187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
On 15 August, Emperor Hirohito of Japan took the unprecedented step of addressing the nation to inform his people that Japan had accepted the Allied surrender terms.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
The bulk of the 11th Airborne Division had closed on Okinawa by 15 August. The 54th TCW rounded up C–46s, C–47s, and B–24s (with troops crammed into the bomb bays) to airlift the division to Naha, Kadena, and Yotan Airfields on Okinawa. The rest of the 187th PGIR departed for Okinawa as transport aircraft were made available, and was consolidated by 18 August. A rear echelon stayed at Lipa long enough to bring up the regiment's heavy equipment by ship.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
For the next two weeks, the division was stuck on Okinawa, waiting for the details of the final Japanese surrender negotiations. The division had expected to remain on Okinawa for a week at the most, and all heavy equipment, including the mess kitchens, were moving up by sea. Consequently, the men lived in pup tents and ate 10-in-1 rations, C-rations, or K-rations cooked on squad cookers. The GIs listened to lectures and orientations on the Japanese people, their customs, and their country.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
They were warned that no one knew how the Japanese would react to the occupation; for this reason, the division would arrive in Japan loaded out for combat. General Swing still thought that he might be given the mission of airdropping a major portion of his division onto Japan. That mission never materialized, even though paratroopers tried jumping from a B–24 because the C–46 could not make the round trip between Okinawa and Japan; the B–24 was most inappropriate for dropping paratroopers.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
The final leg of the trip to Atsugi Airdrome in Japan was run by Major General William O. Ryan, commanding general of the Air Transport Command's Pacific Division. By 28 August, General Ryan's command had crammed the departure airfields on Okinawa with C–54s from all over the world, enough so that C–54s, larger than the C–46s or C–47s, were the only transport aircraft that made the flight from Okinawa to Japan. The airlift plan called for both personnel and cargo aircraft to depart Okinawa at a rate of 15 planes per hour, 11 hours a day.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
On 28 August, an advance detail from General Ryan's headquarters and the 11th Airborne Division flew to Atsugi Airdrome to set up equipment for the main landings, including radio equipment to set up an air traffic control tower. A typhoon over Okinawa caused a 48-hour delay. At 01:00 on 30 August, the first C–54 in the division's lead echelon took off from Kadena Airfield. Aboard were General Swing and the principal division staff officers. On the second C–54 were General Pierson, the alternate division staff, and a detachment with communications equipment capable of reaching back to Okinawa. Five hours later, General Swing's aircraft touched down at Atsugi Airdrome, followed by a steady stream of C–54s. General Swing was the first man off his plane. The occupation of Japan was underway.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
The 11th Airborne Division had been directed to provide an honor guard for General MacArthur's arrival on Japanese soil. MacArthur refused to meet with the Japanese until the moment of final surrender. Each division infantry regiment was to furnish a platoon for the honor guard. Captain Glenn Carter, 1/187th's executive officer, was to be the honor guard commander. The honor guard was attached to Major Thomas Mesereau's 3/188th. Early in the airlift were 3/188th, the attached honor guard, and the division band to be on hand when Macarthur arrived. Colonel Pearson and an initial planeload of the 187th PGIR landed early in the flight pattern with the mission of remaining in the Atsugi Airdrome area and guarding the airfield.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
General Eichelberger and part of his US Eighth Army staff landed at around noon. At 14:00, General Macarthur arrived in his personal C–54, aptly named "Bataan." He paused at the top of the ramp dressed in his signature khakis, with his corncob pipe in his mouth, and his gold-braided uniform hat firmly in place. As he proceeded down the ramp, the 11th Airborne Division band played "Ruffles and Flourishes" followed by the "General's March," the musical honors appropriate to a five-star Army general. General Eichelberger stepped forward to meet MacArthur, saluted, and they shook hands. MacArthur and his staff then climbed into vehicles to move from Atsugi Airdrome to the Hotel New Grand in Yokohama, the site of MacArthur's headquarters for the next few days, where the motorcade was greeted by Major Mesereau, his 3/188th battalion, and Captain Carter's 11th Airborne Division honor guard.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
By the end of the day, 123 C–54s had landed at Atsugi Airdrome, bringing in 4,200 troops of the 11th Airborne Division and other support units. The first serials brought in no large vehicles or heavy equipment because General Swing wanted the maximum number of men, lightly equipped, to land initially, given the unknown situation at and near the Atsugi Airdrome. What equipment came in was essential: two jeeps and one water trailer per regiment and a five-day supply of 10-in-1 rations. The 188th PIR landed first with 1,096 men; then came the 187th PGIR with 1,257 men.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
The 511th PIR landed next with 1,165 men. By evening, the regiments had fanned out to accomplish their assigned missions: The 511th moved to Yokohama and posted the Yokohama-Tokyo road for about 8 miles (13 km) beyond Yokohama; the 188th fanned out from Atsugi toward Fujisawa; the 187th remained at Atsugi Airdrome.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
The 187th PGIR quickly took over its sector of responsibility. The regimental CP was set up at the Japanese Naval School. Motorized and foot patrols were maintained throughout the area. All Japanese installations containing military arms and equipment were seized. The 187th was given the mission of caring for the Allied prisoners of war (POWs) who began to leave the Japanese POW camps as soon as the Americans began to land and were streaming into Atsugi Airdrome for transportation out of Japan.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
The morning of 2 September (3 September in Japan) 1945 was a singular moment in the annals of world history when the formal Japanese surrender occurred aboard the USS Missouri (BB-63), anchored in Tokyo Bay.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Initial Operations
On 7 September, the 11th Airborne Division CP closed at Atsugi Airdrome. General Ryan's Air Transport Command had moved the division's 11,708 men, 640 tons of supplies, and more than 600 jeeps and trailers. At 1,600 miles (2,600 km), it was the longest and largest air–transported troop movement ever attempted and completed. The division and the 187th PGIR were now ready to begin the final occupation of Japan.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
On 14 September 1945, the Americal Division relieved the 11th Airborne Division of its responsibilities in the Tokyo-Yokohama area. The next day, the 11th Airborne Division began its move by highway and rail to assigned sectors in northern Honshu. For its move, the 187th PGIR moved from Atsugi Airdrome to Sendai, where the regiment was housed in a Japanese Army arsenal that would later be named Camp Schimmelpfennig, after the 11th Airborne Division's chief of staff who was killed in action near Manila.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
General Swing set up the Myagi Task Force, composed of the 187th PGIR and 188th PIR and commanded by General Pierson, the assistant division commander. In addition to carrying out General MacArthur's SCAP edicts, the principal mission was to collect and destroy all Japanese arms, ammunition, and armament factories. The 187th spent most of its time improving its accommodations and patrolling its assigned sector.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
By early fall, many of the 187th PGIR's combat troops had returned stateside for discharge, the dates based on the number of "points" accumulated in combat and overseas service. Replacements, officer and enlisted alike, were arriving by the hundreds to the units scattered over northern Honshu. Many were not parachute qualified. General Swing, for the fourth time, established another jump school at the former Yanome Airfield, about 15 miles (24 km) from Sendai. From March through June 1946, 3,376 men were graduated from the Yanome jump school, about 75 percent of those who started the two-week course.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
With over 18,066 jumps during that period, the injury rate was less than one percent. By this time, the 187th was almost completely manned with paratroopers, in keeping with Swing's 1943 requirement that 11th Airborne Division soldiers be both parachute and glider qualified. During the summer of 1946, Swing started a glider school at Yamoto Airfield, renamed Carolus Field in honor of Corporal Charles H. Carolus, killed in a glider crash near Manila on 22 July 1945. In October 1945, the division initiated a flying school using the division's liaison pilots and the artillery spotter aircraft. By the end of the six-week course, the student had accumulated 15 hours of dual and 15 hours of solo flying time. By June 1946, 25 officers and 75 enlisted men had completed the course.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
In January 1946, Colonel Pearson was replaced by Colonel Wilson as the 187th PGIR's new commanding officer.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
In the months after the Japanese surrender, the 11th Airborne Division moved its major elements several times. In February 1946, General Eichelberger, still the US Eighth Army's commanding general, assigned the area of northern Honshu and all of Hokkaido to the division. Division headquarters moved into a bank building in downtown Sapporo, a city never bombed during the war. The Sapporo Grand Hotel became the bachelor officer quarters and officers club.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
Headquarters for the 187th PGIR and 2/187th were set up in an old Japanese military barracks outside Sapporo; 1/187th moved to the port city of Hakodate; 3/187th went to Asahikawa. In March 1946, 3/187th moved to Bihoro. In the spring of 1946, General Swing built a pentagonal headquarters building at Camp Crawford in the Makomanai area outside Sapporo and surrounded it with platoon-sized barracks for the men of the 187th who had been living in winterized pyramidal tents.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
On 24 June 1946, military dependents of the men interested in staying in Japan for a year or more began to arrive in ships that docked in Yokohama. In Sapporo, the 11th Airborne Division headquarters and the 187th PGIR troops used, as temporary quarters, Japanese houses that were remodeled according to American standards and filled with furniture built by the Japanese under American guidance. Later, Japanese construction companies built homes on the various military posts.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
In June 1947, Colonel Pearson assumed command of the 187th PGIR once again.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
