“I have one criticism of Negro Troops who fought under my command in the Korean War. They didn’t send me enough of them.”
—General Douglas MacArthur13
“Americans are a different breed of cats from others, they have a sense of responsibility, pride, integrity, ability, that the Negro does not possess.”
—General Edward M. Almond14
When the 2d Ranger Company arrived in Korea, the CCF Intervention, which began on 3 November 1950, was in its third month. The company’s first assignment was to protect an important rail line running through central Korea at Tanyang Pass. This rail line allowed essential supplies to travel to the UN forces (specifically, IX Corps units) fighting farther north. Those units were battling to halt the Communist Chinese forces that were attempting to push UN forces off the peninsula and bring South Korea under complete Communist domination.
Before the trip to Tanyang Pass, 2d Ranger Company made some personnel promotions. Private Joseph L. Bruce, Jr., was promoted to Private First Class, and seven enlisted men—Thomas M. Burse, Norman H. Collins, Curtis Courts, Lester L. Garland, Walter S. “Ironhead” Gray, Ellsworth Harris, and Lawrence “Poochie” Williams—who were still listed as Ranger recruits, were promoted to Private (E-2). These were the first promotions made under combat conditions. The CO could promote men up to Private First Class. Most of 2d Ranger Company’s promotions were made on 7th Division special orders. Although the company failed to take full advantage of the liberal promotion policy allowing troops to get promoted after thirty days of satisfactory action in a TO&E slot, promotions still worked out rather well, except for a few men who were already at the top of their TO&E positions.
At 0730 hours 5 January, the Company boarded trucks and moved north to Changnim-ni. The unit arrived about 1000 hours after traveling a distance of forty miles. The unit was assigned a perimeter around the 17th Regimental Aid Station and just north of Tanyang Pass. At this time the Army was so short of doctors that the two surgeons assigned to the 17th Regimental Aid Station were Navy doctors on detached service from a Navy cruiser off the east coast of Korea. The Rangers’ mission was to provide protection for the aid station, provide security on the northern flank of the MP outpost, and hunt down guerillas in the area who could raid the MSR. The company immediately took up position and platoon-sized patrols were sent out within a one-half to one-mile radius. The rules were no movement outside the perimeter, and no vehicle travel after dark except for strict, pre-authorized travel with specific route and time designations.
On the night of 6 January, 2d Ranger Company was in position in a small village known as Changnim-ri, just south of Tanyang Pass. At this time the company was assigned the mission of guarding the northern end of Tanyang Pass, which was a choke point on the MSR to the central front and the X Corps. When the Rangers arrived there, they were immediately sent out on patrols into the surrounding hills. Captain Allen and Lieutenant Queen reported to the 17th CP for a briefing. Their jeep, driven by Corporal Lester Garland, also carried Sergeant Lanier, Communications Chief, who radioed back to the aid station and the company. Nonetheless, when returning after dark, they were fired upon by the northernmost outpost. Luckily no one was hit, and everyone learned a lesson about movement in the combat zone and the importance of clear communication with outpost personnel.
Sergeant Herman “Cat Eyes” Jackson, 3d Squad Leader of 1st Platoon (under the command of 1st Lieutenant Bernard “Eyes” Pryor and Sergeant First Class James E. “Cigarette” Freeman) was assigned an outpost position with half of his squad. Jackson and his men had come in from patrolling the mountains and were very tired from the climb. The Rangers always made a point of patrolling from the highest point, so that if attacked they would have the tactical advantage of being on the highest ground. This location not only gave them a better view, but also provided a clear field of fire.