Martin Park - The Battle of Cheonan Memorial
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Often overlooked, this small park contains several memorials honoring the U.S. soldiers who fought and gave their lives in the Battle of Cheonan on July 8, 1950.
The park is located just north of the Cheonan Museum and Samgeori Park. In fact there is a stone bearing the name of Cheonan Samgeori near the edge of the road at this location.
This park is named for the commander during the battle, Col. Robert R. Martin, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at Cheonan, the first such decoration awarded during the Korean War.
The U.S. Forces fought to maintain a line at Cheonan facing insurmountable odds against heavily armed North Korean Forces equipped with tanks, and reinforced by Russian troops. Though the battle, and control of the city of Cheonan was lost, the delaying tactics employed by these brave men, gave time to establish what became the Busan Perimeter leading to the ouster of the North Korean forces back beyond the 38th parallel.
From the informational sign at the memorial:
Korean War, 1950
8th of July Chonan Battle Situation
Followed by the Task Force Smith retreat from the Osan Battle Kyongki-do on 6 July 1950, the 34th Regiment, 24th Division of the US Army, armed only with trench mortars and small arms confronted the North Korean Communists 4th Division, 6th Division, and 105th Artillery Division at Budae-dong, Chonan.
The North Korean Forces armed with one battalion of heavy machine guns were aware of this situation and attacked and surrounded US forces from left and right of Sinbu-dong and Budae-dong. Russia's three-wheeled motorcycle unit arrived from Baeksok-dong through Asan and Umbong to join the North Korean forces and engaged in street-to-street fighting against US forces.
While the 34th Regiment used stalling defensive tactics on 7 July, MG Dean, the division commander, appointed Colonel Robert R. Martin as the commander of the 34th Regiment.
Colonel Martin launched a 2.36" bazooka against North Korean forces tanks coming down the highway from Kwangsan village, Kusung-dong, destroying a tank. The North Korean tanks returned fire with 8.5 mm gun and Colonel Martin was killed.
With their leader's death and having sustained great losses, the US forces retreated with the support of the artillery that was positioned at Doriti Hill between 2000-2200 hours. As a result, on 8 July Chonan fell to the North Korean forces.
At the Chonan Battle, US Forces lost 98 soldiers, including Colonel Martin.
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From a plaque at the base of the memorial monument:
The History of the Memorial Monument
During the Korean War in 1950, the U.S. Army Soldiers from the 34th Regiment, 24th Division died gloriously in the Battle of Cheonan to defend liberty and peace in this country.
To honor these Soldiers who died in action, Son, Young-Kyu, the President of Korea Freedom League Cheonan Chapter made a donation to establish Martin Park, and the Memorial Monument on July 8th, 2000. Since then, a memorial ceremony has held every July 8th.
However, as Martin Park has been relocated to the current location, the Memorial Monument has been newly established owing to generous support from Sung, moo-Yong, Mayor of Cheonan City, and Seo, Jyung-Won, Cheonan City Council Member.
Far away from their home, 109 brave soldiers have gloriously fallen for our people, here in Cheonan. Their souls still crave everlasting liberty and peace in this land. The starlight shines above as the U.S. Soldiers' unshakable spirit joined with two symmetrical rifles to symbolize their dedication and yearning desire for liberty and peace.
Sculpted by Ko, Young-Hwan
Materials: Granite, Black Stone and Stainless Steel
Size: 410 x 180 x80cm
Korean Freedom League Cheonan Chapter
April 20th ,
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A smaller monument at the NE corner bears this inscription:
In Memory of the U.S. Soldiers
Who Fought and Died
During the Battle of Chonan
Chonan, Korea
July 8, 1950
PEACE
We are one
To those US soldiers whose lives were lost in the pursuit of peace
May your souls sleep in rest.
================================================
The back of the Memorial Monument contains the following inscription and the names of those who were killed and missing as a result of this heroic battle.
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
Citizens of the Cheonan City honor
Sons and Daughters of the United States of America
who gave their lives in the Battle of Cheonan
during the Korean War
You won't be forgotten!!
