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Posted on 06/10/2003 4:43:29 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. We hope to provide an ongoing source of information about issues and problems that are specific to Veterans and resources that are available to Veterans and their families. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support.
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Korea June 10 - June 18, 1953 Outpost Harry was located in what was commonly referred to as the "Iron Triangle" in Korea. This was an area approximately 60 miles north of Seoul and was the most direct route to the South Korean capital. Outpost Harry's elevation was around 1280 feet high and positioned some 320 yards south of a larger landmass occupied by the CCF (Chinese Communist Forces) called "Star Hill" and some 425 yards northeast of United Nations positions. A service road that wound from the MLR (Main Line of Resistance) along an intermittent stream led to the rear of the outpost where a medical aid station and a supply point were located. The position contained a communication trench line which ran from the supply point forward some 400 yards to the top. At that point, the trench line joins another trench that makes a complete loop (circle) around the outpost with an additional finger that ran along the east ridge about 100 yards. The trench line was deep enough to walk around the perimeter unseen by the enemy. It was fortified with reinforced fighting bunkers, a command post and a forward observation bunker. It could accommodate approximately 150 infantrymen.  The outpost commanded an excellent view of the enemy positions as well as our own lines of defense. The elevation of the outpost was greater than any other friendly position within a mile. Since the Chinese did not have aerial observation, Outpost Harry was a strategic "military Hot Spot" and dearly desired by the Chinese. It's defense and preservation was viewed as critical because it blocked Chinese Communist Forces observation down the Kumwha Valley and shielded that portion of the MLR from enemy direct fire. If the UN forces lost the outpost, the U.S. Eighth Army would have had to withdraw approximately10 kilometers to the next defensible line, as shown in the photo at right. Furthermore, a CCF victory at Outpost Harry would have whet the appetite for more war and dishearten the American public to a point where it might accept an armistice term less favorable than was eventually was the case. During the period of June 1-8, 1953, aerial reconnaissance indicated that the enemy Chinese Communist Forces were building for a major offensive. The enemy units identified were the 22nd & 221st Regiments of the Chinese Communist 74th Division. King Company of the 15th. Infantry Regiment. was selected and ordered to occupy and defend Outpost Harry as they were considered a more experienced battle tested unit. It was a "Hold at all Costs" order with no withdrawal. With the background of "Peace Talks" on going, The CCF goal at this time was to inflect heavy casualties and to gain possible concessions at the truce table. King Company occupied Outpost Harry on the morning of June 6, 1953 through light enemy mortar fire. Upon reaching the summit and the outpost's fighting positions, King Company personnel along with the assistance of the 10th. Combat Engineers engaged in improving the fortifications. The trench line was deepened and expanded, bunkers reinforced, 55 gallons of napalm were installed and wired for firing, wire was strung, and communications improved. Meanwhile the company's defensive fire plan was developed and submitted to headquarters where the division artillery commander finally approved it.  On the evening of June 10th the Chinese launched their offensive by pounding the surrounding area and the outpost with artillery, mortar rounds and rocket fire. Around 2130 hours, and under the eerie glare of searchlights and parachute flares, the sudden blare of bugles and whistles signaled the enemy attack. Attacking in swarms, approximately 3600 enemy troops advanced forward throughout the night and the early hours of the next day. Despite an intense barrage of defensive firepower and the detonation of napalm, the invading CCF forces stormed the slopes of the outpost and soon penetrated the trenches. Over running the outpost they engaged King Company, 15th Infantry in hand to hand combat. The fighting became so intense that the Commanding Officer of King Company ordered his 39th Field Artillery Forward Observer to call in our artillery fire directly on the outpost. Fighting continued all night for possession of the outpost. In the early morning of June 11th advancing personnel of the 15th Infantry Easy and Charlie companies reinforced King Company to push the enemy forces back to their positions. Action like this continued. On the night of June 11th, Baker Company of the 15th and Baker Company of the 5th. RCT defended Harry. On the night of June 12th, Able Company of the 5th. RCT and Love Company of the 15th. Infantry Regiment defended Harry. They were supported by a detachment from the 10th. Combat. Engineer Battalion that got trapped on the outpost while on a mine laying detail. Charlie Company of the 5th. RCT took responsibility for Harry on June 13th and was replaced by companies P and N of the Greek Battalion. Finally, on June l8th the enemy forces called off their attack due to horrible loses inflected by the defending units.  