The United States First Provisional Marine Brigade's Reconnaissance Company on September 4th 1950 at Pusan, Korea Showing left, background Gunnery Sgt. John W. Slagle Sr. Center is the company's commanding officer Captain Kenneth Houghton and right pointing high into the hills beyond Masan's enemy positions is Gunnery Sgt. Ernest DeFazio. All were Marine veterans with outstanding leadership accomplishments during WWII in the Pacific island campaigns. Photograph courtesy of David Douglas Duncan, Marine photographer with permission to use for the author's book cover "USMC Reconnaissance Company of the Korean War 1950--1953" Dated and signed on December 20, 2004 Mounas-Sartoux, France Photograph courtesy of John (Jack) Slagle Jr. |
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Major General Kenneth J. Houghton who commanded the Detatchment Reconnaissance Company, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade and the 1st Marine Division Headquarters Battalion Reconnaissance Company in Korea as a Captain. On September 19, 1950 Houghton, then a Captain, was wounded and evacuated during a reconnaissance swim under enemy fire while crossing the Han River in the Division’s move to capture Seoul. He was relieved by his Executive Office, 1st Lieutenant Ralph Crossman. |