It was not until 5 March, when Fields was transferred to the 155th Station Hospital, APO 503 in Japan, effective 24 February, that he was picked up on the Morning Report. Contrary to his own regrets, Ranger Fields didn’t let anyone down—he distinguished himself at Tanyang and was awarded the Bronze Star.
Records—Rotation—Reality
No one remembers too clearly what duties the Buffalo Rangers performed during the last days of June. The Record of Events for the end of the month, recorded 20-30 June 1951, cites only the usual organizational duties. This could mean everything from local security and patrols to training and combat. The Morning Reports reflect a series of corrections ranging from status to strength and ranks and MOS’s. The Rangers’ MOS specialty designation prefix of “3” begins to appear in the Morning Reports at this time.
On 15 June, Captain Allen wrote to his wife, Mary:
We have been on the move continually for ten to twelve days. It looks like we will now hold up for a while. The time for rotation is getting near but we can’t get any definite plan for rotating the Company. I hope to get all of the men who are eligible out as soon as possible.
The other Ranger Companies were executing a variety of missions during this period, ranging from recuperation to task force battle, as follows:
1st Rangers, 2d ID: Captain Charles Ross assumes command
3d Rangers, 3d ID: Combat operations; Dave Rauls captured but freed by friendly fire
4th Rangers, 1st Cavalry: Operations on Task Force Croft
5th Rangers, 25th ID: Operations on “Objective Sugar”
8th Rangers, 24th ID: Reinforced Tank-Infantry Patrols
Chapter 8
Award of Combat Infantry Company Streamer and Start of the Journey Home, 4 July 1951
“At Beppu, in Japan, the 187th RCT submitted an addendum to its after-action report on the Munsan-ni Airborne Operation to Washington, D.C., dated 12 July 1951. It should be of special interest to the members of 2d and 4th Ranger Companies; i.e., I Company, 187th was credited with material captures attributed to 2d Ranger Company in the 187th Journals, and the 4th Company never did take their objective at Munsan-ni.”
—Korean Nights: The 4th Ranger Infantry Company36
The Morning Report data indicate that by early July 1951, the Buffalo Rangers were still in the Army Reserve near Todon-ni, Korea, which was not too far from Chunchon City and an unimproved airstrip. Things were going pretty slow, as evidenced by Captain Allen’s letters to Mary in which he wrote, “We are still in reserve. I saw Jack Benny and his USO troupe.” The USO shows were usually held in the reserve regiment and the heavy artillery locations. They were near enough to the front lines so that the performers could brag about hearing the fighting (artillery firing) and still draw a large audience.
Somehow, during the time the unit was in Eighth Army Reserve, Queen came upon the Army Regulations pertaining to the unit award known as the Combat Infantry Company Streamer. The basic requirement for this award was that at least 65 percent of the company needed to have been awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and have at least thirty days on the line, with enemy contact. Special care had been taken through the rotation of jobs to ensure that even Sergeant George Jackson, Personnel Clerk at Division rear, had met that requirement.
[4 July 1951] Morning Report
Unit awarded the Combt Inf Streamer per GO 390
Hq 7th Inf Div APO 7 dtd 4 Jul 51
Thanks to Queen, the Buffalo Rangers now had the Combat Infantry Company Streamer Award—but on paper only: physically, they had no guidon or streamer! The company had left Fort Benning before the Army had a guidon made, and the unit was never issued an official one. “Big Jim” Queen volunteered to take a four-day temporary duty (TDY) trip back to Taegu to have a guidon and streamer made. He knew that there were personnel from the old 80th AAA Battalion in the city, and he could shack up and eat with them while waiting for the guidon to be made by a local Korean tailor. With that, the Buffalo Soldiers took up a collection and donated their loose change, most of which consisted of Korean and Japanese money.
