Hold the line atop Old Baldy

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

The Korean War had been raging for over a year. It has swept the peninsula from the Yalu River to the port of Pusan. In 1951 it was now fought to a standstill returning near the original borders. Peace talks had begun at the village of Panmunjun. If a truce was declared, the border would be determined by current troop positions. Communist and United Nations troops were trying to capture one more hill before peace was declared.

The U.S. Army’s 45th Infantry Division held a position near the village of Yeoncheon. It was under direct view from a Chinese artillery observation post on Hill 266. On June 6, 1952, The 45th attacked it with an artillery barrage and air bombardment. All the trees were blown from the mountaintop earning its name “Old Baldy.” US troops then assaulted the hilltop and captured it. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Joseph Hillis from Poplar Bluff led his platoon to the top. They fortified Old Baldy planning to keep it. The Chinese immediately launched over twenty counter attacks and bombardments both day and night. All were ferocious and unsuccessful. The next hilltop over was suffering the same fate. It was known as “Pork Chop Hill.”

During a lull in fighting SFC Hillis wrote a very poignant letter home. He wrote: “Dear Folks, We’ve been having it pretty rough in these positions. We were practically shaking hands with them all the time. We were hit every day by mortars and patrols three times. We were alerted every night expecting a large attack. That’s hard on nerves and I ain’t kidding. I’ve saw all the combat I care to see. If they say I can go one foot to the rear I’ll take it. That’s just one foot farther between me and the Chinese. And don’t let people tell you they are dumb, they’re plenty smart.”

A month later SFC Hillis unit was relieved by the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division. He survived and eventually came home. Old Baldy was continuously attacked for another year. The Chinese eventually captured Old Baldy and possessed it when the cease fire was declared. It now rests inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the North Korean side.

SFC Hillis uniform with its 45th Infantry “Thunderbird” patch is on display in the Korean War exhibit in Kanell Hall of the Poplar Bluff Museum. His letter can also be viewed.

The Museum is handicap accessible and open every Sunday free of charge from 1pm to 4pm at 1010 Main Street, Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.