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The 14th Infantry in Korea
In responding to the North Korean invasion of South Korea in June 1950 the U.S. Army found itself desperately
short of units to halt the Communist advance. Continental U.S. (CONUS) units were stripped of personnel and
equipment and sent to Korea on a priority basis. On 21 July 1950 the 3rd Battalion, 14th Infantry was reassigned
to the Far East Command and then to the 1st Cavalry Division where it was redesignated as the 3rd Battalion,
5th Cavalry Regiment. Unlike other units that had been cobbled together at the last minute, the 3rd Battalion,
14th Infantry was at full strength and due to it's regorous training in mountain warfare, was in excellent shape to
fight in the Korean mountains.
On 23 July 1951, the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry was transferred to Fort Benning where it was assigned to
and redesignated as a battalion in one of the 3rd Infantry Division's regiments. The 3rd Division was initially
sent to Japan then to Korea. The remaining personnel and equipment of the 14th Infantry at Camp Carson
were reassigned to other CONUS units. On 1 August 1951 the 14th Infantry less personnel and equipment was
assigned to the 25th Infantry Division then fighting in Korea. To man and equip the 14th Infantry the assets
of the 34th Infantry Regiment of the 24th Division, then conducting infantry training in Japan, were used. The
14th Infantry moved to Korea where it replaced the 24th Infantry Regiment, which was being inactivated as
part of the integration of the Army.
The next two years found the Regiment in almost constant combat along the 38th Parallel occupying
defensive positions like Heartbreak Ridge, Punchbowl and Pork Chop Hill and conducting aggressive
combat patrols. The 14th Infantry's service in Korea earned the Regiment five campaign streamers and
a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for gallantry at Munsan-Ni. Three Golden Dragons were
awarded the Medal of Honor: PFC Bryant E. Womack, Medical Co, SGT Donn F. Porter Co G (both
posthumously) and PFC. Earnest E. West, Co. L
Excerpted from history researched and organized by John Keliher
at the 25th Infantry Division Association website.
