Career Kenneth R. Shadrick

on night of june 25, 1950, 10 divisions of north korean army launched full-scale invasion of south korea. advancing 89,000 men in 6 columns, north koreans caught disorganized, ill-equipped, , unprepared south korean army surprise , routed them. north korean forces destroyed isolated resistance, pushing steadily down peninsula against opposing 38,000 front-line south korean men. majority of south korean forces retreated in face of invasion, , june 28 north koreans had captured southern capital, seoul, , forced government , shattered forces withdraw southward.

meanwhile, united nations security council voted send assistance collapsing country , u.s. president harry s. truman ordered ground troops country. u.s. forces in far east had been steadily decreasing since end of world war ii, 5 years earlier, , shadrick s division closest warzone. under command of major general william f. dean, division understrength , of equipment antiquated due reductions in military spending. in spite of these deficiencies division ordered south korea, tasked taking initial shock of north korean advances until rest of eighth united states army arrive , establish defense.

dean s plan airlift 1 battalion of 24th infantry division south korea via c-54 skymaster transport aircraft , block advancing north korean forces while remainder of division transported on ships. 21st infantry regiment identified combat-ready of 24th infantry division s 3 regiments, , 21st infantry s 1st battalion selected because commander, lieutenant colonel charles b. smith, experienced, having commanded battalion @ battle of guadalcanal during world war ii. on july 5, task force smith engaged north korean forces @ battle of osan, delaying 5,000 north korean infantry 7 hours before being defeated. 540-man force suffered 60 killed, 21 wounded , 82 captured, heavy casualty rate. in chaos of retreat, of bodies left behind, , fates of many of missing unknown several weeks.

during time, 34th infantry regiment set line between villages of pyongtaek , ansong, 10 miles (16 km) south of osan, fight next delaying action against advancing north korean forces. 34th infantry regiment unprepared fight, few soldiers experienced in combat. @ time, shadrick part of m9a1 bazooka team 1st battalion, 34th infantry.