George, Easy and Able Companies of the 15th Infantry as well as Dog Company of the 5th. RCT also participated in the defense. Other units supporting the action were the 65th. Infantry Regiment., the 10th Combat Engineer Battalion, the 10th, 39th, 58th, 555th, and 3rd AAA Artillery Units. Additionally, the 64th Heavy Tank Battalion, the 3rd Medical and the 3rd Signal Unit provided much needed resources for the defense of Harry. Units receiving the Distinguished Unit Citation for their performance on Harry were King Company, 15th. Infantry Regiment for the night of June 10/11, Baker Company, 15 Infantry for the night of June 11/12, Able Company, 5th. RCT for the night of June 12/13 and Peter Company, Greek Battalion for the night of June 17/18. In the annals of United States Infantry history it appears that this is the only time this many rifle companies received this distinguished award for an engagement of this type. Also recognized for valor and heroism was Sgt. Ola Mize, of King Co., 15th. Infantry Regiment. who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions of the night of June 10-11th, 1953. Some 39 years later, 11 veterans from around the country decided to hold a reunion in honor of the Outpost Harry Siege. That first reunion was held at Fort Stewart, Ga. It was decided at that time that it would be appropriate to meet yearly around the anniversary date of June 10th to commemorate those that defended and preserved the outpost and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Thus the Outpost Harry Survivors Association was established.  Since that first reunion meeting, The Outpost Harry Survivors Association has grown to over 160 members. At the reunion in 2001 it was decided that any veteran that defended Outpost Harry, regardless of time served, was to be considered a regular member of the Association. There was never a safe time to be on Outpost Harry. The Greeks had a name for it and it was called "Death Place". If you served on Harry, you knew that was true. We invite you to share our Outpost Harry web site in honor of all that served and put their lives on the line to preserve it against overwhelming enemy numbers. Out motto is, "WE HELD". And indeed we did!
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Air Power |
Origin, WWII:
The Douglas "Skyraider" was a design submitted to the U.S. Navy as a replacement for the famous SBD dive-bomber. Originally designated as the XBT2D-1, the new aircraft made its maiden flight on March 18, 1945, two weeks ahead of schedule. It was the most powerful carrier-based aircraft ever built. Its single engine with its three fuselage stations and six racks on each wing could carry varied assortments of ordnance including rockets, mines, torpedoes, bombs, and napalms. In fact, it could carry more ordnance weight that that of the famous Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. The Navy gave Douglas a letter of intent of 543 aircraft, but the order was reduced to 277 after VJ (Victory in Japan) Day. In 1946, the aircraft was designated as "AD-1."
The Remaining Years (Korea and Vietnam):
Few aircraft have been known by so many names as the Skyraider. At various times in its career, it was designated the BT2D, AD (Able Dog), A -1, and was also affectionately called the Destroyer, Hobo, Spad, Sandy, and the Flying Dump Truck.
Following the AD-1 came 178 AD-2s, 193 AD-3s and 1,051 AD-4s. These performed various roles as daytime and all-weather attack, radar patrol, and electronic countermeasures. In 1951 the variant two-seater AD-5 appeared, with a bigger cabin, and a year later production resumed with 713 single-seater AD-6 versions. The last version was the 72 AD-7s in 1955.
The Skyraider performed well in Korea by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It was described as the best close-support and interdiction aircraft in the world at that time. During one mission, ADs destroyed the floodgates of the Hwachon Dam using torpedoes. This precluded the enemy from flooding two valleys and holding back the American advance.
In Vietnam, the Skyraider was employed by both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. From carriers in the South China Sea, the Skyraiders carried out bombing strikes and close air support operations. It was used in operations against the Viet Cong strongholds in South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. It picked up its famous call-sign "Sandy" as an integral element in the recovery of downed aircrew. It joined a team of helicopters in the rescue effort. it provided suppressive fire on the enemy while U.S. Air Force Sikorsky HH-3s (Jolly Greens) and Sikorsky HH-53s (Super Jolly Greens) plucked the down aircrew members.
