5th RCT Tunnels 40 yds from Chinese Communists

The 5th Regimental Combat Team was the only Unit from Korea that was allowed a Memorial in Arlington Cemetery. Due to their Exceedingly High... more

by Bob and Nadine Johnston

Original - Sold

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30.000 x 30.000 x 0.400 inches

Title

5th RCT Tunnels 40 yds from Chinese Communists

Artist

Bob and Nadine Johnston

Medium

Painting - Strathmore Drawing Bristol - Art Prints - Save A Bundle On 10 Or 25 Gift/note Cards... @ Our Cost

Description

The 5th Regimental Combat Team was the only Unit from Korea that was allowed a Memorial in Arlington Cemetery. Due to their Exceedingly High Record in Korea an exception was made.,. Arlington Cemetery began limiting memorials due to the lack of space. But made an exception for the 5th R.C.T. which served more time in combat than any other. And fulfilled every mission they were assigned. Received more commendations from Division Commanders they served with.

The Last corrected figures for the 5th R.C.T. since the Memorial was placed at Arlington are:
949 Killed in Action,
(Remains recovered)
POW 151. Still MIA 198.
2 Medals of Honor, My Platoon Ldr Lt Dodd.
34 Distinguished Service Cross
408 Silver Star with Valor device
7 Legion of Merit
1390 Bronze Star with Valor device
5 Soldiers Medals.
The French awarded the Croix De Guerre to Volunteers in the 5th RCT. Many volunteered to return for two or three tours of duty.
Some remained with the 5th in HI, after Korea, then went on to serve in Vietnam where the 5th again had a meritorious record.... Unfortunately some of my Brothers who did, are now enshrined on the Vietnam Wall.

Presidential Unit Citation (Army) with Two Streamers (two awards) Distinguished Unit Citation, Republic of Korean Presidential Unit Citation, awarded Streamers 1950, 1950-1952, 1953, 1952-1954 (Four awards)

The 5th R.C.T will be remembered by Virtually All Korean War Veterans who served in combat units... We came to the aid of so many, when they were attacked. It was a very powerful Unit to throw into the lines when Breached.They nicknamed us "The Fire Brigade" we got there so fast. One month, we moved from position to position 21 times, many times the full width of the Korean Peninsula. We fought the last Major Battle of the Korean War at Outpost Harry.
Last man Killed in the Korean War, was a 5th R.C.T. Sgt

The only book ever written about an Army Unit, by a Marine, "Hills of Sacrifice" was written by Col. Michael P Slater (Available at Amazon Used) There are also others by Army personnel.

When the 5th R.C.T. went into Battle, We came with:
5th RCT Infantry Regiment
(The Bobcats)
5th RCT Tank Company
5th RCT Light Aircraft TAC
5th Medical Company
555th FA Bn 3 Btrys 105mm
(Triple Nickle)
953rd FA BN 3 Btrys 155mm FA
53rd Counter Fire Platoon
C Btry 28th AAA AW BN
748th Ordnance Co.
724th Ordnance Section
2nd Plat 92nd Eng Search light Bn
Heavy Mortar Co 20th ROKA Div
8th Ranger Company
42nd Scout Dog Platoon
Co D Ambulance Unit 25th Med BN
1st Plat 568th Ambulance Co
72nd Combat Engineers
Co D 3rd Combat Engineers
Too many other Units to mention here. At times we had the firepower of an entire Division, with the Regiment.
Temporarily attached for specific engagements or counter attacks, for from 3 days to a couple of weeks, we had two or three additional tank companies, additional 105mm FA and 155mm FA units, Chemical, Hvy weapons, Mortar, AAA, etc. during battles, like Heartbreak Ridge, Bloody Gulch, Death Valley, Abortion Ridge, Porkchop Hill. Outpost Harry, the last major battle of the Korean War.

From the beginning of the war as the Point Unit in the Breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, when the 5th R.C.T. destroyed the Crack 3rd NKPA Division rated the best the North Koreans had, and outnumbered us more than 3 to one, to Outpost Harry the 5th received Commendations from all Unit Commanders of all Divisions serving in Korea. High praise in all command reports, letters of commendation from all commands, far more materiel than can be recorded in limited space...
.
Having Served in the 5th Regimental Combat Team for three tours of duty in Combat (The 5th RCT was in active combat for 96 days out of every 100 days during the Korean War) They were in Korea from August 8th, 1950 until after the War ended in Korea)
.
The 5th and 1st Marines led the Breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, the 5th did so well, that MacArthur pulled the Marines out for the Inchon Landing, and left the 5th to lead as the Point Unit, of the 1st Cavalry, that mopped up behind them. They were heavily involved in 10 Major Battles, earning 10 Battle Stars during the Korean War... They were the First Unit to contact the Chinese, 8 miles from the Yalu River, captured the first Chinese Prisoners. By the time MacArthur learned the Chinese had crossed the river, 45 Chinese Divisions had crossed. While major portions of US forces were evacuated by boat. The 5th Regimental Combat Team fought as Rear Guard for the others, all the way back to the 38th Parallel.
..
During that time, from Aug 8th, served with them for three tours of duty. With my last ending a month after the Korean War ended.
.
The 5th RCT earned a reputation in Korea, unequaled by any other Unit. A Marine General compared the 5th RCT to the Wolfhounds, the 442nd Nisei Regiment, and 1st Marine Division during WWII. Other Units nicknamed the 5th RCT, "The Fire Brigade" because they so often came to the aid of other units in Korea when they were in trouble. The 5th RCT served with every Division, and Corps in Korea during the War. They never failed to accomplish every Mission they were assigned. During the breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, the 5th Regiment Combat team destroyed an entire Division, a unit more than 4 times the size of the 5th RCT..
..
President Truman called "The Korean War" a "Police Action" But it was not Police Duty. It was combat at its worst.

Uploaded

October 15th, 2014