Wilmington Historical Society

Objective Able

Summary Of The Battle For Hill 673

Vicente Jurado Jr.

9/22/2014

This paper is a summary written with the intention of helping caseworkers and investigators to understand where the incident where Mr. Roberto Serrano performed his acts that saw him awarded the Navy Cross. The paper although it is not the first that deals with Hill 673 it builds on previous work and adds new information that came about as I investigated Mr. Serrano and the Hill.

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For the reader to have an easy time understanding the positions of Hill 673 when reading the Marine Historical Diaries, which are primary sources, included are the Marine coordinates that were used to identify the hill. “DT 296443, the western slope of Hill 673.”1 Hill 673 appears in another Historical diary as being in the area of TA-2944.2 TA-2944 along with letters after the 2944 designation such as TA-2944-X are also part of the Hill. Hill 673 also appears as (DT2944S), High ground (DT2844S) in the 7th Marine Regiment diary for September 1951.3

Hill 673 located in an area known as Kanmubong Ridge was the scene of some of the

hardest fighting, which was the norm in the area known as the Punchbowl in late 1951, located

near Soyang River. Hill 673 received designation from its height in meters above sea level.4 The

areas that the Marines faced in Kanmubong Ridge were ideal defensive positions for the

communist forces.5 Three enemy positions, Hills 812, 980, and 1052 dominated Kanmubong

Ridge.6 The primary purpose by the Marines in securing Kanmubong was because it would give

access to the main NKPA defense line, some 4,000 yards to the north.7 The Marines were not

only up against well-entrenched bunkers in a strategically organized defensive terrain. Before the

1 .) United States Marine Corps History Division, United States Marine Corps, 1ST MARINE DIVISION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951 , 1st Marine Division, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland, Editor Hal Baker, Korean War Project Record: USMC-1183CD: 15, Korean War Project, P.O. Box 180190,Dallas, TX 75218-0190, http://www.koreanwar.org/html/usmc_korean_war_records_unit.html?pid=1 (Accessed October 21, 2013), 10 The Historical Diaries files at times don’t contain page numbers on the bottom or top. So I have to rely on the page number that the PDF file gives.2.) United States Marine Corps History Division, United States Marine Corps , 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 1st Marine Division, RG 127, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland, Editor Hal Baker, Korean War Project Record: USMC-2321CD: 23 , Korean War Project, P.O. Box 180190, Dallas, TX 75218-0190, http://www.koreanwar.org/html/usmc_korean_war_records_unit.html?pid=84 (Accessed August 10, 2014), 6 3.)United States Marine Corps History Division, United States Marine Corps, 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - HISTORICAL DIARY – SEPTEMBER 1951, 1st Marine Division, RG 127, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland, Editor Hal Baker, Korean War Project Record: USMC-2290CD: 22, Korean War Project, P.O. Box 180190,Dallas, TX 75218-0190, http://www.koreanwar.org/html/usmc_korean_war_records_unit.html?pid=83 (Accessed October 21, 2013),46 4.)Brigadier General Edwin H Simmons, USMC (Ret.), Frozen Chosin: U.S. Marines At The Changjin Reservoir, Ed. by Charles R. Smith, U.S. Marines in the Korean War (History DivisionUnited States Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., 2007), P. 22455.) LYNN MONTROSS MAJOR HUBARD D. KUOKKA, USMC and MAJOR NORMAN W. HICKS, USMC U.S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front (Historical Branch, G-3Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps, Washington, D. C.,1962 ), 1836.) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front P. 1837.) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front P. 183

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Marines could reach Hills 812, 980, and 1052 it first had to deal with hills such as 673. The

enemy had sent some of its best soldiers to maintain the defenses on the enemy held hills.

