AFTERMATH
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The "Lost Bastards" of Iron Ridge
During the
Battle of the Kumsong Salient
13 July to 21 July 1953
Compiled by
John R. Carpenter
Copyright 2002 All Rights Reserved
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AFTERMATH
About an hour later, Iron Ridge was now back in friendly hands. The fog lifted quickly and a bright hot sun warmed the earth. By noon the ridge to the north was secured by the ROKs. Many of the defenders of the eastern bunker came out to survey the carnage of war. Bits of clothing, rifles, other equipment and even paper trash were scattered about. Small mounds revealed to be piles of bodies. The defenders felt out of place compared to the relatively fresh looking troops that had come through their area. Many sat looking around almost in shock that they were alive.
The new Lieutenant noted that many of the dead enemy soldiers were three high in places. The ground in places was so thick in bodies that one could not walk through them with out stepping on some body part. He had seen death, but not on the scale of thousands. Human remains were scattered all around the bunker complex. It was stunning and hard to describe what he felt.
The fighting wasn't over yet. While the Chinese were in retreat they left behind delaying forces that tried to ambush the UN forces. The FAC team left before noon when a jeep arrived for them. Several ROK Doctors arrived by truck and began to treat the wounded that was carried out of the bunker. Helicopters arrived on the air strip to evacuate wounded Americans from the 17th Regiment then as space provided wounded ROKs.
The grisly task of body recovery began. This was complicated by humid heat, flies and the ripped and torn body parts.
The Chinese dead were gathered together in huge piles and gasoline was poured over them. Near the end of the day they were set afire. The smell of burning human fat and the pungent smell of burnt human hair was everywhere. Many stared at the twisting jerking limbs caused by the heat of the bonfires. It was an erie sight never to be forgotten. Dozens of funeral pyres are seen near by and the smoke of many more stained the setting sun.
The still new Lieutenant had received word that transportation was being sent to retrieve them and their equipment. The packed what they had and waited. A little after 1800 a jeep and a truck arrived. The 14 survivors loaded the radar and their bags. As they left, the Lieutenant noted a few more broken stacks of the pierced steel planking on the other side of the air strip. They could have used them. Very slowly the little convoy of the surviving "Lost Bastards" made their way down the steep trail into the gloom of night and the relative safety of the rear area.
After many check points and many hours they finally reached the northeast corner of Kimpo Airfield, this some time before dawn. There they were shown an old ammo bunker to sleep in. They unloaded the radar and other gear and covered it with a tarp. In the dim light they turned toward the bunks. Fourteen bunks made military style with crisp white sheets awaited them. The filthy smelly men staggered over and collapsed on top of the bunks. Most slept until the following morning. They were guarded by an ASA (Army Security Agency) company and for the first time in months they completely relaxed.
Unknown to them the fighting had tappered off along with the general counter offensive.
These 14 men had not had a shower, hair cut or fresh clothing since the first of May. Now on the 22nd day of July they found the showers and even though the water was cool it was a blessed luxury. They shaved and dressed in clean fatigues provided. The gaunt and hungry men were welcomed by the Mess Sergeant who said they could have anything they wanted. Fresh milk, eggs and wonder of wonders fresh fruit were eaten. They ate until they were sick and regurgitated what they had eatten. The Mess Sergeant laughed because he had seen it before.
Many took food back with them. All of them were sick from the rich food and had to be seen by a doctor who came to examine them. They were cautioned to eat lightly and given vitamins. A quartermaster Sergeant came and took their name, ranks and serial numbers. They were issued replacement insignia, uniforms and other needed gear.
The ASA people took possession of the radar. They were debriefed one by one and in group. The new Lieutenant signed off the final report on the 25th of July. They were reminded then and reordered not to talk about the battlefield radar. They were ordered to forget what happened.
Now more human looking they were given money and sent to the less secure side of Kimpo Air Field pending their transportation. The Lieutenant was quartered in the BOQ (Bachelors Officers Quarters) and ordered not to wear his rank and insigna. He lost track of the men who began to quickly leave after the General Cease Fire on the 27th.
In the first week of August 1953 the Lieutenant was sent stateside to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he was again debriefed in detail. Then he was ordered to forget what happened because it was Top Secret. There he was informed that the United States Army had too many Second Lieutenants. He was discharged as an Officer and a Gentleman on August 16th, 1953. He had been an officer for exactly one month.
He was encouraged to get his high school diploma and to further educate himself. He immediately enlisted as a Corporal then was soon promoted to Sergeant. He got himself reassigned back to Bamberg, Germany with the Blue Spaders (26th Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division) and where his German wife and children lived.
It took him three more secret missions and with five years of effort and preparation to be chosen to attend OCS (Officer's Candidate School) at Fort Benning, Georgia. He graduated there on 6 October 1959 becoming a Second Lieutenant once again.
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