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My GuestbookThe following was taken from: History of the 2nd Infantry Division the Korean War during 1950-51. It represents the history through the end of October 1951 when the 2nd Infantry Division went into reserve after the battle of Heartbreak Ridge. The complete text of the three books through the end of the war will be published on the web.
The beginning of the Korean War found the United States Army inadequate in strength to fight a war. As usual and of necessity, it committed its forces in a piecemeal fashion, doing the best it could with what was available. Subsequent events have proved that decision was sound.
This history of the 2d U. S. Infantry Division in the Korean War has been compiled as the events which it records have occurred. It is realized that such an early narrative of complicated events makes some inaccuracies and some omissions inevitable. These hazards are accepted however, in the desire to deliver to those valiant men who made history in Korea a record of their operations in a readable form.
This volume goes to press before the fighting has ceased and it could be the first in a series. But as a result of the efforts of men like those written about in the following pages, the current peace talks might be successful and this could also be the only volume required to record the Division's campaigns in Korea.
Every effort has been made to include all the units of the Division and to portray accurately and without prejudice the magnificent job which each has done.
An extensive section is devoted to the members of the 2d U. S. Infantry Division whose outstanding achievements in battle were recognized by award of the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
All awards are those published through 5 November 1951. For those submitted after that date but pending final approval, we have included a special section in the back of the awards and decoration section.
This history was made possible only through painstaking research, effort and assistance on the part of many people. The excellent historical records kept and written by unit historians under very adverse battle and weather conditions and compiled by Major Fred J. Meyer and Captain Carleton F. Robinson, division historians, served as background material for this entire volume.
The photographs reproduced here and those which served as background for the sketches were supplied by the 2d Signal Company and the Far East Command. First Lieutenant William S. Stewart was particularly helpful in compiling and furnishing statistics and copies of awards and decorations. Private First Class Lorin Brown loaned a valuable hand with the illustrating.
The sketch maps which add so much to the battle accounts were done by Private First Class Chris A. Karayan. Sergeant Neil Pritchard devised the map of Korea. Corporal John W. Corey was of immeasurable assistance in typing the many drafts and the final manuscript.
Colonel 0. B. Powers of the FEC Printing and Publishing Center was particularly helpful in arranging printing contracts and making many valuable suggestions.
To all these people and to the many others who helped in any way with the compiling of this history go the heartfelt thanks of the production staff.
And, finally, our deep appreciation and respect to the men of the 2d Infantry Division whose story we have tried to tell and because of whose valor and sacrifices this world will one day be a better place in which to live.
Kapyong, Korea
15 November 1951
If you served with the 2ID during these times or have questions about anything that happen during these times, please leave a message in this guestbook.
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