By 
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas this year. While you are celebrating this year take some time to remember the veterans that spent their Christmas at war in Korea nearly 60 years ago. Also take time to remember the crew of the Pueblo who made it home just in time for Christmas 41 years ago.
3:38 am on December 25th, 2009 1
Merry Christmas to all who serve in Korea! Here's a bit of doggerel from the Korea War:
T'was the night before Christmas
and all thru the tent
was the odor of diesel
since the stovepipe was bent.
The stockings were hung
rather close to the fire
in hopes that by morning
they'd be somewhat drier.
The squad was asleep
bundled up in their sacks
and dreaming of goodies
like cookies and snacks,
Like crispy fried chicken
straight out of the South
and a midwestern steak
that would melt in your mouth.
When out on the hill
there arose such a clatter..
a Commie machine gun
had started to chatter,
The Sgt. Grabowski
appeared at the door
"People", he yelled,
"get your feet on the floor,
Grab rifles and flares
and bring me a BAR,
you're climbing that hill
but you ain't goin' far,
Let everyman here
take along a grenade,
and when you get back
don't expect a parade,
I've had it to here
with this damn nightly riot,
So we're gonna make sure
that tomorrow it's quiet".
Then off we went hunting,
Us seven through snow
On a night where the wind
made it twenty below.
Now, Allen and Russell
and Clyde McElroy
had the priviledge of being
our only decoy.
They got some attention
with the Hell they did raise
I suppose I'll remember
for the rest of my days,
While Sutton and Smitty
and Connor and me
provided surprises
that was ugly to see.
It was over in minutes
and when it was done
there were four bloodly bodies
and a busted up gun.
Grabowski was waiting
as 'ere we came in,
and that tough weathered face
had managed a grin,
"People," he said,
"I think you done good
by striking a blow
for our brotherhood,
So, let everyman here
get back in his sack,
go back to his dreams,
and forget the attack.
It's now Christmas morning,
so be of good cheer.
Merry Xmas to all,
May you live till next year!"
–Bob Hammond, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Division, Korea,
1950
9:19 am on December 25th, 2009 2
Merry Christmas to everyone.
12:43 pm on December 25th, 2009 3
Memo for record, the 57th artillery was trapped on the east side of the Chosen on November 25th 1950. (Read 'East of Chosen'). Those that made it out under 'task force Faith' were very few, unlike the Marines on the west side.
12:49 pm on December 25th, 2009 4
A bit of research showed Bob Hammond to be only one of seven in his squad to live through the battle at Chosen. Below is part of another poem he wrote later in life.
The battle long is over now,
But fought each night anew.
In dreams of those who can't forget,
They're called, "The Chosin Few".
So, let the veterans tell their stories,
Let the legend live and grow.
Let the Chosin be remembered,
With the men of Alamo.
With Bastogne and with Wake Island,
And the Bunker Hill command.
And where there's courageous men,
To take a valiant stand.
Once they fought to save a nation,
They could not have offered more.
Than the sacrifices made there,
At the Chosin Reservoir.
In the bitter Bloody battles,
At the Chosin Reservoir.