Last Primary MOS
1965-Wheel Vehicle Repair Foreman
Last MOS Group
Ordnance
Service Years
1949 - 1955
Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Golden Dragon Certificate
Last Photo
Personal Details
Home State
West Virginia
Year of Birth 1930
This Military Service Page was created/owned by
LTC Richard Barzelogna
to remember
Fillinger, Homer (Uncle Snuff), SSG.
If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Crawley Creek, West Virginia
Last Address Bunnell, Florida
Date of Passing Feb 05, 2008
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
Retired as a heavy industrial welder in Kissimmee, Florida circa 1992. Maintained the Ponderosa Trailer Park for the Fillinger Family in Korona, FL. Passed away at home in Bunnell, Florida from cancer on February 5, 2008.
Other Comments:
He was a Korean War veteran who fought with the 187th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne). Uncle Snuff was a very private man who never discussed his service except with the Family's veterans, and even then, he was guarded concerning his service in Korea. No one knew he had won two Bronze Stars during the Korean War, and when that came to light during his funeral, a quiet "I'll be damned" rose from the Family's veterans, almost in unison (they still chuckle about that at family functions today).
Korean War/UN Offensive (1950)/Second Battle of Seoul
From Month/Year
September / 1950
To Month/Year
September / 1950
Description In contrast to the quick victory at Incheon, the advance on Seoul was slow and bloody. The NKPA launched another T-34 attack, which was trapped and destroyed, and a Yak bombing run in Incheon harbor, which did little damage. The NKPA attempted to stall the UN offensive to allow time to reinforce Seoul and withdraw troops from the south.[citation needed] Though warned that the process of taking Seoul would allow remaining NKPA forces in the south to escape, MacArthur felt that he was bound to honor promises given to the South Korean government to retake the capital as soon as possible.
On the second day, vessels carrying the U.S. Army's 7th Infantry Division arrived in Incheon Harbor. General Almond was eager to get the division into position to block a possible enemy movement from the south of Seoul. On the morning of September 18, the division's 2nd Battalion of the 32nd Infantry Regiment landed at Incheon and the remainder of the regiment went ashore later in the day. The next morning, the 2nd Battalion moved up to relieve a U.S. Marine battalion occupying positions on the right flank south of Seoul. Meanwhile, the 7th Division's 31st Regiment came ashore at Incheon. Responsibility for the zone south of Seoul highway passed to 7th Division at 18:00 on September 19. The 7th Infantry Division then engaged in heavy fighting with North Korean soldiers on the outskirts of Seoul.
Before the battle, North Korea had just one understrength division in the city, with the majority of its forces south of the capital. MacArthur personally oversaw the 1st Marine Regiment as it fought through North Korean positions on the road to Seoul. Control of Operation Chromite was then given to Major General Edward Almond, the X Corps commander. General Almond was in an enormous hurry to capture Seoul by September 25, exactly three months after the North Korean assault across the 38th parallel. On September 22, the Marines entered Seoul to find it fortified. Casualties mounted as the forces engaged in house-to-house fighting. On September 26, the Hotel Bando (which had served as the US Embassy) was cleared by Easy Company of 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. During this fight about 12 North Korean P.O.W.s were killed (apparently while naked and unarmed) in the building's basement.
General Almond declared the city liberated on September 25 even though Marines were still engaged in house-to-house combat.
