| June 25, 1950 | The North Korean assault began at 4 a.m. on Sunday, June 25, 1950. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 54. In the pre-dawn darkness, scattered but heavy rains fell along the 38th Parallel. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0025. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. It was about eight o’clock Saturday night, 24 June, Washington time, when the first reports reached the city that North Korea had attacked. Id. at 0037. The attack surprised official Washington. Id. | Insert historical facts page. |
| June 26, 1950 | John Francis Hughes, M.D. is appointed with the rank of Captain. “Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States,” June 20, 1952, United States Army. | |
| June 27, 1950 | Before midnight, 27 June, the defenses of Seoul had all but fallen. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0033. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | |
| June 28, 1950 | U.S. President Harry S. Truman commits American ground forces. UN forces deploy rapidly but, within a month, the Communists push them into a 200 square-mile-area around the port city of Pusan. Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 233. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| Summer 1950 | In the summer months of 1950, the Korean People’s Army pushed southward with dramatic success, with one humiliating defeat after another for American forces. Cumings, Bruce, The Korean War, p. 16. The fighting stabilized at what came to be called the Pusan Perimeter, an eighty-by-fifty mile area. Id. at 17. | |
| At the beginning of the war, the United States Army had four divisions in Japan on occupation duty. The 7th Division, with headquarters near Sendai on Honshu, occupied the northernmost island at Hokkaido and the northern third of Honshu. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0047. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | ||
| July 1, 1950 | “July 1st I received a ‘phone call from the Surgeon General’s office with orders to leave for San Francisco immediately. Upon arriving there I flew to Japan and was assigned to the 7th Infantry Division in Northern Japan.” Capt. John F. Hughes, Letter to Springfield Hospital, 19 Oct. 1950. | |
| Undated newspaper photo | MEDICAL OFFICERS ARRIVE—Maj. Robert L. Rowan (center), chief of staff, 7th Infantry, welcomed eight medical officers to the 7th Infantry Division. The incoming officers are (left to right): Captain John F. Hughes, Capt. Holms W. Underhill, Lt. Joseph C. Rodgers, Capt. William A. Whyland, Major Rowan, Lt. Leroy K. Norem, Capt. Joseph G. Ruhe, Lt. Robert E. Kreidinger and Capt. Stanley R. Lavieties. Unknown Newspaper, U.S. Army Photo, Undated. | |
| July 1950 | The 7th Medical Battalion was based at Camp Sendai, Honshu, Japan, operating hastily-left medical facilities, evacuating wounded from ships and planes and transporting them to trains and hospitals. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 1-2. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | First letter to Ann. “This is how little Japanese girls carry their little baby brothers.” |
| July 29, 1950 | “I now plan to commit my sole reserve in Japan, the 7th Infantry Division, as soon as it can be brought to an approximate combat strength.” Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0384, quoting General Douglas MacArthur. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | |
| August 7, 1950 | The first week in August found those units of the battalion which were still at Camp Sendai preparing for a move to the Camp Fuji Maneuver area. The battalion departed Camp Sendai on August 7, and within a week after arrival at Camp Fuji, was assembled as an entire battalion for the first time since its employment in Japan. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 2. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Japanese house floating down the river. |
| “I was assigned as platoon leader of a clearing company and the first of August left for a barren stretch of volcanic ash at the base of Fujiyama and one month’s preparation for the Korean offensive.” Capt. John F. Hughes, Letter to Springfield Hospital, 19 Oct. 1950. | Sleeping in tent with Mt. Fuji in the background. | |
| A 16 hour a day training schedule was effected with physical and mental conditioning stressed. Road marches, day and night, at least four (4) times a week were taken. This strenuous routine seven days a week continued throughout the remainder of the month. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 3. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “I have sore feet & almost no hair.” | |
| “I have a new car. It is called a jeep.” | ||
| In these regions, human waste was turned into instant fertilizer which, in turn, created a pervasive smell which was, unfortunately, well-remembered by those who experienced it first hand. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 271. | Honey wagon with honey buckets on top. | |
| “I have to shave using my steel hat. I have a bathroom that is outside and made of wood.” | ||
| “The wind blew so hard the other day, it blew my tent away.” | ||
| Eagles. | ||
| Tower. | ||
| September 7, 1950 | On 7 September, the battalion departed by rail from Camp Fuji for the Yokohama Port of Embarkation to board the USNS General Randall. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 3. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “I have 4 big trucks to carry my tents in and a trailer behind to carry water in.” |
| The old problem of assuring an adequate supply of drinkable water arose. Municipal supplies at Inchon were not likely to remain potable once the fighting started. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 99. | ||
| Water supply was especially important because most of the available Korean sources were contaminated. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 137. | ||
| September 11, 1950 | The ship sailed at 0500 11 September. After the ship was out on the high seas, the staff and company commanders were informed they were to take part in “Operation Goldrush” – the invasion of Inchon on September 15. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 3. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Boat drawing. “I sleep on a bed with a rail on it so that when the boat rocks, I don’t fall out of bed. If you are a good girl, someday we will take a boat to Japan and climb Mt. Fuji. O.K?” |
| September 15, 1950 | General Douglas MacArthur initiates a surprise amphibious landing behind North Korean lines at the Port of Inchon. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 218. | Insert historical facts page. |
| “There was one day in MacArthur’s life when he was a military genius: September 15, 1950.” Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 293, quoting biographer Geoffrey Perret. Inchon was 150 miles northwest of Pusan. Id. at 295. | ||
| Inchon Harbor had treacherous tides that could easily ground a flotilla of ships if they chose the wrong time but the American passage through the shifting bays and flats was flawless. Cumings, Bruce, The Korean War, p. 19. | ||
| September 16, 1950 | The voyage was uneventful and the ship arrived at Inchon Harbor on 16 September. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 3. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Insert Yellow Beach photo below this annotation. |
