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OPHSA Memorials

As you read these pages do so with the understanding that our comrades will never truly die so long as there is one among us who remembers.

We Held

Click to go to: A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

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Pfc Carlos Ascencio-Guzman

Born: 1928
From: Puerto Rico

WIA: 04/24/53, returned to duty
KIA: 06/10/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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Born: 1929
From: Campbell, KY

KIA on Outpost Harry 06/11/1953

15th Infantry, K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Sfc Virgil Blakeley

Born: 1931
From: Lee, NC

KIA: 06/10/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Clarence Eugene

Born: June 11, 1933
From: Polk County, IA

KIA/MIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

Click here for a memorial written by F. Walden Storie

15th Infantry,  B Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Emory Bonner

Died: November, 2006
From: Roanoke, AL

Emory Bonner passed away in November of 2006. He was wounded on OP Harry while with 15th Infantry, ‘B’ Co. Emory lived in Roanoke, AL.

Regnard A. (Rab) Burgess, Jr

Died: April 21, 2002

Regnard A. Burgess, Jr.(Rab) Sgt. 39th Field Artillery Headquarters Battery, 3rd Infantry Division. 

Rab was the Sergeant At-Arms of the Society of the Third Infantry Division and President of Outpost 10. He was a survivor of the battle of Outpost Harry and was a past President of the OPHSA. Rab Burgess was one of the group that originally founded The Outpost Harry Survivors Association.  Click here for a group picture of these men. Click here to read Rab's story of his participation in the Korean War.

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Wayne Carlson

Born: 01/09/1930
Died:  06/09/2004

Medic,  15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division

The following is by Martin Markley:

A Debt

Sometimes in a person's life another individual will have a lasting effect on that person's future. I contribute my being alive today to the medical attention given to me by Wayne Carlson and other division medical personnel. Wayne, a medic in the 15th Infantry Regiment, was one of the first to tend to my wounds. While the battalion surgeon was removing shrapnel from my extremities Wayne made certain that pressure was maintained on my head wound. He did not relinquish the task until I was placed in a helicopter for evacuation to our M.A, S.H. A few years ago during a reunion I was fortunate to meet Wayne and Gordon Lowery, another medic that was in the aid station at that time. This was the first we had met since that eventful June in 1953. It has been a great pleasure for me to learn more about Wayne and have the opportunity to personally thank him. I will never forget.

Martin Markley

Click here to go to Wayne Carlson's obituary

2nd Lt. Ralph C

Born: January 23, 1931
From: Magnolia, MA
Died: March 17, 1997

15th Infantry, F Company,  3rd Infantry Division

This picture was taken in 1953 on the troopship General C. C. Ballou.  Click this image for another picture taken during Ralph Clark's OCS training at Fort Benning GA.

Cpl Nicolas Cruz-Perez

Born: 1932
From: Puerto Rico

KIA: 06/09/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pfc Jesus Cruz-Ramos

Born: 1930

From: Puerto Rico

KIA: 06/09/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Born: 1932
From: Lake, IN

KIA on Outpost Harry 06/11/1953

15th Infantry, K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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Died: 2001

15th Infantry, K Company,   3rd Infantry Division

Pfc Frank Devers, Jr.

Born: 1931
From: Fayette, PA

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  M Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pfc Ralph Dunbar

Born: 1931
From: Bradford, PA

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  M Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pvt George Dunn

Born: 1928
From: Johnson, TN

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  M Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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Lawrence Eaton

Died: 1995

65th Infantry, F Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Died: 03/19/2007
From: Bushnell, FL

Charles M. (Chuck) Eller died Monday, March 19, 2007 at his winter home in Bushnell, FL, 
He served as a Corporal during the Korean War with D Company, 5th RCT. 

D Company 5th Regimental Combat Team

Died: February 2, 2007

Richard Entenmann served as a Forward Observer (FO) and also in the Fire Direction Center. His nickname during his tour of duty in Korea was "Short Round".

