a photo album of the men of task force smith - talking proud · to send the association a big...

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Men of Task Force Smith, I report wecompleted our assigned task with honorFebruary 19, 2008, updated February 25, 2008.

Epilogue: A photo album of the men of Task Force Smith

Editor's note: I have scoured about as many sources as I can scour for photosof the men of Task Force Smith. If you have any, and would like them postedin this album, it would my honor to do so. That includes the infantry, themedics, and the field artillery. The only requirement is that they fought at the"Battle of Osan," July 5-6, 1950.

This section is also a work in progress. I have a roster of most of the men whowere with Task Force Smith and I intend to list them below if I can find outsomething about them and/or get a photo of them. This endeavor will taketime. I feel obligated to do my best for these men.

Ed Marek, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.), editor

President Truman honoring Task Force Smith members at the White House,June 1952. Colonel Brad Smith is standing to the far right. Presented by TheKorean War: The Story and Photographs, by Donald M. Goldstein, Harry J.Maihafer.

Lt. Col. Bradley Smith retired from the Army at the rank ofbrigadier general.

We found an Photo Album on the website of the 21st

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A photo album of the men of Task Force Smith file:///Users/edmarek/Documents/Talking Proud/HistoryTaskFo...

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Regimental Combat Team Association that has photos of someof the officers and men who were part of Task Force Smith atthe "Battle of Osan." The organizer of the web site laments thathe has "no clue how to build a website or manage a group likethis." We not only comment this web site to you, we urge youto send the association a big "Bravo" for the superb historicalrecord it has assembled. There are photos there that cannot befound elsewhere. If you contribute photos to us, we willcontribute them to the association as well.

James Beilstein at the "Korean War Educator" web siteprovides what he calls an incomplete list of all those who werethere. We've used his list to authenticate the men as members ofTask Force Smith. For those taken POW, and released, wesimply say, "subsequently released," assuming they werereleased at war's end but unsure of the date.

Prior to showing the individual photos we have found, andwhile speaking of POWs, we are compelled to alert you to theTiger Survivor's List.

American POWs climbing a hillbank of the Han River. The men are cleanshaven because the enemy knew they would be marching through Seoul, andsubject to international photography.

Pfc. Wayne A. "Johnnie" Johnson of Lima, Ohio, 1-21 Infantry,was captured by the enemy on July 11, 1950. While incaptivity, Johnson used every means available to record thenames of all POWs about whom he knew. He maintained twolists, the enemy found one, and beat him, accusing him ofmaintaining enemy propaganda. The 18 year old Americaninfantryman replied, "It's not propaganda. It's for the families."Upon release in 1953, he was able to get his second list outinside a toothpaste tube. Once on the troopship home, heprovided it to an officer. There were 496 names on it. This isvariously known as "Johnson's List" and the "Tiger SurvivorList." It has been published.


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American POWs from the 24th Infantry Division captured in Korea, July1950. In the background, parts of Johnson's list. Presented by US POWs inKorea - Johnson's List

Capt. Donald Duerk, MD, MC, the 1-21 surgeon whoarrived with the 3-21 Infantry, on or before July 11, 1950,reported seeing three bound bodies of US soldiers at an aidstation. He reported at least one of these had been shot behindthe ear. This corroborated reports received to that point that 18American GIs had been bound and murdered by North Koreansoldiers, very shortly after their capture. We must assume someor many of those were from Task Force Smith. As you pagethrough the photos and briefs below, you will see many men ofthe task force were captured and died while held captive.

1st Lt. Raymond E. "Bodie" Adams, MC, 1-21 Infantry.Prior to this battle, had been the captain and pitcher of theregimental baseball team, accounting for his grenade accuracyduring the Battle of Osan. Rose to the rank of colonel, havingserved 34 years in the Army Medical Service Corps, includingduty in Vietnam. He received the Silber Star for his ace grenadethrow to wipe out an enemy machinegunner during the taskforce's withdrawal.


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Pfc. Ramon Alba, B/1-21 Infantry. Killed in action, July 5,1950.

Pfc. Roger Bane, HQ Co. 21st Infantry. Worked supply,delivered rations and ammo to the line companies, andcompany runner. Served later in outpost duty with ROKAsoldiers, thought highly of them. Fell back with other US forcesto Pusan Perimeter, then north to the Yalu River and back.Rotated out of Korea in July 1951. Proud of his service.

