News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas!

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United Military Order of States the Cootie

Department of Pacific MOC Grand of Pacific Areas Commander Commander Larry Lyons Ken Swierzewski February 26, 2009 Volume IV, Issue 7

District III— Korea 58 thth Anniversary — Hill 180 Memorial

News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas! District III— Korea

Easy Company, “Frightened 27 th Infantry by No Wolfhounds Difficulties”

58 th Anniversary Hill 180 Memorial

6 February 2009

Hosted by: 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment - Korea

Sponsored by: 51 stst Fighter Wing Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea & “We’re going up the hill. Fix ! Charge! Everyone goes with me!” Veterans of Foreign Wars -CPT Lewis Millett Post 10216, Songtan Si, Republic of Korea After opening remarks by Larry Lyons, DPA Commander, the colors were presented by Guest Speaker: the 51st FW Honor Guard. The National An- thems were sung by Hill 180 Singers, and RO- LTG Joseph F. Fil, Jr. KAF Band. The Invocation was done by Maj Commanding General Jones, 35th ADA Chaplain. Welcoming re- 8th Army marks were given by Col. Deale, 51st FW Cdr, after which a battle narrative was given by Sgt. Brown, 3rd BCD-K. Col. Degen, 3rd BCD-K Commander then gave the introduction of the Guest Kim, ROKAF, and Col. Degen. Afterwards the firing Speaker, LTG. Joseph F. Fil, Jr. After his speech, he squad and Taps were performed by the UNC Honor was presented with a commemorative gift. This was Guard and ROKAF Bugler. The 51st FW aircraft per- followed by LTG. Fil, leading the Wreath laying cere- formed a missing man Fly-Over to conclude the ser- monies, which were taken part in by Comrade Ron vices. (See photo collage on cover page.) Tichota, VFW Post 10216, Commander, Col. Ki Soo Continued on next page... 2 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas! District III— Korea

