Bar Mounted Silver Star/Purple Heart Group to Marine Corps Chosin Reservoir Hero

[Frank_Smith]

I have been collecting medals and militaria for the last 37 years (since I was 16).  When people ask me why I collect these items, I tell them I enjoy it for several different reasons.  First off, every items tells a story.  Even things that can’t be attributed to a specific individual have a story with a who, what, why and where behind it.  Secondly, for those individuals who once had an interest in coins or stamps, there is a numismatic factor.  Makers, contracts, and variations are very much a part of militaria.  Lastly, I point out history and patriotism.  The people who have served our country in the military have given up something in their lives to give us the country and life we have now.  They deserve to be remembered and their stories told.  Here is one of those stories.

 

Roberto Recendez was born in Pasadena, California on 5 December 1929.  The son of Mexican immigrants, he graduated from high school in Los Angeles County.  Upon graduation, on 23 April 1947 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  Completing his training at Camp Pendleton, he was initially assigned to the Headquarters and Service Company, 1st Engineer Battalion and later to the Supply Company, 1st Service Battalion, 1st Marine Division.  Rapidly promoted, he was serving as a Sergeant when he boarded a troop ship to head to Korea.

 

Along with the rest of the 1st Marine Division, Sgt. Recendez was moving north on the Korean Peninsula when his unit was ordered to Hagaru-ri to set up a supply base on the southern shore of the Chosin Reservoir in order to support the forward elements of the Division.  Things changed rapidly for Sgt. Recendez and the rest of the Division on the night of November 27 when the Chinese 9th Peoples Volunteer Army (PVA) attacked the Marines.  There is much written about the Chosin Reservoir battle.  As it relates to Sgt. Recendez, I will focus on the actions at Hagaru-ri.

 

Hagaru-ri was an important supply dump with an airfield under construction. The division commander, General Oliver P. Smith, and 1st Marine Division headquarters were also located at Hagaru-ri.  With the bulk of the 1st Marine Division gathered at Yudam-ni, Hagaru-ri was lightly defended by two battalions from the 1st and 7th Marines, the rest of the garrison being composed of engineers and rear support units, including Sgt. Recendez, from both the Army and the Marine Corps.

 

The original Chinese plan called for the 58th Division to attack Hagaru-ri on the night of 27 November, but the division became lost in the countryside due to the outdated Japanese maps it used.  It was not until the dawn of 28 November that the Division arrived at Hagaru-ri.  Meanwhile, from the fighting and ambushes that had occurred the previous night, the garrison at Hagaru-ri noticed the Chinese forces around them. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas L. Ridge, commander of 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines (3/1), predicted the Chinese attack would come on the night of 28 November.  Almost everyone, including rear support units with little combat training, was pressed into service on the front line due to the manpower shortage, and the entire perimeter was on full alert by 21:30.

 

It was not long before the PVA 173rd Regiment attacked the western and the southern perimeter of Hagaru-ri, while the 172nd Regiment struck the hills on the northern perimeter. Despite the preparations, the understrength garrison was overwhelmed with the Chinese opening several gaps in the defenses and reaching the rear areas. The resulting chaos, however, caused a breakdown in discipline among the Chinese soldiers, who began looting food and clothing instead of exploiting the situation. The defending Americans managed to destroy the Chinese forces in counterattacks, while a breakdown of communications between the Chinese regiments allowed the gaps to close. When the fighting stopped, the Chinese had only gained the East Hill on the northern perimeter. Another attack was planned for the night of 29 November, but air raids by VMF-542 broke up the Chinese formations before it could be carried out.

 

Given the critical manpower shortage at Hagaru-ri, on November 29, Smith ordered Colonel Lewis “Chesty” Puller of the First Marine Regiment to assemble a task force to be sent north from Kot'o-ri to open the road south of Hagaru-ri.  A task force was formed with 921 troops from 41 Royal Marines Commando, G Company of the 1st Marines and B Company of the 31st Infantry.  It was dubbed "Task Force Drysdale" after its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas B. Drysdale, who also commanded 41 Commando. On the afternoon of 29 November, Task Force Drysdale pushed north from Koto-ri, while under constant attack from the PVA 60th Division to reach Hagaru-ri.  The task force's harrowing experience later earned the road the nickname "Hell Fire Valley".  As the Chinese attacks dragged on, the task force became disorganized, and a destroyed truck in the convoy later split the task force into two segments. Although the lead segment fought its way north into Hagaru-ri on the night of 29 November, the rear segment was destroyed.  Despite suffering 162 dead and missing and 159 wounded, the task force managed to bring in 300 badly needed infantrymen for the defense at Hagaru-ri.