2nd Lt. Carl Bernard, Platoon Leader, B-21 Infantry.Continued fighting, with L/1-21 Infantry, and was later awardedthe Distinguished Service Cross for valor on July 11, 1950,engaging enemy tanks and destroying two, advanced throughenemy lines killing four enemy, destroyed an enemy machinegun emplacement, and then organized a withdrawal of hisforce. Rose to the rank of colonel.


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1st Lt. Russell W. Berthoff, HQ Co. Commander, 1-21Infantry.

Pvt. George E. Buskirk, B/1-21 Infantry, Light weaponsinfantryman. Captured July 5, 1950. On the Tiger Survivor'sList: Died in captivity, January 28, 1951.

Pfc. Alton Christie, B/1-21 Infantry. Missing in Action, July5, 1950, presumed killed.

Pvt. Wilbur B. Colford, Light weapons infantryman, B/1-21Infantry. Captured July 5, 1950. On Tiger's Survivor's List:Died in captivity, October 31, 1950.

Pfc. Karl Francis Connick, 1-21 Infantry. Captured July 5,1950. On the Tiger Survivor's List: Died in captivity, June 18,1951.

Pfc. Boyd E. Cox, B/1-21 Infantry. Light weaponsinfantryman. Missing in Action, July 5, 1950, presumed killed.


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2nd Lt. Jansen Cox, 1-21 Infantry, captured July 6, 1950,along with some 35 others, and died in captivity. A Virginianby birth from Carroll County. Pfc. Amos L. Scott and Pfc.Marvin Patton, both of Task Force Smith, both Virginians,were also captured with Cox. Both Patton and Scott died incaptivity as well.

Corporal Herman Critchfield, Battery A, 52nd FA Bn. Roseto the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Quoted by SandyStrait, in the book, What was it like in the Korean War?, sayingthe US should have employed nuclear weapons in Korea.Received the Bronze Star for his service as chief of section,forward gun, Battle of Osan.

Captain Richard Dashner, Commander, Charlie Co., 1-21Infantry

2nd Lt. Philip Day, Jr., Rifle Platoon Leader, C/1-21Infantry. Rose to the rank of colonel.


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Cpl. William C. Denson, Jr., Cook, B/1-21 Infantry. Missingin Action on July 5, 1050, presumed killed. Promoted tosergeant. received the Purple Heart (Posthumous). An exampleof infantry first, cook second.

2nd Lt. 2nd Lt. Harold "Hal" Dill, Platoon Leader, CharlieCo., 1-21 Infantry. Organized a group of troops, somewounded, led them south, moving behind enemy lines for sixdays, hungry and disheveled, but they made it alive.


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Lt. Jack Doody, Heavy Mortar Platoon Leader, B/1-21Infantry. Rose to the rank of colonel. At some point in hiscareer, he said this about his experience: "A month or so beforethis (being sent to Korea) we had undergone an ordnanceinspection and half of our rifles were condemned. They were allleft over from World War II, retrieved from Okinawa, or placeslike that. The same went for the mortars and machine guns. Idon't remember ever seeing anything new."

Pfc Clyatt R. DuBose, HQ Co., 21 Infantry. Radio repairman.Captured July 5, 1950. On the Tiger Survivor's List: Died incaptivity, May 27, 1951.

Sgt. First Class Edwin A. "Cotton Eddie" Eversole, theChief of Firing Battery, A Battery, 52nd FA. Received theSilver Star for his valor on July 5, 1950.

Cpl. Ernest "Frenchy" Fortuna, Medic 1-21 Infantry.Remained behind at the aid station to care for wounded.Captured. Repatriated in the "Big Switch" release of POWs inAugust and September, 1953.

1st Lt. John A. Fox, 1st Platoon Leader, Bravo Co., 1-21Infantry. Captured, held at Camp #2, subsequently released.

Pfc. Robert Daniel Furlow, HQ Co., 21 Infantry. Messagecenter clerk. Captured July 5, 1950. On the Tiger Survivor'sList: Died in captivity, January 8, 1951.

Pfc Nicholas "Nick" Garza, C/1-12 Infantry. Defending hisposition north of Osan on July 5, 1950, he was overrun and wascaptured by the enemy. He was moved from place to place untilthe "Tiger Death March" began on October 31, when the POWswere forced to march through mountainous terrain in sub-zeroweather for 108 miles. Those who survived were taken to thePOW camp at Hanhang-ni. Pfc. Garza died of malnutrition on


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December 20, 1950 and was buried in a mass grave at the POWcamp.

