CHAPTER CHATTER
The Official Newsletter of the
Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313
Korean War Veterans Association
TAPS
Marine PFC. Hector A. Cafferata, Jr., who earned the Medal of Honor at the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, died April 12 at the age of 86.
Hector Cafferata
Cafferata was a rifleman with Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division, on Nov. 28, 1950. More than 10,000 Chinese troops had surrounded Gen. MacArthur's UN forces at the Chosin Reservoir, including 8,000 from the Marine Division. On a frozen, rocky promontory, the 230 or so marines of Company F had
been assigned to protect the Toktong Pass, a narrow escape route through the Nangnim Mountains.
The other members of Cafferata's fire team became casualties at the pass during the initial phase of "a vicious attack launched by a fanatical enemy of regimental strength agains his company's position." With temperatures hovering around 30 below zero, the lone warrior rushed from his hooch wearing little more than a light jacket. Armed with grenades and a rifle, he squared off against relentless fire from automatic weapons, rifles, grenades and mortars. When the smoke cleared, Cafferata had killed at least 15 of the enemy, wounded countless more, and forced those who remained to flee.
Enemy reinforcements arrived in the morning and a grenade landed in the shallow entrenchment in which wounded Marines found cover. The 21-year-old braved the gunfire, grabbed the grenade, and threw it clear of his fellow Marines. Cafferata's right hand and arm were seriously wounded in the explosion. Despite his intense pain, he continued to fight until struck by a sniper's bullet.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry S. Truman at a White House ceremony on November 24, 1952. (He was not a member of our Chapter, however, he deserves our recognition.)
FROM THE CHAPLAIN
ally, we don't hear about a member in need until the need is over. We ask that you help by telling us as soon as you hear of someone who is sick, or in the hospital especially if you are the one in need. My thanks go out to the members of the committee! They are doing an excellent job!
We were very pleased to see James Berry at our last meeting, but since he cannot be with us very often, please give him a call from time-to-time and let him know we are thinking of him. He is still with his daughter in Ruckersville. James may be reached on his cell phone at 540-533-2000.
Raleigh Watson, Chaplain
For those of you who may not know, the Chaplain/Membership Service Committee provides services to our comrades who need our prayers, visits, and other contacts such as a phone call now and then. We are functioning very well in that regard, but occassion-
Rev. Raleigh Watson
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:
Don Jones
Paul Campbell
Lew Ewing
John Moreland
Muriel Simanek
Alfred Carter
Tom Wiseman
Paul Bombardier
John Staples
Joe Dodd
Raymond Carter
Ed Clevenger
May 4, 1929
May 6, 1933
May 8, 1934
May 10, 1930
May 11, 1926
May 13, 1930
May 13, 1931
May 14, 1932
May 17, 1936
May 24, 1950
May 25, 1929
May 30, 1928
"Laws are spider webs through which big flies pass and the little ones get caught."
French Novelist & Playwright - Honore DeBalzac.