The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

ecause I didn’t know where our people
were and the fear of the noise bringing the
Chinks back on us. I tried to find the pin
in the bottom of my foxhole but no luck.
Our platoon leader at that time was LT.
Sherman Endsley, a big man and a gutsy
man. When it started to get daylight we
knew we had to make a decision as to how
to get out of there, we knew we were
behind enemy lines by this time. There
was only about eight of us left, Lt.
Endsley wanted to go one way and a number
of us wanted to go another. They
wouldn’t let me throw that stupid grenade
so I continued to carry it. Anyway Lt.
Endsley let whoever wanted to go with
him go with him and whoever wanted to
go a different way go their own way.
Shelstad, Butcher, Foster, myself and a
couple other guys decided to make this
end run, we figured our lines couldn’t be
far, probably just over the next ridge, anyway
we all left, hopefully to meet back at
the Company.
The route we took was right over the
hills and all the time we were passing this
I looked up and walking the ridge line was a Company of
Chinese, probably about 150 of them, they were less than
100 yards away.
grenade back and forth. We were going up
the side of this hill when someone
hollered “Down!” Of course we all hit the
dirt. I looked up and walking the ridge
line was a Company of Chinese, probably
about 150 of them, they were less than
100 yards away. We laid there for what
seemed to be a long time, finally we continued
up the hill and on the top we
walked right into a Chinese straggler. He
was as scared as we were. It was really
funny because we surprised him as much
as he surprised us, his eyes were as big as
saucers and I’m sure ours were too, he
looked at us, we looked at him. I’m sure
he knew he didn’t have a chance if he tried
to get his weapon off his shoulder and we
sure didn’t want to shoot him and bring
his Company down on us. It seemed like
an eternity but I believe it was only seconds
when he turned and walked toward
his unit and we continued down the other
side of the hill. I bet he kept up with his
Company after that.
We traveled about another mile
towards our lines and when we saw our
people I finally threw that grenade and
don’t you know that stupid thing didn’t go
off.
We walked into our lines and asked
where the Company CP was, we talked to
the Company Commander and told him a
Company of Chinks was coming down the
ridge line right for him, he thanked us and
we were on our way to find our own outfit.
...to be continued
Chaplain’s Corner
Rev. Irvin L. Sharp
A blessed New Year is extended to each family in our membership
by Velma and myself.
As we go forward into the new millennium and new year,
we have so much for which to be thankful. The increase in our
membership, the stabilizing of our financial condition and the
faith of our members that we will grow stronger together.
I received a wonderful letter from Anthony Malvaso of
Rochester, New York, who served with the 9th Infantry
Regiment, D Company, the same time that I also served.
Thank you Tony for renewing so many memories.
We implore blessings for good health and happiness for all
our associates and your families.
Notes on a Beloved Hymn:
“How Great Thou Art”
This hymn, composed originally in Sweden by Carl Boberg
(1857-1940), somehow traveled to Russia and became a
favorite among villagers in the Ukraine. There the English
missionary, Stuart Hine, heard it often in the 1930s. In 1948 he
wrote down both words and music from memory, translated
the words and published the result.
Thought for this Month
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he
shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
Golf Shirts, T-Shirts & Sweat Shirts for Sale
Golf Shirts, T-Shirts and Sweat Shirts for Sale
Golf shirts — $20.00 plus $3 shipping (White Only)
T-Shirts — $10.00 plus $3 shipping (White Only)
Sweat Shirts — $20 plus $5 shipping (Lt. Gray)
Shipping costs for 2 is $3.00
Shipping costs above 2 is $5.00
All sizes are available.
Order from or contact:
Sunshine State Chapter, KWVA
P.O. Box 5298
Largo, FL 33779-5298
Telephone: 727-582-9353
Page 64
The Graybeards