| The 7th Division strength on embarkation, including the attached South Koreans, was 24,845. Appleman, Roy E., South to Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0386. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | ||
| September 19, 1950 | The unit debarked on September 19, 1950. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 3. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Insert annotation below Yellow Beach Photo. |
| After nightfall on 19th September, the 7th Medical Battalion came ashore on LSTs at Yellow Beach, the divisional landing area. Marching through darkness to an assembly point, the men bedded down in abandoned buildings to await their equipment. But the Inchon tides intervened; three days elapsed before the battalion’s vehicles were unloaded. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 101. | Insert this annotation below the above annotation. | |
| On September 19, the unit boarded an LST and landed at Yellow Beach Inchon. Personnel were put ashore without vehicles and marched approximately four miles to an assembly area. While awaiting the unloading of the vehicles, the unit was located in abandoned buildings. Because of the difficult tides, it was three days before any of the vehicles were unloaded. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 3. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | ||
| “Our division landed at Inchon without much trouble except that because of the 30 ft. tides our equipment didn’t get off until 2 days later.” Capt. John F. Hughes, Letter to Springfield Hospital, 19 Oct. 1950. | ||
| “Korean children” reference. | ||
| When we first arrived, we felt sorry for the South Koreans and gave them food and cigarettes only to find they would resell them to their own refugees at exorbitant prices. Capt. John F. Hughes, Letter to Springfield Hospital, 19 Oct. 1950. | ||
| Insert Photo. Caption: Ann and Peach | “This is the dentist cleaning your teeth while mama sits in the chair with her toothache.” | |
| Korea is about the size of Utah and, in shape, resembles Florida. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0011. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | “In Korea, the men wear clothes like this….” Insert Map. Caption is below. Insert annotation below map. | |
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U.S. Air Force History and Museums Program |
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| Medical units in Korea often set up in pre-existing buildings such as schools. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, pp. 76, 77, 79, 83, 101. | “The children try to come to school but I have to send them home since I am using their school house for my hospital.” | |
| September 25- 28, 1950 | Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is liberated from the North Koreans in late September of 1950. Some Marines did reach the outskirts of the capital on September 25, which led General Almond to issue a communiqué that the city had been taken but hard fighting went on until September 28. The Americans won in the end because of their awesome firepower but they devastated the city in the process. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 311. | Insert historical facts page. |
| One medical officer and thirteen enlisted men went into Seoul to set up and organize civilian medical facilities. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 4. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | ||
| “The battle for Seoul was the only period when I was very busy since beside army casualties we cared for over a thousand civilians who had been injured. No other medical care was available to these people at that time.” Capt. John F. Hughes, Letter to Springfield Hospital, 19 Oct. 1950. | Insert Seoul Rubble photo below this annotation. | |
| When the 2nd Clearing Platoon moved up to Chongami, they encountered a difficult problem in caring for the number of civilian casualties in addition to military casualties. There were hundreds of men, women, and children who were wounded in the liberation of Seoul and they were brought in droves to the Clearing Station. This was alleviated by procuring Korean civilian doctors and nurses. They were set up in the wing of a school house where they were provided with supplies and supervision. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 4. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. Civilian injuries were severe. Clearing station personnel, at work in a schoolhouse, turned over one wing to the civilians, provided medical supplies and supervision, and found two Korean doctors and two nurses to bear the brunt of the work. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 101. | ||
| “Every large brick or concrete building in Seoul was either completely destroyed or damaged to the point of uselessness. The largest residential sections were burned out completely and one could hardly get into or out of the city because of the thousands of refugees. Yet, the day after the city had fallen, I walked down ‘Black Market Street’ and for over a mile you could buy American cigarettes, cameras, film, beer, Scotch whiskey and any other item that is scarce for us to get thru any other channel, at hundreds of makeshift stalls along the road.” Capt. John F. Hughes, Letter to Springfield Hospital, 19 Oct. 1950. | Insert this annotation below Seoul photo. | |
| October 1, 1950 | The UN Command and the ROK Army push past the 38th parallel into North Korea. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| October 3, 1950 | Photo of Korean Civilian Hospital in Inchon, operated by 1st MASH, Oct. 3, 1950; Compare to Hughes BW Photo. Unable to confirm same site. | |
| October 8, 1950 | The 1st MASH was attached to the 7th Division and, early on 8 October, left Inchon on a motor convoy to link up with the 7th Medical Battalion south of Seoul. Here word arrived that guerillas had ambushed the preceding serial of the convoy, delaying departure for Pusan. About 0300 on the ninth, the convoy was attacked. Under fire for eleven hours, the sky “lit up from gunfire and burning vehicles.” Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 112, quoting Coleman, “Army Nurses in Korea,” 2 May 51, HRB. | |
| The movement to Pusan was not without incident. On two occasions, enemy forces ambushed convoys. The first ambush on October 6 inflicted nine casualties. The second, on October 9 at 0230, caught the division headquarters convoy in the pass three miles northwest of Mun’gyong. Enemy machine gun fire killed six men and destroyed several vehicles. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0484. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | ||
| October 8, 1950 | The enemy was indifferent to the Western etiquette of war. Attacks on medical personnel, vehicles and tents became the rule rather than the exception. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 75. | First annotation insert above Bronze Star Award Letter. |
