Korean War Battle of Kunu-ri - Las Cruces, NM - Korean War Memorials on Waymarking.com

It reads: On 25 Nov. Chinese Communist Forces launched an all out assault on UN Forces sending more than 400,000 soldiers across the Yalu River onto the Korean Peninsula. To help fill gaps in UN defensive lines, individual companies of the 2d Engineer combat battalion were attached to two infantry regiment pf the 2nd infantry division defending in the western sector of the peninsula to cover a withdrawal of the Eighth US Army. The 2nd division's reinforcement defensiveness lines eventfully gave way to the brutal assaults by 3 Chinese divisions. After three days of heavy fighting , the 2d engineers were reconsolidated and ordered to the town of Kunu-ri cover the withdrawal of the 2nd division. The only escape route south traversed a mountain pass through a six mile gauntlet of Chinese small arms and mortar file from fortification overlooking the road which quickly became littered with burning vehicles and wounded and dying soldiers. The 2d engineers with element of the 503rd and 38th artillery battalions held off the Chinese long enough to allow elements of the 2nd infantry division tom complete their evacuation through the pass. Depleted and exhausted, the 2d engineers became the only unit left to oppose the massive Chinese assault force. When their escape route became closed Lt Col Alarich Zacherle, commander of the battalion, order all equipment still functioning to be destroyed. Thermite grenades were laced on heavy equipment and truck engines, tires and supplies were soaked with gasoline and set ablaze. Zacherele ordered the battalion colors, adorned with its 25 battle streamers and stores in its custom made box, to be soaked with gasoline and set on fire. His intent was to refuse the Chinese the opportunity to take it as a coverted war trophy. As the flames died down that night Nov 30 and the 2d engineers combat battalion became completely surrounded bu Chinese forces. Within an hour after his order to destroy the equipment and burn the colors, the Chinese overran the desisted engineers. The next morning, Dec 1, what was lefts of the battalion regrouped in Sunchon. Of the 787 battalion soldiers present on 24 Nov. only 266 answered roll call. It was later learned that 331 ,embers of the battalion had been captures of which only 117 survived captivity. The battalion was reconstituted after kunu-Ri and served gallantly trough the remains of the war.

List if there are any visiting hours: dawn to dusk Entrance fees (if it applies): Free Type of memorial: Plaque Website pertaining to the memorial: Not listed

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