SURVIVOR OP Harry Survivors Association Newsletter April 2006 Issue 41

\\ Editor’s Note Greek Bn. Reunion Announced Stumbling through Webster’s Dictionary we found that the word “survivor” is derived from the French Word on the OP Harry Documentary and the word ‘suvivre’ and the Latin ‘supervivere’, “One who following article were sent to us by Mike Pagomenos, remains alive or existent”. son of OPHSA member George Pagomenos [Ed.] After considerable thought and consultation with members of the Executive Committee we have decided The first (and probably only) Greek Outpost Harry to name our Newsletter “SURVIVOR”. Survivors reunion (Greek Expeditionary Force of the When the last battle for that desolate “Death Place”, ) will be held on Saturday 16th and Sunday as it was called by our Greek Allies, was over, there 17th September 2006 in Gazi, Heraklion Prefecture, were many descriptive words we could and did use for Crete Greece. This will be 53 years and 3 months, to the those who were left alive: Wounded, traumatized, day, that peter Company of Sparta Battalion walked onto unscathed, lucky, God’s answer to a prayer, MIA, POW- OP Harry Except for the MIAs and POWs, whom we prayed had The local town hall is sponsoring the event by survived, all the rest clearly qualified to be described by, providing a meeting place. A memorial service will be the key word, SURVIVORS. Here is your newly held on Sunday at a small church called Saint Nicholas named newsletter. We hope you like it and continue to in Gazi. contribute your inputs (Text and Pictures) for inclusion It is appropriate that the memorial service takes place in ‘SURVIVOR’. It’s your Newsletter. at Saint Nicholas since the Greek Army Chaplain, Archimandrite Andreas, who conducted services for the Outpost Harry Documentary Film Greek Expeditionary Force troops, re-established the Orthodox Church of at Saint Nicholas in Seoul, in Being Planned 1953. A documentary film crew will attend both Outpost More information will soon be available about this Harry Survivors reunions in Des Moines, Iowa USA and reunion at www.outpostharry.org including the itinerary in Gazi, Crete, Greece to interview all veterans who are and hotel accommodations. prepared to archive their memories. More information on how to participate in the interviews at either reunion will IN THIS ISSUE be published at www.outpostharry.org and www. OP Harry Documentary Pg 1 outpostharry.com OP Harry Greek Reunion Pg 1 It will be very much appreciated if veterans who are Des Moines Reunion Data Pg 2 attending either reunion can bring relevant photographs Hotel Reservation Information Pg 3 with them that may be used in the film documentary or Driving Directions Pg 3 published at www.outpostharry.com. Veterans who are President’s Corner Pg 4 not attending either reunion may forward photographs to OPHSA Donors Pg 4 the documentary production team for archive at Notes from the Chaplain Pg 5 www.outpostharry.com. Details on how to do this will New Members Pg 5 be posted on the website. All original photographs will Markley Honored by Greek Commander Pg 6 be returned. Tale of the Pipeline Pg7