From previous page… BIOGRAPHY (RETIRED) BIOGRAPHY LEWIS L. MILLETT Lieutenant General RE- Joseph F. Fil, Jr. CIPIENT Lieutenant General Fil, a native of Portola Valley, Colonel (Retired) Lewis Millett California, graduated from was born on December 15, 1920 the San Jose State Univer- in Mechanic Falls, Maine. He sity and was commissioned joined the National Guard at the a Second Lieutenant in Armor on 2 June 1976. age of seventeen with the 101st He has held a variety of command and staff positions. Field Artillery, Massachusetts National Guard. In 1940, General Fil’s many command and staff assignments PFC Millett enlisted in the Army Air Corps serving as an include service in Germany, where he served as the S- air gunner. In January 1941, he joined the Canadian 3 (Operations) and later as Battalion Executive Officer Army. In 1942, Millett enlisted in the Army where he for 3-35 AR from June 1989 until October 1990 and as served with the 1st Armored Division. After serving in S-4 (Logistics) and later as Brigade Executive Officer various positions and attaining the rank of Sergeant, from October 1990 until June 1992 for the 3rd Bri- Millett received a battlefield commission. Following World gade, 1st Armored Division at Bamberg, Ger- War II, Millett joined the 103rd Infantry, Maine National many. General Fil later commanded 1-12 CAV at Fort Guard. He served with the 103rd for four years before Hood, Texas. From December 1996 until May 1997, joining the 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds" in Ja- he served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of pan. the U.S. Army National Training Center at Fort Irvin, As a member of the Wolfhound Regiment, Millett de- California. General Fil served as the Commander, 1st ployed to Korea where he served with valor and distinc- Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division from June 1997 until tion. While serving as commander of Easy Company he July 1999. From July 1999 until July 2000, he served led a charge against heavily fortified enemy as the Commander, Operations Group, United States positions, earning the nation's highest military award, the Army Combat Maneuver Training Center, United Medal of Honor. Easy Company killed forty-seven ene- States Army Europe and Seventh Army, Ger- mies on the forward slope of the hill; thirty had died as a many. General Fil served as the Commanding Gen- result of bayonet wounds. On the reverse slope lay an- eral, National Training Center and Fort Irwin, Fort other fifty enemy, dead of either bayonet or gunshot Irwin, California from August 2002 until September wounds. Witnesses estimated another hundred Chinese 2004. From September 2004 until October 2005, Gen- escaped. eral Fil was the Commanding General, Civilian Police wing Captain Millett’s service in Korea, he was assigned Assistance Training Team, Multi-National Security to the Continental Army Command as Aide de Camp and Transition Command - Iraq, OPERATION IRAQI then as Training and Operations Officer for the Military FREEDOM, Iraq. General Fil has served as the Com- Advisor Group. In 1956, Millett attended the Infantry Offi- manding General, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, cer’s Advanced Course and as a Major. Texas and Commanding General, Multi National Divi- Following his stay at , he was assigned to sion-Baghdad, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq the where he founded the Re- since November 2005. condo School. General Fil is a graduate of the Command and General Millett became heavily involved in the Special Operations Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (1989), and community following his service with the 101st. He the National War College at Fort McNair, Washing- helped establish the Vietnamese Ranger School and the ton, D.C. His civilian schooling includes two master’s Commando training program in Laos before moving to degrees: an MS in Administration from Central Michi- the Command and General Staff College. Colonel Millett gan University, and MS in National Security and Stra- retired in 1973 after serving as the Deputy Commander tegic Studies from the National War College. of the 2d Corps. He holds the Defense Superior Service Medal with Colonel Millett’s awards include the Medal of Honor, Distin- Oak Leaf Cluster, the with three Oak guished Service Cross, , Legion of Merit (with 2 Leaf Clusters, and the Bronze Star, among other med- oak leaf clusters), Air Medal (with numeral 2), als. (with 3 oak leaf clusters), Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and LTG Fil and his wife Wendy Gay have two children. Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, among others. 3 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas!

