The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

elonged to him. Arriving in Korea, he felt strangely at home.
Even though it had been many years, he felt as if he belonged. As
he traveled the country, he absorbed all he could. He shopped in
the busy towns where only rubble had been. He saw the
teenagers wander the streets, but this time instead of begging,
they were gossiping, giggling and singing. This beautiful land
atop the green hills was where he had fought. This was the
“Punchbowl” where he shot at the Chinese, but now he could not
imagine such destruction on this land. Seeing the annihilation
gone, and the people so happy and new, helped convince him that
it was over; he had done what he needed to do.
He watched children play In the streets of Kumwha and knew.
Traveling across the lovely land, he replaced the horrible bloody
memories with new, happy smiling ones, and when he packed his
suitcases for home, he filed away his war recollections in history,
where they belonged.
Now gazing at his wife, he feels changed. The medals she
dusts, they seem to be shinier. He clearly remembers the occasion
for each. He no longer feels his wartime action alienates
him. He feels a bond with men throughout the history of his
country. They are the veterans, those who risked their lives. He
sits back now and he ponders what he has done.
It is complete now; his work has been done. Knowing he
served his nation, peace has come to him. The war now has
bound him to Americans of the past, and he knows that in the
future, his descendants will proudly say that he fought for freedom,
and he helped freedom reign.
Bridget Hecox, April, 2000
The following note was also sent to the Editor:
Bridget Hecox, age 17, a senior at St. Louis Catholic High School
in Lake Charles, Louisiana, recently interviewed a Korean War veteran
as part of a school assignment. A copy of her report, entitled “He
Was There,” is enclosed. The insight into the mind of a Korean veteran
by a 17-year-old high school girl is remarkable, and I believe her
thoughts should be shared with other veterans. I have obtained Ms.
Hecox’s permission to publish her paper. Frank O. Pruitt, Captain,
formerly Commander, Tank Company, 223rd Regiment, 40th Infantry
Division, Korea.
Thank you Bridget and Frank for a special view on a revisit trip
that told a special story of memories. I have many more to print
as space allows but most talk about all the events.— Editor.
I remember Noel and the last time I saw him
All these past years, my conscious has not let me rest. Why
was I the only one to survive the Chosin Reservoir massacre. In
1986-7, I discovered another survivor from my 4th squad, he was
Luther Arnold, our squad-leader. Here’s a compact story of what
happen to Noel Edgars, and the last that I saw of him. Please forgive
me, for not giving you my story sooner.
Daniel Arellano
20618 Berendo Ave.
Torrance, CA 90502
P.S. If any of Noel’s relatives care to ask questions, I would
be more than happy to give them any help concerning Noel, that
I might know.
Korea, 1950 September
I still continue to relive, that hot tropical day of mid-September of
1950, when the troopers of Charlie Co., were rushing to get themselves
off the scary white sandy beaches of smoking Inchon Harbor. In the
brain cells of my mind, I can still hear Noel Edgars voice, it was so full
of awe and excitement. Noel, was finding it hard to believe, that he was
now a trooper, taking part in a real hostile beach-landing. A member of
a combat force, who’s duty was to kill other troopers of an invading
force.
Noel must of felt like the rest of us non-combatants, full of fear, but
anxious to get involved in a fire-fight with the Communist Invaders. As
Noel and I, were about to step off the soft white sandy beach, and onto
a solid dirt road that bordered the beaches of Inchon Harbor. Noel
Edgars, spoke these words of awe to me. Words, that will live in the
minute brain cells of my recording subconscious, till the end of my
mortal life.
Danny-san, we’re seeing a far-off Land, a Country, that people back
in the States, would pay thousands of dollars to see and vist. Dannysan,
we’re here in Korea for free, no charge at all. “
Three years later, September 1953; I, Danny-san, lone survivor of
my 4th squad, 1st platoon of Charlie Company, of the 1st battalion, of
the 32nd Regt. of the 7th Division am returning home to America. I survived
the uncivilized traumas of South and North Korea.
The last major battle of the 10th Corp, Army and Marines: 7th
Division units relieved units of the lst Marine Division, on the east
shores of the frozen Chosin reservoir. Our Army units advanced a few
more miles closer to the Yalu River, before digging in for a night of
freezing rest. All the Army units, that were dug-in on the east shores of
the Chosin reservoir, were surprised by a vast Chinese winter offensive.
The Chinese Communist Forces, delighted in the massacre of the Army
units, whose only mission, was to reach the shores of the wide frozen
over Yalu river, and set up defensive perimeters. After about 108 hours
of rear-guard duty against the Chinese Communist Forces, Task Force,
Colonel Mclean and Colonel Faith, attempted to fight their way back to
the 10th Corp’s main defensive perimeter ( Marines ) which was 8-10
miles South of our forward positions.
December 1, 1950 Chosin Reservoir: The mortal battle was very
fierce between the Chinese, and the American soldiers. An hour or two
into the bloody battle, Noel, was re-wounded. I picked up the machinegun,
and kept attacking the foes who were intend of annihilating all us
Americans, regardless of their loss in manpower. After fighting against
the Chinese all night, and into the gray of the next morning, December
2, 1950, I was wounded. No ammo to fire at the enemy, what troopers
were left to fight, were overrun, killed or captured by the Chinese.
Dear Ruth, and all of Noel’s living family. I have tried my best to discover
what finally happen to Noel, after he had been re-wounded. I’m
so sorry, I have no news of Noel’s life. I’m sure he was loaded onto one
of our ferrying trucks for the wounded. No trucks made it back to the
Marines defensive perimeter, but knowing Noel like I did. I’m sure he
died fighting, as he shot his 45 revolver at the attacking warriors of the
Yellow Horde.
“Farewell, my gallant foxhole Buddy, rest in peace.”
Danny-san
Cpl. Noel J. Edgars, 1st Bn, 32nd Regt., 7th Infantry Division
North Korea, died while missing.
September/October, 2000 Page 25