Tag: Operation Showdown 15 October 1952

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Moles, Wendel Robert
Army Private 1st class

Wendel Robert Moles, age 19, from West Virginia, Kanawha county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Thursday, October 16, 1952
Death details: On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle. Corporal Wendel Robert Moles entered the U.S. Army from West Virginia and served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported missing in action following the attack on Hill 598 on October 16, 1952, though the exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. Corporal Moles was never reported to be a prisoner of war. He was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Moles is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Thomas, Gerald S.
Army Corporal

Gerald Stanton Thomas from New York, Erie county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Death details: On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle.

Corporal Gerald Stanton Thomas entered the U.S. Army from New York and served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported killed by an enemy mortar shell on October 15, 1952, during the fighting at Triangle Hill. Corporal Thomas could not be recovered from the battlefield at the time of his loss, and his remains were not identified from among those returned to U.S. custody following the war. He remains unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Thomas is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Gibson, Clifton E.
Army Private

Clifton Eugene Gibson from Indiana, Saint Joseph county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Death details:  On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle.

Private First Class Clifton Eugene Gibson entered the U.S. Army from Indiana and served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported as missing in action on October 15, 1952, following the fighting at Triangle Hill. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and he was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody following the war. Today, Private First Class Gibson is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Lepp, John James
Army Corporal

John J. Lepp, age 18, from Wisconsin, Brown county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Death details: 

On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle.

Sergeant John James Lepp entered the U.S. Army from Wisconsin and served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported as missing in action on October 15, 1952, following the fighting at Triangle Hill. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and he was not identified among remains returned to U.S. custody following the war. Today, Sergeant Lepp is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Roques, William Lawrence
Army Corporal

William L. Roques, age 21, from Louisiana, Orleans county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952

Death details:  On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle.

Sergeant William Lawrence Roques entered the U.S. Army from Louisiana and served in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported as missing in action on October 15, 1952, and was last seen by members of his unit following the capture of the position on Hill 598. Sergeant Roques was not reported to be a prisoner of war. He was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Sergeant Roques is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Burns, Robert Lee
Army Private 1st class

Robert Lee Burns from Ohio, Lucas county.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Death details: On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle. Corporal Robert Lee Burns entered the U.S. Army from Ohio and served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported as missing in action on October 15, 1952, following the fighting at Triangle Hill. He was never reported to be a prisoner of war, and he was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody following the war. Today, Corporal Burns is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Hobbs, Hoy Everett
Army Private

Hoy Everett Hobbs, age 21, from Rochester, Illinois, Sangamon county.

Parents: Sallie Mellisia Hobbs

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Death details: On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle. Private First Class Hoy Everett Hobbs entered the U.S. Army from Illinois and served in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was last observed while defending the newly captured Hill 598 near Kumhwa on October 15, 1952, and was later reported missing in action. Private First Class Hobbs was not reported as a prisoner of war. He was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private First Class Hobbs is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Belleville Daily Advocate (1954)

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Moats, Herbert Andrew
Army Private

Herbert Andrew Moats, age 21, from Moyers, West Virginia, Pendleton county.

Parents: Frances Moats

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Death details: On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle. Private First Class Herbert Andrew Moats entered the U.S. Army from West Virginia and served in Company F, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He went missing during the attack on Hill 598 on October 15, 1952, though the exact circumstances surrounding his loss are unknown. Private First Class Moats was never reported to be a prisoner of war. He was not identified among remains returned to U.S. custody following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private First Class Moats is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Raleigh Register (1954)

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Roque-Pena, Ramon
Army Corporal

Ramon Roque-Pena, age 32, from Puerto Rico.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Death details: On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle. Corporal Ramon Roque-Pena entered the U.S. Army from Puerto Rico and served in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was reported as missing in action on October 15, 1952, and was last seen during the assault on Hill 598. Corporal Roque-Pena was never reported to be a prisoner of war. He was not identified among the remains returned to U.S. custody following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Corporal Roque-Pena is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency

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Taylor, James Robert
Army Private 1st class

James Robert Taylor, age 21, from District of Columbia.

Service era: Korea

Date of death: Wednesday, October 15, 1952
Death details: On October 14, 1952, as part of Operation SHOWDOWN, members of the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment launched an attack against Hill 598, part of the “Triangle Hill Complex” near Kumhwa, South Korea. As the units moved toward the hill, the men faced dug-in Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) positioned in holes and trenches, slowing their advance. As night fell, enemy mortar and artillery fire intensified, and CCF troops counterattacked in overwhelming force. The enemy’s initial assault was beaten back, but successive waves of CCF troops isolated and destroyed sections of the American defenses; in danger of being surrounded and nearly out of ammunition, the men of the 2nd Battalion were ordered to fall back. After regrouping on October 15, members of the 2nd Battalion attacked Hill 598 again and eventually secured it. During this attack, the 2nd Battalion’s Company F followed Company E to the hill’s crest before pushing out to “Pike’s Peak,” the next hill to the northwest, and then turning toward the east to seize “Sandy Ridge.” The 2nd Battalion again met a CCF counter-attack, which they beat back to secure the salient for that day. Twelve members of Company F and four members of Company E were reported killed or missing following this battle. Private First Class James Robert Taylor entered the U.S. Army from the District of Columbia and served in Company E, 2nd Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. He was killed in action during the initial assault on Hill 598 on October 15, 1952, when enemy mortar fire struck the foxhole where he was taking cover. Private First Class Taylor’s body could not be recovered at the time of his loss. He was not identified among remains returned to U.S. custody following the war, and he is still unaccounted-for. Today, Private First Class Taylor is memorialized on the Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Source: National Archives