Robert Carter, a member of the Osan American High School Junior ROTC program, moves one of four wreaths that were placed during the Hill 180 ceremony Feb. 9. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Jason Epley)
by Senior Airman Brok McCarthy
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
2/16/2007 - OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNEWS) -- Osan held its annual remembrance ceremony for the Hill 180 "Battle of Bayonet Hill" Feb. 9.
The crowd of 200 people included distinguished guests such as Lt. Gen. David Valcourt, 8th Army commander, and Larry Lyons from the Pacific Area Veterans of Foreign Wars.
It was here 56 years ago that nine soldiers from the 27th Infantry Division "Wolfhounds" died from fighting a bayonet charge up Hill 180 against the enemy.
"We stand on ground hallowed by the heroic actions of many great men," said Brig. Gen. Joe Reynes, 51st Fighter Wing commander.
"Like other memorials, we cannot dedicate ... we cannot consecrate ... we cannot hallow this ground anymore," General Reynes said. "Instead, it is our duty to ensure that we do not forget the sacrifice of those great men and continue to honor their memory through our selfless devotion to duty and service. It is by that dedication to service that we best honor their devotion, courage and sacrifice, as they helped provide our freedoms."
The events included a wreath-placing ceremony, a rifle salute by the United Nations Command Honor Guard and a flyover by two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and an F-16 Fighting Falcon in a missing-man formation.