Pfc Florentino Gonzales, B/1-21 Infantry. During an enemyattack that had been underway for some seven hours on July 5,1950, his unit was ordered to withdraw. He volunteered to stayat his position to employ his machine gun to cover thewithdrawal and to protect his assistant gunner, Pfc. Vernon L.Wade, who was seriously wounded by a grenade, and thentaken POW. The North Koreans killed him immediately.Gonzales delivered heavy fire until he was overrun. He waswas last seen at his position, and thought to have been killed.However he was taken POW and was seen in a photo of POWsmarching through Seoul. He was awarded the DistingishedService Cross while captive, retired a MSgt, and served inVietnam.

Pvt. Myron E. Gross, Light weapons infantryman, B/1-21Infantry. Captured July 5, 1950. On the Tiger Survivor's List:Died in captivity, January 14, 1951.

Pvt. Karl Hoher, Jr., Light weapons infantryman, B/1-21Infantry. Missing in Action, presumed killed.

Pvt. William R. McGill, light weapons infantryman, B/1-21Infantry. Captured July 5, 1950. On the Tiger Survivor's List:Died in captivity, December 18, 1950.


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Lt. Alan B. Macaulay Platoon Leader, 2nd Platoon, BravoCo., 1-21 Infantry.

Pfc. Max Meyers, Medic 1-21 Infantry. Remained behind atthe aid station to care for wounded. Captured. Repatriated inthe "Big Switch" release of POWs in August and September,1953.

2nd Lt. Robert C. Neimann, HQ Battalion, 1-21 Infantry.Captured July 5, 1950. On the Tiger Survivor's List: Died incaptivity, August 1950.


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Captain Ambrose H. Nugent, A Btry, 52 Bn FA, capturedJuly 5, 1950, subsequently released. Thought to have foughtalong side the infantry when that's where they were at in thebattle. While a major, court-martialed for collaborating with theenemy while a POW. Acquitted and promoted to lieutenantcolonel. One enlisted POW was with Nugent in Seoul, alongwith some 75 other American POWs. The enemy demandedNugent make some concession to them, or the enemy wouldkill the 75 other POWs. Nugent agreed and saved the men. Col.Nugent died in 1988 at the age of 78 and was buried at Ft. SamHouston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.

1st Lt. Lawrence C. Powers, HQ Co. CommunicationsOfficer, 1-21 Infantry.


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Lt. Colonel Miller O. Perry, commander, 52nd FieldArtillery Battalion. West Point. Rose to the rank of brigadiergeneral and was executive officer, 24th Division Artillery inKorea, and then became Deputy Commander, MAAGIndochina. He also served as commanding general, 1stArmored Division Artillery, 10th Mountain/2nd InfantryDivision Artillery, and 7th Army Artllery. Was 102 years old in2010 and attended celebrations hosted by the 21st RegimentalCombat Team as president, 52nd Field Artillery BattalionAssociation. Died March 20, 2010.

Sgt. Floyd Alexander Roy, Light Weapons Infantry Leader,B/1-21 Infantry. Captured July 5, 1950. On the TigerSurvivor's List: Died in captivity, July 3, 1951.

Lt. Duane Scott, commander, A Battery, 52nd FA. Rose tothe rank of lieutenant colonel. POW.

Lt. Colonel Charles B. "Brad" Smith, commander, 1-21


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Infantry. West Point, retired from the Army at the rank ofbrigadier general.

Captain Charles R. Thomas, Commander, Bravo Co., 1-21Infantry

Captain Edwin Overholt, Medical Platoon, 21st Infantry.


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The late Edwin Overholt is shown in this photo in later life. Afew words about him. He would serve in the Army for 23 yearsand rise to the rank of colonel and was considered one of theArmy's most outstanding clinicians and teachers. Throughouthis civilian career, he was affectionately known as "TheColonel." He passed in 2006.

Pvt. Vincent Angelo Vega, listed as Light weaponsinfantryman and cook, B/1-21 Infantry. Missing in ActionJuly 5, 1050, presumed killed.

Pvt. Calvin Van Winkle, Light weapons infantryman,B/1-21 Infantry. Captured July 5, 1950. On the TigerSurvivor's List: Died in captivity, February 16, 1951.

