Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The Korean Service Medal was awarded for service between the outbreak of hostilities (June 25, 1950) and the date the armistice was signed (July 27, 1953); Been on permanent assignment or on temporary... The Korean Service Medal was awarded for service between the outbreak of hostilities (June 25, 1950) and the date the armistice was signed (July 27, 1953); Been on permanent assignment or on temporary duty for thirty consecutive days or sixty non-consecutive days, and Performed duty within the territorial limits of Korea, in the waters immediately adjacent thereto or in aerial flight over Korea participating in actual combat operation or in support of combat operations. MoreHide
Criteria
The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation is a military unit award issued by the government of South Korea to both South Korean and foreign military units.
Criteria Criteria for award of the Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal (ROK KWSM) have been established by the ROK government. To qualify for the medal, the veteran must have: Served between the outbrea... Criteria for award of the Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal (ROK KWSM) have been established by the ROK government. To qualify for the medal, the veteran must have: Served between the outbreak of hostilities, June 25, 1950, and the date the armistice was signed, July 27, 1953, Been on permanent assignment or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days Performed his / her duty within the territorial limits of Korea, in the waters immediately adjacent thereto or in aerial flight over Korea participating in actual combat operations or in support of combat operations MoreHide
Description Operation Tomahawk was an airborne military operation by the 187th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) on 23 March 1951 at Munsan-ni as part of Operation Courageous in the Korean War. Operation Courageous waOperation Tomahawk was an airborne military operation by the 187th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) on 23 March 1951 at Munsan-ni as part of Operation Courageous in the Korean War. Operation Courageous was designed to trap large numbers of Chinese and North Korean troops between the Han and Imjin Rivers north of Seoul, opposite the South Korean I Corps. The intent of Operation Courageous was for I Corps, which was composed of the U.S. 25th and 3rd IDs and the ROK 1st Division, to advance quickly on the North Korean and Chinese troops and reach the Imjin River with all possible speed.
Operation Tomahawk was the other half of the plan. This operation was designed to drop the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team about 30 kilometers north of the then current front line. They did so, parachuting from over a hundred C-119 Flying Boxcar transport aircraft. When they landed they linked up with Task Force Growdon, which was made up of armored elements from the 24th Infantry Division (United States)'s 6th Medium Tank Battalion and infantry elements from the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division. The forces advanced to their goal, meeting weak resistance—mostly minefields—because the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (CPVA) had retreated before they got there.
One hundred twenty C-119s and C-46s dropped 3,437 paratroopers of the 187th Regimental Combat Team and 12 officers and men of the 60th Indian Parachute Field Ambulance near Munsan-ni in the second largest airborne operation of the war.... More
Memories A SALUTE TO THE BRAVE PARATROOPERS OF THE 187th ARCT BY THE BROTHER OF A FALLEN RAKKASAN - GOD BLESSA SALUTE TO THE BRAVE PARATROOPERS OF THE 187th ARCT BY THE BROTHER OF A FALLEN RAKKASAN - GOD BLESS YOU ALL, HEROES EVERYONE!
YOUR NAMES ENGRAVED - OPERATION TOMAHAWK
On Good Friday, March, 23rd , 1951, A major Airborne assault, had begun.... 145 combat cargo planes, filled the sky, Thousands of communists, about to die....
3,300 troopers of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, Did "hit the silk", each man, lean and mean.... Hitting the ground, their weapons readied, Their enemy, 20,000 strong, there was a plenty....!
Behind the Paratroopers, came the heavy drops, The 674th Field Artillery, battle ready, completed the lot..... A first, this jump, made Airborne history, But would "Operation Tomahawk", end in victory....?
Landing south of Munsan-ni, nine miles from North Korea, Behind enemy lines, could they fulfill this panacea.....? After securing the vast drop zone, Fight, then advance, they set their tone......
For two bloody days, they kept this pitch, Always in the open, no cover, nary a ditch.... Fight, hurry, reach Uijongbu, cut the enemy supply route, Rain, wet ground, heavy, ,muddy, sloshing,-jump boots....
Day break, Easter Sunday, secure the hill ahead, The cost, be much blood and dead.... In a horizontal formation, they moved out, Crossing flat land, they suspected, a gory bout...
All of the sudden, all hell broke out, Came swarms of enemy, "charge", in Chinese, they did shout....! For awhile, the "Rakkasans", held their own, Just too many bastards, how their numbers had grown.....!
Swinging and firing, "burp guns", from the hip, Troopers falling, "slap, slap," as they were hit....! Deadly enemy fire, slowing their advance, "Keep moving forward", must take the chance.....!
The 187 opened up with a roar, Killing Chinese, by the score....! But still, troopers fell, with moans and shrieks, Such depleted ranks, their outlook bleak....!
This bloody place, called Parun-ni, Many a soldier, faced eternity..... Not able to advance, nor retreat, Suddenly artillery, boom, boom, repeat, repeat....!
The enemy dispersed and scurried away, The 674th had saved the day....! For a few moments, they caught their breath, Not enough time, to eat or rest....
It rained, again, as the "Rakkasans" counter-attacked, Avenging soldiers, they'd offer no slack.....! The enemy dead, piled up before them, Enemy strength, no longer a quorum.....!
Chasing the Chinese, up and over, the objective, Now, total annihilation, the enemy, would be subjective.... To their front, loomed, another great hill, Reaching its peak, they set up the kill.....
