
     I had a close relationship with Kelly, mostly because we were both foreign-born and our accent and pronunciation of certain words was discussed often. My inability to say "Earley," which I pronounced "Hearley," became a battle between Earley and me. He would correct me for not pronouncing his name, I thought, only to find out 58 years later that it was not "Hurley," but "Earley," where all the time I thought I was being correct on "Hearley". I finally came to terms by calling him "Kelly", the American/Irishman. This name stays in my memory for more than fifty years.
    When he was wounded, I called him "Kelly" and, in the aid station, I asked if Kelly made it. All my life I thought that I carried Kelly to the aid station, where he died due to loss of blood, three hours later. During the fifty plus years, I often thought of contacting his family and telling them how he died.
    All I knew of him was:  He was not married, He was a good bit older, He was from Ohio( not true). His name was not spelled K-E-L-L-Y but could be K-E-L-L-E-Y or C-U-L-L-Y  I searched on the internet for 'John Kelley/Kelly/Cully, state of Ohio'. In 2006, I started asking others over the internet and when I went to reunions, asking for someone with the last name of "Kelly" or some variation of that spelling.
    I was trying to reach John Kelly from New York City. Only he would be able to tell me where the other Kelley originated.
   Bits of information started arriving after everyone had given up on finding the man I knew as Kelley. In a dream, it came to me that the difference could be in their first name and not the last.  Sure as hell, I checked the Korean War Casualty databases to see who died on April, 11, 1951 and found John J. Earley died of wounds that day. John Kelly, from NY City, was wounded in July and returned to the USA! In my Company G 19th, the roster listed a Robert Earley L, who was from Ohio. He was also wounded, but not until the 13th of April. The four G Co wounded the 11th April, were: Coleman, Ellis Pike, KY; McMinn, Clark, Hayes, NE; Brown, Roy M, Jr ??, Dubois, Alfred E; Franklin, MA. When the enemy appeared on the ridge shooting at us we placed our wounded on their poncho and ran down as fast as possible with them shooting till we were out of sight.
 Robert Earley and I went on R&R to Japan, 10 Aug 51... was this the reason why my thinking that John J. Early (the other Irishman) was from Ohio?
When we all met at the grave site of John J Earley, in Waterbury, CT, New St. Joseph Cemetery, April, 11, 2010, a  "HURLEY's" grave was also nearby, another reason why John J Earley was correcting my pronounceation of his last name. (Mission Accomplished: it took 58 Years to find the family of John J Earley!!!)

Boot Story, Taro Leaf Magazine Issue 4 Volume 65 Fall 2011

      This is my first blogpost recording my memories serving as a Pfc, Cpl 13 Nov 51 in the Korean War. This is my story as it appeared in Taro Leaf (Edited in names) issue. Comments are extremely welcome.
Iezzoni Mario

mario8@ptd.net

               25 Dec 1951, was my last day with G Co 19^th RGT. It was the day before Christmas when I was called to the G CO CP and told to turn in my rifle and gear and move to the tent for ‘rotate-ees.’  There I met James L. Hill, George S. Maki; James C. Mastin; Daughlas Wold C;  Blake Errald M (Kennebec ME); Canody Claude E (PA/OH); Emerson Robert; Hunter Eugene; Kilgore Kenneth G; Knapp Merrill D; The next day a truck took us to the 24^th Division Rear at Ascom City for a ‘Peter Parade' our homebound processing.

               The tent was large, platoon-size. It was mostly empty except for some stretchers to be used as litters. We took advantage of this opportunity and used the stretchers to sleep on. It was my first night in Korea that I did not have to sleep on the ground! Another first…I took my boots off to sleep. It was hard to believe…no rifle, no more foxholes to dig, no more mountains to climb, no more guns shooting at me. I’m whole, in one piece. I made it! So I thought…

               At just past midnight we started receiving barrages of incoming mortar rounds. The first barrage went well over our tent but woke us up. The second barrage hit nearby and Blake Errald M; Canody Claude E; Emerson Robert; Hill James L; Hunter Eugene; Kilgore Kenneth G; Knapp Merrill D; Maki George S; Mastin James C ran out for cover. I sat on the side of the stretcher, vigorously putting on my boots; the right slid on easily but the left boot just would not go on. The mortar fire ended and I decided to give up on the boot, thinking it was over. Just then another barrage started, “C’mon, left boot.” I said to myself, “you’re going on.” KABOOM! A round hit a large, lone tree just outside the tent sending in shrapnel, just missing me. This time the boot was not a problem. I ran towards the mountain and found shelter in an old Chinese bunker.

               When a round comes that close, your body goes into a kind of vibration that lasts a long time. You don’t know if you’re all there, even though you just ran 100+ yards. With time, your feelings start to returning. You touch your hands, your feet, your legs; you feel your torso—all seems to be there. Was there any ‘big blood’ or ‘little blood’? I didn’t see any. I wonder, “Am I all OK?” I know I’m alive and mostly safe here. A couple more barrages came while I was in the bunker. I decided to stay until daylight when I noticed the Chinese bunker garlic smell. It was so strong I knew I could not stay any longer.

               My left foot was the only part of me that seemed not quite right. When I got back to our tent, all the others were already there. I sat on the side of the stretcher and took off my left boot. I felt my foot and didn’t see any blood, even when I took my sock off. I was perplexed.

               “There’s no way I can put this boot on,” I said as I tried again to slip on the boot. I must have said it loud enough for others to hear. James Hill came over and asked if I had his boot because one of his was too large. I sure did. He had put on my boot, 9 ½ , and left his 6 ½ boot for me!