"The Korean War caught the United States almost totally unprepared. Demobilization after World War II had been almost complete, and the American armed forces had to quickly call up a vailable veterans, including National Guard and Reservists, both individually and units. America was indeed faced with a dire emergency. The American 24th Division was quickly sent from occupation duty in Japan to Korea. That unit was woefully undermanned, undertrained, and poorly equipped. The 24th was quickly pushed aside, and the armored columns of North Korea pushed deep into South Korea. Other unites were rushed to the battlefield, as they became available. Among the units mobilized for the war was Oklahoma's 45th Thunderbird Division, which had made a brilliant name for itself in the European battles of World War II. Many of the soldiers who served in Europe as Thunderbirds rallied to the call for Korean duty in September of 1950, along with three other National Guard Divisions. Thousands of young Oklahomans "went with the men they knew" in the 45th, and left their families, jobs, and homes, to answer the call of their country. The 45th was the first of the four National GUard Divisions to go overseas. The division was shipped from New Orleans through the Panama Canal, to land on the northernmost Japanese island of Hokkaido, where they trained in dust, snow, and ice for what lay ahead in Korea. In December 1951, the Thunderbirds arrived in Korea and entered combat once again. This book recounts the experiences of the author, batter executive officeer and later battery commander of "B" Battery, 171st Field Artillery Battalion, 45th Division Artillery, at Old Baldy, T-Bone Mountain, Porkchop Hill, and elsewhere in the icy hell of Korea. Although the Thunderbirds' wry humor shines through to lighten the memories of their sacrifices, the story is a bittersweet one, commemorating the service and sacrifices of brave young men in a harsh and hard-fought war."--Publisher's description

Maps on lining paper. Includes index.

The retreads return -- The Panama Canal -- Home in Hokkaido -- Frozen chosen -- Old baldy -- Too many rats -- The coldest task -- Our favorite leader -- The artillery war -- The regulars take over -- The Piper Laurie caper -- A tank was sunk -- An unlucky ally -- Railroad tracks -- Asleep at the wheel -- White Horse Mountain -- An unforgettable friend -- Armed with discards -- A quiet hero -- Humor at the front -- Winning a deadly duel -- One leak too many -- The crater -- A new friend -- A narrow escape -- Correcting an ancient mistake -- A Thunderbird hero -- The home front -- My brother's keeper -- Things get tougher -- Back to the land of the rising sun -- A matter of conscience -- Setting the record straight -- The bug out boogie -- Korean military justice -- The unlikely connection -- Back to Uncle Sugar -- The Thunderbird tradition -- What was accomplished.