| The battalion and the attached 1st Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) departed for Pusan, Korea on October 8. The convoy was ambushed en-route and suffered several casualties. Heroic efforts on the part of members of the battalion in rescue and care of the wounded resulted in one officer being awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for valor. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 4. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Second annotation insert above Bronze Star Award letter. | |
| Insert photocopy of Bronze Star Award letter with graphic enhancement. | ||
| October 9, 1950 | CAPTAIN JOHN F. HUGHES, 0-976456, Medical Corps, United States Army, Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion, distinguished himself by heroic action in the vicinity of Onchon-Ni, Korea, on 9 October 1950. On this date, a division convoy, enroute to Pusan, Korea, was ambushed and prevented from proceeding. Casualties consisted of six killed and twelve wounded in action. Without regard for his personal safety, Captain Hughes voluntarily advanced to a position approximately one thousand yards forward of the nearest friendly troops and, under heavy enemy fire and constant observation, administered medical care to the wounded men. Upon arrival of litter bearers, Captain Hughes proceeded further forward to two causalities in the immediate area of the enemy. After directing cover fire upon the enemy, he succeeded in treating and evacuating the two wounded men. The heroism displayed by Captain Hughes on this occasion reflects great credit on himself and the military service. Entered the military service from the State of Massachusetts. General Orders Number 94, Section V, 27 Nov. 1950, Headquarters 7th Infantry Division. | |
| October 10, 1950 | The unit arrived at Pusan on the 10th of October and bivouacked outside the city. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 4. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Drawing of Captain Hughes in a jeep with a trailer attached. |
| October 15, 1950 | General MacArthur predicts the war will be over by Christmas and China will not intervene. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | |
| The battalion, less two platoons, departed Pusan aboard the USNS General E. D. Patrick on October 16, 1950. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 4. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “The little children come out in small boats with a big paddle in the back to our ships. We throw food over to them.” | |
| “It rained so hard the other night that I floated outside of my tent.” | ||
| October 19, 1950 | UN forces enter Pyongyang (North Korea’s capital). Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | |
| October 19, 1950 | Under cover of darkness, Chinese troops begin to cross the Yalu River into North Korea on the night of October 19, 1950. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 362-63. Highly skilled in camouflage, they did so undetected. “The Korean War, 1950-1953,” in American Military History, Vol. II, Chap. 8, rev. 2005, p. 231. U.S. Army Center of Military History. history.army. mil. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | Insert historical facts page above Yalu River crossing photo. |
| The sailing of the convoys was delayed for about two weeks because the Wonsan Harbor destination was still being cleared of mine fields. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0485. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | My boys sneaked dogs, pigs and rabbits onto the ship without anyone seeing them. The Captain found them and got very mad. | |
| Late October 1950 | Chinese forces attacked in late October, bloodied many American troops and then disappeared. Cumings, Bruce, The Korean War, p. 25. | |
| The 7th Division was ultimately diverted to Iwon, a coastal town far to the north. From there, the division was to strike over “a poor dirt road that twisted its way through the mountains and the Korean upland” to Hyesanjin on the Manchurian border. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 112-13. | “You take good care of my car while I’m gone.” | |
| Extensive training was given in the use of cold weather clothing and precautions in prevention of cold injury. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 4. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | ” I got new winter clothes the other day. They are all white so you can’t see me in the snow. I have a snow jacket just like yours with a hood and fur on it.” | |
| October 24, 1950 | In hopes of ending operations before the onset of winter, MacArthur on October 24 ordered his ground commanders to advance to the northern border as rapidly as possible and with all forces available. “The Korean War, 1950-1953,” in American Military History, Vol. II, Chap. 8, rev. 2005, p. 227. US Army Center of Military History. history.army.mil. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. The consequences are devastating. [Editor’s note.] | Insert historical facts page. |
| “Little girls in Korea sell apples to the soldiers.” | ||
| “LST” stands for Landing Ship, Tank. It was the military designation for naval vessels created during WW II to support amphibious operations. The ships could carry a significant quantity of vehicles, cargo and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore. “LST” definition, encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com. Web. 19 March 2013. | “We traveled on a boat with big doors on the front which open up so I can drive my jeep off.” | |
| Because the open beaches were wholly at the mercy of the weather and high seas, the unloading of the 7th Infantry Division at Iwon went forward slowly. When it was completed, the Division’s total strength would exceed 26,600 men. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0561. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | ||
| “There are big bears here in Northern Korea.” | ||
| November 1, 1950 | Thousands of Chinese soldiers encircle and attack the US 8th Calvary Regiment and overrun the defensive position flanks in the Battle of Unsan. The UN forces retreat to Ch’ongch’on River. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| November 3, 1950 | In the face of the Chinese attacks, the Eighth Army is ordered to withdraw to the Chongchon River for regrouping and resupply. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | |
| November 5, 1950 | The battalion moved to Pukchong. On arrival, the 2nd Clearing Platoon established a Division Clearing station. The 1st Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) set up at an adjacent site. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 5. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | |
| T-6 trainer aircraft were used in Korea. Because their call sign was “Mosquito,” they soon became known in Army and Air Force parlance as “Mosquitoes.” Each plane normally carried an Air Force pilot and a ground force observer. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0078. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | “I flew over some mountains in a little airplane.” Drawing shows vehicles on road below. | |
| Photo insert of DiMaggio with caption. | Joe DiMaggio visits “sick soldiers.” | |
| “Little children don’t have seats in their pants in Korea. Saves wearing diapers.” | ||
| “Did you and David play nice?” | ||
