Engineer Memoirs
regimental commanders. I saw an opportunity of getting to command an infantry
regiment and therefore joined the 2d Division. At first I was the regimental
executive of the 38th Infantry and later became chief of staff of the 2d Division.
Executive Officer, 38th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division
Q ..
How did the opportunity arise? Were you asked for or did you volunteer?
A ..
I let it be known that I would extend for a second tour in Korea if I could join the
infantry. The fact that I was known to the corps commander and the division
commander made such an assignment easy. They knew I wanted to command an
i n f a n t r y regiment but made me pay my dues by first taking the job of regimental
executive officer and then for a while chief of staff of the 2d Division.
Q ..
When you extended to stay in Korea for another 13 months, did you get another
R&R back to Japan.
A ..
Yes, I got a second three-day R&R back to Japan. My first R&R was an
unscheduled one during the Christmas of 1950 when we evacuated Hamhung.
Q ..
Could you describe for me your work with the 2d Infantry Division during your
second tour?
My work with the 2d Division was divided into three parts. First, I was the
A
executive officer to the 38th Infantry from July to October. Then, I was the chief
of staff of the 2d Division until December. Then, from December of 1951 until
April of 1952, I commanded the 38th Infantry Regiment.
Commanding Officer, 38th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division
My job as executive officer of the 38th Regiment was a very satisfying one because
I worked for an absolutely first-classinfantry commander. Colonel Frank Mildren
had extensive experience in Europe in World War II where he distinguished himself
in combat. He was also a good staff officer, I had worked for him previously and
therefore knew him well.
Mildren let me plan and execute one of the principal battles of the 38th Regiment,
even though I was his executive at the time. First, he wanted to take a rest--he
didn't think that anyone was physically capable of commanding troops all the time.
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