1 OUTPOST HARRY SURVIVORS Saturday June 17 ASSOCIATION FIFTEENTH 8:30AM to 9:00AM OPHSA Memorial Service in the Council Bluffs Room, 3rd Floor. ANNUAL REUNION 9:15 to 10:00AM Reminiscences of Outpost Harry. Same location. 10:15 AM to 12:00 Noon Members business meeting in June 15 ---18, 2006 the Davenport Room, 3rd Floor Downtown Marriott Hotel 10:15 AM to 12:00 Noon Ladies Session in the rd 700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309 Dubuque Room, 3 Floor. 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM Free time. Hospitality Room is Phone: 515-245-5500 Fax: 515-245-5504 open. TOLL FREE—(800) 514-4681 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM Banquet Dinner in the Salons ABC Room, 2nd Floor. Quilt Raffle Drawing, 50:50 Check-in time: 4:00pm Check-out time: 12:Noon Drawing and raffle of donated items. Our Dinner Speaker is our own Mr. Richard R. Kilgen. Reunion Registration fee: Includes Thursday He has lectured in many venues on the history of the Welcome Reception Heartland Buffet, Saturday Korean War and OP Harry in particular. evening 6:00pm Home style Country Buffet and Sunday June 18 Sunday Morning 8:00 am Farewell Breakfast Buffet. 8:00 AM to10:00 AM Farewell Breakfast Buffet in the City and Museum bus tour scheduled Friday Davenport/Dubuque Room, 3rd Floor. Morning at 8:00 am is an extra cost item, For details see the registration form on the last page of this Hospitality will be located in room 3108. Hours of Newsletter. operation will be announced at the Welcome Reception To register with OPHSA for the reunion please use the registration form. Send the filled out form The Outpost Harry Survivors staff and I highly to Martin Markley with your remittance. New appreciate everyone for their attendance. We wish you a members or first time attendees be sure to check safe journey home. We hope to see everyone next year Thursday Welcome Reception: June 15th: the provided box so we may have badges made up in Ft. Benning, Georgia, our home base. 6:00pmfor you One. M houreal ti cCocktailkets, bu stime tick (onets, yourbadg own)es an ind “WE HELD” thepro Cedargram a nRapids/Councild roster will be Bluffsinclud eRoom,d in th e3rd check- Jerry Cunningham Reunion Chairman Floorin package you will receive upon arrival.

