John Reddin

10Dec1928 – 2Sep1951

Edison Days

John attended but did not graduate from Edison. No documentation of his time at Edison has been found to date.

Military Service

Rank: Private First Class

Branch: United States Army

Unit: Company L – 3rd Battalion – 17th Infantry Regiment – 7th Infantry Division

John was inducted into the Army on 1Dec1950. He attended basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas.

He was sent to Korea in June 1951.

In late August 1951, the 7th Infantry Division conducted limited attacks to consolidate positions around Chup’a-ri. Hill 851, a strategic height overlooking supply routes and approaches to the Han River valley was a focal point. The 17th Infantry Regiment, alongside the 31st Infantry Regiment, had recently secured nearby Hill 1010. However, Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (PVA) forces launched a severe counterattack to reclaim the high ground.

The assault on Hill 851 began on September 1 and intensified into September 2. The 17th Infantry’s companies, likely including elements of the 3rd Battalion, repelled waves of PVA infantry supported by artillery and mortars. Soldiers fought in close quarters combat amid steep slopes, trenches, and poor weather, using small arms, grenades, and supporting fire from attached artillery.

The regiment suffered heavily, with the 17th and 31st Infantry Regiments together losing 61 men killed in action (KIA) over the two days. Dozens more were wounded.

John was killed in action on 2Sep1951, 1 of 61 men to die in the battle.

Despite the ferocity, the counterattack was blunted, allowing UN forces to hold Hill 851 and stabilize the line.

John’s body was return to the United States for burial at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Erin Corner, Wisconsin.