Despite being a propeller-powered aircraft, A-1H Skyraiders of the 77th Task Force hold the incredible feat of shooting down two Mig 17s.
The Navy used the Skyraider up until April 1968, completing over 100,000 missions over Vietnam. Surplus Skyraiders were turn over to the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). The U.S. Air Force continued to use the Skyraider in rescue operations.
Specifications:
Country of Origin: United States of America
Primary Function: Carrier-Borne Attack-Bomber
Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Company - El Segundo, California
Crew: Pilot Only
First Flight: 11 March 1945 XBT2D-1
Dimensions:
Wingspan: 50 feet 0.25 inches
Length: 38 feet 10 inches
Height: 15 feet 8.25 inch
Wing Area: 400.33 square feet
Weights: Empty: 11,968 lbs - Loaded: 18,106 lbs - Maximum: 25,000 lbs
Powerplant: One - Wright R-3350-26W Cyclone, air cooled, 18-cylinder radial, 2,700-hp
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 322-mph at 18,000-feet
Cruising Speed: 198-mph
Climb Rate: 2,850-fpm
Service Ceiling: 28,500-feet
Normal Range: 1,316-miles
Armaments:
Four 20-mm cannon;
8,000-lbs of external stores on one underfuselage and 14 underwing hardpoints
Visit the The Able Dogs website.
This is a site for Skyraider vets and has 22 galleries of photos and tons of other information
All photos Copyright of The Able Dogs
Today's classic warship, USS Flint (CL-97)
Oakland class light cruiser
Displacement. 6,000 t.
Lenght. 541'6"
Beam. 53'2"
Draft. 16'4"
Speed. 33 k.
Complement. 623
Armament. 12 5",8 40mm, 16 20mm, 6 21" tt.
USS Flint (CL-97) was launched 25 January 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Co., San Francisco, Calif., sponsored by Mrs. R. A. Pitcher, and commissioned 31 August 1944, Captain C. R. Will in command.
Flint reported to the 3d Fleet for duty at Ulithi 27 December 1944, and 6 days later sailed with TF 38 for a month-long cruise in support of the invasion of Luzon. She screened carriers as they launched strikes on Luzon, Taiwan, and the China coast, and fired protective antiaircraft cover during a Japanese kamikaze attack on 21 January 1945. Replenishing at Ulithi from 26 January to 10 February, Flint then sailed with newly designated TF 58 for air strikes on Tokyo preceding the attack on Iwo Jima. Her force arrived off Iwo Jima 21 February to fly air support for the Marines who had landed 2 days previously, and Flint returned to Ulithi 12 March for a brief 2 days of replenishment.
Putting to sea with TF 58 for strikes against Kyushu in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa, Flint aided in bringing down several airplanes in heavy attacks on the task force from 18 to 22 March 1945. The task force then closed Okinawa, and Flint with other cruisers bombarded beach installations in preparation for the landings on 1 April. Aside from the period 14 to 24 May, when she was at Ulithi for upkeep, Flint operated off Okinawa until 13 June, when she anchored in Leyte Gulf.
Flint sortied from Leyte 1 July 1945 to screen the final air attacks on the Japanese home islands and to join the bombardment of the east coast of Honshu until the cessation of hostilities. On 24 August, she took station off Nii Shima to serve as rescue ship and homing station for transport planes carrying occupation troops to Japan. Between 10 and 15 September, she lay in Tokyo Bay, then sailed with a carrier task force to provide air and sea surveillance of Central Honshu until 21 September.
The cruiser made a voyage from Japan to Eniwetok, then loaded homeward bound servicemen at Yokosuka 13 October 1945, bringing them into San Francisco Bay 28 November. After sailing to Kwajalein to bring home more servicemen eligible for discharge, Flint reported at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash., 11 January 1946, and there was placed out of commission in reserve at Bremerton 6 May 1947. She was reclassified CLAA-97 (Light anti-aircraft cruiser) on 18 March 1949. She remained in the Pacific Reserve Fleet until stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in September 1965. USS Flint was sold for scrapping in October 1966.
Flint received four battle stars for World War II service.
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