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Tag of WIA 2/1/1 Marine Div Basford, unit overrun by enemy


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Tag of WIA Dog Co. 2/1/1 Marine Div PFC. Basford, unit overrun by enemy.

PFC Irving E Basford 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

 

Patrol setting up ambush near Star Hill, in return was ambushed by Chinese and forward position overrun. Basford shot in forehead, front side.

 

 

April 5, 1953 1st Regt., 1st Mar-Div

At 2355 I, Dog Company, 2/1, combat patrol, engaged an estimated enemy I

Reconnaissance company (-) in vicinity of BT 984020., after a one (1) hour

thirty-three (33) minute fire fight the enemy broke contact and withdrew,

Panmunjom River

Star, Marylyn, Kate, three fingers Nevada Cities Berlin/ Boulder City

Hill 90 Hill 64

Hill Dinosaur

 

2/1 Diary

5 April 1953

Company D dispatched a combat patrol of reinforced platoon size, sixty (60) men, to the vicinity BT-984020 at 2100. As an ambush was being set up in accordance with the patrols plan of maneuver, a contact with the enemy was made at 2355.

6 April 1953

The sixty (60) man combat patrol continue its firefight. The patrol was preparing to set up an ambush in the vicinity of its objective at BT-984020 when an estimated company of enemy opened fire from an ambush. The lead squad of the patrol was subjected to heavy fire from enemy SA, AW, MG, and grenades. The lead fire team came under fire from six (6) feet away. Immediately after the initial burst of fire an enemy detail rushed through the lead fire team. The patrol deployed in a perimeter defense and engaged the enemy in a heavy fire fight with SA, AW, MG, and grenades. At 2400 a reinforcing platoon was dispatched from the MLR. The platoon and reinforcing platoon were both subjected to heavy fire from enemy 76mm artillery 82mm, and 4.2 mortars 4.5 multiple rockets, 75mm recoilless rifles tanks and artillery. At 0036 a group of approximately forty-five (45) enemy was observed trying to reinforce the ambush from the vicinity of BT 984030. Friendly artillery fired with variable time fuse but no estimate of enemy casualties could be made. The reinforcing platoon joined the combat patrol at 0104 after sweeping Hill Star (BT 984017) to drive off any enemy that might be there. The enemy broke contact at 0120, and began to withdraw. Friendly Artillery and mortars continued to interdict routes of withdrawal with unknown results.

At 0218 a muster revealed five (5) friendly MIAs. The reinforcing platoon returned to the area of contact. At this time the combat patrol returned to the MLR. The reinforcing platoon continued to sweep the area till daylight and returned to the MLR at 0610. Total enemy casualties were (19) counted KIAs and (16) estimated KIAs, (7) counted WIAs, and (21) estimated WIAs. Friendly casualties were (1) KIA, (5) MIAs, and (20) WIA and (3) WI E.

post-153086-0-72861500-1560805722_thumb.jpg

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Glidertrooper

That’s a pretty intense ambush. Fortunate under those circumstances that they came off better than the enemy for losses.

 

Wonderful piece of history you have there to go with the tag. BTW what does the ‘SS’ after USMC stand for??

 

Cheers......John

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Wharfmaster

That’s a pretty intense ambush. Fortunate under those circumstances that they came off better than the enemy for losses.

 

Wonderful piece of history you have there to go with the tag. BTW what does the ‘SS’ after USMC stand for??

 

Cheers......John

 

SS is Selective Service (Draft).

 

 

Wharf

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SGT CHIP SAUNDERS

A quick question . Did the USMC accept draftees during Korea, or did the draftees volunteer for the USMC ?

I was in 68-72 and had some experience with the Project 100.000 people who were given no optionand were assigned to the Corps

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Does anyone know where or how to locate BT 984020 on a map?? This Marine was fortunate to live another 49 years. And yes SS (Selective Service).

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Does anyone know where or how to locate BT 984020 on a map?? This Marine was fortunate to live another 49 years. And yes SS (Selective Service).

You would need a map of that area with the grid designator BT. Not sure if it changed since then, but it's a 6 digit grid in MGRS. 986 Easting, 020 Northing. 6 digits will get you within 100 meters.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Grid_Reference_System

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The reinforcing platoon swept Hill Star (BT 984017) which was very close to point of contact, but finding Hill Star difficult as well.

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So a little further research would indicate the closest I can find "The Star" BT 984017 being extremely close to where Basford was attacked would be slightly NE of Panmunjeom, "The Star" also referenced as Hill 132 South of Hill 90 and Three Fingers. This is East of Kaesong.post-153086-0-67256600-1560868923_thumb.jpg

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