9th Field Artillery Battalion in Korea
| 1950 |  |
1953 |
SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Why This Site?
The purpose of this website is to enable all former members of the 9th Field Artillery Battalion in the Korean War and shortly thereafter, to post their stories, photos, maps, and other materials that reveal what they experienced during that momentous time. These postings will provide a record that relatives, friends and researchers will be able to access now and in the future to learn more about the roles of the men of the 9th in the "Forgotten War".
The Korean War was not popular. It happened just five years after World War II, and Americans were still war weary. Also, the importance of Korea was not apparent to the public. In addition, the war became a political football. It was called "Truman's war." It was the background of the conflict between President Truman and General MacArthur. The Democratic Party, having occupied the White House during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, was called the "war party." And during the presidential campaign of 1952, Eisenhower ran partly on the promise to "bring the troops home." Moreover, recruits found that they were not always welcome at "swank" restaurants and bars. And when they returned home, they were not received with parades or other celebrations. Typically, they got coffee and doughnuts from Red Cross volunteers.
Recognizing their lack of respect from society in general, military personnel during the Korean War took some solace from the sentiments and humor of songs played on PX juke boxes. Some of them "Wheel of Fortune," "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?", "You Belong to Me," and "Dear John."
But if the Korean War has been downplayed to a large extent, the contributions of the artillery to that event have been even more so. The artillery personnel certainly did not undergo the continuous and brutal combat that the infantry did during the three years of fighting. But it always managed to provide support for the infantry; and at times and places it did find itself under threat from the enemy. Thus, the 92nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion and the 555th Field Artillery Battalion suffered serious casualties during the course of the war; and while the 9th FA Battalion had far lighter casualties, it inflicted many casualties on the enemy.
Hence, the Korean War became the "forgotten war" even though it incurred as many American casulaties comparable to those of the Vietnam War. And historians have not related or analyzed it as thoroughly as they have World War II and the Vietnam War. Indeed, some have ignored the last two months of the fighting in Korea, during which the fire power of the 9th FA Bn was especially important. By Robert D. Heslep, Ph. D., HQ Btry 1953-54.
Webmaster: Milt Schmidt, HQ Btry 1953-1954
Editors: Ron Hill and Bob Heslep, HQ Btry, 1953-54
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