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YANGJU, South Korea -- Korean War veterans attended a ceremony to
mark the 60th anniversary of the Nevada Outposts Battle on May 28,
2013.
U.S. and South Korean veterans participated in the
ceremony at the Republic of Korea Army's 25th Infantry Division
Headquarters.
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Korean War veterans participate in the ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the Nevada Outposts Battle, at Yangju, South Korea, May 8, 2013.
(Photo by Pfc. Hong Sungwoo, Eighth Army Public Affairs)
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Maj. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, the prospective Eighth
Army commanding general, thanked the veterans for laying the
foundation for South Korea's future success.
Named
after the Nevada cities of Vegas, Reno, Carson and Elko, the
United Nations Command outposts were located along the
primary invasion route into Seoul. The outpost battles
occurred during armistice negotiations when United Nations
Command and Communist negotiators were attempting to
establish a demilitarized zone two kilometers north and
south of the current line of contact.
"The fighting
focused on seizing and maintaining the string of outposts to
ensure that friendly forces held key defensible terrain when
the armistice came into effect," said Champoux.
The
5th Marines, the 25th Infantry Division, and Turkish forces
from the United Nations Command were vastly outnumbered by
Communist forces during the battle.
Communist Chinese
forces attempted to use their overwhelming numeric advantage
in human wave attacks to seize new terrain before the
armistice was signed.
During the brutal battle on the
unforgiving terrain with its unpredictable weather, the
combatants rained artillery on each other. The United
Nations ground forces fired more than 117,000 artillery
rounds and called in air support 67 times. The Communist
Chinese fired 67,000 rounds of artillery.
"As the men
that are with us today know, they engaged in small scale,
often company-sized battles that engulfed these outposts
along the main line of resistance," said Champoux. "They
were every bit as intense and demanding as any in the
history of warfare."
American Soldiers and Marines
and their Turkish allies held the outposts until given a
withdrawal order from the United Nations Command. Today, the
outposts are just north the Military Demarcation Line that
divides the two Koreas.
One of the more storied
participants in the outposts battle was a Mongolian mare
purchased by a U.S. Marine lieutenant from a South Korean
boy for $250 and used by 5th Marines during the battle.
Named Reckless after the platoon's recoilless rifles, the
little warhorse became a legend of the battle.
The
little horse carried more than 9,000 pounds of ammunition
over 35 miles of dangerous mountain terrain. Reckless also
carried wounded Marines down the mountain and was wounded
twice during the battle. According to U.S. Marines in the
battle, the little mare provided a great boost of morale
every time she made back up the mountain.
After
retiring in 11200, Reckless spent her reminding days on
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., where she is
buried in a place of honor today.
Champoux thanked
the Republic of Korea Army's 25th Infantry Division for
hosting the inaugural ceremony on the 60th anniversary of
the outposts battle. Champoux said he has a special
connection to the outposts battle because he commanded the
Schofield Barracks, Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division.
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The Republic of Korea Army's 25th Infantry Division Honor
Guard performs at a ceremony to honor the Korean War veterans from
the Nevada Outposts Battle, at Yangju, South Korea, May 28, 2013.
(Photo by Pfc. Hong Sungwoo, Eighth Army Public Affairs)
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"I had the honor of commanding the U.S. 25th Infantry
Division for over two years, one year as the last U.S.
division in Iraq," said Champoux. "Although the two 25th
Divisions are from two separate armies, they are forever
connected by this alliance, forever connected by this land."
During the Korean War, Champoux's father served as a
U.S. Army company commander in the 65th Infantry, 3rd
Infantry Division, who fought outpost battles in a different
sector.
Champoux called the Korean War veterans
"noble, selfless and patriotic."
"We salute you and all our Korean War veterans," said
Champoux. "Those of us who serve here today are honored to
walk in your footsteps and to uphold your remarkable legacy
of service.
"Korea is a free and prosperous nation
today because of people like you who answered the call of
duty," said Champoux.
By Pfc. Hong Sungwoo, Eighth Army Public Affairs
Army News Service
Copyright 2013
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