39th Field Artillery Battalion, B Battery, 3rd Infantry Division

Kenneth A. Ewer

Died: 1995

58th Field Artillery,  3rd Infantry Division

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Born: 05/19/1931
Died: 05/25/2006 

In a note, Don Dingee wrote this about his comradeship with Hank:

“Hank and I met in Basic Training  in Indiantown Gap, PA in 1952. We took the same troopship to Japan together but were assigned to different companies in the 3rd Infantry Division, 15th Infantry Regiment. Hank went to Fox Company and I went to Baker Company.
I was wounded on 6/12/53 and was sent to the hospital in Japan. Hank came to see me on his R&R from Korea.
After Korea, Hank, his wife Dottie and my wife Anita and I met in New York City at the Nut Club. We saw each other almost every year until I moved to Tucson in 1982 but still kept in touch by phone.
Hank was a very hard worker, a great family man, and a wonderful friend. He was also a hero in Korea but too modest to talk about it. I will miss him very, very much. To Dottie and family, who he loved very much, I am so sorry and you know where I am if you need me.
Donald C. Dingee"

F Company, 3rd Infantry Division, 15th Infantry Regiment

Pfc Pablo Felix-Rodriquez

Born: 1932
From: Puerto Rico

KIA:  04/28/53 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  M Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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Eugene L. Gettig

Born: 1927, Mahoning, OH
Died: June 10/11/1953 (KIA on Outpost Harry)

2nd Lt. Eugene L. Gettig joined K Company in late April 1953 and was killed on Outpost Harry the night of June 10-11, 1953. This photo was taken in May when we were working on rear defensive lines with the help of the 10th Combat Engineers. 

Click here for an email sent to Susan Gettig, Eugene Gettig's niece, by Martin Markley, Eugene Gettig's Commanding Officer. 

(Photo and comments by Martin Markley)

Ray Gigandet Died: 2001 555th Field Artillery, A Battery, 5th Regimental Combat Team

Malvin U. Goldstein Died: July 5, 2002 15th Infantry Medical Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Dave Gulbraa  Died:  01/18/2007 From: Miles City, Montana Dave was drafted into the Army in January 1952 and separated from the service in December 1953. He was very proud of his service in Korea with D Company of the 5th RCT. D Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team

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Pvt Edward Hanson

Born: 1935
From: Hennepin MN

KIA: 06/10/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pfc Melvin Hanson

Born: 1931
From: Batow, GA

MIA: listed KIA 06/11/53
KIA: 06/10/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  M Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Died: January 21, 2001

Jerry Hawk entered military service in June 1946. He received a direct commission in early 1952 and was assigned to K Company, 15th Inf. Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division in Korea.

In September 1952 he was engaged in combat on Jackson Heights and Hill 270 (later known as OP Tom). He was wounded on Jackson Heights in November 1952 and was evacuated to Yokohama General Hospital in Japan. Later he returned to Korea.  Click here for details of Jerry Hawk's service.

(Comment by Ray Anderson)
I worked with Jerry when I was the President and he was the Treasurer of the OPHSA and found him to be just a wonderful guy. I was privileged to know him.   

Kenneth Hawks

Died: 1997

15th Infantry, 2nd Battalion Headquarters Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Robert (Bo) L. Hedstrom

Died: 1999

C Company, 5th Infantry Regiment,  5th Regimental Combat Team

Died: 2000

10th Engineer, C Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pfc Ernest Henderson

Born: 1925
From: Northhampton, VA

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pfc Ernest Henderson

Born: 1925
From: Northhampton, VA

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pvt Micheal Henry

Born: 1933
From: Los Angeles, CA

KIA: 06/10/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  M Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Cpl Dean Holland

Born: 1931
From: Winnebago, IA

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pfc Joseph Houchens

Born: 1932
From: Washington, DC

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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Charles Johnson

Born: 1932
Died: June 12, 1953 (KIA on OP Harry)

Private First Class Johnson was a member of the 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in North Korea on June 12, 1953. Private First Class Johnson was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. Charley was a 20-year-old soldier at the time and was single-handedly defending his position in two bunker locations on OP Harry while at the same time defending eight other wounded soldiers,  including his high school friend, Donald Dingee.    (Personal photo courtesy of the Johnson family)

Click here for a full account of his actions, as published in his home town paper, The Poughkeepsie Journal, on Tuesday June 19, 2001.

