Edward L. Posey

by Last;Only All-Black Rangers US Army's First

  My treatment began there in earnest. It was intense and painful, and I lost the tips of two fingers. My feet were O.K. I saw on television where Rangers along with the 187th ARCT had made a combat jump at Munsan-ni. I knew that 2d Ranger Company was among those Rangers. The only real regret of my short-lived army career was that I missed the jump. If anything can go wrong for me, it will.

  They were giving seven-day convalescent leaves, which were not counted against your furlough time. My hand was healing well, but I had some infection and I could not go on leave. Then, when I was all set to go, the program was discontinued. I settled for a three-day pass. We ate in a huge dining room, but we had to line up to be served. We were at the breakfast meal and I looked over at the chow line and there was Louis Adams. He and I were so glad to see each other that I guess they thought we were suffering from combat fatigue. We were both in the 1st Platoon and our birthdays are the same day. While in Korea we said we were really going to celebrate. But I was evacuated out before that date. We still exchange birthday greetings.

  My mother spent five days of her vacation in Battle Creek visiting me in the hospital. Her being black, she could not get a hotel room in Battle Creek. The hospital was almost in the heart of downtown. One of her co-workers had some close friends there and suggested she contact them and try to get lodgings, which she did. We would have the noon and evening meal together and just sit around and talk. Some days they would have live shows featuring local talent in the theater. I have often thought about the fact that I could go fight and face death, but my mother could not get public accommodations. The people she stayed with were great. The lady of the house worked at the hospital. Percy Jones offered employment to Battle Creek. The hospital had been closed before the Korean War, but was in the process of being opened and staffed when I arrived.

  My enlistment was up July 17, 1951, but I found myself possibly faced with another year in service (the Truman Year). I wanted to go back to Bragg, but that was not to be. In July 1951, I was released from the hospital and assigned to Company D, 367th Armored Infantry Battalion Reserve Command, 3d Armored Division, Fort Knox, Kentucky, as cadre. The basic training cycle was about three weeks from starting when I arrived and they were making up the company. I was one of the first to come into the company who had seen combat in Korea. I was constantly asked what it was like there.

  These guys were called “homesteaders.” I wore my jump wings proudly on my field cap and maintained the neat airborne appearance, with jump boots highly polished. I was made Platoon Sergeant of the 1st Platoon. I held that job until mid-cycle, when a sergeant rotated back. I was then his assistant. It was indeed satisfying to see raw recruits become soldiers. I had it in my mind that I was never going on bivouac again.

  I tried to get transferred back to Fort Bragg. I wanted to get back to the 82d Airborne Division. I had a letter of acceptance to the 80th Airborne Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Division Artillery. I took a physical and training test. My letter of request for transfer, with all my documentation, went to 2d Army, but was rejected because I was on an involuntary extension. I never knew when I was going to be discharged. They first said you would have to do the year, then they started letting men out early.

  A sergeant who was billeted in the company and I had talked on a number of occasions. He was assigned to Headquarters Reserve Command Training Committee. He needed an assistant and talked to his committee chief about me. They had made barracks available to the committee personnel and he moved to his new quarters. I had thrown the transfer out of my mind. We were preparing for bivouac. Orders came down that Friday that I was to report to my new assignment. On Monday, the company went to the field. I cannot remember that sergeant’s name. He was a Sergeant First Class and had not been to Korea. For what he had done for me I tried to do an outstanding job. Our working relationship was cut short by his being sent to Korea. I took his job, but was only a corporal. I was in charge of making and maintaining lesson plans, classes on the function and disassembly of the Browning Automatic Rifle, and training aids. Sometimes myself and my assistant, who was a Private First Class who had rotated back from Germany, would run the BAR range.

  The Committee Chief came out to the range and was surprised to see us running the show. He told us we were doing a great job. We asked him on the spot, if we were doing such a good job, what about promotions? He said his hands were tied because rank was frozen.

  I could not get back to Fort Bragg. I could not get promoted. What the heck. One day out of the blue I was told to report to 3d Armored Division Headquarters to be processed for discharge. Nine months and sixteen days into my Truman Year, it was over.

