American citation

Battle honors

6th September 1951

By decision of the President concurrent with the dispositions of the execution order, the following unit is mentioned on the daily order as a public testimonial of deserved honor and distinction.

The Belgian battalion with the Luxemburg detachment of the UN Forces in Korea is mentioned for EXCEPTIONAL execution of its missions and for its REMARKABLE HEROISM in its actions against the enemy on the Imjin, near HANTANGAN, Korea during the period from 20 till 26 April 1951. The Belgian battalion with the Luxemburg detachment ,ONE OF THE SMALLEST UNITS OF THE UN IN KOREA, has inflicted thirty fold losses on the enemy compared to its own, due to its aggressive and courageous actions against the Communist Chinese. When the Chinese troops had succeeded in occupying the positions endangering the liaison with the allied neighboring units, The Belgian battalion with the Luxemburg detachment launched furious counter-attacks with the bayonet. The enemy, surprised by the tenacity of these attacks , withdrew in disorder.

The Belgian battalion with the Luxemburg detachment has shown so much proof of courage, decision and esprit de corps in the accomplishment of its missions during these actions in difficult and hazardous circumstances, that it has to be placed ABOVE ANY OTHER UNITS participating in these actions.
The extraordinary courage shown by the members of this units during this period has bestowed extraordinary honor on their country and on themselves.

By order of
General VAN FLEET
Henri I HODES

Major general, US Army

Chief of Staff

Leutenant-Kol VIVARIO
receive at 6th sept 1951
a medal from
General US VAN FLEET

Korean Citation

Presidential Unit Citation

SYNGMAN RHEE
President South-Korea

01 maart 1952

The President of Korea takes great pleasure in awarding the Presidential Unit Citation " to the Belgian Battalion and the Luxemburg Detachment Volunteers for Korea of the armed Forces of the UNITED NATIONS COMMAND for their exceptional valorous execution of their missions and their remarkable heroism.
These units are mentioned for their remarkable heroism in their actions against the enemy at
THE IMJIN, NEAR HANTANGANG in KOREA during the period from 20 till 26 April 1951. The Belgian battalion have, due to their offensive and courageous actions against the Chinese Communists, inflicted thirty fold greater casualties on the enemy forces, supported by the fire of machine guns, mortars and artillery, launched heavy and repeated attacks on the positions of the Belgian battalion, but these valiantly and repeatedly repelled the fanatic attacks and inflicted considerable losses upon the enemy troops.
After the Chinese communists succeeded in occupying positions which threatened their own communication lines, the Belgian Battalion and the Luxemburg Detachment launched fearless counterattacks with the bayonet. Surprised by the daring of these attacks, the enemy became confused and withdrew in disorder. The Belgians finally withdrew on orders from higher authority, evacuated their wounded, were re-supplied and asked to be put back in line again.
The Belgian Battalion and the Luxemburg Detachment have shown such bravery, determination and esprit de corps in the accomplishment of their missions under extreme difficult circumstances, that they deserve to be put above all other units participating in this action.

The extraordinary courage shown by the members of this units during this period has bestowed extraordinary honor on their country and on themselves.
This citation allows each combatant of the Belgian Battalion and the Luxemburg detachment who participated in the fighting in Korea during the previously mentioned period, the right to wear the ribbon of
" PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION "

Sgd SYNGMAN RHEE
G.Vivario
LtCol PSC
Commandant

At the time of the Imjin battles, the BUNC, numbering 600 men, was attached to the British 29th Brigade and on 20 April 1951 ( 2) relieved the 900 men of the Royal Ulster Rifles in the frontline. Three infantry companies (A, B and the under strength C-company) take up positions on the far right of the Brigade's main line of resistance, in front of the Imjin River. On 22 April increased enemy activity is reported and a patrol of A-company has first contact about 2 kilometers in front of its lines. Promptly it is decided to man a listening post in front of C-company at a point where the enemy could be expected. This post, manned by 1st Sergeant Leyding and a few men, reports enemy movements around 21.30 h at which time B-company also signals enemy attempts to infiltrate. Around midnight C-company is also attacked but the infiltration attempt is stopped and the enemy withdraws temporarily. Attacks on C-company are renewed from 02.00 h onwards but all are repulsed. Around 03.00 h B-company is attacked in its turn but with the aid of mortar fire the enemy is stopped. At 04.00 the enemy renews the attacks on C-company and also charges the positions of B-company with a frontal assault. All attacks are met with determined opposition and both companies maintain their positions. At this point a patrol, lead by Cdt. Poswick and consisting of a platoon from A-company and a MG-section of B-company, is sent out to clear two bridges in the battalion's rear, on its supply route, which are suspected to have been captured by enemy troops that infiltrated through the lines. At daybreak on 23 April, the enemy doubles its attacks on C-company's positions and manages to push back one of the platoons. Its platoon leader is heavily wounded but brought back from no-mans land

