Another
story of my father-in-law’s service in the Korean War, in his own words. Any notes
of mine are in italics.
All internet images have been removed from this post, sorry.
The
Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) is a unique award made only to certain solders. To
qualify one must be assigned to an Army infantry unit which has been in combat,
in which you have participated in ground action for at least 30 days. No other
military member is eligible, in spite of Hollywood pinning the CIB on
such as Military Police. There is a similar award, the Combat Medical Badge,
for those who served as Medics with the same qualifications.
The CIB was established in 1943, a critical year during World War II. They were made from silver probably because silver was plentiful and zinc and similar medals were needed in the war effort. When the Korean war started the stock pile of WW II silver CIB medals was sent over along with nearly all of the WW II armament that we used during that war. That is were this story begins.
On May 20, 1953 I was sitting in my command bunker
on the front line when a messenger arrived with a long awaited order for me. I
was to report back to 23rd Regiment Head Quarters for a lengthy dinner with the
Regimental Commander. I, and three other officers were soon to start the long
trip half way around the world back home. This was our farewell party and
dinner.
The dinner was held in the Reg. Officers Club which
was a large tent. There was a bar in the back of the tent and tables in front.
I had been there a number of times while back at regiment for showers, clean uniform exchange and other business. The Officers Club was the best place to
find out how the war was going and exchange gossip. The bar open from 5 to
exactly 6 PM. Drinks were free, many bottles to choose from but ice was never
available.
A few weeks before my party, Col. Stillwell was
transferred to a new assignment, probably because no one wanted to be
responsible for his safety while he was under their command. His replacement,
Col. Chester Dahlen, had the bowl brought out and shined up just in time for my
farewell dinner.
The official origin story is that all the men from
the 23rd Regiment voluntarily donated their CIB’s so that the Regiment could
have a lasting monument to their accomplishments in Korea. It goes on to say
that the bowl had been presented to the 23rd Infantry Regimental Officers Club
where it would serve as a reminder of the loyalty and admiration that the
troops felt for their regiment.
In any case, CIB recipient received the certificate
of accomplishment but no badge during my stay in Korea. I purchased mine in
Japan while there on R&R.
Up to recently, the bowl was on display at the
Second Division Museum. After the war it was inscribed with the names of the
Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service medal winners. One gold cup has been
added for those killed in action. The bowl now sits on a huge tray that I don’t
recall seeing in Korea. The set weighs 220 pounds of which 189 pounds is
silver.
At the dinner I was handed a silver cigarette box
made to hold two packs of cigarettes, 4 x 7 ½ inches, two inches high. It is
inscribed "Presented to Lt Marshall A. Tharp by the Officers of the 23rd
Infantry, Korea” I was the only officer of the four about to rotate home that
received a silver box. I might have been the only one who had been awarded the
CIB. My box could be one of a kind, intended for presentation to some high
ranking officer.
I don’t use the box because I no longer smoke. Also, it tarnishes, dents and scratches easily . It is made of thin sheet silver over a wood box, total weight 15 ounces on my postage scale.
Also at the dinner were three replacement
second lieutenants. One told me that he had 75 MM recoilless Rifle experience,
so I suggested to the Reg. CO that he be my replacement. Next day the new Lt.
was delivered to my bunker. It isn’t often that a First Lt. Gets to pick his
own replacement.
April 7, 2023
If you want to see more of his stories, please leave comments below. He appreciates them and is unlikely to trawl various wargame sites looking for them.
Links to his other stories:
https://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/2021/09/sniping-with-m2-50-caliber-machine-gun.html
https://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/2021/10/tales-of-korean-war-life-on-hill-part-ii.html
https://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/2021/11/bed-checkcharlie-night-bombing-biplane.html
https://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/2021/12/medals-lost-found-and-book-review-of.html
https://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/2022/07/close-calls-in-combat-more-korean-war.html
https://corlearshookfencibles.blogspot.com/2022/12/prisoner-of-war-guard-duty.html
2 comments:
Hello and a Salute 🫡 from another 2nd division warrior. I was stationed at CAMP HOWZE in 1985 in the 1/31 (Mech) Infantry and returned to do a second tour in the 1/23 Inf CSC , Scouts in 1987 at Camp Hovey. Out the back gates of camp Casey . The unit had however changed designation to CSC 1/503 Inf. I know my father was also a participant in the Korean War but I lost him in 1965 in Vietnam . He was 5th Grp Sf.. I will steer back on course. I’ve had very little in unit education and do enjoy hearing fellow Korea vet’s stories. Most importantly is the history shared . Much respect and applause. I’m straight leg Infantry and damn proud. I wish I could have shared the thoughts and sights with my father.
Thanks Lt. Tharp for another fascinating look at your experiences in Korea.
It seams unfair to me that the officer deprived the individuals of their medals in order to give the regiment a memorial punch bowl and that you had to purchase the medal that you had earned.
I admire and respect your service.
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