"Patrol jumps" became routine for the 187th PGIR's paratroopers. Ten paratroopers would board a C–47 and drop onto little Japanese towns throughout Hokkaido. There was no such thing as a regular DZ. The paratroopers would fly around, looking for a field, then out the door they would go. Once on the ground, the NCO in charge would set up a mission, such as checking a bridge and generally making a show of strength. Very few Japanese had seen an American before and none of them had ever seen a paratrooper until he jumped in on top of them. The Japanese would dash out to the DZ and the children would help the GIs roll up their parachutes and carry their gear to a local inn. On some occasions, the whole population would come out to the edge of town to meet the paratroopers after they landed.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
On 2 February 1948, Major General William M. Miley assumed command of the 11th Airborne Division when General Swing left to take command of the US I Corps in Kyoto, Japan.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
In June 1948, Colonel Pearson was reassigned to the Research and Development Board on Aeronautics, Office of the Secretary of Defense. Lieutenant Colonel Harvey J. Jablonsky, the 11th Airborne Division's chief of staff, was promoted to command of the 187th PGIR.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Occupation of Japan, Occupation
For the 11th Airborne Division and the 187th PGIR, the days of occupation duty in Japan were coming to a close. In January 1949, the US 31st Infantry Regiment arrived at Sapporo to take over the 187th's occupation duties. On 19 January, the first echelon of the 187th left Sapporo for Camp Campbell, Kentucky, the new home of the division. The main body of the 187th set sail aboard the USS General M. L. Hersey (AP-148) on 19 February and docked in New Orleans on 17 March. The 187th moved by rail to Camp Campbell and the regimental headquarters opened at 08:00 on 24 March.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
In March 1949, several changes faced the 187th PGIR when it arrived and settled into life at Camp Campbell. The Pentagon had wisely decided after some disastrous glider operations in World War II that the flimsy crash-prone gliders were no longer feasible for transporting men and equipment onto battlefields. The US Air Force (USAF), the newest element of the US Armed Forces created with the passing of the National Security Act of 1947, had transport aircraft that could parachute heavier loads into combat than had formerly been landed in gliders.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
On 25 June 1949, the 187th PGIR was reorganized and officially redesignated as the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment (AIR). The reorganization assigned new support units to the 187th AIR, along with some that had formerly been attached. Able Company, 127th Airborne Engineer Battalion (A/127th AEB), the engineer battalion organic to the 11th Airborne Division, became the 187th AIR Engineer Company; the division's antitank company became the 187th AIR Support Company; the 11the Airborne Medical Detachment became the 187th AIR Medical Company.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
One of the highlights of the 11th Airborne Division's tour at Camp Campbell was Exercise SWARMER. During the fall of 1949, the division intensified its airborne training in preparation for the exercise, which was designed by USAF Lieutenant General Lauris Norstad to determine the feasibility of the Air Force and Army to establish and operate an airhead, a base secured in enemy-held territory where personnel and supplies could be received and evacuated completely by air, including all resupply by airlanded transport aircraft, under simulated combat conditions.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
During its occupation period in Japan and because of the wide dispersion of its assets over Honshu and Hokkaido, the division never had the opportunity to conduct a full-scale, division-sized airborne operation. SWARMER would provide the opportunity. The exercise planning staff set up a special headquarters at Camp Mackall, North Carolina, the division's birthplace. There, Air Force and Army planners worked out the details of the largest peacetime airborne operation ever attempted.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
In April 1950, Camp Campbell became a permanent military installation and was redesignated Fort Campbell.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
In early April 1950, to start the exercise, an aggressor force landed on the North Carolina coast. A second aggressor force, operating out of Florida, attacked northward. It was ironic that the 11th Airborne Division would fight over the same terrain where it had fought the 1943 Knollwood Maneuver, the airborne operation that proved that airborne divisions were practical and feasible. On 18 April, the 187th AIR left Fort Campbell for Donaldson Air Force Base in Greenville, South Carolina, to stage for the large-scale airborne operation.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
On the morning of 28 April, D–day, the 187th dropped onto the DZ adjacent to Mackall Army Airfield, the same drop and landing zone used for parachute and glider training in 1943. That afternoon, after the airfield had been secured to allow transport aircraft to land, the 511th PIR was airlifted in from Cambell Air Force Base, the military airport at Fort Campbell. The 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina airdropped two airborne infantry regiments and airlanded a third airborne infantry regiment during SWARMER. In all, 60,000 paratroopers were involved in the operation. Overhead, fighters from the USAF Tactical Air Command provided air cover, and USAF transports, landing at a rate of one every three minutes, brought supplies onto the airfields captured by the paratroopers. The "battle" lasted 10 days.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
Colonel Jablonsky, determined to make the 187th AIR the best regiment in the division, had instituted a tough airborne physical-training program. Jablonsky's demand for perfection in physical and tactical training paid off. The Exercise SWARMER umpires awarded the 187th the highest Operational Readiness Test score of any of the five airborne infantry regiments in the exercise. The 187th's high scores and combat readiness were instrumental in the regiment's being selected for battle in Korea two months later.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Post–World War II, Camp Campbell
On 5 June, Colonel Jablonsky was temporarily succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Wilson, the man who commanded the 187th AIR between Colonel Pearson's command tours in Japan. Wilson was replaced on 21 June when Colonel Frank S. Bowen, who had been a brigadier general during World War II, took command of the 187th. Colonel Bowen could not know that he was about to lead the 187th into one of the most famous and notable chapters in its history. In a very short time, the training at Fort Campbell would be over. The officers and men of the 187th would say goodbye again to families and friends as they went to war once more.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
On 4 July, a team of USAF officers dispatched by General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, the US Air Force Chief of Staff, arrived in Japan to discuss the differences between Lieutenant General George E. Stratemeyer's requests for additional units to bring his FEAF command up to war strength and existing USAF capabilities. One of General Stratemeyer’s requests was for an additional troop carrier wing. Discussions of air transport requirements led to a resolution whereby FEAF would be augmented with a temporary-duty stateside troop carrier group if US Army airborne units were deployed to the Far East.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
Later that month, General MacArthur requested the 187th AIR as an essential element of the amphibious operation that he was preparing for Inchon. Operating from Japan, the paratroopers would be airdropped shortly after D-day to seize a "key communication center" ahead of the advancing US forces, thus facilitating the breakout from the Inchon beachhead.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
With JCS approval, the 314th Troop Carrier Group (TCG) at Sewart Air Force Base (AFB), Tennessee, consisting of the 50th Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS), 61st TCS, and 62nd TCS, flying the C–119, the newest USAF troop carrier aircraft, that had trained with the Rakkasans during Exercise SWARMER, received a warning order on 13 July to prepare for a stint of temporary duty in Japan. The 314th TCG was almost doubled in size, with additional aircraft added from the 37th TCS and part of the 36th TCS of the 316th TCG, and personnel from the 314th TCW and 314th Maintenance and Supply Group, also at Sewart AFB.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
The difficulty lay in meeting General MacArthur’s specified deadline of 10 September. The Army could not ship the 187th AIR until October and the 314th TCW, which had just received its warning order on 13 July to prepare for the deployment of its four squadrons, could only manage to send a token force of C–119s to Japan. On 26 July, four C–119s from Sewart AFB departed for Japan, ahead of the 314th TCG’s deployment.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
The C–119s made intermediate stops at McClellan AFB, California, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Johnston Island, Kwajalein Island, and Andersen AFB, Guam, arriving at Tachikawa Air Base, Japan on 2 August. As FEAF continued planning the airborne phase of the Inchon operation, both the Army paratroopers and the USAF troop carrier units were still in the United States; the 187th AIR was still being organized at Fort Campbell, and except for the four C–119s that had arrived on 2 August, the 314th TCG was still at Sewart AFB.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
The 314th TCG would be available to FEAF any time after 15 August with 64 C–119s, a number sufficient to airlift 2,700 paratroopers. The Army notified the Air Force that the 187th would require a simultaneous airlift for 3,500 paratroopers and their heavy equipment. This would require 140 C–119s or their equivalents. The Air Force had augmented the strength of the 314th TCG to 96 C–119s with the addition of the 316th TCG's C–119s and stated that FEAF would have to meet the remainder of the requirement.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
Earlier in July, the 374th TCG’s 21st TCS at Tachikawa Air Base had converted from C–54s to C–47s, and these planes could be used by the paratroopers. To get the remainder of the needed airlift, Fifth Air Force drew personnel from the 374th TCW, including pilots from desk jobs and C–46s from all over the FEAF theater of operations, and organized the 47th TCS (Provisional) and 48th TCS (Provisional) at Tachikawa Air Base on 26 August.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
Fifth Air Force was notified that the 187th liaison officers were "most unhappy over plans to use C–46 aircraft and...do not want to use C–47 aircraft." When MacArthur was briefed that the 187th would not reach Japan before 21 September, he announced that he would proceed with the amphibious invasion anyway, but asked that the 187th proceed to the theater as soon as possible and be prepared for either an airlanding or parachute assault in Korea.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
On 1 August, Colonel Bowen assembled his troops in Theater No. 3 at Fort Campbell and announced that the 187th AIR was alerted for overseas movement. On 27 August, the regiment officially became the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (187th ARCT)  when supporting units were added for the deployment to Japan.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
The following units were assigned to the 187th ARCT by General Order 34 (Confidential) from Headquarters, 11th Airborne Division:


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
The following units were added on 23 August by General Order 41 from Headquarters, 11th Airborne Division, dated 22 August 1950:


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