| November 20, 1950 | Combat Cargo Command air-dropped rations and gasoline at Kapsan, some 20 miles south of the Yalu River, to supply the 7th Infantry Division, the US ground unit which advanced the farthest north during the war. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | |
| The area to the north of the North Korean capital of Pyongyang was called Tiger Country by the Koreans, presumably because tigers once had actually lived there. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 396-97. | New tiger skin hat. Mittens. Pistol in holster under shoulder. | |
| M-1 rifles and .45 caliber pistols were drawn and issued to the officers and enlisted men. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 7. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | ||
| November 23, 1950 | On Thanksgiving Day (November 23), the troops in the field had turkey dinners with all the trimmings—shrimp cocktail, mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie. They did not know that thousands of Chinese soldiers had surrounded them. Cumings, Bruce, The Korean War, p. 26. | |
| An exceptionally fine Thanksgiving Day Holiday ration was available to all troop units, including those in the extreme front line positions. Newsom, Lt. Col. S. J., “Health of the Command, Period 11 Nov to 10 Dec 50.” 12 Dec. 1950, p. 7. Korean Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 4 Oct. 2012. | ||
| November 24, 1950 | The “Home-by-Christmas” UN Offensive launches on November 24, 1950 but the Chinese are waiting in ambush. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | “This is how I look when I get off boats. I carry everything I need on my back. It weighs about 3 times what you do.” |
| MacArthur launched the marines toward the Changjin Reservoir (known by its Japanese name of Chosin in American literature) and sent the 7th Division north of the Unggi River, in spite of temperatures as low as 22 degrees below zero. Cumings, Bruce, The Korean War, pp. 26-27. | ||
| November 25, 1950 | It was on the night of November 25 that the Chinese finally strike en masse. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 402. The war takes on a dramatic new dimension when 180,000 Chinese attack MacArthur’s widely-separated forces. Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 234. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | Insert historical facts page above Marines at Chosin photo. |
| November 27, 1950 | Approximately 60,000 Chinese troops encircle 30,000 UN troops at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| Endicott, Judy G., Ed., “The USAF in Korea,” pamphlet, 2001. Organizational History Branch Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force History and Museums Program. Web. Oct. 2012. | Insert Chosin Map. Insert citation underneath the map. | |
| Strong enemy attacks began on November 27, through a “deep envelopment” that chopped allied troops to pieces. The 1st Marine Division was pinned down at the Changjin Reservoir. Cumings, Bruce, The Korean War, p. 28. | ||
| November 28, 1950 | Combat Cargo Command begins a two-week airlift of supplies to the US troops surrounded by the Chinese at Changjin Reservoir. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | |
| The Marines succeeded in fighting a vastly larger force in the worst kind of mountainous terrain and unbearable cold that sometimes reached down to minus forty. Of all the battles in the Korean War, it is the most celebrated and deservedly so. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 468. When the First Marines started the breakout, there were six Chinese divisions aligned against them, or roughly sixty thousand soldiers. It took the Marines two weeks to fight their way back to Hungnam. An estimated forty thousand Chinese were killed. Id. at 469. Breakout from Chosin Reservoir, November 27-December 9, 1950. Id. | Insert historical facts page. | |
| November 29, 1950 | The word to pull back finally came from headquarters on November 29. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 441. | |
| During the first Chinese offensive in November 1950, aerial resupply often meant the difference between survival and destruction. Combat Cargo conducted the largest airdrops in history up to that time in support of retreating UN ground forces. “Airlift: Combat Cargo” Fact Sheet, posted 8/29/2011, nationalmuseum.af.mil. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | ||
| November 30, 1950 | The Americans came up with a name for the cruel six mile stretch of evacuation from Kunuri to Sunchon. “The Gauntlet,” they called it—for they were the men who had to run it. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 451. Already weakened by several days of combat in the bitterly cold weather, the 2nd Infantry Division had to run a gauntlet of fire that tore its units apart. It emerged with about one-third of its men either dead, wounded or missing. With most of its equipment lost, the division staggered back into South Korea to refit. “The Korean War, 1950-1953,” in American Military History, Vol. II, Chap. 8, rev. 2005, p. 233. US Army Center of Military History. history.army.mil. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | |
| December 1, 1950 | On 1 December 1950, the Clearing Company was widely dispersed and operating three platoons, each with a different type of mission. The 1st Platoon was at Yong-po airfield, near Hamhung, assisting in air evacuation of 7th Division and Marine wounded. The 2nd Platoon was at Pukchong, serving as a large holding installation in conjunction with the 1st MASH. The 3rd Platoon was at Pungsan, in direct support of the 17th RCT. Miner, Capt. Richard L., “Command Report,” Jan. 2, 1950 (sic), Command Report for the Month of December 1950, Inc. IV, Jan. 1951. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | |
| December 1, 1950 | The battalion received orders to withdraw from Northeast Korea on 1 December. It moved by motor convoy to Hamhung. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 5. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “The picture of you with your suit on and your funny face scared me!” Insert annotation to the left of the first figure. |
| In the 7th Division, the medical platoon at Hargaru-ri had nearly four hundred patients when they were ordered to “make a break for it.” Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 235. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | Insert this annotation to the right of the second figure in the letter. | |
| While in Hamhung, the battalion assisted in caring for the wounded coming in from the Chosin Reservoir area. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 5. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Insert frost bitten Marines photo under this annotation. | |
| The Chinese uniforms were heavily quilted cotton, usually a mustard brown color, although some of the Chinese soldiers wore dark blue. The quilted uniform was warm until it became water-soaked; then it was difficult to dry. The soldiers’ faceless shoes were of cloth, low-cut, rubber-soled and worn with sets of cotton socks. Heavy cotton caps had ear flaps that gave neck protection. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu (June-November 1950), p. 0525. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | “The Chinamen here wear padded coats just like a quilt.” | |
