PASS IN REVIEW “Shedding Light On Idaho’s Military History” 1st Quarter March 2003 KOREAN CONFLICT 50TH ANNIVERSARY This edition is the fourth and final edition in a series tracks are destroyed. Further attacks on irrigation dams commemorating the Korean Conflict. follow over the next two weeks. 1953 h June 15 - USS Princeton launches 184 sorties, establishing a single-day Korean War record for offensive After halting the sorties flown from a carrier. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft Communist Chinese Forces fly 910 sorties – the highest combined number for a single (CCF) advance, day. the U.N. Forces h June 30 - FEAF Sabres destroy 16 MiGs, the largest conducted a number shot down in one day. series of well executed attacks, h July 6-10 - Battle of Pork Chop Hill. The 7th Inf Div is recovering Seoul. ordered to evacuate its defensive positions after five days of fighting. Hostilities eventually ceased hJuly 13-20 - Battle of Kumsong River Salient. Last along Armistice Communist offensive. CCF launches a six-division attack line located near partly directed at the U.S. IX Corps (3rd, 40th, 45th Inf Div’s). the 38th Parallel.1 The 187th RCT is attached to 2nd Inf Div during the fighting. h July 24-26 - Final U.S. ground combat. Heavy enemy h Jan. 25 - (3,000 men) attack is launched in the Berlin Complex Operation SMACK. Assault on Spud Hill by elements of the (“Boulder City”) area held by the 7th and 1st Marine st th 31 Infantry Regiment (7 Infantry Division). Regiments. Last Marine ground actions of the war are h th fought on Hills 111 and 119. March 17 - Hill 355 (Little Gibraltar), held by the 9 nd Infantry Regiment (2 Inf Div), is assaulted by Chinese. h July 27 - Last air kill of the war. F-86 pilot downs an h enemy transport near the Manchurian border. March 23-24 - Old Baldy/Pork Chop Complex. Held by 31st Infantry Regiment (7th Inf Div). The 32nd Regiment (7th h st July 27 - The United States, North Korea and China sign Inf Div) relieves the 31 . an armistice, which ends the war but fails to bring about a permanent peace. To date, the Republic of Korea (South) h March 26-30 - Outposts at the Nevada cities (Vegas- th and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North) have not Reno-Carson), held by the 5 Marine Regiment, come under signed a peace treaty. A total of 33,651 service members heavy attack. A Chinese regiment is destroyed died in battle during the Korean War; 27,709 U.S. Army; h th st 4,269 U.S. Marines; 1,198 U.S. Air Force; and 475 U.S. April 16-18 - Battle of Pork Chop Hill. The 17 and 31 2 Infantry Regiments (7th Inf Div) hit hard and suffer heavy Navy 7,140 service members became prisoners of war. casualties. Inside This Issue h April 20-26 - Operation Little Switch exchanges th sick and wounded POWs, including 149 Americans. 190 Fighter Squadron Gets The Call President’s Message Curator’s Corner Volunteer Of The Quarter h May 13 - Raid on Toksan Dam. A dramatic strike Volunteer Appreciation Evening Upcoming Events by 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing F-84s destroys a major New Members Members In The News irrigation system. Five miles of valuable rice crops Cooking With History Endowment Update are scoured and miles of highways and railroad Idaho File Into History – James E. Johnson Most Wanted Just In Case The Official Newsletter of the Idaho Military Historical Society and Museum PASS IN REVIEW March 2003 -2- 190TH FIGHTER Jordan and Brig. Gen. John E. Walsh would be joined by other Air Guard units. SQUADRON GETS jointly released the news to the press By the end of March, however, the 190th THE CALL and public. learned of its assignment to Moody Air The following is condensed from Force Base (AFB) in Valdosta, Georgia, The History Of The Idaho National where it was expected to reopen the Guard.3 deactivated base. When North Korean forces crossed Montana’s 186th Fighter Squadron and the 38th parallel on June 25, 1950, North Dakota’s 178th Fighter Squadron the 190th Fighter Squadron was just would eventually join the 190th and returning from summer camp at California’s 146th Air Base Group to Walla Walla, Washington. Idaho form the 146th Fighter Wing. An Guard officials believed the Korean Conflict Advanced advance group left Boise on April 17, Detachment, 15 Feb 19515 squadron would eventually be while those remaining behind followed three weeks later. Most members of the activated because of the small In February an advance detachment of number of personnel and aircraft in Idaho support units were placed in wing sixty members began to prepare support organizations, while the 190th the United States Air Force. ‘There Gowen Field for the unit's was no possible way to keep sending remained basically