Winter Valley 52

Dear Readers.....Tommorow the 2 Aug ,,the day we attacvked the "million dollar hill"...We had a few wounded but it wasnt until later that I heard about the men who had died on the other side of the hill..We had cover they did not..A black soldier threw a grenade in a chinese bunker that made it possible for the rest of that company to get up the hill......Phillip Meyer S/sgt Ret.

                                                                        JMJ

Kumwah Valley North Korea
"L" Co. 5th RCT 24th Div
Phillip Meyer S/sgt Ret
                                                                  The Valley winter 51
   We did spend some winter days in the valley even after Christmas (looking for some special papers on that)..Our small tents had been set up and the deep hole under them so the cold wind could pass on top..and not through our tents..The mess tent was close by...out in the rice paddies was the 555 Artillery or as it was called the "triple nickle" by now I was used to the shells being fired off.When we ate it was so cold the food would start to stick to the metal mess kit before we reach the end of the line. One night (Jan 52) I decided I wanted to sleep out side not in a hole.So I got my sleeping bag and put it next to the tent. I zippered the bag
and I could just see a little out of it,In the morning I noticed snow in front of my face.I zippered  the sleeping bag open and I was covered with snow that had fallen during the night....back in the hole again.Max off a hill was just a couple of days,,
                                                                      The Award
 It was a cold sunny day as we stood at attention in the frozen rice paddies.One by one were called up to receive the highest award an Infantry man can receive.(Note not a medal just an award).I received the
Combat Infantryman badge.....Only an Infantryman can receive it and he has to have been in combat.
It is one of the proudest award a soldier can receive,

                                                                      Note
Ten months in Korea.....one letter..........one shower,,,,(I was a lucky one).........Listen radio once..a bout three minutes
No haircut....
Phillip Meyer S/sgt Ret