| MacArthur’s army is in a full-scale retreat. Some call it the “Big Bugout.” The retreat covers some 120 miles in ten days. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 483. | Insert historical facts page. | |
| The defeat of the U.S. Eighth Army resulted in the longest retreat of any American military unit in history. “Eighth United States Army,” en.wikipedia.org. Web. 30 Jan. 2013. | ||
| December 2, 1950 | On December 2, the 3rd Platoon closed down operations and it and the Clearing Company Headquarters went to Hamhung. Miner, Capt. Richard L., “Command Report” Jan. 2, 1950 (sic), Command Report for the Month of December 1950, Inc. IV, Jan. 1951. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | |
| December 3, 1950 | On Dec. 3, the Clearing Company, minus the 2nd Platoon, set up a clearing station at Unhung-ni, between Hamhung and Hungnam, while the 2nd Platoon was staying in Pukchong to give medical support to the troops which were vacating Northeastern Korea. Miner, Capt. Richard L., “Command Report” Jan. 2, 1950 (sic), Command Report for the Month of December 1950, Inc. IV, Jan. 1951. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | |
| It was the Clearing Company’s first experience in withdrawal tactics and support of this type of operation. Miner, Capt. Richard L., “Command Report,” Jan. 2, 1950 (sic), Command Report for the Month of December 1950, Inc. IV, Jan. 1951. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | “This is me and my trucks coming over the mountains. Boy, is it cold.” Please insert the two annotations. | |
| The 7th Medical Battalion provided evacuation over a 230-mile route, in temperatures as low as -24° F. Ginn, Col. Richard V.N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 237. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | ||
| On 5 December, the 2nd Platoon left Pukchong and joined the rest of the company at Unhung-ni. A Clearing Station was in operation at this location until 15 December. Miner, Capt. Richard L., “Command Report,” Jan. 2, 1950 (sic), Command Report for the Month of December 1950, Inc. IV, Jan. 1951. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | Letter re drawing at table. | |
| December 11, 1950 | In northeast Korea, the US X Corps manage to cripple the Chinese 9th Army group while establishing a defensive perimeter at the port city of Hungnam. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| Due to the advance position of some elements of the 7th Infantry Division, they were supplied with one “Baldwin” airdrop. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 9. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “Airplanes dropped food and medicine on parachutes for me when I was way up in the mountains.” | |
| The gun depicted by Captain Hughes appears to be a M41 Gorilla. The howitzer was placed on a pedestal in the rear, surrounded by a thin shield. It was a good design, agile and simple to operate but offered little protection to the crew from the elements or enemy fire. A total of about 85 were built. It saw service in Korea. “1945-54 U.S.A. M41 Howitzer Motor Carriage ‘Gorilla’,” battletanks.com. Web. 19 March 2013. | “Every time the big gun would shoot it would pick me up in the air while I was in my sleeping bag and bounce me on the ground.” | |
| Insert howitzer photo, along with caption. | ||
| Mountain sleeping bags were issued to about 1/2 the troops in the division. All others have standard wool sleeping bags with one additional blanket. Newsom, Lt. Col. S.J., “Health of the Command, Period 11 Nov to 10 Dec 50, 12 Dec. 1950, p. 5. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 4 Oct. 2012. | ||
| December 15, 1950 | UN forces recross the 38th Parallel back into South Korea. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| The battalion was ordered to withdraw from the Hamhung area. It left on the 14th of December. The battalion boarded the USNS General Freeman with a destination of Pusan. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 5. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “They took us out to the big ships in little boats and then we had to climb up nets to get in the big ships.” | |
| December 20, 1950 | Boston Globe publishes an AP Wirephoto which shows an 105mm howitzer and a soldier standing next to it which Mary Hughes identifies as John in a second copy of the photograph. Mary notes in her own handwriting on the side of the photo, “Letter of January 10.” It cannot be confirmed that the back side shot of the soldier is indeed that of Capt. Hughes. | |
| December 20, 1950 | When the battalion arrived at Pusan, they debarked and entrained for Toksong-dong, where a Division Clearing Station was established on December 20. The battalion remained at Toksong-dong for the remainder of the year. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 6. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “While I was living in a cellar… .” |
| The buildings and physical set-up of the area were the finest ones the unit had moved into since arrival in Korea. The holidays were enjoyed immensely by all. O’Hern, Capt. Robert S., “Annual Report of Army Medical Service Activities for the year 1950,” 18 Jan. 1951, p. 6. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Christmas tree decorated with beer can covers. | |
| December 25, 1950 | Holiday Greetings Telegram (color) from Capt. Hughes to Mary. | Insert telegram. |
| December 25, 1950 | Chinese forces cross the 38th parallel into South Korea on December 25, 1950. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | “This is you getting the New York Times.” |
| December 26, 1950 | Lt. General Matthew B. Ridgway takes command of the Eighth Army. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | Insert historical facts page. |
| Lt. General Ridgway introduces a new operational concept. Gaining territory would be incidental to inflicting maximum casualties on the enemy at minimum cost to UNC units. On the attack or defense, Ridgway insisted that his units always maintain contact with the enemy and use every source of firepower—infantry, armor, artillery and air—against them. This “meat grinder” tactic was expected to result in tremendous enemy losses. “The Korean War, 1950-1953,” in American Military History, Vol. II, Chap. 8, rev. 2005, p. 235. US Army Center of Military History. history.army.mil. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | ||
| Within Korea, the major means of moving large numbers of wounded remained the railways. Early hospital trains were improvised, consisting largely of converted boxcars and coaches, plus a few ancient hospital cars. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 149. | “I rode in an old train with broken windows.” | |
| The Clearing Company admitted 750 patients in the month of December. Miner, Capt. Richard L., “Command Report,” Jan. 2, 1950 (sic), Command Report for the Month of December 1950, Inc. IV, Jan. 1951. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | ||
| Rail lines came close to the front lines in Korea, thus trains became the workhorses of the UN forces. An operations officer placed Korean coaches into service after he shingled the roofs with flattened gas cans, covered the windows with sheet metal and wood and installed 55 gallon drums for heat, water and fruit juice. Litter patients were loaded into the cars through the windows and placed across the seat backs or on the floors. Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 239. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | ||