MENUS FOR ALL EVENTS REUNION SCHEDULE AND EVENTS Thursday Reception, Heartland Buffet Thursday June 15th Warm Whole Grain, Sourdough and Onion Dill Arrive at the Downtown Marriott. After check-in at the Cheverney Rolls and Butter hotel visit the Outpost Harry registration desk to sign in Creamy Cabbage Slaw/Red Skin Potato Salad/Fresh and receive your check-in package. Greens with shredded Carrots, Diced Tomato, Kernel Corn, Diced Cucumber with Iowa’s own Farm House 6:00 PM Welcome Reception One hour Cocktail time Dressing on your own in the Cedar Rapids/Council Bluffs Room, Boneless Breast of Chicken with Roasted Garlic and 3rd Floor, followed by— Tomatoes 7:00 PM Heartland Buffet (See menu elsewhere in Roasted Beef Brisket with Smokey Barbecue Salsa this newsletter and your reunion program.) Roasted Baby Potatoes with Bleu Cheese Friday June16th Sauteed Zucchini, Mushrooms and Onions 8:30 AM Four hour City and Museum Tour. For tour Assorted Bars and Brownies details see “Tour Schedule” in this Newsletter and in the Gourmet Bean Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Bigelow Tea, Milk reunion program. Buses will arrive at the hotel at and Lemonade approximately 1:00 PM. The afternoon and evening is (Cont. next page.) free time. Hospitality room will be open. 2 HOTEL RESERVATION INFORMATION Saturday Night Banquet, Homestyle Country Buffet Des Moines Marriott Downtown Hotel 700 Grand Ave Fresh Garden Greens, Sliced Mushrooms, Diced Tomato and Carrots, Mustard Potato Salad Des Moines, IA 50309 Julienne Red Onion, Shredded Cheddar Cheese with (515) 245-5530 (Direct) Bacon Ranch Dressing and a Tomato Vinaigrette. (800) 514-4681 (Toll Free) Turnip and Cabbage Slaw Roasted Beef Brisket with Chili Smoked Onions and As always, members are responsible for making Spicy Tomato Jam their own hotel reservations. Use the telephone Homefried Chicken with Southern Cream Gravy numbers listed above, being sure you reference Cornmeal Breaded Catfish with a Four Onion Relish membership in the Outpost Harry Survivors Association Horseradish Whipped Potatoes/Turnip and Collared to ensure you get the special rate of $79.00 per night. Greens, Pinto Beans with Fried Okra The reunion will take place on June 15th to June Buttermilk Biscuits and Sweet Cornbread with Sweet 18th, 2006. The Hotel has extended the special rate from th th Butter and Sorghum June 12 to June 20 for those who may want to arrive Peach and Blackberry Buckle early and leave late. Gourmet Bean Coffee and Decaf Coffee, Bigelow Tea, The Hotel is accepting reservations now. There Milk and Lemonade. is a cutoff date of May 18th for room reservations. Room availability is not guaranteed after that date. Sunday Morning, Des Moines Breakfast Buffet Make your plans and reservations N O W to avoid disappointment. Squeezed Florida Orange Juice, Carafes of Tomato Juice If you plan to fly into Des Moines International and Grapefruit Juice Airport, shuttle and taxi service is available. The Seasonal Fresh Fruit with Cottage Cheese Airport is located about five miles southwest of the Freshly Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Maple Cured Hotel. Bacon—Country Sausage Links If you plan to drive, detailed driving instructions Griddled Potatoes—Freshly Baked Biscuits, Danish and a map to the Hotel follow. Pasteries, Muffins and a Variety of Breads From Airport: Turn left (north) onto Fleur Drive. Take Fleur Drive to Locust Street and turn right (east). Sweet Butter and Berry Preserves. th Gourmet Bean Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Tea, Lemonade Proceed on Locust Street to 6 Avenue and turn left. Go and Milk one block to Grand Avenue and turn left. The Hotel is on the cxorner of 7th and Grand Ave. Enter the Hotel parking on the south side of Grand Ave. CITY TOUR ITINERARY From I-235 Westbound: Take the 2nd and 3rd rd rd All members and guests who have booked the Friday Street exit. Turn left (south) onto 3 St.. Follow 3 St. south to Grand Ave. Take Grand Ave. to 7th Street. The Morning City and Museum tour will meet in the hotel th lobby at 8:30 AM. We will be formed into two groups to Hotel entrance is just after 7 St. on the far side of Grand board the buses at 8:45. Departure time is 9:00AM. The Ave. From I-235 Eastbound: Take the 7th Street exit two buses will take the same route but in opposite th th directions, returning to the hotel at 1:00PM. The tour is and curve to the right onto 7 Street. Follow 7 Street fully narrated with stops at the Fort Des Moines south staying in the far right lane. At Grand Ave. turn Memorial Museum, Iowa State Capitol Grounds and the right (west) and get into the far left lane. The Hotel Iowa Gold Star Museum. entrance is immediately on the left. The Hotel has underground valet parking only, at $14.00 per day, flat rate. There are three large city- owned parking facilities within 1 block of the hotel with daily rates not exceeding $9.00 per day. These garages are free on the weekends beginning at 9:PM on Friday and continuing through Monday morning. A map of the central area of Des Moines for general location of the Hotel is on the next page. Des Moines Marriott Downtown Hotel

3 Location reference map. Hotel is the star in the center PRESIDENT’S CORNER With the 2006 Annual Reunion #15 coming around soon, June 15th to 18th, in Des Moines, IA, I am looking forward to meeting once more with old and new friends alike.

Bring your pictures, stories, memories, maps, etc. to share and compare. Like they say, "The more, the merrier!"

If you have not checked our website Guest Book in a while, do so. The Comments that are made are so "apropos" in saying how helpful the site has been to them. Sort of gives the OPHSA another good reason for existing.