“NKPA III Corps—was one of the largest (30,000 soldiers) and best-trained in the North

Korean army. Unlike the Chinese, the North Koreans had plenty of artillery, too, out-numbering

Marine artillery pieces in the Punchbowl sector.”8 The Marines not only had to worry about

difficult terrain but had to contend with a large enemy force that was well armed. Furthermore,

the North Koreans were behind defenses that were tough to capture due to having to climb hills

on open ground that left them vulnerable to North Korean fire. The Marines faced the 2nd

Regiment, 1st Div. III NK Corps who occupied Hills 673 and 749 with 1,500 men.9

On September 1, 1951, the 1 Battalion 7th Marines positioned themselves near Hill 673.10

They immediately began to consolidate forces and started patrol operations to gather intelligence

on enemy forces in the region and to obtain information on the defenses on Hill 673.11 B

Company known as Baker Company began observing hill 673 and enemy movements. From the

observations by B Company, artillery was called on hill 673. The result was 2 KIA or Killed In

Action, 15 WIA or wounded in action “plus 14 other KIA observed by A Company known as

Able Company.”12

The 1st Battalion began to consolidate terrain on September 2 that was going to be used as

defensive positions and which would continue until September 9.13 Patrol operations continued

8.) Colonel Allan R. Millett, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Retired, DRIVE NORTHU.S. Marines at the Punchbowl, Ed. By Charles R. Smith, U.S. Marines in the Korean War, (History DivisionUnited States Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., 2007), 4559.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - HISTORICAL DIARY – SEPTEMBER 1951, 46, 10 .) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 6 I came to the conclusion that was date of the first day that marines were near Hill 673 after comparing the vicinity coordinate designations given for day entries.11 .) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY -SEPTEMBER 1951, 6128.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY -SEPTEMBER 1951, 613.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY -SEPTEMBER 1951, 6-8

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from the previous day of September 1, up to September 11.14 These patrols often ran into NKPA

forces and resulted in firefights. During one of these patrols on September 7 by a platoon of A

Company on Hill 673 at the vicinity of TA-2944-S, the patrol was ambushed. A squad was cut

off; eight men remained behind of which 6 returned.15 A platoon of B Company covered the

withdrawal of the patrol.16 Navy Corpsman Robert C. Wagner, who was attached to the patrol,

would play an immense part in making sure that 2of the six men returned back to friendly lines.

Mr. Wagner treated these two men who were wounded and stayed with them for 40 hrs. a few

yards from enemy positions until all three could move back to friendly lines.17 The bravery that

was shown by Mr. Wagner to save and care for wounded Marines would not be the last act

performed by Hospital Corpsman on Hill 673 on the days to come. Starting on September 3 and

ending on September 10, 1951 the 1st Battalion received artillery and mortar fire. The worst day

that 1st Battalion Marines experienced according to the historical diary was September 10, 1951,

approximately 253 rounds of mortar and artillery fire from Hill 673 targeted Marine positions.18

At 11:20 A.M on September 10 all units learned that the attack would begin at 3:00 A.M. the

following day.19

“The division planned to attack with the 7th Marines on the right to seize Hill 673, DT

2944 and Hill 749, DT 2945.”20 H Company known as How from the 3 Battalion, 7th Marine

regiment moved at 2:30 A.M. on September 11 to seize its objective. 21 At 3:00 A.M Marines

14.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY -SEPTEMBER 1951, 6-815 .) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 816.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 917.) Navy Cross Citation of Robert C. Wagner. http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=5879 (Accessed August 11,2014) 18.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY -SEPTEMBER 1951, 819.) 1ST MARINE DIVISION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 1320.) 1ST MARINE DIVISION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951 Korean War, 1321 .) United States Marine Corps History Division, United States Marine Corps ,7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 3RD BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY -SEPTEMBER 1951, 1st Marine Division, RG 127, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland, Editor Hal Baker, Korean War Project Record: USMC-2390

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from H Company moved, and those that followed from 7th Regiment had to deal against the

elements. The night was very dark, and rain had made the ground into mud.22 On Hill 673, the 1st

Battalion elements of B Company was in the lead. “A Company in close support. C Company or

Charlie Company in close reserve.”23 The reason to keep C Company in reserve was to have

fresh troops available if the Marines ran into heavy resistance and casualties. A and B

