FROM MY DESK: I received this article from Alf Alfeo 1st Plt 12/51 - 12/52. "Shifty: Eddie Arechiga is always writing commendable things about some of the men he served within Korea. Great remembrances from a very brave Marine who identifies men who somehow get over looked when the medals and awards are given out. . But from George Desha and Alf, and a number of men who served with Eddie, we would like to make some comments about Eddie in return. Eddie was a Corporal when he arrived in Korea on December 5, 1951. He was a member of the 15th draft. He had just turned 18 years old at that time. He was immediately given command of a fire team in fellow Houstonian John Ontiveros' squad. Eddie accepted the task with his usual enthusiasm. Not only was Eddie a good leader, but with his musical background he was also a great entertainer. He was a one-man show at Camp Tripoli at Christmas time, bolstering the sprits of some mighty homesick guys. No matter what the time or the place Eddie was ready to sing songs from his vast repertoire if it helped bolster the morale of the troops. In March 1952 the entire 1stMarDiv was moving from the East Coast to the Central front. We boarded truck at about 3 AM and sat, and sat, and sat waiting for the order to move out. Few of us had any real cold weather gear since we had experienced a false spring so many of us had our basic clothing, san parkas. We were freezing as the wind whipped through the truck convoy, still at a standstill. Eddie |
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knew we needed a shot in the arm and with the temperature hovering around the 30 degree below mark, broke out his guitar and started entertaining us. How his hands did not bleed from the cold is beyond imagination, but play on he did. He only finished his impromptu concert after the convoy started moving again.
Upon our arrival in the Central front, Eddie was giving command of the 3rd squad, inheriting it from "Onti." First platoon was blessed with excellent squad leaders like Eddie, George Desha and Pete Peters. For a young man Eddie was like a mother hen with his squad, always teaching, always concerned for their safety. He led one of the first daylight patrols right up the middle of Hill 104 and encountered withering fire from concealed enemy mortars. No matter, he was ordered to continue with the mission, and continue he did. It was only when a light observation plane noted that the enemy was moving troops in position to cut off the squad was the order to pull back given. The pull back was orderly and well executed. To his credit not one Marine was injured in that raid. Eddie further distinguished himself on May 28, 1952 when Able Company attacked Hill 104 in force. First Platoon was the lead platoon. The Official History of the Marine Corps in Korea reports that Able Company received more rounds than any other unit up to that time, over four thousand plus round in a short period of time. Casualties mounted quickly, with the Platoon leader, Lt. John Donahue getting wounded, Platoon Sergeant Rollin Bryant getting killed and Sgt Bob Touchette getting seriously |
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wounded. Although not reported before, Eddie along with James Haffey, a member of Eddie's squad unhesitatingly exposed themselves to the extremely accurate enemy fire to drag the wounded Sgt. Touchette to safety. When both were convinced Touchette was in a protected position they again joined the fray. This time James Haffey was gunned down by an enemy machine that took the life of this brave Marine. Somehow, Eddie survived the savagery of that day to fight again. For a number of years Eddie kept up a running correspondence with Haffey's parents. They came to look upon him as a second son.
On or about July 7, 1952 Able Company was given the task of backing up Charlie Company in its assault on Hill Yoke. The mission called for Able Company to move through Charlie if it encountered more than planned resistance and continue with the mission of sweeping over three hills near the Pan mum jam Corridor. Unfortunately for Charlie Company it was as though the Chinese were aware of the plan and waited until Charlie made two successful sweeps of the hill and were on their way to making the final sweep when all hell broke loose. In a word Charlie was being decimated by well-entrenched enemy forces. Then Captain Earl Thompson, USMC, was directed to change the mission of Able Company from continuing the mission to one of rescue. The enemy mortar and artillery fire was, to use today's' lexicon, awesome. But Able slugged forward, reached the crest of the hill and set up a perimeter to allow Charlie Company to withdraw. When the final order was given to pull back, the men of |
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