  Appendix 1

  —Ranger Whereabouts—

  2d Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne)

  in Korea 1950–1951

  A-1. ADAMS, EDWARD D. “Ed” was a member of the replacement platoon that was brought over by Lieutenant Anthony. He came from A Battery, 80th AAA Battalion. He earned the Bronze Star Award and resides in Indianapolis, IN. He was often seen by Jimmy Fields, but he has not come back to the herd.

  A-2. ADAMS, LOUIS M. Louie was an original member. He settled in Milwaukee, WI. He worked in the public school system as an aide in some of the toughest schools. In 1995 the Buffalo Rangers, as guest of the Southern Milwaukee Chapter, 82d A/B Association, visited his school and made a Black Military History presentation. Louis has been a very active member in both RICA and the 82d A/B Association.

  A-3. ADKINS, KIRK P. Kirk left the service after returning from the hospital to the 187th. His life-threatening wound on Hill 581 didn’t stop him from returning to jump status. He married and settled in Pasadena, CA. He owns a building maintenance company. He attends most of the RICA and 555th Reunions. Kirk was an original member and came from Company K.

  A-4. AIKENS, LEGREE. Legree was an original member and came from Company I. He remained in the service after his initial enlistment. He did twenty years of airborne service before retiring as a Master Sergeant. He married, had two kids, and settled in California. He still looks a youthful twenty and is an active skier. He married a second time but recently lost his wife to cancer. He has moved but is still working full-time in Tucson, AZ. He frequently attends the reunions.

  A-5. ALLEN, ADELL L. Adell was an original member from Company M, where he was a 81mm First Class Mortar Gunner. He dropped out of sight after rotating to the 187th in Japan.

  A-6. ALLEN, DONALD S. An original member from Company K. He returned to Washington, D.C., and married. He worked for the Washington Metro Transportation System until his retirement. He now resides in Temple Hills, MD.

  A-7. ALLEN, JAMES N. James was a veteran trooper who had served overseas before coming to Company I and was an original member. We have lost contact with him.

  A-8. ALLEN, WARREN E. The original Company commander who remained with the unit even after being wounded in January 1951. He remained in the service for twenty years and retired as a major, from the 18th A/B Corps at Fort Bragg. He and his wife Mary had a daughter. They went briefly into the electronics business in Washington, D.C. He died of a heart attack and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. He was deceased before the formation of RICA and 555th Associations. Warren was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 1996.

  A-9. ALSTON, MARION A. An original member from Company K; remained in the service for more than twenty years. Marion retired as Sergeant Major. He married Stina, and they have nine adult children (he is the Buffalo Ranger with the most children). The youngest son, Roger, who grew up attending reunions, is now attending college and has enlisted in the National Guard. Marion worked for an insurance company as an actuary until his retirement. He resides in Browns Mill, NJ, near Fort Dix.

  A-10. ANDERSON, JESSIE. “Babe” was an original member from Company K. Babe was a WWII veteran. He remained in the service for twenty years and retired as a Master Sergeant. He first lived in Aurora, CO, and worked in the US Postal System until his second retirement. He and wife now li
ve in Fayetteville, NC, near Fort Bragg. He is not too active in RICA or the 555th PIA.

  A-11. ANDRADE, ANTHONY. Andrade was one of the original members who came from Company M, 81mm mortars. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor for the use of his mortar on Hill 581. Andrade remained in the service and retired as a Sergeant First Class. He did some time as cadre in a basic training unit at Fort Knox, KY. He was living in Montgomery, AL, with his daughter when he died. Big Jim Queen and his wife Phyllis visited him while on the way to the 555th PIA reunion in Oakland, CA, in 1982.

  A-12. ANDRES, TEEDIES P. An original member from Company M. He left the service after his enlistment and moved to Maine, where he married. He became a professional artist and painter. He moved to Florida in about 1990 for retirement. He was not active in RICA and is now deceased.

  A-13. ANTHONY, ANTONIO. “Red Horse” was the replacement platoon leader with the first replacements in late February 1951. He arrived in time for the Munsan-ni Jump. Red Horse came from Company I and commanded the Weapons Platoon. He took a reduction to Master Sergeant before retiring during the Vietnam Era. He was the only member of the unit to receive three Combat Infantry Badges and is listed in the Infantry School Hall of Honor at Fort Benning. He married Rene and retired in Montgomery, AL. Red Horse was a loud and very active BING player at the Fort Campbell Officers’ Club. As a civilian he worked for a shipping company. He was not active in RICA or the 555th PIA. “Red Horse” died of a brain tumor in the late 1980s.

