This article is a follow-up to the Memorial Day Tribute to the Halterman family.
Miracle at Kap'Yong
Ralph Halterman served as a medic under the 213th Field Artillery Battalion during the Korean War. In 1950 there began to be much turmoil between North and South Korea, The United States in accordance with the United Nations entered the war siding with South Korea. Sixteen countries were in UN support with South Korea; with China and the Soviet Union in support for North Korea.
On August 3, 1950, the 213th Field Artillery Battalion in the Utah National Guard, having been training twice a month at Camp Williams, was called into the conflict. The Battalion consisted of about 500 men from Southern Utah who were mainly businessman, newlyweds or young single men, with only a few leaders who had served in WWII. They were led by Colonel Frank Dalley along with 5 Battery Commanders. These were father figures for many of the young men. The activation of this battalion hit Southern Utah harder than even WWII. However, when called into duty they did not turn it down. There was much support and comradery within the unit as there were many who shared this responsibility with brothers, cousins and good friends.
They left in August to train in Seattle, Washington, where they were rapidly trained on M7105 Howitzers. Since they were originally a National Guard unit, they thought that the active duty soldiers would be sent before their unit. But to their surprise, because of the their quick learning and great skill, they were sent into active duty and left for Korea in late fall of 1950. They were stationed NE of Seoul near Kap=yong.
Colonel Dalley was an inspired military leader, as he would put a white flag in front of his tent every morning to consult with the supreme commander-in-chief of all the armies, seeking additional guidance in prayer with God.
This unit had incredible accuracy in shooting with the ability to go through more than one million dollars of ammunition a day. 18 guns could hit the same target simultaneously, using 105mm rounds. As the war waged on, and the line moved back and forth, they had many close calls where the 213th unit would arrive at a destination where just two hours before the previous unit had been wiped out or they would leave a location and a few hours later a different unit would get wiped out that had relocated into their previous spot.
In the spring of 1951, they found themselves fighting in a narrow canyon at Kap=yong. Colonel Dalley sent patrols to scout the area. They signaled back that they were surrounded by enemies. At that point the camp went into action, the order given that nobody sleeps. The friendly Korean infantry, just yards ahead of them, was wiped out and over 4,000 Chinese soldiers were headed directly at the 213th battalion. Colonel Dalley=s thoughts turned to God and as he asked for help, his thoughts were guided by a supreme being and it became clear to him the course to follow.
It came down to about 240 Utahns going against 4,000 enemy soldiers face to face. It all broke loose. The battalion fired small arms and howitzers and killed scores of the enemy but more kept coming. Everywhere they looked there were Chinese. As quick as they could shoot with a howitzer, the ground would explode into 50 yds x 100 yds gaping holes in the earth, instantly filled with dead enemy soldiers.
Other friendly units in the canyon were being wiped out. A small group of the 213th took out a group of the Chinese officers with machine guns, and at that point the Chinese became disoriented and the battle changed courses. Another small group of 18 men with 1 howitzer and 3 machine guns went down through another part of the canyon, killing Chinese by the hundreds. By then, the Chinese stopped firing, laid down their weapons and raised their arms in a massive surrender. Over 500 Chinese were killed with another 800 taken prisoners. Somehow, miraculously, through it all, not one soldier from the 213th Battalion was killed. Later, the Chinese soldiers who could speak English said, AWe shoot them but they don=t fall.@ The 213th battalion soldiers disarmed their prisoners and before returning, with the help of 50 Chinese prisoners, buried the enemy dead in huge 50-foot long trenches as graves. Most of the battalion fought through the summer. Other units rotated home before many in this National Guard unit. In October and November, much of the battalion was rotated home.
On January 25, 1952, the 213th Field Artillery Battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for accomplishing their mission under extreme difficult and hazardous conditions, upholding the highest traditions of family, community and religion.
These were soldiers who went over as boys and came back as men. They were morally straight, good men. Most had been raised as LDS and believed the Book of Mormon, especially about Helaman=s stripling warriors. The 213th returned with all of its men. Some were sick, especially Colonel Dalley, going from 180 to 140 lbs. From his daily diary, it was learned that he suffered from terrible headaches daily. Many believe that all came back because of the spiritual support from home - from their family members that had prayed for them. They felt that their faith and prayers protected their loved ones. They also had strong leaders such as Colonel Dalley - he treated everyone like his own son. He said that even though their situation was precarious, not once was the outcome in doubt, and they were guided to safety.
It was said that because of their unity and their faith in God they survived. They worked together, prepared together and took care of each other. And they all came back. One soldier said, we didn=t pray for the Lord to be on our side, but that we were on his side and doing what=s right. They feel like they owe their lives to God, to each other and their families.
The entire original group was rotated home as other soldiers were sent as replacements to the 213th battalion. From this new set of soldiers, some of the new replacements were killed in battle. The 213th battalion spent 893 days in combat, using 240,497 rounds of ammunition.
Taken from:
Interviews with Ralph Halterman, about 2002
The Miracle at Kap Yong@ - video produced by SUTV-9 Communication Department, 2001.
