The Korean War: Banks of the Naktong

​

The opening months of the Korean War had been hard on the 1st Cavalry Division as they engaged in a fighting retreat to the Naktong River. The river was the final line between the UN forces and the sea, now remembered as the Pusan Perimeter. They were dark days of ruthless fighting and hardship on the Perimeter as Morton recalled in an interview. Morton arrived on the frontline with a trainload of fresh replacements from the States, all slated to form a third battalion for each of the 1st Cavalry Division's regiments, just as September began. He was assigned as a platoon leader to K Company, 7th Cavalry Regiment. 

​

The 7th Cavalry Regiment was assigned to a stretch of mountainous terrain east of the main highway leading to the temporary South Korean capital of Taegu. General Hobart "Hap" Gay, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, was ordered by 8th Army commander Walton Walker to attack and tie up North Korean forces along the division's front line. The attack would focus on Hills 518 and 346. However, this diversionary attack along the front would turn into a proactive defensive move upon the surrender of North Korean General Kim Song Jun, who revealed that 9,000 North Korean soldiers were preparing an all-out assault on the 1st Cavalry Division. General Gay, with the newfound information on the enemy, ordered the 7th Cavalry Regiment to engage the North Koreans and seize Hill 518.

​

Hill 518 was a towering mountain, dotted with small trees and brush, situated close to the  Naktong's lazy banks. Nearly all of the divisional artillery, as well as air support, hit Hill 518 on the morning of September 2nd, preparing it for the assault. Napalm, artillery, mortars, and conventional aerial munitions pounded the enemy positions in hopes of dislodging them from their defenses. Routes up the landmass devolved from supporting company-sized columns scaling the heights to mere squads. 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (1/7 Cav) headed the assault but failed at taking the objective, instead of rotating off the mountain with 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (3/7 Cav). 3/7 Cav headed up the hill on September 3rd, meeting the same result as 1/7 Cav. During the assault, then Lt. Morton distinguished himself in combat. While leading the Heavy Weapons Platoon of K Company, he moved his men to assist scattered elements of F Company, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Morton laid down effective fire on enemy-held positions while leading three separate assaults against the North Koreans, being shot during one of them. For his actions on Hill 518, he received the Silver Star Medal and his first Purple Heart.

​

During the assault, then Lt. Morton distinguished himself in combat. While leading the Heavy Weapons Platoon of K Company, he moved his men to assist scattered elements of F Company, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Morton laid down effective fire on enemy-held positions while leading three separate assaults against the North Koreans, being shot during one of them. For his actions on Hill 518, he received the Silver Star Medal and his first Purple Heart.

​

Despite the valor of Morton and the other members of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, they would not take the hill that day. The North Korean 3rd Division had begun offensive actions against the 7th Cavalry's line, resulting in General Gay ordering a general withdrawal on September 5th to be carried out the following night. It was during this time that Lt. Morton transferred to F Company, 7th Cavalry Regiment, most likely due to a loss of a platoon leader during the assault on Hill 518. The 2nd Battalion had stayed put on the front line before being ordered to engage Hills 380 and 464 to secure high ground for a new defensive line. However, this was a short-lived offensive as they soon were retreating towards Taegu. Harrassed by enemy tanks and mortars, the 2nd Battalion lost two tanks and many men, including both Battalion Commander Major Omar Hitchner and his S-3 Captain James Miliam. The battalion was pinned down on the base of Hill 380 without proper rations or enough ammunition. On the night of September 6th, Morton led his platoon away from Hill 380, which was expertly recorded in General Uzal Ent's book "Fighting on the Brink Defense of the Pusan Perimeter."

​

"The dark skies above the men began to let forth small drops of rain, illustrating the dark days of the Pusan Perimeter. His Platoon was little more than a squad after months of marching across the peninsula and fighting tooth and nail with the Communists. Morton's platoon was the rear guard for the rest of the battalion to withdraw off the hill and back to friendly lines. F Company began to move out at 8 PM  but the rear guard failed to move out until well after 10 PM. Morton found his platoon alone, cut off, and surrounded by the North Koreans. The enemy was so close, they could hear them speaking to one another. He ordered his right-hand man, Sergeant John Almacy III, to go down the trail to locate the rest of the company. Morton's men were "bushed and nervous... [but] maintained discipline...." Almacy returned sometime later, his face dirty and his body tied. "Lieutenant," he announced, "there is nobody ahead of me. I don't know where the column went!"

​

With this news in hand, Morton led his men towards the 77th Field Artillery Battalion, moving the men through some of the roughest ground along the Naktong and the Pusan Perimeter. They climbed straight up and down the hills and valleys, carrying two wounded men with them. At 1:30 AM on September 7th, the platoon had 25 men, marching in the rain until reaching friendly lines. For his leadership, Lieutenant Morton earned the Bronze Star Medal for Valor."