The following units were attached on 26 August by General Order 42 from Headquarters, 11th Airborne Division, dated 25 August 1950:


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
On 28 August, IX Corps OPORD Number 1 attached the 2348th Quartermaster Air Packaging and Resupply Company to Colonel Bowen's command.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
From the date of its organization as a regimental combat team until it departed for Camp Stoneman, California on 1 September, the 187th AIR received personnel from the 511th PIR, the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, and the Airborne Training Battalion, Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia, to bring it up to full strength for overseas deployment. On 31 August, the day before leaving Fort Campbell, the 187th ARCT's aggregate strength was 222 officers, 11 warrant officers, and 4,177 enlisted men.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
The 50th TCS, 61st TCS, and 62nd TCS departed from Sewart AFB on 27 August and arrived at Ashiya Air Base on 4 September. The 314th TCG was re-formed when the 37th TCS departed from Sewart AFB on 4 September and arrived at Ashiya on 11 September.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
The 187th ARCT departed from Fort Campbell aboard 14 trains. The first train, carrying Colonel Bowen and his advance party, departed at midnight on 1 September, headed for Fort Lawton, Washington. Upon arrival, they boarded transport aircraft and flew to Japan. The remaining 13 trains transported the main body of troops to Camp Stoneman, where they boarded the USS General Stuart Heintzelman (AP-159) and the USS General A. E. Anderson (AP-111) for the voyage to Sasebo, Japan, departing on 6–7 September.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
When the advance party arrived in Tokyo, Bowen and his staff reported to Far East Command (FEC) General Headquarters (GHQ) where they learned that the 187th ARCT was scheduled for immediate deployment to Korea to guard X Corps’ northern flank as soon as the remainder of the 187th ARCT arrived. The remainder of the advance party flew on to Ashiya Air Base and then moved by ground transport to Camp Hakata, set up a temporary CP, and arranged for quarters for the 187th ARCT at Camp Wood.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Movement to Japan
Camp Wood was 60 miles (97 km) from Camp Hakata, so Bowen requested that the ships carrying the main body dock at Moji, a short distance from Ashiya Air Base, instead of Sasebo. Ashiya Air Base was the home of the 314th TCG's C–119 troop carriers and the departure base for the 187th ARCT's move to Korea. The 187th ARCT reconstituted in Japan on 20 September. The main body had moved by truck from Moji to Ashiya Air Base and then almost immediately by air to Korea.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Deployment to Korea
Lieutenant Colonel Delbert E. Munson's 3/187th was the first to arrive in Korea, arriving at Kimpo Airfield on 22 September, a week after General MacArthur's amphibious landing at Inchon. Lieutenant Colonel Munson took command of Kimpo Airfield from the Marines. Lieutenant Colonel Arthur H. Wilson's 1/187th landed next, followed by Lieutenant Colonel William J. Boyle's 2/187th. By 26 September, the entire 187th ARCT was at Kimpo Airfield (less a small detachment at Ashiya Air Base and the Parachute Maintenance Company and regimental personnel section at Camp Kashii).


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Deployment to Korea
On 24, 26, and 30 September, C–119s and C–54s made 440 trips moving the 187th ARCT from Japan to Korea.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Deployment to Korea
After the 187th ARCT had landed in Korea, it was given the mission of clearing the Kimpo Peninsula between the Han River and the Yellow Sea. By 2 October, the 187th ARCT was reassembled at Kimpo Airfield.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
From the time it had arrived in Korea, FEC GHQ had held the 187th ARCT in theater reserve at Kimpo Airfield, under its direct control, waiting to use the 187th ARCT in an airborne operation.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
On 16 October, while Lieutenant General Walton H. Walker's Eighth US Army in Korea (EUSAK) and the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) were advancing on Pyongyang, General MacArthur issued orders for an airborne operation north of Pyongyang to seize critical road junctions and block the main escape routes in an attempt to cut off the North Korean People's Army (NKPA) before it reached the Yalu River and sanctuary and to capture important Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) government officials and senior NKPA officers evacuating Pyongyang ahead of the EUSAK-ROKA spearheads.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
Planners also hoped that a trainload of US POWs, who it was assumed would be moved northward when the fall of Pyongyang seemed imminent, might be intercepted. On 17 October, Colonel Bowen called a staff meeting and announced that the 187th ARCT had been alerted for an airborne operation north of Pyongyang on 21 October. Two objectives were possible, Anju on the south bank of the Chongchon River and Sukchon-Sunchon. On 18 October, Bowen was told to report to X Corps headquarters at Inchon with maps and plans to brief the FEC Operations general staff.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
Bowen returned with the news that due to the rapid EUSAK advance, already on the outskirts of Pyongyang, the objective was Anju, with the mission of intercepting DPRK government officials fleeing Pyongyang. D-day was set for 20 October, one day earlier than had been anticipated. On 19 October, when it became apparent that EUSAK was making slower progress than anticipated on the previous day, the 187th ARCT's mission objective was changed to Sukchon-Sunchon. Briefings were held for the USAF troop carrier pilots and US Army jumpmasters. Separate briefings were held for DZ EASY (Sunchon) and DZ WILLIAM (Sukchon).


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
It was announced that in the event of bad weather, the jump would be delayed by three-hour increments. If the jump was postponed for two successive periods and the weather was still bad, the operation would be canceled for the day. Bowen announced that P-hour (Parachute-hour) over the DZs was set for 11:00.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
The 187th ARCT’s DZs at Sukchon and Sunchon were up the arms of a "V" formed by the main highway and railway routes that converged at Pyongyang. Sukchon and Sunchon commanded the approaches to the Chongchon River, 30 miles (48 km) to the north. The main highway from Pyongyang to the Yalu River and the Manchurian border at Sinuiju formed the lefthand side of the "V." Sukchon was located on this highway in a wide valley surrounded by low hills. The righthand road passed through rougher terrain to Sunchon on the west bank of the Taedong River.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
The plan called for Colonel Bowen, his command group, and the Rakkasans' 1/187th and 3/187th to be dropped onto DZ WILLIAM, southeast of Sukchon, about 25 miles (40 km) north of Pyongyang. 1/187th was to clear Sukchon and secure the high ground to the north. 3/187th was to block the highway and rail line south of Sukchon, cutting off the MSR and LOC that led north from Pyongyang. 2/187th would come down on DZ EASY, near Sunchon, about 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Pyongyang and 17 miles (27 km) east of Sukchon.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
Its mission was to clear Sunchon, block another highway and rail line, and capture the POW train. The paratroopers would hold their positions until relieved by EUSAK's push northward from Pyongyang. A linkup of EUSAK with the 187th ARCT was expected within two days. The 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, leading the US 24th Infantry Division northward from Pyongyang, would link up with 1/187th and 3/187th at Sukchon; the US 70th Tank Battalion would advance from Pyongyang to link up with 2/187th at Sunchon.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
To support the airlift requirements, FEC GHQ tasked Major General William H. Tunner's FEAF Combat Cargo Command with airlifting the 187th ARCT from Kimpo Airfield to the DZs and conducting aerial resupply as required. All equipment necessary for the immediate accomplishment of the mission was to be airdropped with the assault and follow-up echelons. All critical equipment not airdropped into the airhead but essential for sustained operations would be transported forward in the land echelon, which was attached to EUSAK until the linkup.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
On 18 October, General Tunner had canceled all commitments of the 314th TCG and 21st TCS from their routine shuttle and airlift missions to stage at Kimpo Airfield and prepare for the airborne assault. A total of 80 C–119s (57 for paratrooper airdrop; 23 for heavy equipment airdrop) of the 314th TCG and 40 C–47s (for paratrooper airdrop) of the 21st TCS were planned for D–day; 57 C–119s (21 paratrooper, 36 heavy equipment) for D plus 1, and 15 C–119s (heavy equipment) on D plus 2.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon
The "Dollar Nineteen" could carry 46 paratroopers in two sticks of 23 each, 20 overhead monorail cargo drop bundles weighing 500 pounds each that could be salvoed in 7–8 seconds, and four door drop bundles, two for each jump door; the smaller C–47 could carry one stick of 18 paratroopers and two drop bundles. The paratroopers would jump from an altitude of 700 feet (210 m); heavy equipment would be dropped from 1,500 feet (460 m). The aircraft arrived at Kimpo Airfield from Ashiya Air Base (C–119s) and Brady Air Base (C–47s) in Japan with 20 hours remaining for marshaling and loading.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Scheduled to depart from Kimpo Airfield at 06:00 on 20 October, "Reveille" was held at 02:00 in heavy rain. The paratroopers turned out in the post-midnight darkness, ate breakfast, and were shuttled to the airfield. At 04:00, word was received that the jump would be postponed for three hours. At 07:00, the drop was delayed another three hours. The weather cleared at 11:00.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Finally, 73 C–119s (seven had been scratched from the operation) and 40 C–47s, with Colonel Bowen’s aircraft in the lead, took off at noon, gained altitude, and formed into groups of tight three-plane Vs, with three groups together forming a V-of-Vs formation. When all the aircraft had assembled over the Han River estuary, they turned northward along the west coast of Korea in waves of 15 and 30 aircraft spaced about 15 minutes apart. General Tunner, piloting a C–54 and serving as the airborne commander, would personally supervise the drop, which would occur under the watchful eyes of Generals MacArthur and Stratemeyer, flying in Bataan, MacArthur’s new VC–121A that he had received in September.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
As its contribution to the operation, the Fifth Air Force scheduled softening-up attacks in the DZs, fighter escort for the troop carriers, and forward air control procedures for handling close air support, once the paratroopers were on the ground.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
At 13:55, the airborne armada turned east on the base leg approach to DZ WILLIAM. At 13:57, eight minutes out, the side jump doors of the lead formation of seventeen C–119s were opened. Four minutes out, a red lamp by each jump door illuminated and the command "Stand up and hook up!" was given by the jumpmasters at the front of each stick. The paratroopers stood and hooked their main parachute static lines that would deploy their parachutes to an overhead anchor cable. "Check static lines!"