| January 1951 | In January of 1951, the Chinese and North Korean forces struck again in their 3rd Phase Offensive, also known as the Chinese Winter Offensive. The Chinese repeated their previous tactics of mostly night attacks and a stealthy approach, followed by a rush with overwhelming numbers. They used trumpets or gongs both for communication and to disorient their foes. “Korean War,” vetshome.com. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| January 1, 1951 | Almost half a million Chinese and North Korean troops launch a new ground offensive. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53.” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | Insert historical facts page. |
| January 1951 | The 7th Infantry Division began its annual operations in the vicinity of Yongchon, Korea, which was a reassembly and training area. Sellers, 1st Lt. Emmett L., “Annual Report of Medical Activities 1951,” 9 Jan. 1952, p. 1. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | Dancing lessons. |
| January 4, 1951 | Communist forces recapture Seoul on January 4, 1951. “Korean War,” vetshome.com. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| “Old Annie” whiskey. | ||
| The winter was harsh even by Korean standards. Temperatures rarely rose more than a few degrees above zero. Cold injuries were excessive. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 160. | “It is so cold here I get icicles on my behind even sitting by the fire.” | |
| Sledding on frozen rice paddies. | ||
| Queries whether Ann is feeling better after a stomach ailment. | ||
| 1951 | The 7th Medical Battalion operated in combat status in support of the 7th Division throughout the year, operating a Clearing Company, an Ambulance and a Headquarters Company. Because of the type of terrain and the nature of the tactical situation, the Clearing Company maintained two clearing platoons in continuous operation and one clearing platoon in reserve and training status. Sellers, 1st Lt. Emmett L., “Annual Report of Medical Activities 1951,” 9 Jan. 1952, p. 2. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “I have a new jeep and trailer. My other jeep broke down… .” |
| Say your prayers every night. | ||
| January 25, 1951 | Taking the offensive on January 25, 1951, the UNC began military operations directed toward wearing down the enemy rather than capturing territory. Endicott, Judy G., Ed., “The USAF in Korea,” pamphlet, 2001, p. 19. Organizational History Branch Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force History and Museums Program. Web. Oct. 2012. | |
| January 26, 1951 | After Yongchon, the 7th Infantry Division moved forward to the Chechon-Tanyang-Chungju area and launched its attack toward Pyongchang on January 26. Sellers, 1st Lt. Emmett L., “Annual Report of Medical Activities 1951,” 9 Jan. 1952, p. 1. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “Everybody says you look like me,” with drawing of Ann dressed like a soldier, too. |
| Though casualties exceeded all predictions, hospital death rates were the lowest in the history of warfare. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 141. | “My hospital is now in a fancy building, with no rats!” (American Red Cross Stationary) | |
| 1 This is a color copy of one of the original letters. It is one of the few that weathered loving young hands and the passage of time. The other letters used in this book are taken from photocopies which were made in the 1980s. | Insert footnote below the above letter. | |
| January 1951 | In January 1951, three Army helicopter detachments arrived in Korea with the mission of evacuating seriously wounded from the front lines. Each craft carried only a pilot and was equipped with two baskets or pods for litter patients. Westover, John G., “Part V: Medical Corps,” in Combat Support in Korea, Facsimile Reprint, 1987, 1990, p. 111. history.army.mil. Web. 15 Jan. 2013. | “We now have a helicopter to take sick soldiers over the mountains. Two of them are put in baskets outside the helicopters.” |
| January 1951 | With all its remarkable implications for the future of Army medicine – indeed of emergency medicine, whether military or civilian – the rapid adoption of helicopter evacuation resulted from the nature of the Korean conflict and of the Korean countryside. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 95. | Insert Hughes Helicopter color photo above this annotation. |
| February 1951 | UN forces successfully repel the Chinese Fourth Phase Offensive. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| Hears Ann is eating well. | ||
| Road-rail buses with “flanged wheels raised” were used in Korea. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 181. | “We have a bus now that runs on a railroad track to take the sick soldiers to the hospital.” | |
| The two rail buses worked at night (when helicopters could not fly), were smooth and rapid in movement, carried more than twice as many men (250 in all) and allowed transfusions and other treatment to be given en route. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 179. | ||
| “I gave my pigs to the zoo at Pusan so the Korean children can see them.” | ||
| Trains were subject to ambushes and sniper attacks. Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 239. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | “Our train with all our food on it blew up yesterday.” | |
| 2 A transcription of this letter may be found immediately following the handwritten version. | “We have been very busy the last two days. The Chinamen have attacked around Wonju and we have had quite a few casualties coming through. I think we may be going South in a few days instead of north as we expected.” (Goes on to let Mary (“Peach”) know how to file for benefits if he dies.) | |
| 3 Wonju was a bitter battle and it was uncertain as to who would emerge victorious until, quite literally, the final hours. The UN forces were hit so hard there that the area became known as Massacre Valley. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 516. | ||
| “Thank you for the nice letter you wrote.” | ||
| With an average of 140 operational transports, the Air Force’s Combat Cargo flew 210,343 missions, brought in 391,763 tons of materials, airdropped 18,000 tons of supplies and carried 2,605,591 passengers. “Airlift: Combat Cargo” Fact Sheet, posted 8/29/2011, nationalmuseum.af.mil. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | ||
| Insert flying boxcar picture w/ caption attached. | “We had big airplanes drop food and medicine to us with parachutes.“ | |
| Housing conditions for troops and medical facilities have been fair under the very mobile combat conditions here in Korea. The housing consisted solely of bunkers and tents. Sellers, 1st Lt. Emmett L., “Annual Report of Medical Activities 1951,” 9 Jan. 1952, p. 4. Korean War Unit Histories. U.S. Army Medical Department Office of Medical History. Web. 22 Sept. 2012. | “It is so muddy in my tent that I have to put my cot up on a platform.” | |