The Trip to Taegu and Beyond
Things were relatively slow, so Big Jim secured his TDY. He stayed with CWO Woods, Personnel Officer for the old 80th. Queen had taken his combat gear (i.e., M-1C rifle, pistol belt with .45 caliber, ammunition) and binoculars with him. He wore his steel pot, pack suspenders, and dirty combat uniform while in the Eighth Army (Rear) area. There, people were dressed in a more civilized fashion, so he stood out like a sore thumb. Since Queen’s clothing was extra large and he could never find the correct clothing sizes at the QM shower point, he washed and dried his own clothing before putting it back on. Throughout his time in Korea, he kept the same clothing he had brought with him from the States because it fit and had been modified to reflect the Airborne dress (field jacket with extra pockets on the upper sleeves; reinforced elbows and trouser knees). The MPs didn’t bother Queen, and everyone was cordial.
Queen rested and slept late for about three days. But he also used up some of the collected money on local entertainment, so when the guidon was ready he had to borrow funds from Chief Woods. Korean money was almost worthless, and cigarettes would get you further in a trade.
While he was gone, Queen learned that his old company commander, Captain Benjamin “Bennie” Redd, from the 81st Infantry Battalion (Sep), Aleutian Islands, Alaska, was commanding a medical unit near Seoul. Queen did not know the exact location of Redd’s unit, but sensed that it was located up near the Han River, east of the capital. The Han River was on the far side of the battlefront. The best way to get there was to catch a ride by hitchhiking. He was not asking for any special favors, so most drivers were glad to have some company—especially a Ranger officer riding shotgun! Although it was relatively safe for a single vehicle to travel in the daytime through the corps or Army rear areas, no guerrilla agent would dare attack them now: Queen had all of his combat gear plus the guidon with him.
He reached the river line on an artillery ammunition truck and did not have too much difficulty locating the medical unit. Because it had nurses assigned to it, the unit was considered an evacuation hospital. Redd commanded a medical clearing or ambulance company that supported the hospital, and was the only officer assigned to the unit. It seemed they were short Medical Service Corps Officers, so Redd had volunteered for the assignment. Big Jim ribbed him for leaving the infantry and hiding in the non-combatant medics.
Because time was short, Queen only stayed for the evening. He ate a good meal with silver utensils and slept on a canvas cot for the first time in a long time. He caught a ride early the next day on another truck heading to the 7th Division, and arrived back without difficulty.
Company Jump School
Captain Allen persuaded Division and Army G-3 to grant permission to give parachute jump training to the ten “leg replacements” who had volunteered from the 7th Division’s pipeline back in April. These men had fought with the company for slightly more than three months and deserved the chance to start and back-date their jump pay. Army regulations allowed a soldier to draw pay backwards or forward for three months after making a jump, under normal circumstances. In combat, a general officer could certify that the equipment and aircraft were not available and the jump pay would be continued for an indefinite period. At this time, jump pay for enlisted men was $50 per month and $100 per month for officers. This meant a back-pay package of $150 for these men, which was important because combat pay was not instituted in Korea until 1952.
Allen set aside a training cadre of Rangers from the 3d Platoon to provide the training, including Staff Sergeant John E. Ford, Jr., one of two qualified, black senior riggers who had performed duty in the 82d A/B Division. The entire company was undergoing refresher training because it was time for everyone to make a jump for normal pay purposes. The last company jump had been at Munsan-ni on 23 March, and it was now slightly more than three months later—time for a pay jump. There were no platforms
to jump from and practice landing falls, so the deuce-and-a-half truck bed was substituted for that purpose. The ground was dusty and took the place of the sawdust pits. The company did road runs, push-ups, and practice landings from slowly moving trucks to simulate windy landings. Shouts of “ARE YOU HAPPY? ARE YOU GONNA JUMP?” echoed throughout the hills. This may have looked silly to the leg units in the area, but it meant dollar signs and was a morale booster for the Buffalo Soldiers.
In later years, three of the jump candidates remembered the training as follows:
Paul Lyles
We came back to base camp in Korea for a rest period—which entailed jumping from six-wheeler trucks in the process of learning to do a PLF. After a few days of this training we were supposed to be ready for our jumps. We were told that within the next days we were going to make three jumps to qualify as paratroopers and receive our airborne wings. Three of the men who made jumps that day were Washingtonians: Billy Mathis, Winston Jackson, and myself.