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Each paratrooper double-checked his static line and made sure it was properly clipped onto the anchor cable. "Check equipment!" Every paratrooper, besides his main parachute and a reserve, carried a pack, a water canteen, rations, ammunition, a .45 caliber M1911 pistol, and a .30 caliber  M1 rifle or M1 carbine. They checked their own equipment to make sure it was properly secured, and that the equipment for the man in front of him was also secure. There was a pause until the one-minute warning was given. "Stand in the door!" With 10 seconds to go, door bundles were pushed out into the slipstream and held in place as the first paratrooper in each stick took his position at the jump door.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
The show began just after 14:00 when the green lamp turned on, the jumpmasters gave the command to "GO!" and  the parachutes from the lead C–119 carrying Colonel Bowen, pathfinders, unit guides, riflemen, and part of the 187th ARCT command group blossomed over the rice paddies of DZ WILLIAM. The airdrop put Lieutenant Colonel Wilson's 1/187th, the Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the 1st Platoon, Able Company, 127th AEB, Medical, Service, and Support Companies, a Pathfinder Team, and a Forward Air Control Party on the ground.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
The maneuver apparently caught the NKPA by surprise as attested to by the lack of antiaircraft or ground fire. Upon landing, individual paratroopers quickly formed up into squads and platoons, then headed for the high ground overlooking and controlling the DZ. Seventy-four tons of equipment were airdropped with the 1,470 paratroopers from the first two serials that delivered designated packages of men and equipment to the DZ.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
After assembling, A/187th and B/187th moved northwest to take Hill 104 to the north of Sukchon. C/187th captured Hill 97 east of Sukchon. Meanwhile, Colonel Bowen established his CP at the base of Hill 97, along the dikes of the Choeryong River; the 187th ARCT CP was dug-in by 16:00.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
After the paratrooper drop came that of the heavy equipment organic to an airborne infantry regiment, including jeeps, 3/4-ton weapons carriers, 90mm towed antitank guns, and 105mm artillery howitzers. At 14:15,  the fourth C–119 serial dropped seven 105mm artillery howitzers, seven jeeps, and 1,125 rounds of ammunition for Batteries A and C of Lieutenant Colonel Harry F. Lambert's 674th AFAB. Of these, six guns and six jeeps were in usable condition. The ammunition delivered by the heavy drop was on pallets of 24 rounds per pallet. By 15:00, Battery C had two guns in position on the DZ, ready to fire. At 15:40, Battery A had four guns in position and had completed target registrations. Six missions were fired on D-day by these two batteries.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Lieutenant Colonel Munson's 3/187th dropped on to DZ WILLIAM in serials 6 and 7. Upon landing, 3/187th headed 2 miles (3.2 km) south of Sukchon where they took up defensive positions on the low hills and established roadblocks across the highway and rail line. By 17:00, 3/187th had secured its objectives and was prepared to resume the attack south along the highway and rail line toward Pyongyang. The battalion was disposed 3,000 yards (2,700 m) south of Sukchon. I/187th was on the left half of the defensive position.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
K/187th was on the right half and had established a roadblock on the Sukchon-Pyongyang highway. L/187th was in battalion reserve with the 3/187th CP. During their initial action, five KPA were killed and 42 captured. 3rd Platoon, Able Company, 127th AEB, attached to 3/187th, was further attached to K/187th and placed on the railroad tracks south of Sukchon where it ambushed 80 NKPA, killing six.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Casualties at DZ WILLIAM included 35 men injured in the jump. One group landed 1.5 miles (2.4 km) east of the DZ and lost a man killed in his parachute after being attacked by NKPA.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
In the second airdrop at 14:20, Lieutenant Colonel Boyle's 2/187th jumped into DZ EASY, 2 miles (3.2 km) southwest of Sunchon, suffering 20 men injured in the jump. Battery B, 674th AFAB, the 2nd Platoon, Able Company, 127th AEB, a Support Company 4.2-inch mortar  platoon, a 90mm antitank gun section, a Pathfinder Team, and a Forward Air Control Party were also dropped in support. Battery B had two 105mm artillery howitzers and two jeeps dropped from the heavy drop serial.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
One gun became detached from its parachutes and was a complete loss; the other had its right shield sheared off but was otherwise operable. The operative gun was in position and ready to fire in 50 minutes from the time it was dropped. Six hundred rounds of 105mm ammunition were recovered from the DZ in useable condition and the battery fired two missions the first day. D/187th and E/187th established roadblocks to the south and west of Sunchon, while F/187th was ordered to advance to the town.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Meanwhile, the combat engineers were unable to prepare a bridge across the Kumchon River for demolition because it was under hostile fire. The engineers were then ordered to accompany F/187th to the outskirts of Sunchon and reconnoiter a railroad bridge. On the way into Sunchon, the engineers received friendly fire from elements of the ROK 6th Infantry Division that had reached Sunchon from the southeast in its push toward the Chongchon River. Once contact was established, the firing ceased.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Except for intermittent shelling observed to the far south, east, and west of Hill 97, the night of 20 October found the187th ARCT on the strategic offensive and the tactical defensive. Colonel Bowen was restored to his World War II rank of brigadier general on this date but did not learn of his promotion until the next day. General Bowen retained command of the 187th ARCT and Colonel George H. Gerhart, the 187th AIR executive officer, was promoted to regimental command.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
This was the first time that C–119s were used in a combat parachute operation and the first airdrop of personnel during the war. It was also the first time that heavy equipment, such as the 105mm artillery howitzer and 3/4-ton weapons carrier had ever been airdropped in combat. In all, 2,860 paratroopers jumped into the Sukchon-Suchon area with only a single fatality. Many of the paratroopers landed on or near a high-tension power line that had not been spotted in aerial reconnaissance photographs. Additionally, 300 tons of cargo were parachuted to earth. Most of the heavy equipment survived the airdrop. Statistics on equipment serviceability after the drop were good. The aircraft encountered only light ground fire during the operation; one C–119 suffered minor damage.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
After General MacArthur observed the airborne assault, he flew to the recently captured Pyongyang airfield to hold a press conference. There he commented to several war correspondents that the airborne operation was a brilliant tactical maneuver that seemed to have been a complete surprise to the North Koreans. Estimating that 30,000 NKPA, perhaps half of those remaining in North Korea, had been caught between the 187th ARCT to the north and the US 1st Cavalry and ROK 1st Infantry Divisions at Pyongyang to the south, he predicted that they would soon be destroyed or captured.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
He termed the airdrop an "expert performance" and said, "This closes the trap on the enemy." MacArthur's optimism would not be supported by events. Anxious not to expose the lightly-armed and lightly-equipped paratroopers by projecting them too far forward of the EUSAK advance, FEC GHQ had kept them back too long. The operation came too late to intercept any significant NKPA elements.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Most of the NKPA remnants had already succeeded in withdrawing north, and had crossed the Chongchon River, or were in the process of doing so, while Premier Kim Il-sung's government and most important officials had moved to Kanggye in the mountains 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Manpojin on the Yalu River. Through no fault of their own, the paratroopers were less successful on one other score, that of rescuing POWs who were being moved northward from Pyongyang; most of the American POWs had been moved to more remote parts of North Korea and were unable to be rescued.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Airborne assault, 20 October 1950
Only the NKPA 239th Regiment remained, having been ordered to delay the UNC forces as they attempted to follow. With a strength of 2,500 men, the regiment occupied positions on the high ground astride the road and rail lines east of Yongyu, about 7 miles (11 km) south of the Sukchon DZ.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Ground operations, 21 October 1950
At 07:00 on 21 October, 1/187th and 3/187th assumed the tactical offensive.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Ground operations, 21 October 1950
1/187th continued its mission to seize the high ground north of Sukchon. A/187th and B/187th captured the line of hills immediately north of Sukchon, encountering only light resistance. The advance was stopped by a strong NKPA rearguard holding the next line of hills northward. At 12:30, an airstrike was conducted on the NKPA-held ridgeline. A/187th and B/187th were then directed to hold their positions and dig in. More than 75 NKPA, armed with small arms and light machine guns were dug in on the ridgeline. To the rear of the ridgeline, NKPA mortar fire harassed the 1/187th front line positions. Further, a high-velocity self-propelled gun supported the NKPA. During this time, C/187th remained in regimental reserve; one of its platoons was sent out to establish contact with 2/187th at Sunchon. The platoon followed the road east to Sunchon; contact was established at 18:30 on DZ EASY.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Ground operations, 21 October 1950
At 10:00, 24 C–119s dropped 1,093 additional paratroopers and 106.8 tons of supplies on the Sukchon DZ. Also at 10:00, 40 C–119s carried 220 tons of vehicles, rations, ammunition, water, and lubricants, as well as 774 paratroopers, to the DZ. Battery A, 88th AAAB, was among the reinforcements. They assembled on the DZ and set up a perimeter for the night. Between 20:00 and midnight, 43 NKPA were killed by the battery at a roadblock on the railroad bridge south of Sukchon, using ground-mounted .50 caliber machine guns.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