he jumped off the tank and moved on. He knew from here on it was all a matter of timing. He had to get an attack under way quickly. He didn’t want these Chinese to get away like the others had two days earlier. Millett called to one of his platoon leaders to get ready to move out. Seconds later, enfilading fire from a previously quiet Chinese machine gun tore into the first platoon. Casualties mounted. Then the .50-caliber machine gun supporting first platoon went silent- -jammed with a ruptured cartridge. Millett swore under his breath. His attack was crumbling even before it started. He scrambled from his position and raced across the bullet-swept ground to the first platoon. Spotting the platoon sergeant as he barreled into the position, Millett just hollered at the men, “Get ready to move out! We’re going up the hill. Fix bayonets! Charge! Every- one goes with me!” He raised his rifle and took out across the open fields. Bounding from the small rises and hurdling the ditches, Millett advanced across the ice-covered ground. Behind him, the platoon sergeant and a dozen men ran after Millett. Those who hadn’t followed him were cut down minutes later as enemy machine-gun fire from Hill 180 zeroed in on them. When he reached the base of the hill, Millett flung himself down under a rocky outcropping while he waited for the others to catch up. After they did, Millett motioned upward. “Let's go,” he said, dash- ing from rock to rock. Millett made the first of three small knobs THE BATTLE OF BAYONET HILL that comprised Hill 180. The center and far knob rose some twenty meters higher. Millett spotted a Chinese machine gun to his left, and Hill 180 -- as it was called during the , lay between the he ordered a BAR to fire on it. Another soldier spotted eight Chinese exhausted Chinese Communist and North Korean forces and General squatting in a hole just ten yards from Millett. The captain ran to it, Matthew Ridgeway’s revitalized 8th U.S. Army in late January 1951. firing his carbine and throwing grenades, neutralizing the enemy threat After being driven back steadily during the last months of 1950 by Chi- there. Millett now radioed for his third platoon to come forward. After nese forces, U.S. troops regrouped and were ready to probe the overex- he had them in position, Millett told them, “Attack straight up the hill.” tended, under-supplied Chinese and North Koreans. Ridgeway sent the With their bayonet-tipped rifles carried at high port, screaming Chi- 27th Infantry “Wolfhounds” north toward Osan as the vanguard for an all- nese phrases as they ran, Millett and his assembled men raced toward out U.N. assault called Operation Thunderbolt . the two higher knobs. Lunging into the first line of enemy foxholes, the Easy Company, part of the Wolfhounds contingent, was commanded by GIs ripped into the Chinese, leading with their bayonets. The terror- a tough, World War II-hardened officer--Captain Lewis Millett. Company E filled shrieks of the bayoneted enemy rose above the din of battle. boarded tanks and started forward. On February 5, 1951, it was moving Millett was so far in front of his men that he had to dodge grenades through a frozen rice paddy west of the road running south out of Osan. thrown by both sides. Ignoring the thundering explosions, he charged Suddenly, the crackle of enemy machine-gun fire broke the morning air. headlong at an antitank gun firing point-blank at him. A few well-tossed The first platoon found itself pinned down. Chinese were emplaced on two grenades took care of that weapon. A cluster of grenades flew down hills straddling the road. Their fire picked up. The bullets whistled through from a Chinese position farther uphill. Millett danced and dodged the air, slapping into the ice. “Second platoon!” Millett hollered. “Fix bayo- around, avoiding the detonations of eight grenades. A ninth got him, nets--move to the left of the first.” Then Millett was off, shouting, “C’mon sending hot steel shards into his back and legs. He could feel the with me!” He bounded to the base of the hill. There he waited for his pla- blood coursing down his skin, drenching his fatigues beneath his parka. toons to form up. “We’ll get ‘em with the bayonet! Let’s go!” he yelled Unmindful of the intense pain, Millett continued his charge. He urged when they were ready. Up the hill the two platoons went, all the GIs yelling his men forward. “Let’s go,” he screamed. “Use grenades and cold at the top of their voices. Above them, Millett appeared on the skyline, rifle steel! Kill ‘em with the bayonet!” At the crest of the highest knob, he in one hand, waving his men upward with the other. Even as he did so, jumped into one arm of a V-shaped slit trench. With a savage thrust of Chinese soldiers scurried from their foxholes, skittering down the reverse his bayonet, he impaled one enemy soldier. He had to fire a round to slope helter-skelter. By the time the two platoons joined Millett on the crest, dislodge his weapon. A second enemy soldier rushed at Millett. The only a few enemy stragglers remained. They were quickly dispatched. To emboldened captain met him like a frenzied tiger, jamming his sharp the rear, the rest of Millett’s battalion observed the audacious charge. The steel blade into the man’s throat, ripping it wide open. A third Chinese, colonel quickly came forward to shake Millett’s hand and congratulate him in the far arm of the V, raised his rifle. Before he could fire Millett was for his courage. That night the colonel began the paperwork that would on him, slamming his bloodstained bayonet into the enemy soldier’s bring Millett the Distinguished Service Cross. Little did he know that Mil- chest. While Millett dispatched the soldier, the rest of his men rushed lett’s charge was but a rehearsal for what would come just forty-eight hours past. Millett leaped after them. Together they went on, screaming and later. yelling, firing from the hip, ripping and stabbing enemy flesh with their At midday on February 7, Company E had the point for the battalion. bayonets, throwing grenades into bunkers and foxholes until they had Near the smoke-blackened village of Soam-ni, just west and south of Osan, completely eliminated the enemy from the hill. When it was all over they approached a ridgeline. On military maps it was designated Hill 180. Millett stood atop the saw-toothed ridge and pumped his bloody rifle up To the men of Company E and the annals of U.S. military history, it would and down, signaling to those below that he had conquered Bayonet forever be “Bayonet Hill.” Accompanied by two of his platoons astride Hill. tanks, Millett approached Hill 180, fully expecting to bypass it completely. After the battle, forty-seven enemy dead were counted on the for- Then one of his men noticed movement among the thick foliage near the ward slope of the hill; thirty had died as a result of bayonet wounds. On top of the hill. It was crawling with Chinese, with Company E almost directly the reverse slope lay another fifty enemy, dead of either bayonet or under their guns. Once apprised of the situation, Millett quickly ordered the gunshot wounds. Witnesses estimated another hundred Chinese tanks off the road. He got his two platoons deployed along a paddy dike. escaped. Evacuated due to the seriousness of his wounds, Millett By now, the Chinese had opened fire. A number of Millett’s men fell, cut spent several months in the hospital recuperating. His Medal of Honor down by vicious machine-gun fire. Leaping aboard the nearest tank, Millett was presented to him at the White House on July 5, 1951. Osan Air grabbed its .50-caliber machine gun. He sent a stream of tracers flying Base was constructed in the summer of 1952 shortly after the hill toward the enemy position. “Keep it going there,” he told the gunner. Then gained its fame. 4 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas! District II— Japan

