Major Stegall's Memoirs now available in print!
Grasshopper Pilot In Korea 1950-51
Lt. James R. Stegall was a Laision Pilot with the 49th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division when he landed in Pusan in September, 1950. A few days later he landed at Inchon and began his second combat tour. His first combat experiences had begun on the beaches of Salerno, Italy with the 36th Division in 1943 where he won the Silver Star.
He fought with the 7th Division from Suwan to Iwon and participated in the push to the Yalu River. He then retreated to Hamhung where he flew mission in and out of the Chosin Reservoir before crash landing near Koto-ri. He marched out with the 3rd Infantry and the 1st Marine Division to Hungnam Harbor for the sea evacuation to Pusan. He then fought with the 7th pushing the Chinese and North Koreans back to the 38th Parallel. He earned the Silver Star with cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with cluster, Air Medal with twenty five clusters, Army Commendation Ribbon, and a host of service medals and appendages.
The Yalu River to Hungnam Harbor
Lt. Stegall taking off in an L-4 next to a frozen rice paddy in the mountains of North Korea near the Yalu River. Jim and the 7th Infantry Division were the first and the furthest north unit in the offensive drive through North Korea.
Now back to us and the Manchurian border. I know you will worry about me being here but, believe me, it is the quietest place we have hit yet. The enemy in this area is completely beaten and only a few small groups even continue any resistance. I have flown all along the Yalu River and I even flew across a little piece of Manchuria. When this 17th Regimental Combat Team started they didn’t stop until they reached the border. I’m sorry I didn’t write sooner but we’ve been pretty doggone busy and have done quit a bit of flying but I’m feeling great and the only thing wrong with me is I’m homesick for my sweet darling wife and our two little girls. It makes me awfully sad to think that I might not be home for Christmas.
Excerpt from letter to Jim's wife, Hitto, November 24, 1950
Jim's footlocker at a camp deep in North Korea. A picture of his beloved wife, Hitto and pictures of his children, Sue and Shirley decorate the lid.
Escape from the Yalu
We got word that the Chinese had entered the war and had overrun the Second Infantry Division. I was ordered to fly to our left flank to ascertain where the enemy might be, their strength, etc. I first saw a convoy of US Army trucks, howitzers, jeeps and other vehicles strung out along a road but it was not moving. As I drew closer I was horrified to see Chinese soldiers looting the vehicles. They were throwing things out of the back of the trucks. The road and ditches were littered with loose equipment, papers, boxes and bodies, both US and Chinese soldiers alike. It was distressful to see such carnage. I turned back to report what I had seen. I was out of radio range, but as soon as I established radio contact I made my report. The Chinese Army was not far away. By the time I landed at the air strip it was almost dark.
As I taxied up I was met by Sgt. Weibelt. “We’re buggin’
out! Headquarters just called, and said to pack up immediately and join the
convoy at the CP (Command Post). We’re loading up now.” Uh oh!
It was almost a repeat of WWII at Salerno. The battalion was leaving and I
couldn’t fly after dark because there were no lighted fields nor airports
within our range. We hastily formed a plan. Fortunately, Lt. Dare and the
other L-4 were not with us at this time. He was on a courier mission to Pukchong,
our rear area headquarters.
We couldn’t leave our precious L-4 to the Chinese, so Sgt. Weibelt agreed
to stay with me and the plane hoping to fly out in the morning. All packed
up now, the rest of the air section left to join the convoy heading back to
Kapsan, down the mountainous hairpin turns, and on down to the valley below.
The orders for the convoy were to keep moving, keep closed up; and if a vehicle
stalled or for any reason couldn’t go it was then to be pushed into
a ditch and abandoned. The Engineers would fall in behind the convoy and destroy
all equipment left behind. There was only one road out so it was imperative
that the road, such as it was, remain open and that the convoy kept moving.
If the Chinese Army were to cut the road, then the whole regimental combat
team would be cut off. It was a desperate situation. However, if this strategic
withdrawal (nice name) works, then these fine troops and their equipment will
be spared to fight another day.
Back at the airstrip darkness had fallen, snow was on the ground, and the
temperature was already below zero and it was eerily quiet. We had been told
that an infantry company would remain between us and the oncoming enemy but
would move out the next morning. This was some consolation to us, but we had
no idea where they were. Weibelt and I stood next to our L-4 as the night
grew dark and cold. We devised another plan. One of us would stay with the
L-4 for about two hours. The other would go down the hill to the Korean house,
stoke the fire, rest, and stay warm for about two hours; then go up the hill
to take his turn and allow the other to warm himself in the Korean house.
