Utah National Guard

Utah National Guard

2 days ago

This year marks the 75th anniversary of a defining moment in the history of the Utah National Guard’s 213th Armored Field Artillery Battalion. During the Korean War, the battalion found itself exposed and outnumbered in the Gapyeong Valley, yet its soldiers refused to break under impossible odds.

In May 1951, during the communist spring offensive, IX Corps launched “Task Force Spoiler” to regain lost ground. On May 23, United Nations forces advanced into the Valley, supported by the 213th. Over three days, the battalion fired thousands of artillery rounds in support of the offensive, but the rapid advance left the unit dangerously exposed.

Recognizing the threat, Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Frank Dalley ordered his men to dig in, distribute extra ammunition, and prepare for attack, warning them, “No one sleeps tonight.”

In the early hours of May 27, a Chinese regiment nearly 4,000 strong attempted to break out of the canyon and ran directly into the waiting artillerymen of the 213th.

Soldiers from Headquarters Battery and Battery A, quickly established defensive positions and engaged the enemy with small arms and direct fire from their self-propelled howitzers. Fierce fighting, including hand-to-hand combat, continued through the night, but the 213th held its ground against overwhelming numbers. The battalion is estimated to have killed more than 100 enemy soldiers and wounded more than 200 while suffering no significant friendly casualties.

At dawn, Capt. Ray Cox led a combat patrol up the canyon using an M-7 self-propelled artillery gun as a makeshift tank. The patrol destroyed enemy positions and helped force the remaining Chinese troops to surrender under relentless artillery fire.

The actions of the 213th resulted in the capture of 831 enemy prisoners and hundreds of enemy casualties. Though many soldiers were injured, every member of the battalion returned home. For its extraordinary courage and determination at Gapyeong, the 213th was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation.

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