| When spring approached, the American ground troops in Korea experienced the misery of downpours of rain and sloshing through the mud. “Weather Report-Korean War,” koreanwar-educator.org. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | “It is so muddy here now I have to wear big boots. The little Korean children have all gone south for awhile. There is plenty of rice for them there so they will not be hungry.” | |
| Mary (Peachie) has a cut hand. | ||
| March 14, 1951 | Communist forces abandon Seoul without a fight. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | |
| March 14, 1951 | Operation Ripper results in the recapture of the South Korean capital of Seoul on March 14, 1951. It was the fourth time in a year that the city had changed hands. “Korean War,” vetshome.com. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | Insert historical facts page. |
| Insert Hughes photo of tents on greening fields in the middle of the second page of this letter. | “It is getting warm here now.” | |
| World War II statistics showed that there were sharp increases in casualty rates of all types when troops experienced combat for more than 180 days without relief. Based on those statistics, the Department of the Army authorized temporary duty in Japan for the purpose of rest and recuperation (R&R) for their Korean troops. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 156. | “I may be going to Japan next month for awhile. There is lots of good rumors about that.” | |
| Hotel room in Japan. | ||
| “When I come home I will teach you to fly a kite, ok?” | ||
| “I have a new hat I bought in Japan and a new vest.” | ||
| “I hope I recognize you and Peachie when I get home.” | ||
| April 11, 1951 | President Truman recalls General MacArthur on April 11, 1951. “The Korean War, 1950-1953” in American Military History, Vol. II, Chap. 8, rev. 2005, p. 238. US Army Center of Military History. history.army.mil. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | Insert historical facts page. |
| “I have to do my own laundry in an old tin can now. I stir the clothes with an old stick.” | ||
| April 12, 1951 | At President Truman’s direction, Eighth Army Commander Ridgway replaces General MacArthur. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | |
| “Are you helping your mother paint the house?” | ||
| Tide detergent joke. | ||
| Insert “Rush” Blood photo with caption. | ||
| A key to the high Korean survival rates among the wounded, whole blood was especially important during the critical first hours of treatment. Most wounded men bled and the condition known as shock could rapidly become irreversible, ending in death. To halt the circulatory failure that was a consequence of hemorrhage and the basic factor in shock, whole blood had no equal. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 155. | “Do you keep boxes of blood on a shelf in case you run out?” | |
| “We have a bridge that is made out of barrels because the other bridge blew up.” | ||
| Insert Hughes pontoon photo with caption. | ||
| April 22, 1951 | The Chinese Spring Offensive begins on April 22, 1951. Endicott, Judy G., Ed., “The USAF in Korea,” pamphlet, 2001, p. 23. Organizational History Branch Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force History and Museums Program. Web. Oct. 2012. | Insert historical facts page. |
| Pleased to receive letter. | ||
| In medical units, frequent movies and increasing stocks of athletic equipment helped to pass the time between battles. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 183. | Outside movies. (7th Infantry Division Stationary) | |
| “Are your balloons still breaking all the time?” | ||
| Gives little Korean girl his undershirt because she has no clothes. | ||
| “We have a hand car we use to ride from my tent down to dinner. We live right next to the railroad tracks.” | ||
| ” I hear you have very nice teeth.” | ||
| A clearing company is an organization consisting of one or more clearing stations, company headquarters and clearing platoons. Tasks include reception, the sorting and temporary shelter of battle casualties and appropriate treatment for either return to their units or transfer of the seriously injured further to the rear. “Clearing company” definition, medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. | Insert Hughes photo of 7th HQ above annotation. | |
| Insert Clearing Station photo with caption. | ||
| Standard operating procedures dictated that the two clearing platoons of each clearing company would leapfrog each other to keep up with the tempo of battle. As one platoon set up and operated a clearing station, the other would displace to a new location, and, when the second was operational, the first would shut down and relocate. It was an exhausting regimen. Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 237. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | Insert platoon sign pictures with caption. Photos Courtesy of Doug Halbert. | |
| Sent feathers from a bird which was shot for dinner. (Clearing Company 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| Korea was both beautiful and sordid. The green hills and patchwork-patterned rice paddies had an enchanting beauty when seen from a distance. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu, p. 0006. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | Families are planting rice. | |
| Insert Hughes rice paddies photo with caption. | ||
| “I did a great big washing today.” (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| I hope you are being a good girl.” (Clearing Company 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| Wetting pants. (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| Sending some pictures of where I live. “I am moving my tent in a few days. I like travel so much.” Also sending a surrender leaflet. “I may send a box of clothes home in the next few weeks.” (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| Insert Officers Quarters photo with caption. | ||
| “I understand you like to play with worms when you help your mother in the garden.” (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| Summers are hot and humid in Korea, with a monsoon season generally lasting from June to September. Appleman, Roy. E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu, p. 0012. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | Raining all day today. (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | |
| June 1951 | By June of 1951, General Ridgway had led the UN forces back to the 38th Parallel. Here the battle lines stabilized and the conflict changed from a war of movement to a war of position. Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 234. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | Insert historical facts page. |
| Sending box of clothes home. (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| Insert “Give up arms” photo with Hughes/Underhill caption | ||
| Insert C-47 photo with caption. | “Do you read Chinese? If you do please tell me what this says. They drop these to Chinamen from planes.” | |
| C-47s flew leaflet-drop/voice-broadcast sorties in late May, encouraging the enemy to surrender. Some 4000 enemy soldiers did surrender, with many carrying the dropped leaflets. The captives reported that there were morale problems in their units because of the UN aerial attacks. Warnock, A. Timothy, Ed., “Air War Korea, 1950-53,” Air Force Association Online Journal, Vol. 83, No. 10, Oct. 2000. Web. 25 Oct. 2012. | Insert leaflet. | |
