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This just in from: Ted Barker
The Korean War Project (Online since 1/15/94)
(Website since 2/15/95)

Click on: "Website since" to visit "The Korean War Project

Sent to me by:
Rose McKinley
Sister of Ralph H. McKinley
K Company
21st Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Division
Captured 7/11/50.
Died at An-Dong, North Korea, 5/15/51.

Click here to see "Ralphs Memorial Tribute"

=====Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1999 13:35:10 -0500 =====
FOR POWs, KOREA WAS NOT AMERICA'S "FORGOTTEN WAR"

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Scripps Howard News Service
By MICHAEL HEDGES
Scripps Howard News Service

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The Korean War is often described as America's "forgotten war," but the intense emotion with which many formerprisoners of war remember the
misery, terror and despair they suffered in that conflict almost a half-century ago belies that description.

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Wilbert "Shorty" Estabrook of Murietta, Calif., hasn't forgotten the weight of the bodies that he and other POWs were forced to carry during a North Korean death march in which scores of American prisoners died.

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And Gene Bleuer of Rock Island, Ill., has a vivid recollection of Chinese guards lining up groups of POWs and staging mock executions with unloaded guns _ then, about once a week, loading the guns and killing several prisoners.

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Nor have those whose family members vanished during the war 8,200 Americans still listed as missing in action in Korea forgotten.

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John Zimmerlee, of Hapeville, Ga., hopes the government will eventually release information providing clues to the fate of his father, John Henry Zimmerlee, whose B-26 was lost over North Korea in March 1952.

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And Vincent Krepps of Towson, Md., searches the Internet for details about the death in captivity of his twin brother Richard. But apart from their circle of friends, family and wartime companions, many Korean-era POWs and MIA relatives feel they were forgotten or, more accurately, ignored after the
unpopular, inconclusive war ended.

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"Korean POWs as a whole are more bitter than the Vietnam group," said Alan Marsh, cultural resources specialist at the government's National Prisoner of War Museum in Andersonville, Ga. "A big part of that is that they came back and found that people just wanted to forget the war." Marsh, who has participated in a project to record hundreds of oral histories of American POWs, going back to World War I, said, "It is not that they have to be known as heroes. They just want people to know what they went through." What they went through was horrific. The official death rate of the 7,140 Americans captured in the Korean War is roughly 40 percent. More than 2,700 POWs are known to have died in captivity. That mortality rate is higher than for any group this century, except perhaps Americans held by the Japanese during World War II. Torture and attempted brainwashing was common among POWs in North Korea. Even deadlier was neglect of their dietary and medical needs. And when they were released, the POWs were not embraced by a grateful nation.

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Estabrook who had survived more than 37 months in captivity, enduring a brutal death march, witnessing executions and seeing well over half those captured with him die _ recalled that the indifferent treatment of POWs began soon after
their release in 1953. They were segregated behind a rope barrier from other soldiers on a troop ship returning to San Francisco, said Estabrook, 69. "The attitude of the guys who weren't prisoner was, "While you guys were sunning yourself up on the Yalu River, we did the heavy fighting," he said. After one of the former POWs started "a small riot," the rope barrier came down, Estabrook said. But the sense of isolation and alienation persisted. "There was this 'Communist thing' hanging over us," Estabrook said. "A lot of people were talking about collaborating with the enemy and so on. Mostly, people just didn't seem to care."

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"The Korean war POW experience, especially early in the war, was a slaughterhouse," said Laurence Jolidon, whose book, "Last Seen Alive," explored the issue of American POWs left behind in Korea after the war. "The cruelty was astounding. If you survived a death march to get to a camp, there was nothing there _ no food, no medicine, no clothing." Given the conditions, Jolidon said, much of the criticism of Korean POWs springs from "ignorance." He said, "Most of them did the best they could to serve honorably and survive."

