War: Kilroy Again

U.S. Negro troops last week scored the first sizable American ground victory of the Korean war, and incidentally provided an answer to the Communist charge that Americans were warring against the “colored” races of Asia. The Negroes were men of the famed 24th Infantry Regiment.

The 24th captured Yechon, an important rail town on the U.S. right flank, 6 miles northeast of Taejon. Yechon fell after a 16-hour battle that started when the Negro G.I.s moved out under a barrage of mortar and artillery fire in the afternoon. They advanced steadily throughout the night, finally entered the burning town at dawn next day.

Yechon was deserted save for enemy dead in the streets and a few snipers on housetops. A razorback sow and six little pigs scurried across the street and into the quarters of the Korean Young Men’s Association. The G.I.s were unimpressed with their prize. “Let’s get out of here and move north,” said one. Another clearly and carefully chalked a legend on a wall. It read: “Kilroy is back.”