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Pvt Frederick Koenig

Born: 1932
From: Union, NJ

KIA: 06/10/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Herb Kramer

Died:1997

Herb Kramer was K Company assistant supply sergeant during the Outpost Harry battle. He retired a Master Sergeant. Herb was one of the founders of the Outpost Harry Survivors Association.  

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 From: Kanab UT

Died: 06/20/2007

15th Infantry,  C Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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Eugene (Gene) C. Markle

Born: 10/04/1923
Died: 06/11/2000

Click here for a eulogy written by his son in the hours following the passing of his Dad in 2000 and shared by email with Claude Williams.

10th Engineers, C Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Born: 1932
From: Columbia, OR

KIA: on Outpost Harry 06/05/1953

15th Infantry, K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Born: 

Died: 1997

23rd IBF, C Company, 2nd Infantry Division

Cpl Donald Menken

Born: 1932
From: Whitesburg, KY

KIA: 06/10/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Sgt Jack Miller

Born: 1927
From: Cabell, WV

KIA: 06/10/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Died:  03/29/2007
From: Speedwell, TN

Wade was a member of D Company of the 5th RCT during his time in the Korea and survived the battles to defend Outpost Harry.

D Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team

Born: 1927
From: Sheboygan, WI

KIA: April 2, 1953

As a 2nd Lt., Edward J. Mueller, a recent graduate from West Point, joined M Company in December 1952. I assigned him as Machine Gun Platoon Leader. He was eager to be active in combat situations to advance his career and after I left M Company he joined the 15th Infantry Regiment Battle Patrol. After participating in numerous battle patrols for 4 months he stopped to visit me in my K Company CP as the battle patrol was preparing to go on a night reconnaissance patrol. He wanted to transfer to K Company and be a rifle platoon leader. I told him that I would request his transfer the next day. While on patrol that night he stepped on a mine, lost his leg. and died in the battalion aid station after being brought back to the lines.  (Written by Captain Martin Markley)

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Francis J. Nester

Died: February 8, 2001

15th Infantry, I Company, 3rd Infantry Division 

(The following email was sent to Ray Anderson by Joan Nester)

I was overwhelmed reading (the OPHSA) web site. My husband, Lt. Francis Nester, served in I Company. He was mentioned in Don Chase's story. He died Feb 8, 2001 from Parkinson Disease complications. He kept in touch with Don Chase. He often wondered what happened to Sgt. Burns.

In the last month of his illness, suffering from dementia, he was back in Korea reliving his horrible experiences. His five children and grandchildren are so proud of him and all of you who sacrificed so much.

God bless you all.

Joan Nester

Jack Newman

Born:
From:

Died: July 16, 2006

Click here to see Jack Newman's web page describing his part in the defense of OP Harry and pictures he had taken during his tour of duty there.

F.O. with the 39th Field Artillery, 3rd Infantry Division

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John Pate

Died:

John lived in Mena and was a retired Lt. Colonel in the US Army, having served in WW II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  During the battles to defend OP Harry, John served with 5th RCT, D Company.

D Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team

Americo (Chic) Pelegrini

Born:
From: 

Died: March 29, 2004

Of the picture at right Jim Jarboe writes: "Here is a shot I made of Chic at the reunion in New Orleans in June 2002.  It would be hard to find one that doesn't show him smiling."  Click here for an account by Claude Williams of an incident in Korea in 1953.

Company C 10th Engineering Combat Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division

Born: 1932
From: New York, NY

MIA: found 11/10/53
KIA: 06/05/1953 on Outpost Harry 

15th Infantry, K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pvt Harold Plumley

Born: 1932
From: Fayette, WV

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Pfc George Polcer, Jr

Born: 1928
From: Cook, IL

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

John D. Porter

Died: 2000

John Porter recommended there be a medal struck capturing the essence of those who defended Outpost Harry. He designed the medal choosing the words Faith, Courage, and Tenacity to describe the dedication and heroism of the defenders. He then contracted to have the medal cast and fabricated.