Isaac Grasty
We started training at once—jumping from the back of a truck, in order to learn how to make a PLF. I don’t know if all these guys finished this training. I can only remember three: Mathis, another tall fellow—I can’t remember his name—[Grasty is describing Paul Lyles, who measured about 6 feet 2 inches] who was assigned as the 57 recoilless rifleman, and myself. I do remember that all of us made the three qualifying jumps in one day. After this, the three of us were assigned to Lieutenant Cliette’s platoon.
Winston Jackson
Our training by the company personnel started in July. As a youngster I had been hurt very badly in the ankle while playing basketball. On the first two jumps my old injured ankle began to hurt, to the extent that I could hardly walk. Someone wanted to jump in my place, but I got extra advice about making a PLF on my last jump. I made it, but it hurt so badly that I was taken to the aid station. I was told that I just had a sprain and I was to be placed on light duty.
[27 July 1951] Record of Events
11 enlisted men37 make qualifying parachute jumps at Chunchon, Korea. No casualties.
During this period, Captain Allen was writing less frequently to his wife. His letters contain no specific information about airborne training for the replacements or deactivation. On 13 July he wrote:
I hope that the Commies act favorably on Ridgeway’s latest proposal. We are taking things easy, conducting training, and straightening out property records. I am starting to gain back the weight I lost. I don’t think that I’ll be home for the beach season, but I’ll try to get home for the World Series. I have never seen two major league teams play.
The Captain attempted to get in some last-minute promotions to deserving Rangers. Those promoted to sergeant or above were done by 7th Division special orders, while Private First Class and Corporal promotions were cited on company order.
On the Morning Report of 15 July there were several entries concerning Corporal James E. Carrell.
Carrell James E. RA17233881 Cpl.
…duty to R&R Japan effective 8 July 1951, paragraph 8, Special Order 188, Headquarters 7th Infantry Division, APO 7, dated 7 July 1951.
…R&R leave to confinement Post Guard House, Camp Zama, Honshu, Japan, effective 2140 hours, 10 July 1951.
The reason for Corporal Carrell’s confinement remains a mystery to the men of 2d Ranger Company. However, on Special Order 210, Headquarters 7th Infantry Division, dated 29 July 1951, transferring the Buffalo Rangers to the 187th ARCT, Carrell’s name is conspicuously missing, while the names of the other two men who went on R&R with him—Sergeant First Class William Hargrove and Corporal Jacob J. Mason—are shown.
At this time the beloved Company clerk, George Jackson, Jr., re-enlisted for three years. Unfortunately, he did not get any enlistment or re-enlistment bonus. He did upgrade his permanent rank and must have anticipated the significance of this move, because later the difference between a temporary and a permanent rank would become a critical issue. All other enlisted promotions recorded on the Morning Report for Sergeant and Sergeant First Class are listed as temporary. President Truman had already given an involuntary extension to all members of the Armed Forces in late 1950. Almost all officers in the company received category appointments or enlistments while in Korea. On 27 May, Lieutenant Antonio Anthony, who had arrived in Korea in late February, was extended in his category (voluntary term of service to Category III), 38 per special orders from the 7th Division. All of the other company officers whose birth dates were during this period of duty in Korea were also extended.
[15 July 1951] Morning Report
Jackson, George Jr. RA13291868 Sgt. MOS: 34816 Duty to honorable discharge, AR 615-360, Expiration of term of service and WCL 35093 effective 13 July 1951 (Department of Defense Form 214 attached).
Jackson, George Jr. RA13291868 Cpl. MOS: 34816 Race Negro Term of enlistment 3 years, ETS July 1954 Departed Zone if Interior December 1950, arrived Korea eligible rotation United States June 1951, enlisted in the Regular Army, assigned and joined, paragraph 24, Special Order 195, Hqs. 7th Infantry Division, APO 7 (DD Form 4, attached).
Jackson, George Jr. RA13291868 Cpl. MOS: 34816 Promoted to grade of Sergeant (E-5) permanent paragraph 24, Special Order 195, Hqs. 7th Infantry Division, APO 7.