On the same day as the airborne operation, a task force composed of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, US 1st Cavalry Division, reinforced with a company of tanks from the US 70th Tank Battalion, started from Pyongyang under orders to link up with 2/187th at Sunchon. The task force arrived at Sunchon at 09:00 on 21 October, having picked up five American POWs on the way who had recently escaped from their North Korean captors.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
Major General Hobart R. Gay, the 1st Cavalry Division commanding general, and his assistant division commander, Brigadier General Frank A. Allen Jr., had observed the task force successfully establish contact with 2/187th from overhead in a liaison aircraft. Upon returning to Pyongyang, General Allen climbed into his jeep and, accompanied by his aide, his driver, and two war correspondents, started back for Sunchon, arriving there about noon.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
Allen was in 2/187th's CP only a short time when a North Korean civilian was brought in to relate an account of North Koreans murdering 200 Americans the previous night in a railroad tunnel northwest of the town. Allen determined to run down the veracity of this story at once. His group set out with the North Korean civilian in tow and, on the way, stopped at the ROK 6th Infantry Division's CP in Sunchon and picked up a ROKA officer, an interpreter, and a driver in a second jeep.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
The party drove to a railroad tunnel just beyond the village of Myongucham, five miles northwest of Sunchon, arriving there at 15:00. The railroad track ran along a hillside cut and entered the tunnel some distance above the level of the dirt road that the jeeps had followed. While the rest waited in the jeeps on the road, the ROKA officer climbed the hillside and entered the tunnel. He returned shortly and said that he had found seven dead Americans inside.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
Allen and the others then climbed up to the tunnel where they found the emaciated bodies on straw mats beside the railroad track. These men had either starved to death or died from disease; some had old battle wounds. Meanwhile, the ROKA officer had walked on through the tunnel. He reappeared at the end and called out that he could see more American bodies. Everyone hurried outside and started down the railroad track. A little distance beyond the tunnel, a thin, wounded American soldier staggered from the brush.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
He was 19-year-old PFC Valdor W. John who had been held as a POW since he was captured on 20 July after the fall of Taejon in South Korea. General Allen placed his coat around the shivering boy who broke into tears and protested that he was too dirty to wear it. He then stammered out, "They're over there," and pointed into the brush. Seventeen slain Americans, all shot, lay in a gulley. Don Whitehead, an  Associated Press war correspondent, accidentally stumbled upon a semicircle of 15 more dead Americans.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
They had been shot as they sat on the ground with rice bowls in hand. Whitehead turned back to report his discovery to Allen; on his way back, three more American survivors came out from among some bushes. Allen found six more Americans who had escaped. These survivors told the story of what had happened. Two trains, each carrying about 150 American POWs, had left Pyongyang on the night of 17 October, making frequent stops to repair the railroad track and crawling north at a snail's pace.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
Each day, five or six Americans died of dysentery, starvation, or exposure, and their bodies were removed from the train. A few prisoners escaped as the train traveled north. On the afternoon of 20 October, while the 187th ARCT's parachute jump was in progress, the second of the two trains stayed in the railroad tunnel to escape the Fifth Air Force air activity in the vicinity. The group of prisoners on this train, crowded into open coal gondolas and boxcars, was the remnant of 370 whom the NKPA had marched north from Seoul more than a month earlier.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
That evening, the prisoners had been taken from the train in three groups to receive their evening meal. PFC John detailed being taken to a field with a small group of prisoners. He portrayed the group as being shot and bayoneted, but he successfully feigned  death, listening to other groups of prisoners being executed, and crawling into the woods with another survivor. The train and the North Korean guards left that night.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
From this story, it appeared that there was another group of murdered prisoners yet to be found. A search revealed a fresh gravesite, and upon removal of a thin covering of earth, 34 more bodies were discovered. Altogether, there were 66 dead Americans (exclusive of the seven found in the tunnel) and 23 survivors, some of the latter critically wounded. Two of these died overnight, leaving 21 who survived. Later, a ROKA detachment convoyed the rescued survivors and the bodies of the dead Americans to Pyongyang. The next day, these casualties were flown to Japan.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Massacre at Myongucham
Ironically, if the weather had not delayed the 187th ARCT's jump, all might have been saved.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
The most important action growing out of the 187th ARCT airdrop occurred in the 3/187th sector, about 8 miles (13 km) south of Sukchon in the vicinity of Op'a-ri and Yongyu. At 02:30, the K/187th roadblock on the Sukchon-Pyongyang highway was attacked by an estimated company-sized NKPA 239th Regiment force that attempted to break through and open up an escape route to the north. The attack was repulsed with the NKPA sustaining five killed and 17 captured.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
At 09:00, Lieutenant Colonel Munson started two combat teams from the roadblock position in a reconnaissance-in-force to clear the Sukchon-Yongyu road towards Pyongyang and establish contact with the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade that was leading the 24th Infantry Division northward from Pyongyang. I/187th was assigned the mission of clearing the rail line and K/187th was given the mission of clearing the highway.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
Following the railroad track without opposition, I/187th reached Op'a-ri at 13:00, where it was ambushed by an NKPA 239th Regiment force of estimated battalion strength, equipped with heavy mortars and automatic antiaircraft guns. After a two-and-a-half-hour firefight, I/187th, with two rifle platoons overrun by the NKPA and 90 men MIA, was forced to withdraw west of the rail line to Hill 281. Failing to exploit their advantage, the NKPA 239th Regiment withdrew to its defensive positions on the high ground around Op'a-ri. PFC Richard G. Wilson, 187th Medical Company, was attached to I/187th as a Medical Aidman.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
During the shootout, Wilson moved among the wounded men and administered aid to them, oblivious to the danger to himself, and constantly exposing himself to hostile fire. As the company withdrew, Wilson assisted the wounded men to safety and made sure that none were left behind. After the company had pulled back, Wilson learned that one of the men, previously presumed to be dead, had been seen moving and attempting to crawl to safety. Although his comrades protested it, Wilson returned, unarmed, to search for the wounded man who had been left behind.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
Two days later, a 3/187th patrol moved back into the area to search for survivors. They found several wounded paratroopers and PFC Wilson lying beside the man he had returned to aid. He had been shot several times while trying to shield and administer aid to the wounded man. For his supreme self-sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. That same day, 15 NKPA were captured wearing pile jackets and jump boots taken from I/187th's dead; one of them was wearing Wilson's clothing.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
Meanwhile, K/187th, receiving NKPA harassing fire during its advance along the highway, proceeded to a point about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Yongyu, where it encountered an NKPA 239th Regiment force of about three companies. After a heavy firefight, the Americans forced the NKPA to withdraw. K/187th continued into Yongyu, taking up positions in the town and on Hill 163 to the north of the town.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
I/187th and K/187th now occupied defensive positions roughly opposite each other—at Op'a-ri (Hill 281) overlooking the rail line and at Yongyu (Hill 163) overlooking the highway—yet these positions were now almost 3 miles (4.8 km) apart and unable to mutually support each other. The gap separating the rail line at Op'a-ri and highway at Yongyu was greater at that point than anywhere else between Sukchon and Pyongyang.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
Extending on a southwest-northeast axis, and cutting across both the highway and rail line at Yongyu and Op'a-ri, is a line of high hills offering the best defensible ground between Pyongyang and the Chongchon River. Here, the NKPA 239th Regiment had taken up defensive positions, deploying a battalion in each locality. The last organized NKPA unit to leave Pyongyang, its mission was to fight a delaying action against the expected United Nations Command (UNC) advance from Pyongyang.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment encirclement, 21 October 1950
Now, as a result of the unexpected US airborne operation, it was encircled and found itself attacked from two separate points in its rear. The NKPA 239th Regiment, by this time convinced that both routes to the north had been blocked by the US airborne forces, would attempt one last push to regain contact with the other NKPA forces that had infiltrated northward.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, 27th British Commonwealth Brigade advance to Yongyu, 21 October 1950
Following the capture of Pyongyang, EUSAK's I Corps had been ordered to continue northward to a line roughly 35 miles (56 km) south of the Yalu River. The US 24th Infantry Division was selected to lead this attack. Now the vanguard of the 24th Infantry Division, the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade had crossed the Taedong River at Pyongyang at noon with the 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highland Regiment (1 ASHR) taking the point, moving north on the main highway to Sukchon, tasked with linking up with the 187th ARCT at Sukchon before advancing to the Chongchon River.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, 27th British Commonwealth Brigade advance to Yongyu, 21 October 1950
Approaching Yongyu, Brigadier Basil A.Coad decided to halt his brigade for the night. The Argylls sent a patrol into Yongyu, establishing initial contact with K/187th at 18:45. Contact with the British brigade was expected since General Bowen had notified Lieutenant Colonel Munson at 3/187th's CP that elements of the brigade were on the other side of Yongyu.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment breakout, 22 October 1950