The L-4 was tied down and chocked, so the one of us on duty would hand crank
the plane and let it run until it was fully warmed up. Then we would shut
off the engine and stand next to it with our hands on the rocker box covers
(a part of the engine warmed by oil). This would serve two purposes. First,
it would keep your hands warm for awhile; and then when they were cold, you
would know it was time to start the engine again. This would keep the oil
from congealing. If it congealed we would not be able to start the engine.
This process was to be repeated during the night alternately by Sgt. Weibelt
and myself.
The plan worked very well. We wore plenty of warm clothing while we stood
duty with the plane. It was cold but , fortunately, there was very little
wind. Also, no firing of any kind was heard, so we assumed and hoped that
the Chinese Army had not penetrated our area. While at the Korean house, I
can remember lying on the warm floor and appreciating this fine luxury, what
with the temperature around 20 degrees below outside. I also remember the
feeling of detachment. Our army was gone, our guys in the section were gone,
and here we were perched on a little hill in a hostile country waiting for
dawn.
Sgt. Weibelt and I were both at the airplane well before the first hint of
dawn. The only equipment other than the clothes on our back was an airplane
and two five gallon jerry cans of gas. We warmed up the engine for awhile,
then we topped off the fuel tank and waited in the darkness. Soon the first
small rays of morning light were a welcome sight. We wondered about the infantry
units left behind along with us; but since no sounds were heard, it was still
eerily quiet, we surmised they would be leaving soon also.
Daylight seemed slow in coming, but we loaded up and taxied to the end of
our little strip. Full throttle and we were off leaving the two jerry cans
to the Chinese or whoever might find them. We flew south along the road toward
Kapsan where the plateau ended and the hairpin descent to the valley below
began. As we approached Kapsan, we saw that the clouds were so low that we
couldn’t see the road or the valley below. Some of our troops were still
at Kapsan, and vehicles were moving along the road.
A feeling of apprehension came over me as I wondered if we would have to land
on one of the abandoned strips in the area. After circling a few times, we
finally saw a little opening in the clouds just above the road. We zoomed
through this little opening not more than fifty feet above the vehicles on
the road and descended into the wide valley below. We could see vehicles still
lined up on the hairpin curves progressing down into the valley so it seemed
that our strategic withdrawal was working. We had escaped. We would be ok.
Excerpt from "Grasshopper Pilot"
Jim and his flight crew, North Korea, Fall/Winter 1951.
Well, here I am again in Pukchon. Just a little over a month ago we were here and just going into combat. We make a mad dash to the Yalu and now we have made a mad dash back. I know you must be worried because I’m sure the news is looking pretty bad - actually we are just pulling back to a more stategic loacation - and what’s more the climate is much warmer here. I left Pungsan this afternoon and came on back here. I imagine we will move on over to Hamhung tomorrow. We left Hyesangin on the morning of the first of December. We have been moving back since then and the weather has been pretty cold for moving, too. However, I’m lucky because I get in the plane and go and get there quick and get warm. But those poor guys on the ground - they have it rough. Two nights ago it was twenty two below zero - pretty cold - no? I have more clothes that you can shake a stick at. I had on six layers that morning. It is much warmer down here, though. Don’t worry about me, darling, because I’ve been getting along okay. We had quite a trip up to Manchuria, but we are better off back down here.
Excerpt from letter to Jim's wife, Hitto, December 3, 1950
A MASH Unit outside of Hamhung. It was here that Jim flew wounded troops evacuated out of the Chosin Reservoir.
The Chinese Army had surrounded the Chosin reservoir, so the only way in was by air. Our troops held a perimeter around Hamhung and the road about half way up to the Chosin Reservoir. The division aviation section was already flying into the Chosin perimeter taking medical supplies up and bringing back walking wounded. We could only bring one out with each plane, but every little bit helped in this desperate situation. I joined in this operation and had flown into the Chosin about seven times. This was a climb of about 6,000 feet to the Chosin and it was bitter cold.
Excerpt from "Grasshopper Pilot"
Today has been a pretty busy day. I flew nine hours today compared to none yesterday. We were all flying the wounded out of Koto-Ri. That is where the Marines and one Regimental Combat Team (not the one I’m in) has been cut off for several days. In fact they are still cut off - that is the reason we were evacuating the wounded by air. I flew six patients out today. The first patient I picked up this morning was a Scotchman in the Royal Marines (British). He had been captured and escaped last night. He had a hip wound and really smelled foul but, of course, I didn't’t mind that. I asked him how the Chinese treated him and he said, “Bloody ‘orrible” He said they gave him no food or water. He also said the morale was bad among the Chinese especially because of the pounding the air force is giving them.
Excerpt from letter to Jim's wife, Hitto, December 7, 1950
Sgt. Wiebelt and Lt. Stegall stand beside Jim's L-4 deep in North Korea shortly before the retreat south. The weather was in the subzero degrees. On the last night there they had to stay up and start the engine every hour so that it would not freeze up.