A Note About Des Moines & The Weather Register early for all the good reasons! Des Moines, the capital city of the state of Iowa has a population of 198,682 and is at an altitude of 817’. Support Our Troops! Though the AAA tour book notes that ice fishing at WE HELD! nearby Polk City is popular in the winter, average temperatures in June are highs of 83, lows of 61. Claude Williams BAD NEWS & GOOD NEWS Bad News First: We regret to inform you that Mrs. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Therese Park, the Korean-American author and We have some new members to add to the roster this musician, who was to be our speaker at the banquet, has quarter. Doug Jones has placed reunion notices in the regretfully withdrawn participation due to health various veterans’ magazines that have been finding problems. We thank her for her offer and wish her a qualified people who inquire about membership in speedy recovery. OPHSA. Good News Next: Richard Kilgen, one of our own We wish to heartily welcome the following new OPHSA members, has accepted an invitation to be our members: Edward J. Cleary lives in Olney, IL. His speaker. Rich in recent th years earned a degree in service in the military put him into the 5 RCT, ‘L’ Co. history from East Jack B. Coffey is in Claremont, NC. Jack served with ‘G’ Co of the 65th Regiment as well as in the Stroudsburg University. He th has lectured on aspects of 15 Infantry in Korea. Daniel A. McMonagle lives in Port Matilda, the Korean War on several th occasions and been PA. He served with 15 Infantry Regiment, ’G’ Co. interviewed on the subject Charles C. Sperow resides in Punta Gorda, FL. He was with 3d AAA AW Bn. on radio stations in th Pennsylvania. We hope you will all attend our 15 reunion in Des His subject for his Moines, in June this year. The Association started with speech at our reunion will eleven survivors. Over the last 15 years we have found be “Four Generals”, the over 200 veterans of the battles that we fought in Korea Generals who commanded the Eighth Army during the defending that useless piece of real estate called OP Korean War. Rich served in Korea in ‘D’ Co. of the 15th Harry. We will never forget the price our lost and Infantry Regiment, He speaks from the study of history wounded comrades paid for our victory. We look and the viewpoint of an Infantryman who didn’t gain his forward to meeting and greeting you in person. knowledge of what War was like, from a book. Our motto says it all- - - WE HELD!

4 NOTES FROM THE THANK YOU OPHSA CHAPLAIN DONORS! Ed Hanrahan ` Here is a list of members who have sent donations to OPHSA since the end of September 2005. There may During the winter Martin Markley informed me of be a few duplications in here but each name represents a the passing of Shirley Carlson, wife of the late Wayne donation. Carlson (Med. Co. 15th Infantry As you know OPHSA does not levy dues. We are Regiment, 3 ID) Last fall we not money hungry and use the funds received for had received a beautiful hand funding the publication of the “Survivor” and planning made thank you card, thanking and funding for the upcoming reunion. There are some us for the picture of the OPHSA incidental expenses but the elected and appointed staff Memorial Plaque. We will miss members receive no compensation for their efforts in them dearly. A sympathy card OPHSA. was sent to the Carlson family As you all know, the greatest wealth derived from in January 2006. this Association is the comradeship we experience from Another sympathy card and each other at our reunions. We were all engaged in a OPHSA prayer card was sent to series of vital defensive battles fifty-three years ago in the Freitas Family. (Edward Korea. Our Association has been instrumental in Freitas was with ‘G’ Co, 15th educating thousands of people about our little known Infantry Regiment) endeavors in winning those battles. Through the Dorothea Weibel, wife of the late Paul Weibel (‘A’ OPHSA Web Site and probably next year, a TV Co. 15th Infantry Regiment), sent us some great photo documentary, thousands, perhaps millions will be copies, 7 in all, of Paul and his Co. ‘A’ buddies, which reminded about the sacrifices made by our comrades in will be on display at the OPHSA Memorial Service and those bloody hills far away! the Hospitality Room in Des Moines. The list below includes a donation from one A thank you card was sent to us from Alice Tolen individual who enclosed a greenback with a note that who has moved into the new home she and her husband your editor promptly lost. Del Tolen (‘A’ Co. 5th RCT) had planned to build Bob Brandon, Gene Forsberg, Cornelius before his unexpected passing in 2004. Alice’s new Hindall, Charales Herch, John Martin, Egan Fehnel, address is Alice Tolen, 1224 Sunset Drive, Delta CO Charles Trout, Joseph Manley, John Spencer, 81416. Robert Bates, Chester Fudalla, Thomas Chilcott, So far so good – No picture plaques have been Clyde Shinault, Robert Baker, Mark Woods, Jim returned that I sent out in 2005 which means that the Fields, Jim Evans, Joseph Kolgat, James Day, families of the deceased members have received them. Rankin Burchfield, Michelle Berg for her dad, I received a note from Dr. Harry Lee who hopes to Paul Meyers, Lupe P. Carasco, Martin Markley, attend this year’s reunion in Des Moines. Don R. Patton, Sam Buck, Charles Scott, Jim This past winter I had the chance to spend some time Evans, Jerry Cunningham, Richard Martinet, with OPHSA members Don Chase, Cora and Walden Ray Scherrman, Henry Flaack, Rich Kilgen, Storie and Jane and Bob Grillo. After their departure I Robert H Baker, Mark Woods, Claude Williams got to thinking about all these renewed friendships, and the unidentifiable cash donation. Thank you going back to over 53 years ago and how they got all. started. GOD BLESS our OPHSA Founding Fathers for creating this remarkable Association. Lord, we ask that you keep them and all our members in good health. Please pray for all our military people, scattered in all OP Harry Caps will be available for parts of the World, especially in the Middle East. purchase at the reunion as well as the OP Stay well, and see you in the ‘Heartland’ in June. Harry Memorial Medal and the OPHSA Emblem,(without ribbon) Ed Hanrahan