At 00:15 on 22 October, the NKPA 239th Regiment attempted a breakout to the north, launching multiple attacks against K/187th at Yongyu. During the first attack, K/187th's positions in the town and at its roadblock on the northern outskirts of town were assaulted by a large NKPA force estimated at two battalions. During the attack, a small NKPA force infiltrated K/187th's CP, where an NKPA soldier began spraying the area with automatic-weapons fire, wounding the company commander and First Lieutenant Claude K. Josey.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment breakout, 22 October 1950
The NKPA soldier then swung his weapon around to fire on other members of the CP group, but Josey, though seriously wounded, placed his body directly in the line of fire, shielding his comrades. He was again wounded  as he leaped at the NKPA soldier, wrestling the weapon from him, and was attempting to fire it when he collapsed due to the seriousness of his wounds. The extraordinary display of heroism earned Josey the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. As the fighting continued, K/187th's executive officer was also wounded. The Americans eventually drove off the NKPA, many of whom were killed.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment breakout, 22 October 1950
After reorganizing at the base of Hill 163, the NKPA 239th Regiment attacked the roadblock again at 01:15; this attack was repulsed. At 02:30, the NKPA suffered severe losses during a third attack. After the third attack, the officer in charge of the roadblock notified the battalion CP that his men had depleted their ammunition. They were ordered to abandon the roadblock and withdraw to the north.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment breakout, 22 October 1950
Detecting the withdrawal, the NKPA 239th Regiment attacked again at 04:00, leaving a small blocking force to hold K/187th in place in Yongyu, and concentrated the majority of its forces on the road to Sukchon. A short time after the main body of the NKPA regiment passed through, the remaining elements withdrew from Yongyu and moved north to join the main body. The NKPA 239th Regiment moved north along the road, arriving at a point 1,000 yards (910 m) south of 3/187th's CP at around 05:00. The NKPA stopped to reform, not realizing that 3/187th's Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) and L/187th were dug in along the road.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment breakout, 22 October 1950
At 05:45, the NKPA 239th Regiment started moving north again and ran blindly into 3/187th's HHC and the perimeter elements of L/187th. They were immediately engaged with heavy losses, not only by direct fire from the HHC but also by enfilading fire from L/187th. Stunned by the volume and severity of the fire, it took the NKPA 239th Regiment about an hour to reorganize and deliver an attack. A group of about 300-350 NKPA engaged L/187th and attempted to flank and envelop its positions. Another group of about 450 NKPA engaged the HHC.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, NKPA 239th Regiment breakout, 22 October 1950
The NKPA fire became exceedingly accurate as the firefight progressed. At this point, the 3/187th CP radioed the 187th ARCT CP at Sukchon describing the situation and requesting reinforcement. The 187th ARCT's request for armored reinforcement was received by the headquarters of the 24th Infantry Division in Pyongyang. Yet, with the US division still well to the rear, the Sherman tanks of the US 89th Tank Battalion encamped with the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade on the Pyongyang-Sukchon road just south of Yongyu was the closest formation, and they were ordered forward to assist 3/187th.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
Overnight, Brigadier Coad had directed Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Green's 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR) to take the lead when the brigade moved out the following morning. Captain Archer P. Denness' Charlie Company was selected to lead the Australian advance. Charlie Company, with elements mounted on the tanks of D Company, US 89th Tank Battalion, and the rest of the company following in motor transport, was to pass through Yongyu as rapidly as possible and effect a relief of 3/187th to the north. At first light, 1 ASHR advanced into Yongyu to clear the town of any remaining NKPA. At 07:00, 3 RAR, with Charlie Company on point, passed through 1 ASHR and moved through Yongyu, headed north on the Yongyu-Sukchon road.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
At 09:00, the Australian column was stopped by hostile fire from a hillside apple orchard about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of Yongyu. Lieutenant Colonel Green, traveling with the 3 RAR headquarters group, proceeded forward to Captain Denness' location. Charlie Company had driven into the rearguard of the NKPA 239th Regiment as it was forming up for a final assault on 3/187th.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
Denness did not have a lot of information; there had been no contact with the Americans who were believed to be located nearby and the NKPA-held apple orchard lay between the advancing Australians and 3/187th, blocking any relief attempt. Brigadier Coad's order citing the urgent need to link up with the Americans dictated Green's decision. He chose to push Charlie Company through to continue the advance.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
Preparing for the assault, Green informed brigade headquarters of his plan and was advised that 3/187th was believed to be about 1,600 yards (1,500 m) further north; however, as the exact location of the Americans was unclear, the US tanks were under orders not to fire for fear of hitting their own men, and the indirect fire available to support the attack would be limited.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
At 09:30, Captain Denness dismounted 7 Platoon and 8 Platoon and aggressively counterattacked off the line of march into the apple orchard as the tanks opened up with their main guns and coaxial machine guns. The Australians pushed uphill through the apple trees and routed the NKPA defenders. The speed and ferocity of Charlie Company's attack caught the NKPA 239th Regiment by surprise, with all its attention directed north in a final effort to break out past 3/187th. As the NKPA broke, Lieutenant Colonel Green added Able and Baker Companies, 3 RAR, to the fight.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
Thereafter, the NKPA 239th Regiment was no longer capable of organized resistance to the Australian thrust from the south. Nonetheless, there were still enough determined NKPA who opposed the Australians, so much so that Green was forced to commit Dog Company, 3 RAR, to clear the area to the west of the road. After committing all his rifle companies, Green's tactical headquarters group was forced to fight off an NKPA attack on their own, killing 34 with the loss of three of their own wounded.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
As soon as 7 and 8 Platoon's success was assured, Captain Denness advanced 9 Platoon northward along the Yongyu-Sukchon road. The road led out of the heavily-treed orchard area and into an expansive open area of paddy fields that was the disputed area between the NKPA 239th Regiment and 3/187th. The Australians pressed the attack but were unable to effectively suppress the NKPA's long-range fire. At this point, Captain Denness sent the US tanks forward. The appearance of the tanks tilted the balance in favor of the Australians.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
Unable to move north and caught on the road between the advancing Australians and the American paratroopers, the NKPA 239th Regiment attempted to escape westward across the paddy fields, through the gap between 3 RAR and 3/187th. The NKPA again suffered heavy casualties, with many cut down by tank and rifle fire. Others fled east, escaping to the high ground where they dispersed into the hills.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
At 10:30, the leading elements of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, consisting of 9 Platoon, Charlie Company, 3 RAR, and a company of Sherman tanks were sighted by 3/187th. Within a half-hour, Captain Denness was able to advance and relieve the 3/187th CP. 3 RAR then continued its pursuit of the disorganized and retreating NKPA 239th Regiment.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Battle of the Apple Orchard, 22 October 1950
The Battle of Yongyu, or the Battle of the Apple Orchard as it became known to the Australians who fought in it, was over by midday for the most part. It was brought to a conclusion as 9 Platoon was directed to clear the paddy fields west of the road. Many of the NKPA that had been unable to escape westward continued to refuse to surrender, hiding in rice stooks and fighting it out or feigning death until individually flushed out and captured or killed. The platoon deployed in an extended line and, in a scene that Brigadier Coad later likened to driving snipe, the Australians proceeded to sweep the area, kicking over the stacks of straw.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
With the link up with 3/187th complete, redeployment for the continuation of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade's advance commenced. Within the brigade, the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (1 MR) took the lead. 3/187th returned to Sukchon with 1 MR following. There the British relieved the 187th ARCT in its positions by nightfall, occupying a defensive position 1 mile (1.6 km) north.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
The land echelon's convoy departed at 09:00 on 22 October from Kimpo Airfield and established initial contact with the 187th ARCT at 23:00. The 142 miles (229 km) convoy distance required 14 hours for the lead elements to establish contact with the airborne forces; the convoy averaged 10 miles per hour, indicating the lack of suitable road networks to affect rapid resupply exploitation by ground maneuver.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
While the Yongyu fighting was in progress, 2/187th remained out of contact and relatively inactive in its DZ at Sunchon. The ROK 6th Infantry Division performed most of the work in clearing the town and its vicinity of NKPA stragglers.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
The morning of 23 October saw the 187th ARCT remaining in defensive positions and preparing to move to the vicinity of Pyongyang. 1/187th remained in its same location without coming into further contact with the NKPA. 2/187th moved at 07:00, marching from its bivouac area at Sunchon to Sukchon. Approximately 6 miles (9.7 km) from Sukchon, 2/187th was alerted for motor transport to Pyongyang. At 17:00, the truck convoy departed; 2/187th arrived in the new area at midnight. On 24 October, the 187th ARCT's CP was still located at Hill 97 overlooking DZ WILLIAM.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