Cheonan, Korea
July 8, 1950
This memorial is a small token of our
great appreciation to these brave
American soldiers:
KILLED IN ACTION
HHC 34th INF REGT
Col Robert R. Martin
SFC Charles A. Betsworth
SFC Morgan L. Downs
PFC Edward R. McGrath
A CO. 1st BN. 24th INF REGT
CPL Albert G. Autry
2LT Herman L. Driskell
PVT Thomas A. Cammarano
PFC Edward E. Estes
PVT Cecil R. Glass
PVT Ernest R. O'Dell
SFC Harry W. Reitz, Sr.
PFC Paul P. Strawser
B CO. 1st BN. 34th INF REGT
PVT Edward M. Morrison
PVT Leonard L. Pierce
C CO. 1st BN. 34th INF REGT
PVT Kenneth Shadrack
HHC. 3rd BN. 34th INF REGT
MAJ Boone Seegers
I CO. 3rd BN. 34th INF REGT
2LT Norman R. Carnes
PVT Jose Jemante
K CO. 3rd BN. 34th INF REGT
PVT Ellis Hicks
PFC Charles E. Lee
PVT Carlie A. Wine
L CO. 3rd BN. 34th INF REGT
PFC John I. Marruso
PFC Charles D. Pitre, Jr.
PFC Edmund S. Varner
PVT Charles E. Hunt, Jr.
PFC Tsugio Saito
PVT Earl G. Rodriguez
PFC Charles T. McIntyre
PVT Cecil J. McCreary
PFC Beuford McComas
PFC Robert E. Lee
M CO. 3rd BN. 34th INF REGT
PVT Harry W. Smith
PVT George Torhaw
PVT Joseph S. Veveraka
CPL Paul Villa
PVT Hector P. Rosa
UNK CO/BN. 34th INF REGT
PVT Harry C. Rodecape
CPL William A. Bennett
PVT Ralph T. Frederiksen
SGT Frederick H. Tuttle
PVT Joseph S. Veverka
SPC Glendon J. Parenti
MISSING IN ACTION
HHC. 34th INF REGT
CPL Alvin H. Iaea
A CO. 1st BN. 34th INF REGT
PVT Harlend Armour
PVT Louie Choff
PVT Robert L. Crane
PFC Robert E. Gedney
PFC Harold W. Gustafson
PFC George H. Hutto
PVT Morris F. Nault
PFC Susumu Shinagawa
PFC Stanley J. Kacar
CPL Adelbert Blue
PFC David R. Hartman
PFC Kenneth L. Skinner
PVT Martin J. Tulio
PVT Leo S. Vogen, Jr.
B CO. 1st BN. 34th INF REGT
PFC Frank P. Martinez
PFC Walter D. McNary
PFC Jackie L. Murdock
PFC John F. Murphy
SFC Albert L. Vercolen
HHC. 3rd BN. 34th INF REGT
1LT Waclaw A. Thomaszewski
PFC Alvin H. Laca
PFC Luther E. Rutter
I CO. 3rd BN. 34th INF REGT
CPL Charles W. Adams
SGT Morris Amos
PVT J. W. Browning
PFC John L. Confer
PFC Leonard D. Hallum
CPL Paul E. Hoots
CPL George E. Kelly
PVT Jose C. Lopez
PVT Michelo A. Macino
PFC William T. Maddix
PVT Jackson T. Mays
PVT John J. McConnell
CPL Hector Macnair-Raga
CPL Paul Mitchum
CPL Buena Ventura E. Oribio
CPL Glen L. Pratt
CPL Lee B. Reed
PFC Edward J. Reiter
CPL Albert E. Rose
SGT Jay Rye
PFC John R. Stovall
PFC William C. Sweitzer
L. CO. 3rd BN. 34th REGT
CPL Robert L. Brewster
PFC Cecil Estrada
CPL Kenneth G. Fields
PFC Everett Freeman
SFC Jim Gipson
SGT Norman J. Gressens
PFC William H. Jones
PFC Chan J.P. Kim, Jr.
MSG Willie L. Kingsley
PFC Eugene T. Mandik
PVT Cecil Marcus
PFC James R. Mellinger
PFC Kenneth R. Richrode
CPL William H. Stansbury, Jr.
CPL Charles R. Tyler
M. CO 3rd BN. 34th REGT
PFC Raymond Rogers
HEAVY MORTAR COMPANY
CPL Dewitt W. Johnson
UNK CO/BN. 34th REGT
SGT Merlin J. Hamilton
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