Comrades,

Happy Belated New Year to all!! Post 9555 is still breath- ing and doing well. Decem- ber 5-7, Post Commander Robert Moses, JVC Gary Reigel, and Comrade Kevin Mitchell represented our Post at the Department C of A held in the Philippines. Although our Post Patriot’s Pen Representative, Claire E. Kincaid a 6 th grader at from Yokota Middle School did not win at Department, we are still very proud of her and we expect continued suc- cess.

We received a surprise visit from Comrade Charles C. Keller, Jr. a Certified National Recruiter from Washington State at our Monthly Above Photo (l-r), JVC Reigel, Post Commander Meeting on the December 13 th . Comrade Keller was Moses, and Past District II Commander Mitchell rep- kind enough to join Commander Moses, JVC Reigel, resented Post 9555 at the C of A in December. and Comrades Mitchell and Keeton for a Christmas Holiday Party for Deployed Member families at our Airmen and Family Readiness Center on the same day. Below Photo, Post Commander Moses (r), and The Wing and Base Commanders were among the Comrade Mitchell (l), welcome National Certified distinguished visitors to the event and the Post 9555 Recruiter Charles C. Keller, Jr. from Washington State received a lot of praise for sponsoring the event. to Yokota Air Base.

Post 9555 still sets the pace with community involvement volunteering over 100 hours aiding veter- ans and widows, cleanup projects, assisting local nationals, and play- ing music among others actions.

In closing, we had the honor and pleasure of hav- ing our Department Commander Lyons visit mainland Japan for our District Meeting on January 10 th and appreciate his words of en- couragement. I wish all of you good health and success through- out 2009.

May God continue to bless you, your families, our great military, and the good ole USA.

Yours in Comradeship,

Kevin E. Mitchell

5 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas! District V — Thailand/Cambodia

February 3rd is the official Thai War Veterans Day. They start early in the morning with a wreath laying ceremony at the Victory Monument located in the center of Bangkok, followed by a religious cere- mony and then a review of the various defense units; Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Village Volun- teers. The Veterans of six conflicts, dating now from

WWII, are feted with lunch, then they assemble and parade with the military units. Quite an im- pressive day long series of ceremonies. All Mili- tary Attaches’ of the various foreign embassies are invited along with the VFW.