  B-1. BAKER, ISAAC E. An original member, he started as 4th Platoon Sergeant during early training. He came to Company I because he couldn’t make a rank in the 558th Ambulance Company. Baker was the first Ranger KIA. His legendary prediction of death to Master Sergeant Bates is recorded here. The Baltimore Chapter of the 555th PIA is named after him.

  B-2. BARTON, RICHARD E. Richard was a veteran trooper, having served overseas in WWII. He was an original member and a driver in Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. Contact with Richard was lost after rotation to CONUS.

  BEDLEY, BELL, BEVERLY. Missing.

  B-3. BIVENS, GEORGE. A member of the Replacement Platoon, coming from the 80th AAA. George left the service and settled in Baltimore, MD. He has attended several reunions but has health problems.

  B-4. BOATWRIGHT, DANIEL. An original member from Company K. He went to OCS after rotating and remained in the service for more than twenty years before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He is still a bachelor and lives as a “Country Gentleman Farmer” near Fort Jackson, SC, in the city of Kupuete, GA. He attends all reunions and is a generous activity supporter.

  B-5. BRISCOE, RICHARD. Richard was an original member from the 80th AAA. He left the service after his enlistment and returned to Washington, D.C. He worked for a supermarket company as a 16-wheeler driver before retiring.

  BROWN. Missing.

  B-6. BRUCE, JOSEPH L., JR. Joseph was an original member. He had just enlisted in April 1950 and was a novice jumper but proved to be a good trooper. Contact with him was lost after rotation.

  B-7. BUFORD, TASHAKA (DAVID). Buford joined the unit after going AWOL from 3d Battalion, 9th ID. Buford left the service after his enlistment. He wanted to become a writer but he had some problems adjusting to civilian life. He later became a Muslim. He married and moved to Chicago, IL, before dropping out of sight in the early 1990s.

  B-8. BURSE, THOMAS M. Thomas was an original member. He left the unit before inactivation and no contact has been made since.

  B-9. BUSH, HOMER. Homer was a member of the Replacement Platoon. He remained in the service for twenty years and retired as a Master Sergeant. He was the only member of the Company recalled to active duty during the Gulf War. He became postmaster in a suburb of Charleston, WV, where he now resides. Homer has been a very active participant of the RICA and 555th Association.

  C-1. CAMPOS, VICTOR. Victor was a member of the Replacement Platoon and came from B Battery, 80th AAA Battalion. Victor was a member of the Puerto Rican clan that came from the east side of New York City, like Jose Escalera. He was in Company F, 187th ARCT, after 2d Ranger Company was inactivated. Victor had voluntarily changed sides from a possible M-1 to M-2 side. He dropped out of sight soon after rotating to the States.

  C-2. CARROLL, JAMES E. Carroll left the unit before inactivation and transferred to the 187th ARCT. We have not been able to re-establish contact with him.

  C-3. CLARKE, DAVID A. “Tank” Clarke was an original member and the only Buffalo to come from the 758th Tank Battalion. Tank left the service after rotating and settled in Milwaukee, WI. He married Geraldine and they had two children, including a son who is now a detective in the Milwaukee Police Department. Tank worked in the U.S. Post Office before retiring. Tank and Louis Adams are from the same town and both are frequent participants in RICA and 555th activities.

  C-4. CLEVELAND, CLINTON W. “Crying” Clinton was an original member from Company K. He remained in the service for twenty years and received a commission. He was forced to take a reduction to Master Sergeant, but moved up to First Lieutenant on the retirement list. He resides in Detroit, MI.

  C-5. CLIETTE, ALBERT. Al came from Company L and was the only leader of the 3d Platoon. Al was awarded the Bronze Star for valor on Hill 581. He rotated back to the 82d A/B, was promoted to Captain later, but had to take a reduction to Master Sergeant. He remained in the service for thirty years and retired from Special Forces at Fort Bragg. He married Altamae Ford and they had two children. Al retired as a Sergeant Major (E-9) with a hip pocket promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. After his years of military service, he had a second career with the State of North Carolina. He resides in Fayetteville, NC. Al has been a supporter of the RICA and 555th PIA.