5 Markley Received Greek Award Korean War. First for the U.N.

Martin Markley, one of OPHSA’s founding fathers, 3rd Infantry Division put upon the support from small received the honor of being awarded honorary countries for the battle against international communism. membership in the Greek Expeditionary Forces in In April 1953 the division Theheld a review at Korea, by Lt. Col George Koumanakos. story of Martin Markley’s work with and for the Greek Dated 15 Sept. 1953 The citation letter read: “It is a Battalion reminded us of the emphasis the Division HQ distinct pleasure to me to appoint Captain Martin commemorating the founding of the UN in 1945. At Markley, U. S. Army, an honorary member of the Greek that time the division had many ROK soldiers in the Expeditionary Forces Battalion in acknowledgement of ranks as well as the Greek and the Belgian Battalions. his services offered to this gallant unit. The sincere co-operation of Captain Martin Markley and his utmost contribution to the successful accomplishment of the missions assigned this Battalion are greatly appreciated by every Officer and Men of the Greek Expeditionary Forces and reflects great credit on himself and the United States Army. Effective this date, Captain Martin Markley, an honorary member of the heroic GEF Bn. is entitled to wear the “HELLENIC FORCES” Patch.” Signed by Koumanakos George Lt. Col. Inf. Commanding GEF Bn. At the time this letter was written Martin Markley was in a military hospital in Denver, Co. recovering from the severe wounds he suffered defending OP Harry in June 1953. The letter was addressed to : A ROK Officer, the Commander of the Belgian Bn., Lt. Captain Martin Markley Col. George Koumanakos, Commander of the Greek Cheynne, Wyo. (sic) Bn, and 3rd Infantry Division Commander Major U. S. of America General George W. Smythe engage in a four way Martin’s records indicate that Cheyenne, WY was his handshake symbolizing the joint effort in the Korean hometown. Some anonymous USPS employee back War. Photo by Jarboe then did the right thing. The letter was eventually forwarded and delivered to Martin in Denver. Paul Harvey would say, “That is the rest of the story.” . . . .”

The UN Review at 3rd ID HQ, April, 1953. The Division Band on the far left ROK, Belgian, Greek and American units in the division including a platoon of the 5th RCT that had been recently attached to the division. The formation extended as far to the right as to the left. The flags of all Nations represented are massed in the center with unit flags behind. You will note that it was hard to find a flat place in most of Korea so even the Division Parade ground sloped Then 1st Lt. Martin Markley near OP Dick with a downhill! Photo by Jarboe Greek officer Photo from M. Markley

6 Another ‘Pipeline’ Tale By Jim Evans OPHSA founding father, Jim Evans, has sent us some pictures and his comments concerning his pipeline trip from Japan to Korea. Many of us followed the same track on our way to the , but he, as well as most of us, did not know where he was going to wind up. This particular Ranger knew he wanted to be in the middle of it. He got his wish! (Ed.)

