Korean War 9th Infantry “Manchu” Combat Medic Uniform Group
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Harold J. Kats was drafted on 11/30/1948 and sent to Fort Riley Kansas for training. He was later attached to Service Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division at Fort Benning, GA then released on 12/11/1949 after being transferred to inactive reserves.
The Korean War broke out in June 1950 and Harold was called up again 9/27/1950 and assigned to Medical Company, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchus”, 2nd Division at Fort Lewis, WA on 10/05/1950.
The Manchus were the first troops of the Indianhead Division to enter Korea and fought in the following battles:
- Bloody Ridge – (8/18/1951 – 9/5/1951)
- Heartbreak Ridge – (9/13/1951 – 10/15/1951)
- Old Baldy – (6/26/1952 – 8/4/1952)
- Pork Chop Hill – (3/1953 – 7/1953)
Harold was discharged 7/21/1951 with the following decorations and awards:
- Sharpshooter w/ rifle bar
- Combat Medic Badge
- Korean Service Medal w/ one Bronze Service Star
- Bronze Star Medal w/ V Device for “Valor”
- United Nations Service Medal
- Rep of Korea Presidential Unit Citiation
- National Defense Service Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Occupation Medal
All attempts to obtain Harold’s Bronze Star Medal citation were unsuccessful because his service record was lost in the NARA fire in 1972. Based on Harold’s time spent in Korea, I suspect it was for valor exhibited during the Battle of Bloody Ridge.
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