Pfc. Vernon L. Wade, B/1-21 Infantry, assistant gunner toPfc Florentino Gonzales. During an enemy attack that hadbeen underway for some seven hours on July 5, 1950, his unitwas ordered to withdraw. Gonzales volunteered to stay at hisposition to employ his machine gun to cover the withdrawaland to protect his assistant gunner, Pfc. Vernon L. Wade. Agrenade flew over Gonzales and detonated where Wade hadsought cover. Wade was seriously wounded, and then died.

Major General William Dean,the commander of the 24thInfantry Division, received theMedal of Honor for his valor incombat just a few weeks after theBattle of Osan. This was the firstMedal of Honor to be received forvalor in the Korean War.

On July 20, 1950, General Dean,alone, attacked an enemy tankwhile armed only with his sidearmand a hand grenade. He furtherdirected the fire of his own tanks from an exposed positionwhile under artillery and small arms fire. Despite his valor andthose with whom he fought, the town he hoped to defend,Taejon, was overrun. He ordered his men to retreat but herefused to depart with the leading elements. He remainedbehind to organize his retreating units and provide directions tostragglers. He was last seen assisting wounded to safety. As hisforces dropped back, he became separated from them. He hidalone in the woods around the countryside during the day and


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traveled at night for over a month. On August 25, 1950 he wascaptured by the North Koreans after hand-to-hand fighting. Heremained a POW until his release on September 4, 1953.

General Dean's whereabouts were unknown until December 18,1951, when Wilfred Burchett interviewed him in prison. Thiswas the first time anyone knew he was alive since beingreported missing in action.

In addition to receiving the Medal of Honor, at his retirementon October 31, 1955, he was awarded the Combat InfantryBadge for his front line service in WWII and Korea, an awardhe particularly cherished.

At his retirement, General Dean said this:

"If the story of my Korean experience is worth telling,the value lies in its oddity, not in anything brilliant orheroic.

"There were heroes in Korea, but I was not one of them.There were brilliant commanders, but I was a generalcaptured because he took a wrong road. I am an Infantryofficer and presumably was fitted for my fighting job.

"I don't want to alibi that job, but a couple of thingsabout it should be made clear. In the fighting I madesome mistakes and I've kicked myself a thousand timesfor them. I lost ground I should not have lost. I losttrained officers and fine men. I'm not proud of thatrecord, and I'm under no delusions that my weeks ofcommand constituted any masterly campaign.

"No man honestly can be ashamed of the Medal ofHonor. For it and for the welcome given to me here athome in 1953, 1 am humbly grateful. But I come close toshame when I think about the men who did better jobssome who died doing them and did not get recognition. Iwouldn't have awarded myself a wooden star for what Idid as a commander.

"Later, as fugitive and prisoner, I did things mildly out ofthe ordinary only at those times when I was excited andnot thinking entirely straight; and the only thing I didwhich mattered to my family and perhaps a few otherswas to stay alive. Other prisoners resisted torture, but Iwasn't tortured. Others hid in the hills and finallyescaped, but I failed in my escape attempts. Othersbluffed the Communists steadily, whereas I was luckyenough to do it only once in a while.


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"Others starved, but I was fed and even learned to likeKimchee. Others died for a principle, but I failed in asuicide attempt.

"My life was an adventure, I did see the face of theenemy close up. I did have time to study his weaknessesand his remarkable strengths, not on the battlefield butfar behind his lines. I saw communism working with menand women of high education or none, great intelligenceor little and it was a frightening thing.

"I ought to know. I swatted 40,671 flies in three years andcounted every carcass. There were periods when I wasbatting .850 and deserved to make the big leagues."

General Dean passed on August 25, 1981. He is buried at thePresidio of San Francisco, with his wife.

The 21st Infantry had two men to receive the Medal of Honor.They were Sergeant First Class Ray E. Duke, Charlie Co.,April 26, 1951, and Pfc. Mack A. Jordan, Kilo Co., November15, 1951. Both were received posthumous.

Recall British Captain Vyvyan Holt, the first minister of theBritish Legation to Seoul, who warned British citizens to leaveSeoul three weeks before the invasion. That was his instruction,but he some staff and a few others remained behind, figuringthey would benefit from diplomatic immunity. Not so. The KPAcaptured them and they were POWs until release in April 1953.Mr. Holt was later knighted. While a POW, he endured longforced marches in the cold and efforts by the Soviets to converthim to communism.


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