Memories of Korea
by Bob Roser
March 15, 2022
My name is Robert (Bob) Roser. I am 93 years old. I was assigned to the 27th infantry Regiment wolfhounds in early May, 1953.
I was born in Brooklyn, NY. and raised in NYC, Attended college in Western PA and upon graduation in the spring of 1951, received my diploma and draft notice for the Korean War.
In mid-July, 1951 I was sworn in at the Whitehall Street government office in lower Manhattan then sent to Camp Kilmer, NJ for processing. From there shipped to the Medical Replacement Training Center at Fort Meade, MD.
After 16 weeks of basic training I applied for Medical Service OCS and stayed on as training cadre for the next two basic training cycles. In February 1952 I received my Officer Candidate orders, not for medical service, but for assignment to Class 29 Infantry OCS Fort Benning, Georgia.
We started in March 1952 with 200 candidates and in early September 109 of us received our commissions. I was then assigned to H Company, 13th Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, Columbia, South Carolina as basic training cadre until I received orders to Korea in February 1953
In early March, I left home from NY bound for San Francisco out of Idlewild Airport (now JFK) and joined the "pipeline" to camp Stonenam, Pittsburgh, CA. I went out a day early and managed to catch a few San Francisco sights, including the parting ritual of a cocktail at the "Top of the Mark" Hopkins Hotel. A week later out of Oakland, I went aboard the troopship USS Marine Serpent, with a small cadre of officers. We sailed north to Seattle where we picked up 3000 GIs for the 14 day crossing to Yokohama, Japan. There, I was processed to Camp Drake, Tokyo and assigned to Etta Jima (former Japanese Naval Academy) Chemical – Biological – Radiological School. During the stay I had a weekend visit to Hiroshima, and its rebuild.
Upon graduation in late April, I joined a group of fellow officers for a night crossing from Yokohama to Pusan, Korea. We transferred to a May 1st (communist holiday) specially guarded northbound troop train to Uijongbu and was trucked further north to 25th Infantry Division HQ. There I was assigned to the 27th Infantry Wolfhound Regiment, Col. David Gray commanding. I was greeted by the Sgt. Major who said, "Lieut. your soul may belong to God for your body now belongs to the Wolfhounds."
Upon arrival, I was directed to the 1st Battalion Weapons Company, Lieut. Bob Kaplan, (Blairsville Pa), commanding and became Platoon Leader of the 81 Mortars. I had an outstanding crew of NCOs: Sergeants: Torakaua (Japanese Niaesien) – HI, William Schnack-VA and Jerry Dixon, Chicago. The platoon had 35 US personnel (mostly Regular Army) and 15 KATUSA’s (Korean's attached to the US Army, some of who had been with the platoon since the early days of the war. I was blessed with diverse, highly motivated and very professional GIs.
First week of May 53 the regiment headed north to the Kaesong-Ni region as part of the 25th Division relief of the 1st Marines. The 27th took MLR (Main Line of Resistance) trench and outpost positions a few miles north of the Imgin River and the "Freedom Bridge." Near the 38th parallel, 30 miles north of Seoul. The regiment was assigned the extreme left flank of the Korean Peninsula. Our 1st Battalion was located on the right flank of the Regimental battle line, 2nd Battalion to our left and the 3dBattalion was in reserve. 6 miles tour Platoon’s Northeast was Panmunjom ( no fire zone piece talk area). Further east, the Turkish Brigade and the 25th Division's 35th Regiment. The Regiments left flank was bordered by an AM track (amphibian) unit which patrolled the yellow Sea estuary.
Our platoon mission was to support first Battalion Rifle companies A- B-C who took over Marine trench lines along the MLR. The MLR can be described as a wall of coiled barbwire 8 feet deep x 8 feet high crossing the Korean Peninsula. Beyond the MLR, platoon/squad size units manned hilly outposts for observation and enemy engagements. The forward Regimental Observation and Fire Direction HQ was located on Hill 155. Our immediate enemy were units of the 14th Div. DDC (Chinese Communist Forces.)
Platoon mortars supported outposts Camel, Cow and Nan -1. Companies ran regular assaults, ambush and Intel night patrols in front of the MLR. Our 81s wre kept very busy with constant (mostly night) support fire missions.
A Few Combat Notes
Upon arrival at our MLR defense positions, 81 Platoon members executed non-stop dig-in action, constructing mortar pits, FTC bunkers and registering concentrations. Along with superb FOs (Forward Observers) the unit had highly motivated and trained people! My Officer’s monthly liquor supply was mostly used for greasing the supply train for bunker materials, barbed wire and sandbags.