. Despite the furious attacks, C-company stands fast. Meanwhile, the patrol sent out to secure the bridges in the rear, finds them to be controlled by the Chinese. A determined attempt to clear the area fails and the battalion's supply route is cut. C-company, lead by Lt. Janssens, continues to defend itself heroically . Around noon the BUNC is advised that a retreat will be ordered but is requested to maintain in its position in the line to allow the neighboring 65th Infantry to withdraw first. At 17.15 h the order to withdraw is received and the bulk of the battalion proceeds to extricate itself methodically and to wade across the Imjin River while air strikes with napalm on the abandoned positions screen the retreat. The rolling stock of some 80 vehicles, covered by two platoons of tanks sent up for the purpose, take the road across the bridges which are still under enemy control and succeed to make their withdrawal without loss of life. As night falls, the entire battalion is safely installed in its rear area.

The other units of the 29th Brigade's had also been under very heavy attacks and were slowly withdrawing from their original lines. In order to protect the retreat of these units, the roads east and west of the Kamak-San mountains were vital. As soon as the BUNC companies were re-supplied, the battalion - though depleted - announced its readiness to return to the lines shortly after noon on 24 April. Positions on Hill 340 near Sinsan-Ni were taken up covering the junction of both roads. That night only skirmishes with enemy patrols are reported.

In the morning of 25 April, however, intense enemy activity is reported on the western road by a patrol of A-company and a devastating barrage of mortar fire is directed on these enemy units. Shortly after, however, orders are received to retreat and take up new positions near Hansansang-Ni to cover the withdrawal of the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Royal Ulster Rifles. B-company is detached for the protection of the Brigade's Command Post but a troop of 3 Centurion tanks is attached to the battalion in return. Around 12.30 h the enemy takes up positions on Hill 191 and directs heavy fire on the battalion. Shortly after, at about 13.00 h, C-company's position is plastered with artillery and it withdraws south of the road. Around 14.00 h the Ulsters and Northumberlands have sufficiently retreated for the BUNC to receive their withdrawal order and while fighting rearguard actions the battalion slowly retreats. The battalion will finally regroup at Tokchong at 17.00 h and take up positions covering the road to Seoul until replaced in the line at midnight.

In the course of these battles, the 29th Brigade, attached to the US 3rd Division, was attacked by the Chinese 63th Army consisting of 3 divisions, each about 8,000 strong. The Brigade, some 4,000 strong, thus faced a 6-fold enemy majority. The allies eventually halted the Chinese offensive and counterattacks drove the enemy back to their original positions north of the Imjin River.

1)Book "The Belgians in Korea" (look in bibliographies).

(2) During those operations lieutenant P.BEAUPREZ was killed in action by a mine and was the first Belgian soldier killed in Korea. A few days later Private F.ROTTIERS was also killed in action

1st Sergeant LEIDING (US Silver Star): "In command of an advanced listening post, 1500 meters in front of our lines, he was encircled by the enemy at night on 23 April north of the Imjin River. Despite artillery fire he continued to signal enemy movements for several hours. When communications broke, he continued to hold his position in the enemy lines throughout the night, repulsing five enemy attacks. At dawn, he rejoined the battalion and reported back with his men to his already strongly depleted company. During his highly successful mission, he showed great calmness and leadership."