5th Infantry, C Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team

Born: 1932
From: New York, NY

KIA: 06/05/1953 on Outpost Harry 

15th Infantry, K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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2nd Lt. Kenneth F. Reimer

Born: 1929
Died: June 11, 1953 (KIA on Outpost Harry)
From: Cook, IL

2nd Lieutenant Reimer had just arrived in Korea. He was the Pioneer and Ammunition (P&A) Platoon Leader in the Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment. On the night he fell, he led his platoon into a firestorm of exploding Chinese shells in a desperate and successful attempt to reach the beleaguered defenders of K Company, 15th Infantry defending Outpost Harry. Once his platoon reached the trenches, the men fought it out as infantry in a fierce action that raged through the night. He died a soldier. (Comments by Mike Slater, photo by Freeman Bradford)

1st Lt. George E. Richards

Born: January 19, 1929
Died: June 11, 1953 (KIA on Outpost Harry)
From: Multnomah, OR

1st Lt. George E. Richards was executive officer for King Company.  Lt. Richards was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with the "V" Device for Valor for his gallantry in combat in Korea on 10 June to 11 June, 1953.  Click here to view the text of his award.

(Photo by Captain Martin Markley)

Pvt Carol Ross

Born: 1930
From: Aiken, SC

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  M Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Died: 1999 

15th Infantry, Tank Company, 3rd Infantry Division 

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Born: 
KIA: 10 June 1953 on Outpost Harry
From: New York

Pvt. Albert Sherman was awarded (posthumous) the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster for his action on June 10th 1953. Click here to view a copy of the General Orders #988 dated 3 November 1953. 

Pvt. Richard Smith

Born: 1932
From: Jackson, MS

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Cpl Robert Scheirer

Born: 1928
From: Lehigh, PA

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Master Sergeant Clyde Shinault

Born: 1923

Died: 08/07/2006

A tribute by Jim Evans
Sergeant Major Clyde Shinault, AKA “Snake”, was a fine soldier and warrior. I had the honor of serving with Snake during the Korean War at a battle defending “Outpost Harry” on June 12th 1953.
It was in late spring on 1953 that I took Command of Company A, 5th RCT. The then First Sergeant rotated back to the United States and I needed a First Sergeant. When I asked Sergeant Shinault to be my top enlisted man he was not sure that he could do the job. He explained that his career had been as Supply Sergeant and not as a line sergeant. I looked closely into his eyes and saw a leader and a person with courage. I said “Sergeant, if I didn’t think that you could do the job, I would not have offered it to you. The men respect you and I respect you. So, you have the job.”
A few weeks later, I knew that I had made the right decision. We were engaged in the terrible battle for “Outpost Harry”. The outpost was too small for all of the company to be on the hill. So I decided that I needed someone that I could trust to remain at the MLR to be sure the personnel and supplies would get to us. I asked Sergeant Shinault to remain back at the MLR and do the critical job of getting men and supplies up to us. When the ammunition and water did not get to us as ordered by “Snake”, Sergeant Shinault led the men to the hill at great personal risk while under enemy artillery. He got us what we needed.
He did not disappoint me or the men of Company A. Without his dedication to duty there is a very good chance that I would not be here today.
Jim Evans

5th Infantry, Company A, 5th Regimental Combat Team

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Lt. Delbert F. (Del) Tolen

Born: 10/30/1930
Died: 06/25/2004
From: Montezuma, CO

Lt. Tolen has been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Silver Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Medal. He was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. He was also awarded the Parachute Badge and the Republic of Korea Wharang Distinguished Military Service Medal. Del Tolen was awarded the National Infantry Association Order of St. Maurice in June, 2002.

5th Infantry, Executive Officer, Company A, 5th Regimental Combat Team

Pfc James Townsend

Born: 1935
From: Mc Donald, MO

KIA: 06/11/1953 on Outpost Harry

15th Infantry,  K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

Born: 1932
From: Montgomery, OH

MIA declared KIA 06/11/54
KIA: 06/05/1953 on Outpost Harry 

15th Infantry, K Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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Cpl Den W. Van Hise

Died: August 25, 2003

65th Infantry,  H Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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Born: 1932
From: West Virginia

KIA: On Outpost Harry, June 13, 1953

B Company, 10th Engineers, 3rd Infantry Division

General Lester Wheeler

Died: 1999

General (then Colonel) Wheeler was the Commanding Officer for the 5^th RCT.
5th Infantry Headquarters Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team

Robert Wick, Jr

Died: 1998

15th Infantry Tank Company, 3rd Infantry Division

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