At 07:30, the CP was alerted to move to Pyongyang. 1/187th departed in trucks from Sukchon to Pyongyang via Sunchon. This left the main highway free for the movement of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade and the 24th Infantry Division. After departing from the old area at 15:00, 3/187th arrived in the new bivouac area at 21:00. The 674th AFAB departed Sukchon at 11:00 and arrived in Pyongyang at approximately 16:00. Shortly afterward, the 187th ARCT went back into theater reserve.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
In three days of operations, the 187th ARCT had seized the key communication centers of Sukchon and Sunchon, cut the main highways and rail lines to Sinanju, Anju, and Kunu-ri, and trapped the NKPA 239th Regiment defending Pyongyang. The 187th ARCT engaged approximately 6,000 NKPA, killed an estimated 2,764, captured some 3,000 prisoners, and liberated 15 POWs.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
In total, during the 187th ARCT operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, 3,344 men and more than 600 tons of equipment and supplies were airdropped on 20 October and the days that followed, including 15 (12 recovered/serviceable) 105mm artillery howitzers, 18 (15 recovered/serviceable) jeeps, 4 (2 recovered/serviceable) 90mm antitank guns, 4 (3 recovered/serviceable) 3/4-ton trucks, 30 1/4-ton trailers, as well as 147 tons (141 tons recovered/serviceable) of ammunition, 28 55-gallon barrels of fuel, 26 55-gallon barrels of water, 77 tons (70 tons recovered/serviceable) of rations, and other supplies.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
This operation was the first combat airdrop of troops since World War II, with resupply solely dependent upon airdrop. The doctrine for airdrop of troops, and particularly supplies, had been neither significantly developed nor improved after World War II. This particular operation became the basis for lessons learned to conduct future parachute operations involving both troops and logistical support.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
Much of the success of this operation can be attributed to a long-standing relationship between the 314th TCG and the 187th ARCT. The 314th TCG had been stationed 50 miles (80 km) from Fort Campbell and had regularly supported and trained with the 11th Airborne Division.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, Aftermath
The command of 2/187th passed from Lieutenant Colonel Boyle to Lieutenant Colonel John P. Connor. Lieutenant Colonels Wilson and Munson retained command of 1/187th and 3/187th, respectively.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
Shortly after its operations at Sukchon and Sunchon, the 187th ARCT took up positions in an area around Sinmak and was assigned the mission of providing security for Pyongyang and guarding the Pyongyang Airfield, Chinnampo, and the MSR.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
During 25–26 November, Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPVA) forces launched a series of surprise attacks across EUSAK's front in the Chongchon River valley; the CPVA concentrated on the ROKA troops, fully aware that they were the weakest elements. On 28 November, General Walker began a fighting retreat down the Korean peninsula toward Pyongyang. The 187th ARCT, EUSAK's reserve now augmented by the ROK 5th Infantry Division, the British 29th


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
Independent Infantry Brigade, the Philippine 10th Battalion Combat Team, and the Royal Thai Expeditionary Force, moved northward through Pyongyang to the Sukchon area to set up blocking positions to keep the highway open to Pyongyang. General Walker underwent a sudden change of opinion between 28 November, when he felt that EUSAK could hold Pyongyang, and 3 December, when he predicted that EUSAK would be forced to withdraw to Seoul; on 5 December, UNC forces abandoned Pyongyang, which they had held since 19 October. General Walker's new order was to withdraw south of the 38th Parallel to the Imjin River, fighting a delaying action along the way, destroying highway and railroad bridges and culverts behind the retreat, and destroying all supplies that had been accumulated in Pyongyang.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
On 10 December, the 187th ARCT withdrew from Pyongyang and established its CP at Sohung. As with the rest of the retreating US forces, the 187th ARCT blew up supplies left behind, setting fire to large stores of supplies and equipment captured by the regiment, blowing up ammunition and other supplies, and blowing up the Russian embassy in Pyongyang before leaving the city. The 187th ARCT dropped the Taedong River bridge a few hours ahead of the advancing CPVA, who occupied Pyongyang at midnight on the day the 187th left.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
On 12 December, General MacArthur ordered a complete withdrawal of UNC forces from above the 38th Parallel. The 187th ARCT fought a series of battles to keep the withdrawal route open. After EUSAK had completed its withdrawal below the 38th Parallel, General Bowen called his commanders together and told them, "I'm sick and tired of running from a shadow enemy. Tomorrow morning, the 187th will turn about and move north until we contact this enemy and give him a real bloody nose."


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
On or about 13 December, the 187th ARCT began its move northward. For two days, the march continued without contact. Late in the afternoon of the second day, General Bowen ordered a halt for the night. On the following morning, just before 3/187th was preparing to lead out the 187th ARCT to continue its advance, a CPVA column was observed moving southward on the road about 1 mile (1.6 km) away. On foot in columns of fours, without any lead units providing protection, the CPVA moved toward 3/187th.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
The 674th AFAB received a call from the forward artillery observer with 3/187th for a fire mission. The CPVA column continued its move toward 3/187th, unaware of the American presence. When the Chinese were about 500–600 yards (460–550 m) away, the 187th ARCT opened fire. 105mm artillery howitzers, 90mm antitank guns, and the battalion's heavy weapons all got into action. The range was too far for small arms, so most of the riflemen just watched as the CPVA were slaughtered.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
CPVA in the rear, without orders to the contrary, continued to move forward to take the place of those in the lead that fell; there was never a change in the formation; they moved up, were shot down, and fell. Bodies piled up on the road, and the CPVA kept coming. A USAF airstrike bombed and napalmed along the entire CPVA line of march. When the fighter-bombers flew in for their second run, the CPVA broke ranks, not on command but in terror. After the fighter–bombers expended their major ordnance, they switched to machine guns, chasing down and strafing groups of CPVA until they ran out of ammunition and departed. There were no targets left and General Bowen was satisfied. The 187th ARCT headed southward the next day.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Subsequent Operations
On 20 December, EUSAK headquarters departed Seoul for Taegu. On the same day that General Bowen received EUSAK's plan for the withdrawal from Seoul, the 187th ARCT moved south of the Han River to secure the river crossings and provide protection for the evacuation of Kimpo Airfield and the Inchon harbor area.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
A joint CPVA-NKPA offensive began in central South Korea when the NKPA attempted an envelopment of UNC forces along the Chunchon-Hongchon-Wonju axis. Following an all-night mortar barrage on New Year’s Eve, the CPVA, with its NKPA allies, surged across the Imjin River between Kaesong and Yonchon at daybreak on New Year’s Day 1951 and attacked toward Seoul, driving EUSAK back toward the north bank of the Han River, concentrating their strength as usual against ROKA units. In coordination with ROKA withdrawals in central South Korea, EUSAK broke contact and withdrew to bridgehead defenses around Seoul.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
On 3 January, the 187th ARCT received an order to move southward to Suwon Airfield and prepare to attack toward Inchon or Wonju. On that same day, even as the CPVA suffered heavy losses from airstrikes and ground fire, it had enough strength to rout the EUSAK forces defending Seoul. When massive numbers of CPVA crossed the frozen Han River east and west of Seoul, EUSAK began its evacuation of the South Korean capital. On 5 January, Suwon Airfield was evacuated in the face of the CPVA advance.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
Lieutenant General Matthew B. Ridgway, who took command of EUSAK when General Walker was killed in a traffic accident on 23 December, ordered EUSAK to fall back to prearranged defensive positions some 35 miles farther south, anchored by Pyongtaek in the west, Wonju in the center, and Samchok in the east. Meanwhile, a large CPVA force shifted eastward to drive down the mountainous Hongchon-Hoengsong-Wonju corridor. If the attack succeeded, the CPVA would split EUSAK's I and IX Corps and come up behind them.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
By 9 January, General Ridgway had determined that the CPVA was concentrating for a strong attack on Wonju and decided to make a stand on the Wonju front. He directed the US 2nd Infantry Division to deploy south of Wonju and the US 7th Infantry Division to block on an east-west line from Chechon to Yongwol. He moved the 187th ARCT to Tanyang, a road hub on the Namhan River, south of the 7th Infantry Division. The 187th ARCT was attached to X Corps and reinforced with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
On 13 January, General Bowen moved his CP to Punggi to defend the Tanyang-Punggi Pass. 1/187th and 3/187th were deployed to hold the pass with 2/187th in reserve. To defend the pass, the regiment had to fight its way up to the ridge crests overlooking the pass. 3/187th moved up one such ridge along a winding road with L/187th on the right, K/187th on the left, and I/187th in reserve, initially encountering light resistance. 3/187th ran into increasing fire when it encountered a CPVA outpost line of resistance, but succeeded in driving the CPVA off the line.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
Artillery and airstrikes were called in to blast the CPVA. At 14:00, the CPVA withdrew off the ridge crest and 3/187th moved onto the summit and dug in. At 21:00, the CPVA counterattacked, screaming and blowing bugles, but 3/187th was well dug in with clear lines of fire. The CPVA were cut down "like ripe wheat." As those in the front ranks fell, those in the rear passed through, only to add to the number of dead when they fell. Finally, the few remaining CPVA survivors withdrew. A check revealed no Rakkasan casualties. The next morning, inspection of the battlefield revealed dead CPVA scattered throughout the 3/187th MLR, often in piles of ten or more. Every corpse was frozen solid into grotesque, contorted positions.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
