The 64th Memorial Ceremony in honor of Task Force Smith was held July 3 at the United Nations Forces First Battle Memorial, Osan, South Korea.
Task Force Smith was the first U.S. combat unit to encounter North Korean forces during the Korean War. The task force came from Japan via air and was composed of 540 U.S. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, and 52nd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. It was named after its commander, Lt. Col. Charles B. Smith.
With over 5,000 North Korean infantrymen and 34 tanks, Task Force Smith was vastly outnumbered during the Battle of Osan, July 5, 1950. The task force fought for several hours and then withdrew to Daejon. They lost 60 men, 21 were wounded and 82 captured during the Battle of Osan.
"What they were able to accomplish with what they had was quite frankly, miraculous," Eighth Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux said. Task Force Smith succeeded in delaying the enemy and preventing a large scale attack, according to Champoux. "Every loss of life was a step toward freedom gained, and each sacrifice that was made laid the path for the prosperity of today," he said.
Osan mayor Kwak Sang-wook and Gyeonggi Province governor Nam Kyung-pil both expressed gratitude in their memorial address for the sacrifices the U.S. Soldiers made. "As long as the Republic of Korea is on this planet, the members of Task Force Smith and their noble sacrifices will always be remembered in our hearts," Nam said.
Four members of Task Force Smith attended the ceremony. "I'm just feeling heart-felt appreciation," said Norman Matthews, Task Force Smith survivor. In this forgotten war it is nice to know that at least here, we have not been forgotten."
Osan city is planning to make a memorial park at the battle site with 540 trees representing the individual Task Force Smith members.
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