It's a mountain!, as they surveyed that rise, A large land mass, met their eyes....! With such depleted ranks, could they hold them back? To their despair, bugles sounded a full attack....!
The entire rise, covered by charging Chinese, Grey swarms, as far, as the eye could see....! Wave after wave, the enemy attacked, By sheer numbers, they'd break their backs.....!
With "Rakkasan" backs, thrown, against the wall, Out of ammo, rifles swinging, many did fall.... Others firing their 45's, desperately, trying to stay alive, Now facing, their annihilation, would any survive....?
Suddenly, support companies were on the scene, Laying down murderous fire, heard the enemy scream.... Dropping their "burp guns", leaving their wounded and their dead, Suffered much, as they fled.....
This is how Easter Sunday came to an end, As "Rakkasans" gathered their injured and dead.... Down the hill, a priest is saying mass, Survivors joined in, to the last....
After Service, finally, eating hot C's, Soothing hot coffee, easing many a worry..... But then came the order, "move it out", Enough strength left for another bout...?
Heading back towards Munsan-ni, Hills 519 and 322, entrenched, a hidden enemy.... As the paratroopers, scaled these mountains, Mortars and machine guns, pounded them....
Over their heads, swish, swish, swish, The 674th granting, yet another wish..... The deadly mortars and guns, now silent, The sounds of digging, becoming most evident....
At the top of these mountains, boot high snow, By aerial observation, an entrenched enemy, clearly showed.... The paratroopers attacked, facing strong resistance, Despite casualty, after casualty, they went the distance....
Finally, after much blood, carnage and death, The 234th Chinese Regiment, was laid to rest....! The surviving troopers, now realizing, they had won, To North Korea, retreating communists, on the run....!
Catching them withdrawing, in an open ravine, "Rakkasan" machine guns created a gory scene.... Destroying an entire army of North Korean and Chinese, Total victory was achieved....!
Many of the "Steel Berets", had met their fate, But quick to reach, Saint Peter's Gates.... As God welcomed these heroes inside, You could hear him cry....
To you heroes, who did survive, This horrific battle, just won't subside..... But be it known, you have earned your place, Your comrades await, your presence, inside the gates.....
The highest entity, did not forget your war, As you know, he's been keeping score.... To his angels, he sings your praise, In his book of the faithful, YOUR NAMES ENGRAVED..... Peter S. Griffin Co.A, 2/502nd Infantry 101st Airborne Division Viet Nam, 1965-66... More
Other Memories
John had an artillery MOS while he served wirh the 82nd Airborne. He managed a Division Service Club for a time on special assignment. I can not add any further information about his duties while he was stationed at Fort Bragg. PSG
Criteria The Navy Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to recognize four years of continuous active duty, above average conduct and proficiency by enlisted service members in the regular Navy or ... The Navy Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to recognize four years of continuous active duty, above average conduct and proficiency by enlisted service members in the regular Navy or U.S. Naval Reserve. MoreHide
Criteria The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of conti... The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded on a selective basis to enlisted members of the Army who distinguish themselves by exemplary behavior, efficiency and fidelity during a specified period of continuous enlisted active service (normally three years in peacetime). MoreHide
Criteria Occupation duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern area may be credited to organizations for duty performed on and subsequent to May 8, 1945. Terminal dates for eligibility periods and occupation ... Occupation duty in the European-African-Middle Eastern area may be credited to organizations for duty performed on and subsequent to May 8, 1945. Terminal dates for eligibility periods and occupation territories in this area are as follows: Italy: November 8, 1945 to December 15, 1947, Trieste: May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1954, Germany (exclusive of Berlin): May 9, 1945 to May 5, 1955, Berlin: May 9, 1945 to October 2, 1990, Austria: May 9, 1945 to October 25, 1955, Asiatic-Pacific Area: September 2, 1945 to April 27, 1952. Units performing service in the Korean area during the period of June 27, 1950 to April 27, 1952, inclusive, and which are eligible for the Korean Service Medal, will not be credited with eligibility for the Navy Occupation Service Medal for the same period. MoreHide
Criteria The China Service Medal was awarded to Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel who: Served ashore in China or who were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of the operations in... The China Service Medal was awarded to Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel who: Served ashore in China or who were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of the operations in China between July 7, 1937, and September 7, 1939; or who Served ashore in China or were attached to any of the vessels that operated in support of operations in China between September 2, 1945 and April 1, 1957. Military services performed in the Asiatic-Pacific area between September 2, 1945 and March 2, 1946 could be credited for eligibility for the China Service Medal unless the individual was eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal based on service performed prior to September 2, 1945. MoreHide
Criteria The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or,... The American Campaign Medal was awarded for For thirty days service outside the Continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946; or, an aggregate service of one year within the Continental United States during the same period under the following circumstances: On permanent assignment outside the continental limits of the United States; or, On permanent assignment as a member of a crew of a vessel sailing ocean waters for a period of 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service outside the continental limits of the United States in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non consecutive days; or, For service in active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat; or, For service within the continental limits of the United States for an aggregate period of one year. MoreHide
Criteria The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following condi... The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was awarded for for qualifying service within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between December 7, 1941, and March 2, 1946, under any of the following conditions: On permanent assignment within the Asiatic-Pacific Theater; or, For service in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 non-consecutive days; or, For service in active combat in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps, higher unit, or independent force that the individual actually participated in combat. MoreHide
Sgt. Don Fairbanks