U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 4 (of 5): The East-Central FrontMontross, Lynn
History
U.S. Marine Operations in Korea, 1950-1953, Volume 4 (of 5): The East-Central Front
Montross, Lynn
Korean War, 1950-1953 -- Campaigns; United States. Marine Corps -- History -- Korean War, 1950-1953
Patrolling continued as usual in all Marine regimental zones during the
second week in February. Some units, such as the 11th Marines and the
Division Reconnaissance Company, had made few enemy contacts throughout
the operation. But at least the cannoneers had found good pheasant
hunting and enjoyed a change in the bill of fare.
It was just as well that the tactical situation seldom made it
necessary to call for air support at this stage, since the 1st MAW
was once again in the throes of moves which will be described in the
following chapter. Bofu had been only a temporary base for MAG-33
squadrons which were making another transfer to K-9 while MAG-12
completed its shift to K-1.
VMO-6 took care of the reduced air requirements of the Division
adequately. Another helicopter “first” was scored when First Lieutenant
John L. Scott received credit for the first night casualty evacuation
by a HTL (Bell), which then had no instruments for night flying. For
a harrowing moment, however, it would be hard to beat the experience
of Captain Clarence W. Parkins and Corpsman R. E. Krisky. While they
were flying a casualty to the hospital ship _Consolation_, the patient
became wildly delirious. It took the combined efforts of pilot and
corpsman to subdue him and make a safe landing.[74]
[74] VMO-6 _HD_, Feb 51.
Any excitement would have been welcomed by the troops in general. For
the area was as tranquil as if the guerrillas had never troubled its
snowbound heights. Recently arrived Marines might have been pardoned
for concluding that the NKPA 10th Division and its gloomy commander
were but creatures of the imagination--phantoms to be compared to the
crew of the _Flying Dutchman_, that legendary ship condemned to sail on
endlessly until the Day of Judgment. The NKPA 10th Division also seemed
doomed to perpetual flight as its ghostly survivors made their way from
crag to crag of the remote ridgelines.
Thanks to the rice paddy patrols, the replacements were ready for
combat and the Division was organizing a rotation draft for return to
the States. Five officers and 600 men had already been selected on a
basis of combat time, wounds received, and length of service. Major
General Edward A. Craig, who commanded the first Marines to land in
Korea, was given a farewell dinner and congratulated on his second
star. Two new brigadier generals were named, with Lewis B. “Chesty”
Puller relieving Craig as ADC and Gregon A. Williams accompanying him
on the voyage back to the States. Captain Eugene R. “Bud” Hering, (MC)
USN, was also returning with the gratitude of all Marines for his care
of casualties in the “frozen Chosin” campaign.[75]
[75] Smith, _Notes_, 1369.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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