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The first time we were on line the 3rd battalion was responsible for the area bounded on the west by the railroad tracks in Chorwon Valley, East across the valley to the high ground behind Outpost Dick. The 4 heavy (water-cooled) machine guns were attached to the rifle companies and employed in bunkers on the MLR. The 81mm Mortar Platoon was located in the center of the battalion sector. The 75mm Recoilless Rifle Platoon had one rifle located in the vicinity of the railroad tracks. The primary mission of the machine guns was to provide final protective fire for the MLR. From their location they could also support Outpost Tom. The mortars were used to support attacks on Jackson Heights and provide nighttime illumination. The recoilless rifle being in an open, unprotected location was ineffective. The few times that it was fired, the CCF counterfire immediately zeroed in on it. The rifle was moved to the rear slope of the hill near battalion headquarters. From this position it was possible to use it as an indirect fire weapon. Later in the year the rifle was placed farther east on a reserve hill where it could fire over Outpost Dick onto the CCF Outpost Charlie.

M Company Command Post January or Feb 1953

When we replaced the 25th Division we occupied the CP they had been using. It was not reinforced and the sides collapsed shortly after we arrived. The 10th Engineers built a sturdy replacement.

Pfc. Westbury December 1952 Commanding Officer's driver.  He was later assigned as driver for General Van Fleet.

1st Sgt. Altman  around January or February 1953. Sergeant Altman is pictured in the vicinity of the company CP while the CP was being rebuilt. 

Lt. McKeever, Lt. Martin Markley, Warrent Officer Howard, Lt. Mueller, and Lt. Burgess in December 1952 in reserve. When the 3rd battalion went to reserve in December the company had a full compliment of officers. Lt. Mc Keever, Machinegun Platoon, W.O. Howard, Administrative Officer, Lt. Mueller, Reconnaissance Officer, Lt. Burgess, Recoilless Rifle Platoon. Lt. Mueller was the most capable new West Point officer I knew during my service. He left M Company in February and joined the regimental battle platoon to gain combat experience. One night in April he visited me in my K Company CP before going on patrol and asked to be transferred to K Company. While on that patrol that night he stepped on a mine and was mortally wounded.

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©Copyright 2002 Martin Markley.  All rights reserved