SUTV
Southern Utah University
351 West University Blvd.
Cedar City, UT 84720
Phone: (435) 865 8539
Miracle at Kap'Yong
Ralph Halterman served as a medic under the 213th Field Artillery Battalion during the Korean War. In 1950 there began to be much turmoil between North and South Korea, The United States in accordance with the United Nations entered the war siding with South Korea. Sixteen countries were in UN support with South Korea; with China and the Soviet Union in support for North Korea.
On August 3, 1950, the 213th Field Artillery Battalion in the Utah National Guard, having been training twice a month at Camp Williams, was called into the conflict. The Battalion consisted of about 500 men from Southern Utah who were mainly businessman, newlyweds or young single men, with only a few leaders who had served in WWII. They were led by Colonel Frank Dalley along with 5 Battery Commanders. These were father figures for many of the young men. The activation of this battalion hit Southern Utah harder than even WWII. However, when called into duty they did not turn it down. There was much support and comradery within the unit as there were many who shared this responsibility with brothers, cousins and good friends.
They left in August to train in Seattle, Washington, where they were rapidly trained on M7105 Howitzers. Since they were originally a National Guard unit, they thought that the active duty soldiers would be sent before their unit. But to their surprise, because of the their quick learning and great skill, they were sent into active duty and left for Korea in late fall of 1950. They were stationed NE of Seoul near Kap=yong.
Colonel Dalley was an inspired military leader, as he would put a white flag in front of his tent every morning to consult with the supreme commander-in-chief of all the armies, seeking additional guidance in prayer with God.
This unit had incredible accuracy in shooting with the ability to go through more than one million dollars of ammunition a day. 18 guns could hit the same target simultaneously, using 105mm rounds. As the war waged on, and the line moved back and forth, they had many close calls where the 213th unit would arrive at a destination where just two hours before the previous unit had been wiped out or they would leave a location and a few hours later a different unit would get wiped out that had relocated into their previous spot.
In the spring of 1951, they found themselves fighting in a narrow canyon at Kap=yong. Colonel Dalley sent patrols to scout the area. They signaled back that they were surrounded by enemies. At that point the camp went into action, the order given that nobody sleeps. The friendly Korean infantry, just yards ahead of them, was wiped out and over 4,000 Chinese soldiers were headed directly at the 213th battalion. Colonel Dalley=s thoughts turned to God and as he asked for help, his thoughts were guided by a supreme being and it became clear to him the course to follow.
It came down to about 240 Utahns going against 4,000 enemy soldiers face to face. It all broke loose. The battalion fired small arms and howitzers and killed scores of the enemy but more kept coming. Everywhere they looked there were Chinese. As quick as they could shoot with a howitzer, the ground would explode into 50 yds x 100 yds gaping holes in the earth, instantly filled with dead enemy soldiers.
Other friendly units in the canyon were being wiped out. A small group of the 213th took out a group of the Chinese officers with machine guns, and at that point the Chinese became disoriented and the battle changed courses. Another small group of 18 men with 1 howitzer and 3 machine guns went down through another part of the canyon, killing Chinese by the hundreds. By then, the Chinese stopped firing, laid down their weapons and raised their arms in a massive surrender. Over 500 Chinese were killed with another 800 taken prisoners. Somehow, miraculously, through it all, not one soldier from the 213th Battalion was killed. Later, the Chinese soldiers who could speak English said, AWe shoot them but they don=t fall.@ The 213th battalion soldiers disarmed their prisoners and before returning, with the help of 50 Chinese prisoners, buried the enemy dead in huge 50-foot long trenches as graves. Most of the battalion fought through the summer. Other units rotated home before many in this National Guard unit. In October and November, much of the battalion was rotated home.
On January 25, 1952, the 213th Field Artillery Battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for accomplishing their mission under extreme difficult and hazardous conditions, upholding the highest traditions of family, community and religion.
These were soldiers who went over as boys and came back as men. They were morally straight, good men. Most had been raised as LDS and believed the Book of Mormon, especially about Helaman=s stripling warriors. The 213th returned with all of its men. Some were sick, especially Colonel Dalley, going from 180 to 140 lbs. From his daily diary, it was learned that he suffered from terrible headaches daily. Many believe that all came back because of the spiritual support from home - from their family members that had prayed for them. They felt that their faith and prayers protected their loved ones. They also had strong leaders such as Colonel Dalley - he treated everyone like his own son. He said that even though their situation was precarious, not once was the outcome in doubt, and they were guided to safety.
It was said that because of their unity and their faith in God they survived. They worked together, prepared together and took care of each other. And they all came back. One soldier said, we didn=t pray for the Lord to be on our side, but that we were on his side and doing what=s right. They feel like they owe their lives to God, to each other and their families.
The entire original group was rotated home as other soldiers were sent as replacements to the 213th battalion. From this new set of soldiers, some of the new replacements were killed in battle. The 213th battalion spent 893 days in combat, using 240,497 rounds of ammunition.
Taken from:
Interviews with Ralph Halterman, about 2002
The Miracle at Kap Yong@ - video produced by SUTV-9 Communication Department, 2001.
SUTV
Southern Utah University
351 West University Blvd.
Cedar City, UT 84720
Phone: (435) 865 8539
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