 

As more reinforcements arrived from Hudong-ni on 30 November, the garrisons attempted to recapture the East Hill of Hagaru-ri.  All efforts failed, despite the destruction of a Chinese company. When darkness settled, the PVA 58th Division gathered its remaining 1,500 soldiers in a last-ditch attempt to capture Hagaru-ri. The reinforced American defenders annihilated most of the attacking forces, with only the defenses around the East Hill giving way.  As the Chinese tried to advance from the East Hill, they were cut down by the 31st Tank Company.

 

By 1 December, the PVA 58th Division was virtually destroyed, with the remaining Chinese waiting for reinforcements from the 26th Corps of the 9th Army.  Much to the frustration of Chinese forces, the 26th Corps did not arrive before the Marines broke out of Yudam-ni. The airfield in Hagaru-ri was opened to traffic on 1 December, allowing UN forces to bring in reinforcements and to evacuate the dead and wounded.  With the Marines at Yudam-ni completing their withdrawal on 4 December, the trapped UN forces could finally start their breakout.

 

Sergeant Recendez roll in the battle is detailed in his Silver Star Citation.  It reads as follows:

 

“The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL to

 

SERGEANT ROBERTO RECENDEZ,

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS,

 

for service set forth in the following

 

CITATION:

 

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Supply Company, First Service Battalion, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 28 and 29 November 1950. Assigned a sector of the defensive perimeter during a strong hostile attack against his area near Hagaru-ri, Sergeant Recendez fought bravely throughout the action and, when an enemy mortar shell exploded near his position, painfully wounding him and his two Marine companions, he promptly administered aid to the others, assured himself that the line was secure and then reported to the battalion aid station for treatment. Observing an enemy soldier setting up a machine gun about twenty yards forward of his sector after returning to his post, he boldly advanced under hostile fire and hurled two grenades over a railroad car near the position and, when they failed to explode, returned and obtained another grenade. Again advancing against the enemy's direct fire, he hurled the third grenade over the car with deadly accuracy, killing the gunner and putting the machine gun out of action. By his daring initiative, indomitable fighting spirit and cool courage in the face of heavy odds, Sergeant Recendez served as an inspiration to all who observed him and contributed materially to the successful defense of the perimeter. His heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

 

For the President,

R. B. Anderson

Secretary of the Navy.”

 

After the battle, Recendez decided to remain in the Marine Corps and eventually retired as 1st Sergeant on 1 May 1971.  During his service, he was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal (six awards), China Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal with star, Korean Service Medal with four stars, and the United Nations Korean Service Medal.

 

After his retirement, Sgt. Recendez made Five Points, California his home.  He passed on 30 December 1985 and was laid to rest in the Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, California.  He was 56 years old at the time of his death.

 

Sgt. Recendez was obviously very proud of his service and his medals show some light wear and the ribbons show some light soiling.  They also have some interesting numismatic features.  The Silver Star is an early WWII thick frosted example that was clearly made by the United States Mint for issue to the sea services.  His Purple Heart is a Type II example that was also made by the Mint during WWII.  The Good Conduct is officially stamped, "ROBERTO/RECENDEZ/1950" on three lines.  The rest of the bar consists of early contract campaign medals.  They include the Marine Corps China Service Medal, National Defense Medal with a star, Korean Service Medal with four stars, and the United Nations Korean Service Medal.

 

I make this post to honor the life and service of First Sergeant Roberto Recendez and to thank him for his service to his county.

[scottplen]

very nice !

 

[KASTAUFFER]

Great tribute Frank ( and nice medals too )

 

Kurt

[p51mission]

Great Documentation and amazing Citation.

 

Really does describe the Story very well!

[katieony]

Frank,

 

A very fitting tribute....thank you for keeping this Marine's memory alive.

 

Mike

[swabbie]

Well done, Frank!  Would make a great exhibit at OMSA in Milwaukee.

[6th.MG.BN]

Very nice. Thanks for preserving his memory.

Ken

[peoplewhoknowme1]

Great tribute frank 

[m1903]

Wow, nice grouping and great story

 

[Frank_Smith]

Thanks for the comments.  Here is a map that helps tell the story of the battle.

[Kurt Barickman]

Fantastic USMC medal valor grouping Frank; thanks for sharing this amazing story in the heat of the beginning of this ¨forgotten war.¨

 

Kurt

[Brian Keith]

Ditto to what everyone else said!

Thanks!
BKW

[Hermanus]

Very nice group with provenance and a good write up.

 

Thanks.

Herman 

[Matt-M]

Thank you, Frank, for so vividly describing the actions where Sgt. Recendez exemplified the fighting spirit of the US Marine Corps. Semper Fi, Sgt., and RIP. You are remembered. For those who are not familiar with the Chosin Resevoir, or the Korean War in general, I highly recommend reading up on it. Though called, "The Forgotten War" often, it was surely not forgettable. The dawn of the jet age mixed with WW2 re-treads, world diplomacy, emerging nuclear threats....a very interesting time in our world's history and set the stage for the Cold War over the next 30+ years.

[Reforger]

Awesome medal bar and a good story to go with it!