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Of the 7,140 American POWs, 21 agreed to stay behind in North Korea or China. Others signed statements falsely confessing to war crimes such as using germ warfare on the Chinese. These statements, according to experts, were usually elicited by various forms of physical and psychological abuse, ranging from beatings and threats of executions to denial of sleep, food and heat.

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"In those days people didn't pay any attention to whether it was done under duress," Estabrook said.

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Korean POW experts noted that, as a group, those taken captive in the war were much younger and, in most cases, less well trained than Vietnam War POWs. The North Koreans and, later, Chinese often segregated officers from enlisted men, a tactic that broke down cohesion and discipline among the captives.

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One of the enduring mysteries of the war that still haunts many of the ex-POWs as well as the families of the missing revolves around whether some POWs were left behind after the war to be taken involuntarily to China or Russia.

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Bleuer, 70, said that when he and 13 companions were released by the Chinese in the spring of 1951, scores of men in his outfit. Company, 5th Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 24th Infantry, were still in Chinese hands and in relatively good health. "No one else (from his unit) ever got out, as far as I know," he said. "They have not been heard of again."

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Retired Sgt. 1st Class George Matta, a veteran of three wars, told his son George Jr. about POWs being loaded in Russian trucks which he believed took them against their will to the USSR or China. "He definitely knew of people who were alive and in good shape when he was released who never came out," Matta Jr. said. "My best estimate is that at the end of hostilities, at least 2,000 of the 8,200 MIAs were still alive and in enemy hands," said Jolidon, the author. "Their fate we don't know."

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Larry Greer, a spokesman for the Pentagon's Department of Prisoner of War and Missing Personnel Office, said, "What we have are tantalizing reports (of POWs still alive). But so far these reports are not supported by tangible evidence. It doesn't mean they are not true... but we cannot corroborate with evidence that there were Americans alive in Russia after the war."

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Zimmerlee, who was not quite 3 years old in March 1952 when his father disappeared while on a reconnaissance mission, is reconciled to his father's death, though "I always had the hope" of a miraculous return. But he isn't satisfied with the government's insistence on still holding many records about the war secret. "We know it is going to be embarrassing when the records are opened. Some of the decisions made by our leaders were asinine," he said. "But it is time to release everything they have. Get it over with."

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Many Korean War-era veterans are increasingly turning to the Internet in an effort to answer questions that have dogged them for nearly half a century. One such site is the Korean War Project, run by Hal and Ted Barker of Dallas, brothers whose father Edward was awarded the Silver Star as a Marine Corps helicopter pilot in Korea.
The Web site (www.Koreanwar.org ) serves as a meeting place for Korean-era POWs, relatives of MIAs and others.
Ted Barker said the project was designed to give Korean vets a place to feel at home. "The fellows were shunned after the war, and many of them have been very quiet about their experiences ever since," he said. He said that since the opening of the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1995, "more and more of the guys from Korea have been coming out, looking for their buddies." Among those who made a connection with the past through the Internet was Vincent Krepps of Towson, Md. The editor of a newsletter for former Korean POWs called "The Graybeards," Krepps has written movingly of his experiences as a 19-year-old in Korea in 1950.

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Now 67, Krepps won a Silver Star for his actions during fighting near the Naktong River. But shortly after that, his twin brother Richard, who had joined the Army with him, was listed as missing, presumably a prisoner of the Chinese. For months, the family agonized over Richard's fate. Then, in early 1951, a relative spotted him in a photo of POWs that the Chinese released as propaganda. When the Korean POWs were released, however, Richard Krepps was not among them. All the family ever heard from the U.S. government was a note that the Chinese had "unofficially" listed him as having died in captivity in June 1951. In 1998, the daughter of a Nevada man, Ronald Lovejoy, came across Krepps' Internet postings searching for news of his brother. Lovejoy had been with Richard Krepps as he wasted away and died and had held on to a photo from his wallet that he gave to Vincent during an emotional meeting in July. Questions were answered, but the pain remained. "I think of my brother every day," Krepps has written. "Sometimes late at night Richard visits me in a dream, the two of us playing baseball as kids, or driving together with the wind whipping our hair, or sitting on sandbags in Korea, talking long into the night."