The 1st Battalion Table of Organization was as follows:
- Three Rifle Companied on line (Co. A-B-C)
Weapons Company support included:
- 81mm Mortar Platoon 4 tubes
- Machine Gun Platoon- 30 Caliber (water cooled) distributed across Bn. Line fields of fire.
- 75mm direct fire Recoilless Rifle Platoon
- Regiment Heavy Weapons Support
- 4.2 Mortars- 105mm Recoilless Rifles
- 50 Cal, Quad 50mm Half-tracks
The 27th being a light infantry unit had outside support of:
- Marine 4.5 Rocket Unit
- Marine M25 Tanks (code name “Lobsters”)
- Marine Corsair Air Support (Occasional single 500 lb bomb drops raised the troops!)
- Army Canine night patrol unit (Code name “Lassies”)
- 8 Inch Division Artillery
- Reg. Signal Corp, Engineer and others.
Medical treatment and evacuation pipeline started with platoon medics followed up Bn Aid Station, then if necessary, chopper to Reg. Collecting Station or Mash unit. Hospital ship Repose off Inchon Bay took serious casualty recovery. Considering battle and weather conditions the overall Evac process was rated EXCELLENT! Unit medics were also tasked with sanitation and on line regular spraying of DDT in the trenches to fight off the rodent population. Given evaluation, the goal was to get the WIA (Wounded In Action) back up on line as soon as possible. Rear shower points were set up after the first few weeks. They also featured uniform exchange which for first timers meant turning in original “never to see again” issues for clean, but faded and usually over- sized replacements.
After the first few weeks, the Platoon received four newly designed 81 mortars. Rather than trash our four WWII relics, with ample ammunition, I realized my highly talented personnel could handle eight tubes on line. Over the Platoon’s travels, FDC (Fire Direction Center) members had scrounged a hotel switch board which further opened Battalion sized Como lines…Enterprising US Infantry at work.
The pride of the platoon was its accurate 1st round fire delivery. Once a high ranking officer was visiting the Reg. FDC HQ on Hill156. Our most reliable FO, Former German-new US citizen Adolf Saitsley, was asked by the distinguished visitor to hit a selected target. Without any adjustments the first round nailed it. There were commendations all way round.
Another incident happened on Outpost Camel where the CO wanted total coverage on his position to annihilate night CCF over-run attacks. I was out there working with a new FO and called in our “Correction Zero”. I suggested that we move to his command bunker for protection. The first round landed right in the door way! We caught a few nicks but he was impressed. The mortar fin kept spinning round in the trench. I put it in my ammo pouch and still have the special memento of Wolfhound accuracy.
In mid-June, South Korean Pres, Syngman Rhee let the North Korean prisoners loose. We received orders to go to a 360 degree defense as some of the NK lads would soon be trying to make it back North. South of the battle zone, a “Farm Line” was established which prohibited civilians from entering. On a rear reconnaissance mission, I almost lost my hide to several NK drifters but for the quick action of my jeep driver, Cpl Enrique Rodriquez, Ponce, Puerto, Rico.
Other Memories
When the CF started making attack noises along our front, the “Hound” trenches sounded off with its counter curdling war dry howls. I will never forget those nights and the eerie echoes.
If interested, one hot meal was delivered mid-day at the bottom of our hill. The KP crew served the 81 Mortar and 75 mm Recoilless teams. One day Chinese 82mm
Mortars greeted the chow line at the precise time of serving. It was back to C rations in the pits until we moved the location. The boys did not like the absence of their daily supply of “101s” (Free packs of Kool cigarettes!). A week before we were hit, an engineer detail put a supply road into our position. Korean laborers did the work and I’m sure someone relayed our location. We were regularly bombarded after that.
The Regiment was relieved by the Marines in early July and I was called upstairs to be interviewed by Reg. Adjutant, Major John Noonan for the assignment of Asst. Reg. Adj..
My BN. CO, LTC Wright explained to me there were signs that the war was winding down and the Reg. wanted to get more new officers combat experience. I won the interview, but tough to leave my boys.
Battle action heated up during the final few weeks of the war and the Regiment shifted further east on the MLR to take on over-run blocking positions to counter the Chinese swarm tactics for territorial claims.