As late as 24 July, Warren wrote to Mary:
I am waiting for the good news before writing. We are expecting a new Army Post Office (APO) by the end of the month. Rotation seems to be a dream. Who are all the people that I read about getting to the States? I hope that I can write soon with some good news!
Up to 29 July, the 2d Ranger Company was still making corrections on errors detected in the old Morning Reports. There were so many errors that Queen wanted to just substitute corrected reports and throw the old ones away, but that was not possible. It is impossible to say whether the reports in the National Archives today portray a true picture of the Buffalo Rangers’ activity. What is certain is that the last man to leave the unit was Corporal Lawrence Williams, and he did so on 25 July.
[31 July 1951] RECORD OF EVENTS
NO CHANGE. 20-31 July 1951 Usual organization duties.
Order to Inactivate the Ranger Companies
During the period of 11-14 July, the 8th Company Rangers were attached to the 24th Division, and while still conducting combat operations with the 21st Infantry seized Hill 1118. Afterward, the Rangers repelled an enemy attack and directed artillery fire on Hill 581 while the 21st attacked. On 14-15 July, the 8th Company Rangers deterred a Chinese attack against their position. On 16 July, amid preparations for their next mission, Captain Robert Wesley Eikenberry, commander of the 8th, was notified by Division G-3 that the Rangers were being inactivated.39
On 24 July 1951, Colonel Van Houten sent all of the Ranger trainees back to their regular units or to other assignments. Within the Department of the Army the decision to inactivate the Ranger companies was reflected in Message 95587, dated 5 July 1951, which stated: “Deep patrol missions by small units, for which the Rangers are intended, are made most difficult in the Far East Command by reason of racial differences between the oriental and the Caucasian.”40
This superficial reasoning omitted any references to 2d Ranger Company, which definitely did not fit the racial profile mentioned. Also omitted was the fact that the 8086th Army Unit (Miscellaneous Group) was currently conducting clandestine operations utilizing Caucasian advisers. In addition, whenever a deep (combat or reconnaissance) patrol gets so close to the enemy that racial features are recognizable, the issue is moot! Last, earlier in the Korean conflict almost every division had an indigenous force operating within its zone, and these forces were not too effective. For example, the Rice’s Raiders unit (Benedas Force) at Tanyang, on 7 January met with almost total disaster.
There must have been some rumors before the order was given because in his 13 July letter, Captain Allen mentioned to Mary that the unit was “straightening out the property records,” and it appears he saw the change app
roaching. Queen did not recall that this information reached the Buffalo Rangers, nor were they given the opportunity for transfers to 7th Division. Only one Buffalo, Corporal Joe Wells, remained behind after the unit was deactivated. Wells, who had been cited for bravery on Hill 581, remained for approximately another month while serving as a Catholic chaplain’s assistant. When a replacement chaplain’s assistant arrived, Wells, like all of the former 2d Ranger Company, was sent to join the 187th ARCT in Japan.
The final Morning Report gives no reasons why, but relegates the Ranger units to the history books.
[1 August 1951] Morning Report
Todon-ni, Korea 7 Officers and 117 Enlisted men relieved from assigned and transferred to 187th RCT (Abn) APO 51, paragraph 11, Special Order 210, Hqs 7th Infantry Div., APO 7, EDCMR 1 Aug 1951
RECORD OF EVENTS
Inactivated this date per General Order 584, Hqs Eighth U S Army, Korea. APO 301 dated 25 July 1951, no personnel assigned or attached. Final M/R.
General Ferenbaugh, 7th Division commander, wrote a Letter of Appreciation acknowledging the unit’s performance during its seven months of attachment. At the end of the war, the South Korean government awarded its Presidential Unit Citation to all of the units in the 7th Division. Somehow, the Buffalo Rangers of 2d Ranger Company were left off the orders. However, in 1988 the South Korean government awarded the Korean Presidential Unit Citation to the Buffalo Rangers at the biennial RICA reunion, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.41
Edward L. Posey Page 16