Here are a few pictures and comments about my trip to Korea from Japan in the fall of 1952. Made it to land and feeling better. Lt. Evans (left) and friend whose name I cannot remember waiting to start the trip to the replacement center. 2nd Lt Evans had no comprehension as to what he was going to see and do. If he had known, he would not be smiling.

This is the ship that took us from Japan to Pusan, Korea late August, 1952. This ship was a small freighter contracted to move troops, aided to the dock by a tug.

Stopped at a train station during the ride from Pusan to the replacement center. This is a picture of a boy begging. He had a very old baseball glove where he would catch candy, etc., that we threw to him. He was dirty and had ragged clothes. There was a lot of this in Korea at that time. But because of what we did, Korea now has a beautiful country.

The view from the top deck of the ship. The hills ahead are in Korea in the area of Pusan. I took this picture from the top deck since it was not rolling as much as below. Or at least I could see the horizon and not get sick. (Another Officer and I tried to drink the Officers Club at Gifu dry two nights before we left Japan. I guess we Since we did not have many working windows, the coal knew where we were going and wanted to have a last smoke and dust blew in and covered us with coal dust. fling.) All photos by Jim Evans (Cont. next Pg) 7 There were wooden seats in the passenger cars set train ride I caught a terrible cold. I was “Sick Like closely together. I slept on the floor since no one could Dawg” for a week. stretch out in the wooden seats. Somewhere during the After being assigned to the 5th Infantry Regiment, 5th Regimental Combat Team, I was given command of a rifle platoon in Company A.. We were on the northern rim of an area called the “Punch Bowl”. The picture at left is a view of the Bowl looking south from the northern rim.

It is approximately 15 miles across and took about 5 hours to drive from where this picture was taken to the MASH hospital in the bottom of the Bowl. Fortunately, we had the helicopters to transport the seriously wounded from our aid station not far from where I was standing.

Editor’s Post Script: The quality of the photo above shows that Jim OP Harry Quilt Raffle Evans was able to get a new camera! Since his recent The quilt was a real labor of Love by this lovely retirement, Jim has become very interested in digital lady. She put many hours of meticulous work into this Photography. beautiful, one of a kind, collector’s item. By the time This would not have been possible in the year it was you receive the Survivor you will have already received taken because the picture is a merge of four photos that your raffle tickets for the OP Harry Quilt made and Jim took from the same position, never dreaming that, in donated by Carolyn the future, he would have the ability to achieve this Ferrara. composite image. Jim took a course in the use of the computer software called Photoshop. It looks as though he learned his lessons well. In the spring of 1953 the 5th RCT was attached to Carolyn (lft) used a the Third Infantry Division. In June Jim Evans became star motif with 16 stars very well acquainted with another hill called OP Harry. commemorating the (Ed.) units that served to defend OP Harry. 8 OUTPOST HARRY REUNION 2006 REGISTRATION FORM Make checks payable to: Mail form, with registration fees and voluntary donations to: OP Harry Survivors Martin Markley Association 1601 West Woodcrest Ave Fullerton, CA 92833-4531 Member Full Name:______Date______

Spouse Full Name:______

Children Full Name(s):______Guest(s) Full Name:______( )Check here if this is your first Outpost Harry Survivors Reunion

Your Address:______

City:______State______ZipCode______Your unit during Defense of OP Harry:______

Reunion Fees: NUMBER Cost Total ______X $95.00 ea $______Age 16 and above ______X $50.00ea $______Age 10 to 15 ______X FREE Age 1 to 9 Des Moines City Tour Age 16 and above ______X $15.00 ea $______Age 15 and below ______X FREE

Voluntary Donation (not required) $______Net Total $______

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