On July 1, 1950, Eighth Army ordered the 24th Division to airlift two reinforced rifle companies to Pusan. On the same day, the first members of Task Force Smith, consisting of the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, and 130 infantrymen augmented by antitank teams, arrived in the port city. The next day they were joined by B and C Companies, 75 millimeter recoilless rifle platoons from D and M companies, two platoons from Heavy Mortar Company, the 1st Battalion�s Headquarters Co., and A Battery of the 52nd Field Artillery Battalion. This small party climbed aboard trains in Pusan and moved north. On the train the young, 32 year old, Task Force Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Charles B. Smith, opened his orders. They read simply: "When reaching Taejon, move north . . . stop them where you find them."
Courtesy of the 24th Infantry Division Association |
