what happened specifically with the 1st marine div 3rd battalion on 25
june 1951 concerning a battle with enemy forces in bunkers?

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Request for Question Clarification by nellie_bly-ga on 14 Dec 2002 22:26 PST

3rd battalion of which regiment?

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Request for Question Clarification by ragingacademic-ga on 15 Dec 2002 02:57 PST

shrtstf - 

I could not find any battle of significance fought by the 1st Marine
Division on June 25, 1951.  According to the history of the Marines in
Korea -

"By June 20, 1951, the division had taken its objective — a ridgeline
overlooking a deep circular valley in the Korean mountains nicknamed
the "Punchbowl." Truce negotiations soon began, and the U.N. forces
settled down into a defensive line."

See -

http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:Ak4GfLOcI-4C:www.korea50.mil/history/factsheets/marine.html+%22korean+war%22+%22june+25%22+1951+marines+%221st+marine+division%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

(Google cache...)

Is it possible you are seeking a battle that occured on a different
date?  It would be easy to become confused with the date "June 25"
because it is also the official date considered to be the start of the
war (albeit in 1950, not in 1951).

thanks,
ragingacademic

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Clarification of Question by shrtstf-ga on 15 Dec 2002 04:59 PST

The machine gun platoon of Item Company, 3rd battalion, 1st Marines,
1st Marine Division (Reinf) (?) apparently was involved in a "furious
firefight with well-concealed enemy forces firing automatic weapons
from bunkers" (Quote from Maj. Gen. G. C. Thomas). My father, Jerry C.
Yeargain was awarded a bronze star and purple heart for his actions
during this firefight. He won't discuss it.

I am trying to find out where this occurred, what happened, who else
was there, and any other details that I can.

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Clarification of Question by shrtstf-ga on 15 Dec 2002 05:00 PST

The date of this action, according to USMC records, was 25 June 1951.

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Request for Question Clarification by justaskscott-ga on 15 Dec 2002 11:09 PST

Is it possible that 25 June 1951 was the date that your father was
awarded these honors, rather than the date when the action took place?

Do you know anything else about this action, such as other statements
by Maj. Gen. Thomas or any other details from the USMC records?  Even
a small detail might potentially be helpful.

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Request for Question Clarification by ragingacademic-ga on 15 Dec 2002 11:19 PST

shrtstf - 

The source for the quote you provide would also help.

thanks,
ragingacademic

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Clarification of Question by shrtstf-ga on 15 Dec 2002 12:51 PST

The quote is directly from the citation awarding the bronze star (with
combat V) to Jerry C. Yeargain.

Also, the Citation itself contains the date of June 25, 1951 as the
date of the action. The citation was awarded 18 september 1951. There
are two other documents specifically referring to this citation,
titled First Endorsement and Second Endorsement, dated 23 oct 1951 and
signed by S. S. Wade, and 13 nov 1951, signed by F. C. LaHue.

Hi-
I've spent several hours researching your request on the Internet, but
have been unable to locate any records or anecdotes that refer to that
specific date and Marine unit.

I belive you will have to access records in the National Archives to
find the specifics.  For information on the National Archives see:
http://www.archives.gov/
Note that the research you require would need to be done on-site.

Here is the little bit I have found:
From "A Brief History Of The 1st Marines" by Major John H. Johnstone,
USMC

"During the last two weeks in June and the first part of July, the 1st
Marines strengthened, consolidated, and patrolled its zone, a
five-mile front
line sector about five and one-half miles southwest of the
Punchbowl.(83) On
16 July, the regiment was again returned to a reserve role."
Footnote 83: 1st Marines Historical Diary, Jun-Jul51, (HistBr, G-3
Archives, HQMC)
http://64.127.181.67//marine-units-histories/1st-marines.htm

(I have enquiries out as to where one might access the document cited
in footnote 83.)

The commanding officer of the 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division which
was
reactivated by redesignation from the 2d Marines, 2d Marine Division,
4 Aug 1950
was  Col Wilburt S. Brown 19 May 1951 - 17 Jul 1951

While it does not speak to your specific incident, you made find this
site interesting. It commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Korean
Conflict and contains a great deal of information.
http://www.korea50.mil/history/index.shtml

This company, which charges a fee, says it specializes in military
research.
"Lyon Research can locate specific unit records, morning reports,
daily journals, after action reports, official histories, and orders,
awards and promotions. If you want copies of photographs from your
unit or battle maps, we can copy those as well. We can copy entire
records for outfits of any size, from a platoon to an army, an
aircraft carrier to an LST. If you want an original copy of your
outfit's "out of print" Unit History, chances are we can locate one."
http://www.lyonresearch.com/Veterans/veterans.html
Please note that my citation of this company does not imply a
reccomendation, I am simply supplying information from their website.

If you should find this information useful and are willing for me to
post it as an answer, please post a Request for Clarification to that
effect.

Search strategies: Marines Korea; "1st Marines" "1st division" "3rd
battalion";
Marines Korea punchbowl; Marines history; 1st Marines history

Nellie Bly

Here are some additional leads that may help you track down the
information you want.

Enquire about the footnoted history at 

The Marine Corps Historical Center
1254 Charles Morris St. SE
Washington Navy Yard, DC 20374-5040
No email answers.  Must write. 

Also visit the Marine Corps History and Museums Division web page at
http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/Home_Page.htm

Within that site you will find a list of publications. Here are some
that might prove useful.

"U.S. Marines at the Punch Bowl: Drive North." Col Allen R. Millet,
USMCR (Ret). 2001. 64 pages.

"The 1st Marine Division and Its Regiments". Danny J. Crawford, 
Robert V. Aquilina, Ann A. Ferrante, and Shelia P. Gramblin, Reference
Section, Historical Branch. 1999. 75 pp.

"An Annotated Bibliography of the United States Marines in the Korean
War". D. Michael O'Quinlivan. 1962. 31 pp. 1970. rev. ed. James S.
Santelli. 32 pp.

"The Inchon-Seoul Operation: U.S. Marine Operations in Korea,
1950-1953, vol. 2". Lynn Montross and Capt Nicholas A. Canzona, USMC.
1955. 361 pp.

They are listed here:
Marine Corps Historical Publications
http://hqinet001.hqmc.usmc.mil/HD/General/Publications.htm#2001

And can be purchased here:

Marine Veterans and General Public
Superintendent  of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, DC 20402-0001

DC Metro Area: 202-512-1800
Toll-Free: 866-512-1800
Teletype: 710-822-9413; ANSWERBACK USGPO WSH
Web site URL http://bookstore.gpo.gov/

Hope this helps.

Nellie Bly