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(Michael Hedges is a reporter for Scripps Howard News Service) AP-NY-11-04-99 1749EST

In Loving Memory Of Her Uncle

Cpl. Albert E. Boothroyd
D.O.B.: February 13, 1932
Rockville, Connecticut
S/N: RA 11-195-489
38th ARTILLERY BN. (105MM) 2nd INF. DIV.
U.S. ARMY
AGPS-N 201 Boothroyd, Albert E,
Taken prisoner on: November 30, 1950
Died in captivity on: January 31, 1951
Remains never returned.

Albert was captured on November 30, 1950 and taken to a P.O.W. camp where he died on January 31, 1951 as a result of malnutrition. These are the recorded dates provided to the family by the U.S. Government. Unfortunately, we do not know what prison camp he was at and Albert's body was never returned home.

Before enlisting in the Army, Albert lived in Rockville, Connecticut. He had spent a short time living in Vermont with his Mom and Dad, Charles and Dorothy Boothroyd; his brother, Charlie Boothroyd; and his sister, Lilllian Boothroyd.

My father (Albert's brother) had left Vermont and joined the Navy at the age of 17. Albert was 14 at the time. As he grew older, he wanted to be like his brother and make his Mom and Dad proud of him so he joined the Army. The reason he enlisted with the Army was because he had a fear of water and didn't want to be out at sea on a ship.

My family still have three of the Western Union Telegrams and one letter written to his mom from Korea. Letter's addressed to Albert at Camp Hood dating from November 1949 - February 1950 still exist. In the one remaining letter from Albert he writes "I'm sorry I haven't written, its been cold here for about 3 weeks and boy, when it rains it rains, it rains for about 3 or 4 days at a time. I'm ok except for being froze that's one reason I haven't
written I couldn't hold the pen and it was hard writting with gloves on". He wrote that he was very hungry and joked about it and also said that he was sleeping on the ground and had never done that before.

Albert's dream was that when he returned home he was going to buy some land in Vermont and have a nice little house. Unfortunately Albert was never able to live his dream.

On October 2, 1999 the Boothroyd family held a memorial service for Albert at the Marlboro Cemetery in Marlborough, CT where a government-issued headstone was erected to memorialize him. The headstone became a reality nearly 49 years after Albert's death with the assistance of a family friend and the director of the Marlboro Cemetery.

Present at the memorial service was a retired Army Colonel Chaplain, honor guard, piper, bugler, and members of The Korean War Veterans Association, Inc., Connecticut Chapter One (KWVA).
With the help and love from the KWVA, they have helped the brother,
sister and nieces and nephews put Albert to rest.

[ At Memorial Service ]

My wish is that my family and I can find someone that knew my Uncle, Albert.

Please contact Carolyn by clicking on her name below if you served with or knew Albert...

Thank you very much.

Carolyn Boothroyd Barter

Weary Men of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division,
some wounded, pause at an assembly point after fighting
their way out of a 'murderous ambush' near Kana

The banner pictured is one of the first artifacts donated to the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library. Designed by Capt. Joe Titus, a decorated US Army veteran of the Vietnam War, the banner was commissioned by Richard Link, owner of Floral Haven Cemetery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma for display during the 1992 Memorial Day ceremonies honoring the Korean War dead. At the conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremonies, the banner was presented to Richard H. Sharp of Broken Arrow as its caretaker. Sharp, who joined the Marines in Chicago in 1948, served with the 1st Marine Division from September 15, 1950 until December of 1951. At the time of the presentation, Richard was president of the Oklahoma Chapter of the Chosin Few. He turned ownership of the banner over to the Korean War Museum early in 1998, becoming one of the first donors to the national museum.