The weather at Hamhung was about freezing but at the Chosin Reservoir it was
around zero in the daytime and 20 below at night. For this flight I was carrying
a five gallon container of blood plasma. As I started my climb I could see
Chinese soldiers all over the countryside. Some would look up and others were
just milling around. No one seemed interested in firing at me.
I climbed to around 5,000 feet and was near my destination when, suddenly,
my engine quit. No chance to restart as the L-4 is a hand prop job. My only
thought was that I must glide back to where our troops were on the main road
that goes from the Chosin to Hamhung. I was in a glide for ten or fifteen
minutes and had our forward position along the road in view. I could tell
that I would make it. Of course, there was no landing area, so I turned back
into the north wind; and as I neared the ground, I picked out two trees to
crash into. The right wing hit first, then the left, and the plane dropped
to the ground.
As I sat there dazed, I looked up and saw soldiers running toward me - friendly
GI’s - thank goodness. I had crashed right beside the 92nd Armored Field
Artillery Battalion - the forward most unit along the main road. They got
me out and escorted me over to their headquarters. They notified my unit that
I was safe, but there was no way to send me back as all traffic would be moving
up, not back. I remained with them for about a week. During this time we disassembled
what was left of my plane. The fuselage was tied onto the top of a half-track,
and one wing was tied to the side of the kitchen truck (2 1/2 ton). The other
wing was demolished, so was left there in North Korea. These were great guys
and a great combat unit. They took good care of me.
Excerpt from "Grasshopper Pilot"
Jim's plane was loaded on a half track by the 92nd AFA Bn. This was the beginning the treacherous journey to Hungnam running a gauntlet in sub-zero degree weather under constant enemy fire. (Photo by Ralph Harrison - 92nd AFA Bn, Hq Btry 1950)
The Marines had broken out of the Chosin perimeter and were advancing along the main highway toward our position at Chinhung-ni. We (the 92nd AFA Bn) would fall in behind the Marines when they had cleared our position. We watched as the Marines came by. It was a heart rending sight. Bedraggled troops came by with their dead comrades on hoods of trucks and across howitzer barrels - any place they could put them.
I was given a carbine and assigned to ride in a 2 1/2 ton truck. Our convoy
fell in after the Marines had cleared. The guns on the armored vehicles were
lowered to direct fire - like a rifle. It was an imposing sight, so the 92nd
had little trouble along the corridor back to Hamhung. The 3rd Infantry Division
troops were on each side of the road and the hills above the road to keep
the road open. They then fell in behind our unit and left the road to the
Chinese Army. We proceeded to the perimeter of Hamhung - Hungnam. I was delivered
back to my unit along with the fuselage and wing. However, we were evacuating
the area by ship and the fuselage and wing were burned and destroyed. We loaded
on ships around the 22nd of December, 1950. Back we went to Pusan where we
would regroup and start north again. One of the things I remember on the ship
was a long hot shower - the first in quite a while.
Excerpt from "Grasshopper Pilot"
Jim stands beside a burning railroad station in Hamhung. Nothing was left standing that might give comfort to the enemy.
Jim standing beside the burned fuselage of his beloved L-4 that he had hauled out of Koto-Ri. They were forced to burn it, as there was no room on the evacuating ships.
Other aircraft are disassembled for the evacuation at Hungnam Harbor. They could be taken apart in three hours, were loaded on crates, and then lifted by cranes to the awaiting ships. The ships were packed with troops and refugees trying to escape the Chinese onslaught.
I haven’t written for about a week and I know you’re worried, especially under the present circumstances. Actually, there is little need to worry because we’re doing okay even though the news may seem to indicate otherwise. The reason I didn’t write, my darling, is that we had no way to mail our letters. As you probably know the strategy was to evacuate all the troops of Tenth Corps out of the Hungnam port. Well, the Seventh Division is now safely aboard ship. The 49th was the last outfit of the Seventh to be relieved and I flew the last mission flown by the Seventh Division. That was this morning. When I came down the mechanics took the wings off and we loaded the airplane (Dare’s plane) on a 2 1/2 ton truck and we moved on down to the docks and loaded aboard ship at two o’clock or thereabouts. The reason I said Dare’s plane is that I don’t have one since I cracked up mine. I’m hoping to get a new L-19 (a new model) before long.
I hear that we will land at Pusan and probably start back up again. I know how you worry, darling, but I’m asking you not to. I’m in good health and my morale is high believe it or not.
Excerpt from letter to Jim's wife, Hitto, December 20, 1950
Copyright © 2000-2003 Ravnhaus Press. All rights reserved.
More of Major Stegall Memoirs
Laision Pilot for the 7th Infantry Division, Korea 1950-1951
Invasion at Salerno and Beyond
Major Stegall's Memoirs now available in print!
Links