Companies faced stiff opposition from Hill 673 in the form of “very heavy small arms, automatic

weapons, artillery, mortar fire, hand grenades and anti -personne1 mines.”24 “Visibility was

extremely limited at 7:20 A.M. restricting the use of supporting arms.”25 There was dense fog

and low lying mist in the valleys as late as 10:00 A.M.26 The lack of supporting arms to the

Marines in the attack left them vulnerable in their assault operations to the North Korean

bunkers, and it’s defenders. “After an air strike, artillery fire and' three separate assaults, the 3rd

Battalion consolidated for the night 300 yards short of the Hill at DT 28443.”27

After keeping C company in reserve it was committed at 5:45 P.M. “C Company made a

night attack but ran- into a heavily mined booby trapped' area.28 All assault operations after C

Companies last assault stopped for the day. At 1835 military time or 6:35 P.M G Company

known as George Company of the 3 Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment reached the river near

DT2843.29 Since the company had reached their destination as the area was getting dark, it had to

stop. A perimeter defense had to be set so as not to be surprised by the enemy as it waited to

participate in assault operations. “G Company established a night position in a long irrigation

CD: 23, P.O. Box 180190,Dallas, TX 75218-0190, http://www.koreanwar.org/html/usmc_korean_war_records_unit.html?pid=87 (Accessed January 30, 2014), 722.)7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 3RD BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY -SEPTEMBER 1951, 723 .) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951,824.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951,925.) 1ST MARINE DIVISION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951 Korean War. 1426.) 1ST MARINE DIVISION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951 Korean War. 1427.) 1ST MARINE DIVISION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951 Korean War. 1428.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951,929 .) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 3RD BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 8

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ditch in the vicinity of DT2843ST.” During the night Marines of G, Company received moderate

North Korean fire from76 mm. artillery and 82 mm mortar fire, as they waited to move once

again and begin assault operations.30 1st Platoon of G Company would move to provide support

to the assault on Hill 673

Hill 673 also known as Objective Able to the Marines was not captured on the first day of

the assault operation due to the strong defenses that were employed by the North Korean. The

defenses included a mix of bunkers, minefields, and trench systems that allowed the enemy to

move from bunker to bunker.31 “Each bunker system came ringed with mines and booby-traps,

and Korean mortar shells and grenades showered crippling fragments across every contested

position. Long-range heavy machine gun fire from higher up Kanmubong Ridge took its toll

among the Marine assault units that struggled forward with flamethrowers and satchel charges.”32

The Marines had to carry 80 pounds of equipment in backpacks to the frontlines.33

As Eddie Le Baron of Baker Company related to John Nolan, who was a 1st Lt. of Baker

Company, 1st Platoon. “The NK’s interlocking fields of fire gave them complete control of the

top of Hill 673.”34 For the Marines and Navy Corpsman they had experienced close combat on

Hill 673 which could be compared to the ferocious close combat that Americans had experienced

on Japanese occupied hills in the previous war.35Since the enemy proved to be tough to dislodge

from its defenses, a decision was made to get Marine reinforcements. “The 2nd Battalion, 7th

regiment was ordered to advance up the narrow valley to move under cover of darkness around

30.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 3RD BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY -SEPTEMBER 1951, 831 .) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front P. 18332 .) U.S. Marines in the Korean War, 4533 .) Harries-Clichy Peterson , Marine's view of Korea, Life Magazine, March 30, 1953,7234.) John Nolan, The Run-Up to the Punch Bowl: A Memoir of the Korean War, 1951, (Xlibris,Corp,2006,United States), 15235.) 1ST MARINE DIVISION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951 Korean War, 2