Not Forgotten any longer, not as far as this site and it's viewers go 'Bob'
Thank you for bringing it to my attention and & a "Welcome Home" to all of the 29th Infantry Regiment (Korea 1950 ) that made it home.

To those who " Gave All … I GIVE MY PRAYERS, GRATITUDE & DEDICATION !!!"
I thank both survivors and non-survivors for serving our great country.

The story of the 29th Infantry Regiment
from Bob Mildenberger, who was there !!

I was with the 29th Infantry Regiment at Chinju Korea on July 27th 1950, when the two Battalions were over-run and wiped out, This under strength unit had arrived from Okinawa just several days prior to this action. Many were KIA and WIA and many taken prisoner and later found with their hands tied and murdered by the North Koreans. There are many other factors to the engagement of this unit and it's demise. Yet there is little or no recognition or information of this units end. The few men and officers left after Chinju were assigned to other Divisions as replacements. I would like to see the true story of this units engagement and the loss of two Battalions recorded for posterity and the history books. The 29th Infantry Regiment is most definitely a 'FORGOTTEN UNIT". It was never the 19th Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division as is recorded in some documents.

The 29th Infantry Regiment, was an under strength Regiment consisting of two battalion’s of infantry, stationed on Okinawa. The unit left Okinawa by boat on July 21, 1950 and landed
in Puson on July 25th. The two battalion’s were told they would receive several days of training on the Korean situation and given time to bring there weapons and equipment in order. On the morning of July 26 the Regiment was ordered to move out north toward the South Korean town of Mason, the units weapons were still full of causmoline and major equipment still unpacked. At no time were we given any type of a briefing by our officers or NCO'S as to the mission we were about to conduct. The age of most of the men was seventeen and eighteen, with no combat training
other than basic training. The Regiment proceeded to convoy north, At about 0900 on July 27th at the village of Chinju we were hit by North Korean units and out numbered by as many as twelve to one. Our Regiment was completely overwhelmed and totally shot up.

I would ask that you read General Uzal W. Ent's book "Fighting On The Brink" Defense of the Puson Perimeter, Pages 100 through 106. This will provide you a complete biography of this action, and the only information I have found
in reference to the loss of this Regiment and it's men, committed to battle with out proper weapons and equipment and the training to properly defend themselves. Of the many many writings and sacrifices made by young men in the Korean War this was a battle loss that has never been told other than General Ent in his very descriptive book, Please read it.

Thank you for your caring Jules, God Bless You. Bob Mildenberger

Pfc. Edward N. Slater U.S. Army
' I ' Company
21st Infantry Regiment
24th Infantry Division
Captured on June 19, 1950
Born in Quincy, Ill. on May 16, 1930
Edward first went to Korea in 1948 and was assigned the task of guarding the 38th parallel, with the 5th Regt. Combat Team. When the 5th transferred out of country, Ed was in a truck accident and was hospitalized. Then he was transferred to the 24th Div. in Japan and back to Korea on July 4th 1950.

At the age of 18, Edward served 4 months (7/5/50 to 10/29/50) in Sunchon Masalpi, before being rescued on October 21st, 1950.

Ed was in the infamous "Death March" from Teajon South Korea to the Suchon tunnel masacre that started with 400 and as far as we know ONLY 9 lived.

Because of his wounds and bravery Edward was awarded the Purple Heart with cluster, the U.N. Medal, the Ambassador of Peace Medal, and many others.

After the war, Edward went into sales and retired with his wife Phyllis, 2 children, 6 grand-children and 2 great-grand-children. He is the Missouri Department Commander and a National Service Officer for the EX-POW's , and spends 3 days a week of his time at the Kansas City, MO. V.A. Hospital lending his support to "Those Who Cannot Help Themselves."

American soldiers help a wounded GI from
the 24th Infantry Regiment
after a battle 10 miles south of Choch'iwon.

U.S. Army. D Company, 23d Infantry, October 1951

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Created: January 10, 1999 Last update: May 21, 2000