On this day in 1950

JULY 20, 1950

African-American troops of the U.S. Army’s 24th Infantry Regiment began the 16-hour offensive that enabled them to recapture Yechon, South Korea. For the U.S. forces, it marked the first South Korean city restored to friendly hands.

Formed in 1869, the regiment had already played an important role in history, taking part in the important Battle of San Juan Hill in 1898. Despite their important victory in the Korean War, the regiment continued to battle prejudice and doubts among Army leaders.

Army Pfc.William Thompson stymied an enemy attack while his platoon withdrew to safety. He died later from his wounds, becoming the first of two Congressional Medals of Honor to African-American soldiers in the Korean War. The second came when the regiment’s Sgt. Cornelius H. Charlton took over command of his platoon after its officer was killed and led repeated successful assaults against protected enemy positions.

Although Army officials continued to ignore or discount such success, South Korean officials honored the regiment with its Presidential Unit Citation.

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