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the left flank of 1/7 and into a position behind the enemy before wheeling to the northeast to trap

the North Koreans defending Hill 673.”36

By daybreak on 12 September the 2/7 had two platoons in position behind the enemy to

lead the attack.37 The 2/7 went forward to the crest of Hill 673 against confused and ineffectual

opposition. Griffin's battalion the 2/7 and Kelly’s 1/7 had the enemy between them, but both

battalions could not close with the enemy because of the minefields.38 “Grenades were the most

effective weapons as J. G. Kelly's men slugged their way to the summit at 1415 while 2/7 was

attacking Objective BAKER, Hill 749.”39

C Company, held in reserve for most of the time on the last day, led the attack at dawn on

Hill 673. A and B Companies which had taken the brunt of the assault on the previous day would

be supportive of C Company.40 “A plan was devised for a frontal assault and double envelopment

using all three companies.”41 A double envelopment by definition is an attack on the flanks or

sides of the enemy.42 “A unit performs a double envelopment by conducting a frontal attack as a

shaping operation in the center to fix the enemy in place while enveloping both hostile flanks.”43

If the 1st Battalion had just assaulted the sides of the bunkers, the enemy could have centralized

their troops and repulsed both attacking sides. For this plan to work, it was necessary to use three

attacking points against the defenses of the enemy.

36.) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front, 183-8437.) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front, 18438.) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front, 18439.) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front, 18440.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951,941.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951,942.) U.S. Department of the Army, Field Manual No. 3-90 (Headquarters Department of the Army Washington, DC , 4 July 2001), 3-30, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-90/ch3.htm43.) Field Manual No. 3-90, 3-30

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The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines moved forward and attacked north, and east around the

left flank of the 1st Battalion to seize Hill 673 and 749.44 1st Platoon of George Company, 3

Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment had moved into Hill 673.45 The 3 Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment

contributed H known as How, I known as Item, and the 1st Platoon of George Company. “While

How and Item Companies attacked up the southeast spur, where they had been stopped the day

before, George Company launched a surprise assault up the southwest spur. This was the blow

that broke the enemy's will to resist. George Company knocked out seven active enemy bunkers,

one by one, thus taking the pressure off the troops on the other spur.”46 At dusk in the 1st Platoon

section of the G Company attack, Navy Corpsman Roberto Serrano attached to the platoon

accompanied them as they made their way through concealed bunkers. As they approached the

base of the hill, they started to draw fire and began to take casualties.47It was through the

leadership of Lieutenant Charles Schroeder and Sergeant Charles E. Cowger that the men

continued forward even though they were losing men to wounds.48 1st Platoon made an assault on

Item’s left flank.49 Corpsman Serrano by himself going to the aid of a wounded Marine faced

very intense fire from auto weapons, small arms and had to deal with a mined area to reach the

Marine.50 Serrano found himself having to make the decision to shield the wounded Marine from

44.) 1ST MARINE DIVISION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951 Korean War. 1445 Keene, R.R, Korea: The Hill Battles (Originally Published Sept. 1991). https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/korea-hill-battles , (Accessed July 17, 2014The 1st Platoon is not mentioned in the article but I found it was the 1st Platoon in the assault through examining Navy Corpsman Roberto Serrano’s veterans interview and his military file which was provided to me by his family.  46 .) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front P. 18447.) Jim Nicholson, George - 3 - 7th Marines: A Brief Glimpse Through Time of a Group of Young Marines, (Trafford Publishing, USA, 2010), 26848.) George - 3 - 7th Marines: A Brief Glimpse Through Time of a Group of Young Marines, 2684949.) George - 3 - 7th Marines: A Brief Glimpse Through Time of a Group of Young Marines, 289. The information which is provided by Loren Biggerstaff contradicts Mr. Serrano’s story of saving the Marine in a Veterans interview and in his profile piece in the book. Extra care must be taken by the reader in evaluating his testimony concerning Serrano. Furthermore, I cannot establish what part of Item Company this was. I have no way of knowing if this was George Ramer’s Item Company 3rd Platoon.50.) Combat Award Recommendation Card, Official Military Personnel File for Roberto Serrano, Official Military Personnel Files, 1885 - 1998, National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri. In the same document it mentions that 39 men were wounded and 3 were killed. I cannot confirm if it is the whole Company or the Platoon.