6 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas! District V — Thailand/Cambodia

Sqdn Ldr John "Scarsdale Jack" Newkirk VFW Post 12074 in Chiang Mai, Thailand was presented with their Perpetual Charter during the Post's GMM held 07 February 2009. Post 12074 was instituteded on 17 January 2008 and obtained the required 25 Life Member to qualify for Perpetual Charter by 01 December 2008, less than 11 months after opening. DPA JVC Jim Oden presented the Perpetual Charter to Post Cmdr Mike Holmes at their February 2009 sched- uled meeting. Oden noted that as of that date the post had 29 Life Members and a total of 61 members for 136% growth over last year with five months to go in the current recruiting year. The post is doing a great job and with 22 members in attendance at the February meeting had a member turnout of 36%! Everyone is enthusiastic about the post programs and are currently planning a Independenc Day celebration for the American community and friends in Chiang Mai. With the continued member participation great things are expected of DPA's newest post.

Our Department Junior Vice Commander, James Oden, recently experienced first hand a burial at Arling- ton National Cemetery. Seen in the photo below left are the members of the U.S. Air Force burial detail con- veying the remains of Kenneth Gilliland, retired TSgt, USAF. The service was conducted by an USAF Chap- lain (Col.). A representative of the Department of the Air Force was also on hand to express condolences to the widow, M. Marjorie Gilliland, the sister of our Junior Vice Commander who is seen comforting her after the services in photo at right.

7 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas! District VI — Guam/Saipan

Seen above are: (l-r), Edwin Villagomez, Brian Reyes, Mariano Fajardo Post Commander 3457, Raymond Crisostomo and Lino Tenorio who is the Corrections Commissioner.

Tenorio and retired U.S. Army Reservist Ray VFW honors 8 local heroes Crisostimo rescued two surfers stranded outside the Monday, 23 February 2009 00:00 By Raquel Bagnol - reef line of Sugar Dock on Jan. 3. Variety News Staff THE Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3457 recog- Brian Reyes, a mechanic at Triple “J” Mo- nized eight individuals who rescued several persons in tors, Patrick Reyes and Edwin Villagomez, both stu- separate water-related incidents in the past months. dents, assisted Boating Safety officers in rescuing five persons, including two minors, from a sinking boat VFW Post 3457 commander Mariano Fajardo near Managaha last Dec. 26, 2008. handed the certificates of appreciation to: Department of Corrections Commissioner, Lino S. Tenorio; Patrick The Department of Public Safety earlier hon- Concepcion Aldan; Darrell Concepcion; Ashley Con- ored these individuals in separate occasions. ception; Raymond Crisostomo; Brian Reyes; Patrick Reyes; and Edwin Villagomez, on Friday afternoon.

“We are very proud to have helpful citizens with us who do not hesitate to risk their lives to help those who are in distress,” Fajardo said. “We are hop- ing that those persons they helped could return the favor to others who would need their help in the fu- ture,” he added.

Darrell and Ashley Concepcion resuscitated a three-year-old boy who nearly drowned in the waters off Paupau Beach in San Roque on Jan.18.

8 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas! District VII — Philippines

Post 9892 Quartermaster Norme Smith is seen receiving Department recognition for his recruiting efforts. Presenting is Post 9892 Com- mander Frank B. Hilliard IV.

Unfortunately during the month of January, VFW Post 9892, Bauang, La Union, lost two com- rades. Seen below are post officers folding the flag in preparation for presentation to the widow. Al Rob- bins, U.S. Army Retired, and Dutch Marynen, U.S. Air Force Retired, are gone but not forgotten. There were large turnouts of Post officers, and members for both services.

Above: Post 9892 Com- mander, Frank B. Hilliard IV, is seen saluting after presenting the flag to a very grieving widow.

9 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas!

medium (8,999-3,000) and Jan. 2, 2009 small (2,999 or less).