After X Corps had captured Hoengsong, northeast of Wonju, on 2 February, General Ridgway ordered X Corps, which had completed its move to the central front of the UNC battle line, to perform a reconnaissance-in-force on 5 February, to make contact with the NKPA, determining its disposition, and discovering its intentions. Upon finding that the NKPA had abandoned its battle lines, Ridgway ordered a full-scale advance toward Hongchon that became Operation ROUNDUP, designed to disrupt NKPA preparations for a new offensive. Initially, there was little opposition.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
The next day, the two ROKA divisions tasked with enveloping Hongchon met heavier resistance northeast of Hoengsong. By 8 February, strong counterattacks were hitting X Corps' right flank and soon spread all along the line. Intelligence and aerial observation picked up movements east and south of Hoengsong, indicating a shift of the bulk of the CPVA-NKPA forces in the west to the west-central area of South Korea. The threat of a counteroffensive became more certain.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
On 11 February, the forecast counteroffensive erupted on the central front held by X Corps, as two CPVA armies and an NKPA corps launched a massive counterattack along the Hoengsong-Wonju axis after nightfall, concentrating as usual on the ROKA units in the line, routing them, and driving them back. The Communists achieved initial success with the capture of Hoengsong, forcing UNC forces back toward Wonju and wiping out many of the gains registered in Operation ROUNDUP. CPVA had occupied the high ground on both sides of a road running out of Hoengsong, trapping about 4,000 men from the 2nd Infantry Division's 38th Infantry Regiment and the ROK 1st Infantry Division in a snarled column of vehicles and equipment at the northern end of a valley.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
G/187th had been detached from 2/187th, attached to the 38th Infantry, and held a blocking position south of Hoengsong. On 12 February, G/187th moved up and found a catastrophe in the making. In ditches on each side of the road lay dead and wounded men who had attempted to run the CPVA gauntlet during the day. G/187th reached the 38th Infantry at 19:00. Key to effecting the relief of the stalled column were three partly demolished bridges held by CPVA roadblocks.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
G/187th pushed off in platoon formation with a platoon of Sherman tanks from the US 72nd Tank Battalion in the lead. The first bridge was successfully negotiated and CPVA holding the two successive crossings were killed. G/187th reached the stalled column about midnight and led the column back down the road to safety. Acting as a rearguard, G/187th held open the 12 miles (19 km) route to Wonju until all UNC elements had cleared the mouth of the valley. In the operation, G/187th had six KIA and "many" WIA.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
Key to the defense of EUSAK's central front, Wonju was the junction of five main roads as well as a rail line from Seoul to Pusan. Whoever controlled Wonju controlled central South Korea. Expecting an all-out CPVA offensive in the Wonju area, General Ridgway ordered the 38th Infantry and the 187th ARCT to make "the strongest possible stand" to blunt the CPVA. The force included seven American, three South Korean, and one Dutch infantry battalions – about 8,000 men. He also massed over 100 artillery pieces, including thirty 155mm howitzers and the 674th AFAB's twelve 105mm guns. On the night of 13 February, the CPVA launched a major offensive along the Chipyong-ni-Wonju road and rail network. In the Chipyong-ni area, the CPVA used the ridgelines to surround and bypass the 2nd Infantry Division's 23rd Infantry Regiment and advance toward Wonju.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
On 14 February, the 187th ARCT's battle area was northwest of Wonju. 3/187th was directed to clear a series of ridgelines, numbered successively from south to north as Hills 339, 340, 341, and 342. On Hill 339, K/187th, with E/187th and L/187th on flank, made contact with CPVA outposts in well-prepared positions supported by mortars and automatic weapons. On Hill 340, K/187th encountered dug-in CPVA that lobbed hand grenades from as close as 30 feet (9.1 m); K/187th charged the CPVA trenches and, with rifles, hand grenades, bayonets, and hand-to-hand fighting, cleared the summit of the hill.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
At around dusk, K/187th had progressed to and secured Hill 341. Needing time to resupply and secure the area, K/187th notified the 3/187th CP that it would assault Hill 342 after dark as the CPVA held strong positions and company-level strength. CPVA counterattacks started about 20:00 and were almost continuous. It was estimated that the CPVA eventually committed a regiment piecemeal to the action on Hill 342. CPVA overran K/187th's mortar section but were ejected and the mortars recovered. K/187th was then assisted by L/187th and E/187th with flanking fire. At about 02:00, K/187th halted and dug in.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
By daylight, the fight for Hill 342 was over except for CPVA stragglers who were rounded up as POWs. I/187th was brought up behind K/187th to prevent CPVA encirclement. K/187th suffered about a twenty–eight percent loss in effective strength with 48 casualties. CPVA losses on Hill 342 exceeded 200 dead, with around 50 inside the K/187th perimeter.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
While 3/187th was fighting on Hill 342, 2/187th was fighting about 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Wonju in an attempt to regain two hill masses lost by the 38th Infantry to overwhelming CPVA forces. At about 14:00 on 14 February, 2/187th counterattacked with E/187th and F/187th, with G/187th in reserve. Twice, the CPVA repulsed E/187th's attack. In the final assault, E/187th fought a brutal battle up to the summit of the first hill and then moved on toward the second hill.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
G/187th was committed and directed to move off about 500 yards (460 m) on the right flank of the hill to begin its battle. In E/187th's sector, the paratroopers fought the CPVA at times in hand-to-hand combat and drove them off the hill. In G/187th's sector, Captain James D. Cook sent his 1st and 2nd Platoons to attack a large CPVA force to the north of E/187th. He directed his 3rd Platoon and his Weapons Platoon, which had lost its crew-served weapons in the 38th Infantry rescue mission, to seize the ridgeline on the north side of the hill.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
Halfway up the slope, the 3rd Platoon was stopped by hostile fire. While the 3rd Platoon laid down a base of fire, the Weapons Platoon maneuvered to the left and assaulted the summit. The Weapons Platoon was hit by scores of CPVA hand grenades thrown from the reverse side of the summit, but gained the crest of the hill and routed the CPVA, killing 451. The 3rd Platoon joined the Weapons Platoon after moving up to the summit and the 1st and 2nd Platoons joined up at dusk. Over 20 American Thompson submachine guns were found strewn about the hill, indicating the number of automatic weapons used by the CPVA against 2/187th's attack. 2/187th's occupation of this vital hill mass now blocked the CPVA from capturing the road and rail network between Seoul and Wonju.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
By 18 February, the CPVA High Command understood it was fighting a losing battle and began to pull back northward to the old NKPA defenses just north of the 38th Parallel. On 21 February, in response, General Ridgway ordered the US IX and X Corps to swing eastward and execute Operation KILLER, a full-scale, battlefront-length attack staged for maximum exploitation of firepower to cut off and destroy as many CPVA and NKPA as possible while moving the UNC line north to the Han River.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
The well-mounted UNC ground attack caught the Reds off-balance, and supporting airstrikes wreaked heavy casualties on the overextended Communist forces. On 28 February, Operation KILLER concluded with EUSAK re-occupying the territory south of the Han River and capturing Hoengsong, eliminating the last CPVA/NKPA presence south of the Han River. As the month ended, this attack achieved its purpose of straightening the UNC line east of the Han River. For the first time since the Chinese intervention, UNC forces stood along a relatively stable line, with "no gaping holes, no soft spots, and no enemy salients threatening to tear it in two."


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Battle of Wonju
On orders, General Bowen pulled the 187th ARCT out of the line at Wonju. By 28 February, the 187th ARCT had closed on its rear assembly area at Taegu.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Munsan-ni
Rather than attempt a frontal assault across the wide and thawing Han River at Seoul, General Ridgway ordered EUSAK's IX and X Corps to simultaneously attack northward in central South Korea with Operation RIPPER at 05:45 on 7 March 1951, intending to drive a broad salient into the center of the enemy line and separating the CPVA in the west from the NKPA in the east, and intending to create a bulge east of Seoul that would permit UNC forces to envelop the capital city at their leisure. The operation also aimed to bring UNC troops up to the 38th Parallel. The offensive made rapid progress as the IX Corps’ US 25th Infantry Division established a bridgehead across the Han River near its confluence with the Pukhan River, about 15 miles (24 km) east of Seoul.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Munsan-ni
The northward EUSAK advance in central South Korea had the effect of outflanking Seoul, and when EUSAK seized the commanding heights east of the city, the CPVA had to choose between abandoning Seoul or defending it at a disadvantage. The former alternative was chosen when, quite suddenly on the night of 14 March, the CPVA abandoned Seoul without a fight, and Seoul changed hands for the fourth and final time when UNC forces once again liberated the battered South Korean capital. The city had been devastated by fighting, and its population had been reduced to a fraction of its prewar size.


187th Infantry Regiment (United States), Korean War, Operations at Munsan-ni
Planners in Tokyo had hoped to drop the 187th ARCT into the Seoul area, but the speed of the EUSAK advance initially caused the airdrop objective to shift to Chunchon, the major NKPA supply center just below the 38th Parallel in central South Korea. The new objective had several  advantages, in that Chunchon was an important rail terminus and a promising site for an airfield. The 187th ARCT would be dropped when EUSAK's front line was 10 miles (16 km) away and the two forces would link up within 24 hours.