As Asst. Adj., there were nightly Regimental reports, assorted correspondence including preparing commendation letters to KIA (Killed in Action) Wolfhound families. When peace was declared, the challenge for Rifle Co CO’s was how to abruptly wind down spirited Wolfhounds? To keep the Regiment at elite status, drill and field exercises became the mode. The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) became my bible and kept me busy with field violations.
Signs of Peace
Despite the bombardments and noise during our springtime operations a determined barn swallow started to build a nest on one of our bunker outcroppings. Many in the platoon took it not just a sign of nature, but one of coming peace.
When peace did arrive, one of my early Asst. Adj. assignments was to quickly assemble a detail for reclamation of past campaign American dead in front of our final positions. The United Nations were training units to handle this exercise but the Chinese wanted immediate action. My detail made three trips before the “experts” arrived. The first day revealed the meaningful task to our people. On the second day at lunch break, one of our Hounds rolled down two cans of C-Rations to the Chinese group. 3d day the Chinese rolled back a bottle of rice wine. All the Panmunjom negotiating table pounding was sidestepped by fellow infantrymen sharing the spirit of peace!!
I received discharge orders in early December ’53. Took the USS President Walker out of Inchon to a very warm troop ship welcome in San Francisco. Officers were then cut out for an across country train ride to NYC. There were a number of stories during the 4 day trip…Stop in Needles, AR saw a big dent in its fresh milk supply!
We did a 4 hour layover in Chicago and I was designated to corral my fellow officers for a welcoming Holiday Dinner at the Union Station banquet hall. The city was there to thank us, but it was no surprise that most of our group ignored the invitation and spread to the winds…Being among the very few to show up, I remember the lineup of empty chairs, saluting napkins, over flowing salad bowl and an anxious wait staff. The Windy City bright lights won out over the tributes,
I was discharged at my point of entry, Camp Kilmer, NJ December 17th, 1953. Two years, ten months of military service.
I married the gal I left behind. It’s well to note my Dear Patricia wrote almost every day. She would sometimes use a NYC mail trick. WWII gals carried rolls of adding machine tape asking friends and others (Subway riders!) to add a line to their overseas love ones. I still have her last roll.
We took a place in Greenwich Village. I found work at a Wall Street bank while riding the GI Bill for my night business graduate work at NYU. When finished, I scored an opportunity for a 40 year ride with the Reader’s Digest. Retired as a Senior Field Executive. My military experience, though short, provided me with leadership skills, self-confidence, self-control and a “stand your ground” attitude.
We had three sons, Robert Jr. College, then Navy, followed by 30 years with Gen Dynamics Submarine Division’s Washington (DC) Engineering Office. Our two other boys left us early with the challenge of Cystic Fibrosis Disease.
Upon retirement, Patricia and I moved from NY to Old Lyme, CT. Extensive travel, volunteer work, Golf Club president, All-State Commander of our Lymes’ VFW (NO Bar-No Building” Sr. Ctr.) Post filled in the remaining years.
Closing Notes
Once I was asked by a student at a HS class room interview what kind of a weapon I carried? I replied, that while I was issued a M2 30 cal. Carbine, my most useful tool was an English Acme Thunder Whistle. My cousin, a WWII vet who fought in New Guinea, passed it on to me when I received my Commission. He said it would come in “handy”. He was right! Over the din and excitement of fire missions etc., Hounds heads popped up in the pits when crews heard the shrill alert of a mission or “incoming.”(I had plenty of whistle practice the year before supervising the basic training cycle “targets up” FT Jackson Rifle Range.) The whistle was a NYC Police Traffic Dept issue and given to my cousin working summer traffic at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. I still have it.
We took five business and pleasure trips to Hawaii and would stop by the Wolfhound Reg. HQ at Schofield Barracks in Oahu. We likewise took time to pay our respects at the “Punch Bowl’s” Pacific Burial Ground where a few of my OCS class mates are resting.
Along with the GI Bill advanced education I received, the VA was there for me later when I ran into some combat related health problems. “Where have you been?” was their welcoming cry. They continue to give me excellent service.
There was a well attended (Mostly Nam Vets) Wolfhound reunion in New Paltz, NY
Back in the 90s. It was organized by former Hound Bob Striker. Guest speaker was celebrated Wolfhound, Col. David Hackworth (7 Purple Hearts!) The closing banquet got spirited, and my wife asked, “Who are these people?” My reply was, “MY dear, these are the very special people who get our country’s dirty work done…These are the seasoned soldiers who helped bring me home…
God Bless The WOLFHOUNDS!!