| “Did you make medicines for sick people while you worked in the drug store?” (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| “I want you to learn to take pictures so you can take some of your sweet mother to send to me.” | ||
| “What is your seahorse’s name?” | ||
| “Do you have spots just where you aren’t tanned or everywhere?” | ||
| “I might have a little rat that every night he eats my candy.” | ||
| “I use my rubber air mattress to ride down the river.” (Tents with American flag and mountains in background) | ||
| “Have you learned to dive into the pool yet?” (American Red Cross Stationary) | ||
| “Does this happen to you very often? I hope not.” (Child being spanked.) Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| “When I come home will you teach me how to run the phonograph?” (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| “My air mattress hit a nail yesterday and blew up. I am going to have a patch put on it.” (Clearing Company, 7th Medical Battalion Stationary) | ||
| “Daddy riding on the train-in his widdle room (hard to draw because train bumps around).” | ||
| July 8, 1951 | Peace talks begin at Kaesong. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | Insert historical facts sheet. |
| The cause of Captain Hughes’ illness is unknown. One of the medical surprises of the war, however, was the outbreak of epidemic hemorrhagic fever in 1951. Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 243. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. It was treated with intravenous fluids. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 185. | “I was so sick the other day I had to eat sugar water and salt through my veins.” | |
| For those stationed near a division headquarters, books and magazines were provided in squad tent dayrooms. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 183. | “I am sending you a picture I found in a magazine. Is this you?” | |
| The little boy is wearing clogs called geta. Geta are a form of Japanese footwear that resemble both clogs and flip-flops. They are a kind of sandal with an elevated wooden base that can keep the feet dry in rain or snow. Geta make a noise similar to flip-flops, slapping against the heel whilst walking. “Geta (footwear),” en.wikipedia.org. Web. 6 March 2013. | Drawing of a Japanese father and son. Insert picture of Geta shoes. | |
| In July of 1951, one of the celebrities who provided entertainment to the troops in Korea was Jack Benny. “U.S.O. History,” usoshows.co.uk. Web. 17 March 2013. “Jack Benny on the 38th,” tralfaz.blogspot.com. Web. 16 March 2013. | Insert Capt. Hughes Jack Benny Photo below annotation. | |
| Projector for pictures needed at home. | ||
| The Korean road traffic was predominantly by oxcart. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu, p. 0094. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | Hughes photo of oxcart and road. | |
| Even the best of the roads were narrow, poorly drained and surfaced only with gravel or rocks broken laboriously by hand. Appleman, Roy E., South to the Naktong, North to the Yalu, p. 0093. koreanwar2.org. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. | “The Korean boys carry big loads of rocks on their backs to put on the roads so they are not slippery.” Insert rock pile Hughes photo. | |
| Malaria was a constant threat in Korea because of a large civilian reservoir of the disease and the presence of anopheline mosquitoes. Ginn, Col. Richard V. N., The History of the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps, 1997, p. 242. history.amedd.army.mil. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | “I sleep inside a net so the mosquitoes won’t bite me on the seat.” (7th Infantry Division Stationary) Insert two annotations. | |
| Mosquito netting was used in all areas except the front lines, and chloroquine was issued to the men under the customary tight controls. Cowdrey, Albert, The Medics’ War, p. 183. | ||
| Write me soon. | ||
| “I have a hammock made out of litter where I nap every afternoon.” | ||
| Insert photo with caption of Captain Hughes in profile on bench. | ||
| Korean boy given whiskey. Did not like it. | ||
| “I hear you eat grapes when you go to the market.” | ||
| “When I was a little boy I had an ear ache. Boy did it hurt. My mother took me to the Doctor. But he didn’t have any penicillin so it didn’t go away for a long time.” | ||
| [Editor’s note: Query whether these pictures are the color slides, black and white pictures or a set which no longer exists.] | Mentions pictures he took. “How do you like my pictures? Did Mama show you the ‘special picture’?” | |
| House boy with tent in background. | ||
| Eye drops, ear drops, nose drops, throat drops. “When do you get chance to sleep?” | ||
| Put you nickels in the piggy bank so we can buy a new car. | ||
| Insert about to come home telegram. | ||
| August 23 | “This is me riding in a rickshaw… . In Japan daddy uses this instead of a taxi.” (U.S.S. General G.M. Randall AP-115 Stationary) | |
| Battle of Heartbreak Ridge: American and French forces engage in a month-long battle with Chinese and North Korean forces, just a few miles north of the 38th Parallel. Casualty figures are estimated at over 3,700 American and French and an estimated 25,000 North Korean and Chinese. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | ||
| September 13-October 15, 1951 | “Most personnel stayed in Korea for just one year because it was known as a ‘Police Action’ and each of us earned points based on our assignment and the battles during which we served. Most personnel earned their rotation entitlement in 12 to 14 months.” Halbert, Doug, 7th Infantry Division Association re: 7th Medical Battalion, email to the editor, 23 Sept. 2012. | Last letter from the War. “We have adopted a little girl. She was very thin since she hasn’t had much to eat but she is getting a banana belly like you had once because all she does is eat. One of our cooks is feeding her.” (U.S.S. General G. M. Randall AP-115 Stationary) |
| Insert photo of mountain range reflection in water. | ||
| Insert “Arriving home” telegram. | ||
| Peace talks resume at Panmunjom. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | ||
| October 25, 1951 | Communists attack “Pork Chop Hill.” “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| April 16, 1953 | President Eisenhower announces an armistice. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. | |
| July 26, 1953 | The Peace treaty was signed at Panmunjom. “Korean War Timeline,” authentichistory.com., last modified July 17, 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2012. On July 27, 1953, three of the four primary parties to the war signed the armistice agreement. Cumings, Bruce, The Korean War, p. 34. | Insert historical facts page. |
| July 27, 1953 | An estimated 33,000 Americans died in the Korean War. Halberstam, David, The Coldest Winter, p. 4. | |
| Insert Ebb & Flow Map. Caption: U.S. Army Center of Military History | ||
| Appendix | Insert Biographical Background, Separation Reports (2) and “For those who served” photo. |