  C-6. COLEMAN, EUGENE C. Eugene was an original member. He left the unit before inactivation and his whereabouts have never been determined.

  C-7. COLEMAN, WILLIE L. Willie has been in the VA Hospital at Hampton, VA, for a long period and has not been able to participate in unit activities. Willie was an original member who came from the 80th AAA.

  C-8. COLLINS, NORMAN H. Norman was an original member who came from the 80th AAA Battalion and had served overseas during WWII. Norman was a popular squad leader who only had a year left on his enlistment when he volunteered. Norman received a Silver Star. He is believed to have died in the VA Hospital in Erie, PA, but no family members could be located to confirm this information.

  C-9. COURTS, CURTIS E. Curtis was an original member who came from Company M. He was awarded the Silver Star for action on Hill 581. He settled in Chicago, IL, and has been very ill for a long time. Previously, he was very active in the Chicago Chapter of the 555th PIA.

  D-1. DANIELS, SHERMAN. Sherman was an original member from Company M. Sherman remained in the service and retired as a Staff Sergeant. His last residence was in San Francisco, CA.

  D-2. DAVIS, JAMES R., JR. James Davis was an original member. He left the unit before inactivation and rotation to the 187th ARCT. There has not been any contact with him since Korea.

  D-3. DAVIS, RICHARD E. Richard was an original member. He rotated after inactivation to the 187th ARCT but no contact has been made since that time.

  D-4. DIAS, HERCULANO G. “Herc” was an original member who came from A Battery, 80th AAA Battalion. Herc left the service after he rotated. He married Linda and they had three children. Herc worked for the New York Telephone Company until his retirement. He has been a tireless 2d Ranger Company representative in RICA for many years. He has also been active in the 555th. Herc voluntarily undertook the task of trying to contact the families of those Buffalo Rangers killed in action. He resides in West New York, NJ, where he is Chapter Adjutant in New Jersey Chapter 49 of the Disabled American Veterans Association.

  E-1. ESCALERA, JOSE A. “Kookie” was the Puerto Rican Ranger from New York who was an original member from Company M. Kookie transferred to the 3d Battalion because he was subjected to racial taunts in his first assignment in the 82d A/B. He was not used to t
he very cold weather, and often commented, “I’m frozen,” when in Korea. He was sent back for a second tour with the 65th Infantry Regiment, from Puerto Rico’s National Guard. Kookie was seriously wounded and retired medically. He returned to live in Puerto Rico where he began to lose his English language ability. Captain Joseph L. Stephenson, his CO in Company M, visited him when Stephenson sent his son, Steve, to college in Puerto Rico.

  E-2. ESTELL, LAWRENCE L. Larry was an original member from the Pioneer and Ammunition (P&A) Platoon (under the command of Lieutenant Rudolph Kelker), Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion. Larry was wounded in the Tanyang fight and didn’t return to the unit. He was hospitalized at Fort Benning, GA, where Colonel Van Houten frequently visited him and kept him abreast of the Buffalo Rangers’ action. Larry became one of the first black instructors in Jump School. He later became a craftsman and has made many of the trophies for awards given to Rangers and Triple Nickelers. He lost part of his leg in Vietnam. He resides in Columbus, GA, and worked several years for Ranger Joe, the main store for military equipment and memorabilia, just outside the gate to Fort Benning. Larry frequently represents 2d Ranger Company and the 555th PIA in the Fort Benning Post activities that involve the Ranger and Airborne Departments.

  F-1. FELDER, DONALD L., SR. Don was an original member who came from Company I. He was the youngest and an inexperienced trooper who had just completed jump school in August. He volunteered despite the warning from one of his company officers. Donald was profoundly affected by his combat service and expressed very serious feelings about man’s inhumanity in war. After completing his service he went to college and became an electrical engineer. He married Maryanne and they had three children. Donald and Maryanne, with their grandson Drew, are frequent attendees at the RICA and 555th reunions. Donald has retired from his own private company and resides in North Philadelphia, PA.