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1st squad, 1st Platoon after tripping a hidden mine near the top of the hill.51 Corpsman Serrano

made a split second decision to throw himself on the Marine and save him from the blast.52 Even

though, he risked death in his act of taking the shock from the explosion he was able to survive

after the blast threw him several feet.53 As soon as he and the Marine that he saved were able to

leave, both walked out under sniper fire.54 The remaining members of Loren Biggerstaff’s squad

continued forward to the crest of Hill 673 which had one large bunker which was the main

defense and also contained a U-shaped trench. The squad found itself under fire, and it killed the

NKPA that shot at them.55 The North Koreans not killed fled down the reverse slope.56

“To eliminate a transverse ridge spur (Hill680), a secondary attack would strike directly

north from the Hays Line on Yoke Ridge.”57 Paul Welch, who was with 3rd Platoon Item

Company under the command of George Ramer, recounted a little of what happened. “It was

dawn. We were at the foot of the hill, and everything went wrong. Because a Major made a

mistake, he ordered our platoon leader, 2nd Lt. George Ramer, to lead us up the wrong side of

the hill.”  2nd Lt. George Ramer and his men found themselves fighting fierce opposition and

losing able-bodied men to battle wounds fast. Ramer and his remaining eight men went forward

to their objective and captured their objective but were forced to retreat after overwhelming

51.) George - 3 - 7th Marines: A Brief Glimpse Through Time of a Group of Young Marines, 268, 289. 52.) Navy Cross Citation for Navy Corpsman Roberto Serrano. The citation makes no mention of the time in which the incident occurred. I was able to find an approximate time after reviewing Roberto Serrano Veterans interview in which he gave a time of when the incident occurred. 53.) Navy Cross Citation for Navy Corpsman Roberto Serrano54.) George - 3 - 7th Marines: A Brief Glimpse Through Time of a Group of Young Marines, 268. In the Official Military Personnel Files for Roberto Serrano there is a Statement from Corporal James M. Carr who also mentions that Serrano walked off the hill under his own power. Furthermore, in the unedited profile that Mr. Serrano wrote for the book he expanded on leaving the area. “I patched my wounded buddy up and me started back to the forward aid station. I got halfway back before I was put on a stretcher.” The unedited profile is in the possession of the family and me.55.) George - 3 - 7th Marines: A Brief Glimpse Through Time of a Group of Young Marines, 28956.) George - 3 - 7th Marines: A Brief Glimpse Through Time of a Group of Young Marines, 289. Loren Biggerstaff passed away in 2001. 57.) Ronald Wheatley, CALLING ALL VETERANS: Memories of Heartbreak Ridge, Jul 30, 2010 http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20100730/News/307309795 ,(Accessed September 6, 2014)

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North Korean troops advanced on their position. 2nd Lt. Ramer stayed behind to cover his men’s

retreat and died after being overwhelmed.” 58

“At 0950 the lead fire team of the left platoon successfully assaulted the top machine gun

position on the first pinnacle of the objective.”59 As the 1st Platoon reorganized it prepared to

meet a counterattack.60 “The combined effort of the three companies was sufficient to seize the

top of the objective. By 1028, all three companies had made physical contact on the objective. At

1100, the enemy made a futile counterattack against G Company’s left was quickly repulsed. By

1115, all of objective #1 been secured, and all enemy defenders either destroyed or driven from

the hill. All three companies began receiving heavy 82mm and 120mm mortar fire as soon as the

hill was secured. This fire continued until dark and caused numerous casualties on our side. The

observation post received more than seventy rounds of 76mm artillery fire during the afternoon.

At 2250 H Company received an enemy counterattack that lasted fifteen minutes before the

enemy was repulsed.”61 Thus, the battle for Hill 673 finally came to an end after prolonged

patrols to gather intelligence on its defenders and its defenses and the 2-day assault that it took to

take the hill finally.