intact. The 190th mobilization. In the next two months, Weather Detachment, however, reported people to Korea, prepare for defense the 190th intensified its training of our own land and expand to to Mountain Home AFB in Idaho, and program. Lt. Col. Martin H. Johnson was assigned to the Tenth Air Weather desired strength but to tap the ready and his staff reorganized the training civilian reserve,’ Maj. David Service group for the duration of their schedule to more adequately prepare active duty. A few members were also Johnson asserted. non-veterans of the squadron. individually distributed to other bases to Idaho Guard officials received a Authorities of the Air Force and satisfy Air Force needs. telephone call on January 18, 1951, Strategic Air Command flew to Boise At Moody AFB, training dealt with from Sec. of the Air Force Thomas on April 1 to federalize the entire K. Finletter. Over the phone, the bomber interception and individual air organization. Over 2,300 people combat techniques. The Strategic Air duty officer heard: ‘Subject, gathered at the Boise High School Ordering Air National Guard units Command, headed by Gen. Curtis Lemay, gymnasium to witness the event. directed the group in aerial warfare into active service.’ Many dignitaries including Governor practice. When the 146th first arrived at Jordan, Brig. Gen. William H. Moody, it went to the Okefenokee Abendroth, and Brig. Gen. Walsh Swamp near Waycross, Georgia, for attended. In fact, Boise Fire Capt. W. survival training. The squadron started an F. Roach turned away more than 600 intensive safety inspection designed to spectators for safety reasons. prevent crashes, especially when flying battle-damaged aircraft. Pilots of the 190th performed high altitude bomber interception missions, sometimes traveling as far as Topeka, Kansas. Other pilots practiced air-to-air gunnery Ceremony acknowledging 190th with personnel from Hunter AFB in Activation. Pictured here are th Savannah, Georgia. Most staged battles Frank Bobbit, Dave Johnson Officers and Airmen of the 190 occurred forty miles offshore. Before Martin Johnson and George FS stand roll call in the Boise 4 6 leaving Moody, the Wing and Fighter Johnson High School Gym Squadrons were redesignated Fighter- Finletter officially informed the Harold C. Stuart, assistant secretary of Bomber Units. In October the Air 190th of its federalization effective the Air Force, welcomed the 190th Training Command, which trained pilots April 1. They were to report for Fighter Squadron and its supporting for all-weather flying, took over Moody duty at their home station, Gowen units into the Air Force. Immediately AFB, precipitating the transfer of the Field. The activation also included following Stuart’s remarks, Col Jesse 146th FBW to George AFB at Victorville, the 190ths support units consisting Auton, deputy director of fighters, California. Most 190th personnel had of 190th Utility Flight; Detachment Strategic Air Command, administered orders to report to George AFB shortly nd C, 242 Air Service Group; and the the oath to over 400 Guardsmen. after Christmas 1951. 190th Weather Station. On January Rumor suggested that the 190th would (CONTINUED ON PAGE 7) 19, newly inaugurated Gov. Len B. remain at Gowen Field, where it The Official Newsletter of the Idaho Military Historical Society and Museum -3- March 2003 PASS IN REVIEW PRESIDENT'S of rearranging things and should have VOLUNTEER OF MESSAGE our M38A1 jeep back soon. Larry THE QUARTER Greetings to Everyone, and Garry Carroll have kindly placed it in storage for us to keep it It was great to see so many people out of the elements. Also, by moving attend the Volunteer Appreciation artifacts around some exhibit cases Dinner in February. The food was have been freed up. What this means abundant and the company was is we can have more artifacts out on wonderful. It was a nice way to exhibit. meet new volunteers and renew These changes will be completed by acquaintances with the veteran our Open House on Memorial Day 26 volunteer force. I heard comments May. Speaking of the Open House, about looking forward to next you might want to tune in to Channel year's Spaghetti Dinner already! 7 that morning. Larry Gebert will be doing his broadcast from the We have some upcoming events Museum! We will be open from 10-4 Please meet Steve Bonde and projects that may tickle your that day with a variety of fancy. The various project leaders organizations. Steve is from Nampa and joined the Idaho are sure to provide additional Air National Guard at age 17. He served th information in their news articles. Thank you to those who have six years with the 190 FIS in their radar Be looking for your opportunity to responded to our Most Wanted list.