Chaplain Vander Goten and 2nd Lieutenant doctor Derom

The platoon CO, Lt. Verhaegen, was found and returned to the lines by Chaplain Vandergoten and 2nd Lt. Derom who were both mentioned on the battalion's Order of the Day for their bravery. Also mentioned were four members of the Luxembourg platoon for their part in this operation :: "Sergeant Franck, Private Wennmacher, Corporal Morres and Private Morgiel, (Luxembourg's platoon) sent to reinforce the severely compressed C-company, took part in two counterattacks which lead to close combat. They occupied the furthest advanced positions and defended these till the withdrawal of C-company and its successful extrication."
Citations for the Hosdain patrol, A-company : the effort to clear the bridges of enemy control stranded after crossing the first bridge (across the Imjin River). The Chinese opposition (estimated to be several hundreds of Chinese) forced the patrol to withdraw. For this action the following citations were awarded :
Citations for the Hosdain patrol, A-company : the effort to clear the bridges of enemy control stranded after crossing the first bridge (across the Imjin River). The Chinese opposition (estimated to be several hundreds of Chinese) forced the patrol to withdraw. For this action the following citations were awarded :: 2nd Lieutenant Hosdain US Bronze Star; "Charged with a difficult patrol south of the Imjin River, he conducted it with determination and coolness under fire from a numerous and close enemy. Deliberately maintained his position under enemy fire to enable and cover the withdrawal of his men and returned his two wounded section chiefs to our lines." The award made was the War Cross with palm (25-08-51) and he would also receive the US Bronze Star with "V" device.
: Sergent Gilbert, section commander -; "Has completed a series of missions, without pause, between 06.00 h and 18.00 h, first while patrolling with his platoon, later during the operations for the extraction of C-company and whilst covering its withdrawal. Continuously under enemy fire, he never ceased to display a perfect calmness and bravery, thereby causing heavy casualties being inflicted on the enemy."
: Private Pallemans; "Whilst retreating through the Imjin River and while the river was under strong enemy fire, he assisted a comrade on the verge of being drowned and being taken towards the enemy by the river. He brought him to the river bank and helped him to reach our lines, crossing the beach that lay under enemy fire." The award made was the Military Decoration 2nd class, with palm (25-08-51).; Private Degand; "Leader of a Bren-group, he covered the withdrawal till all ammunition was depleted, all the time firing from a position on the enemy bank, close to the enemy and under well aimed enemy fire. Missing in action whilst the last of the patrol members waded through the river."; Private Degand's body was later found, executed by the Chinese, during the Allied counteroffensive in May. He was posthumously awarded the Knight class of the Order of Leopold II with palm and the War Cross with palm (12-12-51).

Lieutenant P.J. Janssens, C.O. C-company, US Silver Star: "Commanded his company with valor and coolness. With four men of his company he executed a counterattack with bayonets to recapture an enemy position defended by a machine gun. All five were injured during this action. On the death of Lt. Beauprez he took over command of C-company and immediately had full control over it; has in all circumstances displayed a great calmness, courage and determination and especially so during the attack on Hill 191 during the night of 22-23 March. Has, during the actions of 22-23 April, repulsed more than 7 attacks on his positions and when the enemy had entered these, has lead a counterattack with some of his men, with bayonets; was injured during this action and remained in command of his company until relieved."

Sergeant Van Damme's Bronze Star: "For heroism on 23 April 1951 near Idong, Korea. During the night of 22 April Sergeant First Class Van Damme, as Supply Sergeant of Company C, succeeded in keeping his company furnished with critically needed ammunition. He also personally evacuated five wounded comrades to the aid station while under severe enemy automatic weapons fire. Sergeant Van Damme's example of valor during this action was inspirational to all the men around him and reflects great credit on him, his country, and the United Nations Forces fighting in Korea."
Lieutenant Count de Brouchoven de Bergeyck, C-company's second-in-command
Lieutenant Count de Brouchoven de Bergeyck, C-company's second-in-command: "When, on 25 April at Hasan-Sang-Ni, his company covered the withdrawal of the battalion, he was the last to leave the positions and, with great coolness, kept the enemy under control and thus enabled the extraction of his unit"
2nd Lieutenant Wolfs ( owner of the US silver star)
2nd Lieutenant Wolfs ( owner of the US silver star): "Sent to reinforce C-company on 23 April north of the Imjin River, (he) participated in a counterattack with bayonets by the company commander and some men of the company. On 25 April, at Hansan-Sang-Ni, while his company covered the withdrawal of the battalion, he positioned himself, on his own initiative on the most vulnerable spot. Twice wounded while he manned a Bren gun, he only withdrew after having been formally and repeatedly ordered to do so. He was wounded a third time during the retreat. This officer has shown, during those days, extraordinary valour and bravery."

*CABUY F.*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN (IDONG-NI)*
*CLAES A.*	*Sgt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN (IDONG-NI)*
*CLAEYS P.*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN ( MAP-ORI)*
*CORNETTE R.*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN ( MAP-ORI)*
*DEGAND A.*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN ( MAP-ORI)*
*DEGROOTE L.*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN ( IDONG-NI)*
*DUMONT L.*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN (MAP-ORI)*
*HENROT L.*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN (MAP-ORI)*
*LEMOUCHE G*	*1Sgt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN (MAP-ORI)*
*MASSET A*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN (MAP-ORI)*
*PIETERS M*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN (MAP-ORI)*
*VAN DE PUTTE R*	*Sdt*	*23/04/51*	*IMJIN (MAP-ORI)*