Hill 673 even though the information on military awards show it produced two Medal of

Honor recipients, three Navy Crosses, and 8 Silver Stars on September 12, 1951. Unfortunately,

in the present it is an overlooked battle of the Korean War to the public due to numerous Hill

battles fought in the war.62 The figure provided when it came to medals awarded on September

58.) Medal Of Honor Citation for George H. Ramer. Hill 680 is a Traverse spur which makes it part of Hill 673.59 .) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 3RD BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 860.) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 3RD BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 861 .) 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 3RD BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 862 .) http://www.militarytimes.com/ . I was able to confirm the numbers of medals awarded on Hill 673 after carefully studying the units that were involved in the fighting through studying the Marine Historical diaries, Navy Corpsman Roberto Serrano Official Military File, and finally examining each citation and comparing their descriptions. As stated before I could not include soldiers of the 2nd Battalion who received medals due to not having enough information available to confirm the location where their actions took place. Furthermore, Hill 680 is

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12 is not complete because the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment is not included. Units from the

2nd Battalion participated on the attacks on Hill 673 and 749.63 Based on the current information

available to me about the 2nd Battalion I could not come to a conclusion where individuals

belonging to it received their awards. Only two of all the awards mentioned before and during

the date of September 12, 1951 of them referred to Hill 673 in their citations. The names are

Navy Corpsman Robert C. Wagner and Marine Sgt. Frederick William Mausert III.

The names of all in order of medals confirmed as awarded on Hill 673 on

September 12, 1951

2 Medals of Honor for Frederick W. Mausert III, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th

Marines. George Ramer, Item Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.64

3 Navy Crosses for Charles Vernon Rust, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines.

Capt. Robert C Hendrickson, George Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Navy Corpsman

Robert Serrano attached to George Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.65

considered a part of Hill 673 since it is a Traverse Ridge. Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Ramer acts are attributed as occurring on Hill 680. For anyone interested in further understanding the fighting that took place each citation of these individuals should be read. The names of all confirmed Medal of Honor, Navy Cross and Silver Star recipients for September are on following page.63.) U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA 1950-1953 VOLUME IV The East-Central Front P. 18464.) http://www.militarytimes.com/ . 65.) http://www.militarytimes.com/ .

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8 Silver Stars for Aurelio C. Sanchez, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines.

Norman Peter Frazzini, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. Kenneth Carroll

Hamilton, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. William Kaiwi Opulauoho, Jr, Baker

Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. Vernie L. Collins, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th

Marines. John F. McMahon, Jr., Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. Jack Eugene

Barber, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines. James H. Andrews, Charlie Company, 1st

Battalion, 7th Marines.66

66.) http://www.militarytimes.com/ . The medals included on the list do not include medals below Silver Star since database did not contain that information.

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Source: U. S. Pacific Fleet, “Third Interim Evaluation Report”

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“The body of a Communist soldier lies atop a bunker captured by elements of the

7th Marines during the assault against Hill 673.”67

Source: National Archives Photo (USA) 111-SC380918

67.) DRIVE NORTH:U.S. Marines at the Punchbowl, 43

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There are two bunkers in the image along with what appears to be a trench in the bunker.

Source: Jack Cannon, B 1/7 1951 Sept 12-13 North Korea Hill 673, Leatherneck 72:3 Cover Page (March 1989)

This picture was drawn by Jack Cannon, who served with Baker Company. He contributed an article to Leatherneck Magazine about his experiences fighting on Hill 673.68 The art shows Marines from Baker Company conducting their assault as previously stated in the paper on

68.) Jack L. Cannon, “Attack on Hills 673 and 749,” Leatherneck 72 (March, 1989), 22-25

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September 12, 1951 in a double envelopment assault in conjunction with Able and Charlie Companies.

Source: Marine's view of Korea, 73

Caption reads: “BLASTING A HILL, a white phosphorus shell explodes on Red position on crest of Hill 673.Taken through

artillery binoculars, the pictures shows the scale used to adjust fire. Peterson had dug in here during a morning fog and when the

mist cleared found himself so close to the enemy that, reliving tanks a mile in the rear, he had to direct their fire to within 25

yards of the forward Marine positions. It was during battle for 673 that Peterson won his decoration.”69

69, Marine's view of Korea, 73

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Closer inspection of the image shows Marines forcing themselves up the hill.