Kelly Lanigan (816) 756-3390 Posts will be defined as:

large (750 or more), VFW ANNOUNCES ANNUAL PUBLICATIONS medium (749-250) and CONTEST small (249 or less). KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The VFW Publications All national entries must place first in Department- Department announced today that it is accepting sub- level contests . One copy of each winning Post and missions for VFW’s 2009 National Publications Con- District publication—as well as only one issue of the test. All publications will be categorized by the mem- Department newspaper—must be mailed by Depart- bership size of the Department, District or Post they ment adjutants, quartermasters or Department represent. editors , to Kelly Lanigan in the Publications Depart- For the contest, Departments will be defined as: ment at the National Headquarters address by April 8, large (40,000 or more members), 2009. Issues published between Jan. 1, 2008, and Dec. medium (39,999-14,000) and 31, 2008 are eligible. For further information please small (13,999 or less). contact Kelly Lanigan at [email protected] Districts will be defined as: -vfw- large (9,000 or more),

10 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas! VFWVFW PostPost 2485,2485, AngelesAngeles City,City, PhilippinesPhilippines ClarkClark CemeteryCemetery “Gravediggers”“Gravediggers” ApplicationApplication

Name Membership/Auxiliary # Address Non-Member

- This application for the VFW Post 2485 "Grave Diggers" allows you to be buried anywhere you desire and can afford. If burial is at the Clark Cemetery, you can get a Grave Digger discount (upon request).

- This membership does not entitle you to be buried in the Clark Cemetery unless eligible.

- Membership is open to anyone who has a desire to support the Clark Cemetery.

- Upon approval of this application, you will receive a Grave Digger Pin, Certificate, and wallet size Member- ship Card.

- A $25 minimum membership fee is required. Any amount in excess of the minimum $25 will be considered as a donation to the Clark Cemetery maintenance fund and will be greatly appreciated. Any future donations of any amount will also be greatly appreciated.

- This program is maintained and administered by VFW Post 2485 and all membership fees/donations will be utilized to support the Clark Cemetery.

- In November 1994, after signing an MOA with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), VFW Post 2485 assumed full time caretaker responsibility for care and maintenance of the Clark Cemetery.

- Clark Cemetery receives no U.S. or Philippine government funding. VFW Post 2485 is only able to continue maintenance of the cemetery through money donations from various individuals, military organizations, veter- ans groups and civic/business organizations.

- Please mail your application and membership fee, as well as any future donations to:

VFW Post 2485 Attn: Grave Diggers PSC 517, Box RC-V FPO AP 96517-1000

11 News about, and, for, Posts and Pup Tents throughout the Pacific Areas!

Paddy Daddy Program Send the application to me along with a check made out to “Ee CHI GAE Pup Tent #2, in the amount of US$25.00, and I will promptly prepare your Certificate, Card and Pin and mail them to you. If you have any questions please do not hesi- tate to email me at [email protected] . Comrades,

Here is the Paddy Daddy Application for signing Yours in Comradeship, up Comrades, Cooties, Friends, Family and yes, even your Pets can be signed up in the Paddy Pro- L.O.T.C.S. gram. Please fill out as many applications as you like for a very good cause, The VFW National Billy Haney Home Special Project is the recipient of the pro- Seam Squirrel PT #2 ceeds from our very own program in the Pacific Paddy Daddy Chairman Areas. Received By: ______By: Received $______Amount: ______Date: ______Name: Ee CHI GAE PUP TENT #2 GRAND OF PACIFIC AREAS “PADDY DADDY” VFW NATIONAL HOME SPECIAL PROJECTS PROGRAM Membership Receipt Receipt Membership

LIFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION DADDY PADDY

NAME: ______Mail To:

ADDRESS: ______Billy T. Haney

HHC, USAG, Unit 15228 Box 87 ______APO AP 96271-5228 Received By: ______By: Received $______Amount: ______Date: ______Name: Ee CHI GAE PUP TENT #2 GRAND OF PACIFIC AREAS “PADDY DADDY” VFW NATIONAL HOME SPECIAL PROJECTS PROGRAM Membership Receipt Receipt Membership

LIFE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION DADDY PADDY

NAME: ______Mail To:

ADDRESS: ______Billy T. Haney

HHC, USAG, Unit 15228 Box 87 ______APO AP 96271-5228

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