Re: Rewriting History

[<DELGADOGUINDIN@aol.com>]

Lee, 

  General Harris reports in his book, "Puerto Rico's Fighting 65th Infantry," that the regiment lost 36-men KIA, 75-wounded and 12-MIA during the month of December '50. He estimated that the enemy lost about 8-times that number. 

  TF Dog arrived at Chinhung-ni at about 1400 hours on 12/7 but did not make actual contact with the Marines.  The 2nd of the 65th held the high ground west of the road between Majon-dong and Sudong.  Later the 2nd/65th moved back to protect Majon-dong,except for Company G which remained at Majon-dong.  The Marines and TF Dog made contact after and at Hill 1081 on 12/9.  It should be noted that TF Dog included a substantial artillery support and they played an integral part in these events.  Another report says they met up on 12/10 at Chinhungni, 0240 hours, which freed up the 1st Marines to push north and assist in the bridging operations.

  The Marine and attached army units passed through TF Dog.  Company "G", at Sudone was attacked three times by a large enemy force.  The enemy broke  through but a combined Marine/Army force drove them off under TF Dog's 52d Transportation Truck Battalion, Lt. Col. Winston.  As I noted before, Lt. Col. Neil who commanded the 15th Inf Reg, told his son that at one point TF Dog was in real danger of being cut off and had to fight their way out. Company "G" was the last to leave and arrived at Majon-dong at 1955 hours.

  Lee, the above is not absolutely accurate, because other official reports and accounts have different dates, locations and units.  If you read Gen. Harris' account you get the impression that the 65th played a more prominent role than is recorded in some other reports I have found.  But who is to say which version is the absolute truth.  On report doesn't even include any units of the 65th in TF Dog 
(SEE http://www.-cgsc.army.mil/carl/CSIPUBS/Stewart/Stewart.htm).  Gen. Harris' book is now in paperback, read it and you will see what I mean.

  But what is sure is that 3rd div units were deeply involved in a critical moment of the battle before they joined other X-Corps units and retreated slowly to ever smaller defensive lines around the port.

  But, as it has been said before, only a disciplined and brave division could have endured what the Marines endured.  Without their bravery there would not have been anyone on that one road marching south.  TF Dog would not have had an assignment.  

  Good luck in your research. Please keep me posted. We'll get to the bottom of this together.

  Talk to you.    Jose.