Bibliography

Brigadier General Simmons, Edwin H, USMC (Ret.), Frozen Chosin: U.S. Marines At The Changjin Reservoir, Edited by Charles R. Smith, U.S. Marines in the Korean War (History Division United States Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., 2007)

Colonel Millett, Allan R., U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Retired, DRIVE NORTH U.S. Marines at the Punchbowl, Edited by Charles R. Smith, U.S. Marines in the Korean War (History Division United States Marine Corps, Washington, D.C., 2007)

Montross, Lynn, Major Kuokka, Hubard D., USMC and Major Hicks, Norman W., USMC U.S. Marine Operations In Korea 1950-1953 Volume IV The East-Central Front (Washington, D. C: Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Historical Branch.)

Nolan, John, The Run-Up to the Punch Bowl: A Memoir of the Korean War, 1951, (Xlibris Corp, United States, 2006)

Keene, R.R, Korea: The Hill Battles (Originally Published Sept. 1991). https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/korea-hill-battles (Accessed September 5, 2014)

Wheatley, Ronald, CALLING ALL VETERANS: Memories of Heartbreak Ridge, Jul 30, 2010 http://www.wickedlocal.com/article/20100730/News/307309795 (accessed September 6, 2014)

Medal Of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star Citations. http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards (Accessed August 12, 2014)

United States Marine Corps History Division, United States Marine Corps, 7TH MARINE REGIMENT - 1ST BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 1st Marine Division, RG 127, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland, Editor Hal Baker, Korean War Project Record: USMC-2321

CD: 23, Korean War Project, P.O. Box 180190, Dallas, TX 75218-0190, http://www.koreanwar.org/html/usmc_korean_war_records_unit.html?pid=84,

United States Marine Corps History Division, United States Marine Corps, 7TH MARINE REGIMENT – 3rd BATTALION - HISTORICAL DIARY - SEPTEMBER 1951, 1st Marine Division, RG 127, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland, Editor Hal Baker, Korean War Project Record: USMC-2390

CD: 23, Korean War Project, P.O. Box 180190, Dallas, TX 75218-0190, http://www.koreanwar.org/html/usmc_korean_war_records_unit.html?pid=84

Jurado17

Historical Diary for the 1st Marine Division, September 1951(Archives and Special Collections, Marine Corps Korean War document CD Collection, CD #22, 2005.), ed. Barker, Hal, Korean War Project P.O. Box 180190 Dallas, TX 75218-0190 http://www.koreanwar.org/html/usmc_korean_war_records.html (accessed September 21, 2013).

HISTORICAL DIARY for 7th Marine Regiment SEPTEMBER 1951, Historical Diary for the 1st Marine Division, September 1951 (Archives and Special Collections, Marine Corps Korean War document CD Collection, CD #17, 2005.), ed. Barker, Hal, Korean War Project P.O. Box 180190 Dallas, TX 75218-0190 http://www.koreanwar.org/html/usmc_korean_war_records.html

U.S. Department of the Army, Field Manual No. 3-90 (Headquarters Department of the Army Washington, DC, 4 July 2001) http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/3-90/ch3.htm

Third Interim Evaluation Report Korean War U. S. Pacific Fleet Operations: 1 May 1951

– December 1951. (Records Relating to the Korean War, Record Group 127.)

Cannon, Jack L. “Attack on Hills 673 and 749.” Leatherneck 72:3 (March 1989): 22-25.

Cannon, Jack L. B 1/7 1951 Sept 12-13 North Korea Hill 673, Leatherneck 72:3 Cover Page (March 1989)

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Peterson, Harries-Clichy, Marine's view of Korea, Life Magazine, March 30, 1953, 73

Combat Award Recommendation Card, Official Military Personnel File for Roberto Serrano, Official Military Personnel Files, 1885 - 1998, National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.