Commemorate, Educate and Serve Commemoration The Korean War
on 27 september here at marines’ Memorial, a group of Korean War Veterans gathered to commemo- rate the 61st Anniversary of the Korean War. The keynote speaker for the event was Colonel Pete McCloskey USMCR (Ret.), for- mer Congressman for 16 years, and a Korean War Veteran who was awarded the Navy Cross, Sil- ver Star and two Purple Hearts while serving as a Marine Rifle Platoon commander. The Honor- able Pete McCloskey is noted for standing up for his beliefs and speaking out, demonstrating cour- age of convictions, and he lived up to his reputation in his remarks to the crowd of Veterans attending. Colonel McCloskey also drew attention to the leadership of the event organizer,
retired LtCol
John Stevens, reminding the audi- ence that John Stevens was the company commander of A/1/5 in the Fire Brigade at the Pusan Perimeter. John was to lead his company in a heroic fight to take Obong-ni Ridge in the first battle of the Nakton Bulge on 18 August 1950, sending the North Korean 4th
Division back across the Nak-
tong River, ultimately turning the tide at the Pusan Perimeter. Subse- quently, he led his company in the landing at Inchon, in the liberation of Seoul, and at the Chosin reser-
voir. It was at the Reservoir that his regimental commander, LtCol Ray Murray, noted that Captain Stevens was the only officer in the Regiment who had fought at the Pusan Perimeter, the Inchon land- ing, and the battle for Seoul who hadn’t been wounded. Recognizing that the odds were not in Captain Stevens’ favor, and acknowledging Captain Stevens’ heroism, Colonel Murray ordered Captain Stevens to be evacuated. Stevens went on to have a very distinguished career before leaving after commanding 1st
Battalion, 4th Marines.
Another Marine recog- nized was Major Eddie LeBaron USMCR (Ret.). Eddie was an All-American football player at the University of the Pacific and quarterbacked the College All- Star team in 1950 that upset the
professional champion Philadelphia Eagles before the Korean War. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins but was called up by the Marine Corps Reserve. He spent nine months in Korea as a platoon commander, wounded twice
and decorated
with a Bronze Star for heroism. After serving in Korea, Eddie played professional football for twelve years, quarter-
backing the Redskins for nine years and the Dallas Cowboys for three years. The scrappy quarterback is 5’7” tall, was named to the pro-bowl four times, and led the league in passing in 1958. He earned a law degree and lives in Sacramento now.
The Korean War is often called “The Forgotten War”. But it is not forgotten at the Marines’ Memorial.
Photos: Michael Mustacchi Photos: Michael Mustacchi, Gene Choi
Crossroads Winter 2011-12 7
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