Colonel John P. Geraci

(1925 to 1996)

And the

3rd Bn (Abn) 506th Infantry

 

“A Soldier’s Soldier”

 

By David Rattee

(Historian, Task Force 3rd Bn 506th Airborne Infantry Association)

 

Part Two – From Student Officer to Hill 856 Korea

 

Call to Active Duty

For Christmas 1948 the US Army sent John Philip Geraci his call up papers and from 1st January 1949 he was a Second Lieutenant, Infantry Reserve with orders to attend school.

 

At the outset it was clear that the combat experience that he had gained as a US Marine in the Pacific during WW II was to provide a useful foundation. What may not have been so obvious at the time, was the relevance of the seven days Basic Unit Jungle Training that he had undergone back in 1944 at Kaneohe Bay, Oahu

 

As he arrived for the Special Associate Basic Infantry Officer Course No.2 at Fort Benning in January 1949 it is doubtful that even he could have imagined what the next 20 years would include. Nor that after a varied military career including three tours of duty in Vietnam that he would return to Ft. Benning as Colonel Geraci, Director of the Ranger Department.

 

2nd Lt Geraci graduated from Class No. 2 in April 1949 with the request that he commence his tour of duty on 15 July 1949, if his application was approved. There must have been little doubt as to his suitability for military office and on 12 April 1949 he was appointed Rifle Platoon leader assigned to Company G, 35th Infantry Regiment.

 

In his very first Efficiency Report in June 1949 his previous combat experience as a PVT, PFC and CPL in the US Marines in the Pacific in WW II was noted. He was recommended for further experience as a combat commander up to the level of Company Commander.

 

By April 1950 2nd Lt Geraci was assigned to Company G, 7th Infantry (First Army) at Ft Devens, Mass.

 

Korea

The Korean War started June 25th, 1950 and in August, Geraci received temporary promotion to rank of 1st Lieutenant. He also received his first CIB. Although this was his second time in combat there was no CIB awarded for his WW2 combat experience due to it being with the US Marines.

 

In January 1951 he was leader of a Mortar Platoon, Company H, 2nd Bn. 7th Infantry.

 

Major Thomas J. Cleary Jr., in March 1951 endorsing the Efficiency Report for

1st Lt Geraci wrote;

“I feel that this officer posses an unusual degree of courage skill and leadership. His good sense and humor make him a valuable asset to the battalion during this period of combat. I would classify him as one of the best platoon leaders in the battalion.”

 

It did not take long for subsequent events to prove how prophetic Major Cleary’s endorsement would be.

 

It must be quite exceptional for anyone in the span of only 30 days to receive three awards for gallantry.

 

Yet in the month from 25th April to 25th May, 1951, that is precisely the achievement of  First Lieutenant John P. Geraci with Company “F”, 7th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division in Korea.

 

1st LT Geraci carried out personal actions that saw him awarded first one Silver Star, then a second Silver Star, and then a Bronze Star with Valor device. In addition he received a Purple Heart for wounds received during the first Silver Star action.

 

Three Daring Rescues and Inspiring Courage

On 25 April 1951, near Popsu-dong, Korea, when large numbers of hostile troops had forced Company “F”, 7th Inf. to withdraw slightly, Lieutenant Geraci learned that three wounded men had been left behind and would probably be captured by the enemy.

 

Even though an attempt to cross the exposed terrain was extremely hazardous,

Lt Geraci unhesitatingly began crawling through the bullet-swept area to where the stricken soldiers lay and lifting one wounded soldier, carried the man to a position of safety.

 

Lieutenant Geraci made THREE such daring rescues, even though he was wounded by an enemy shell fragment on the second trip.

 

When he had safely evacuated the men, he efficiently reorganized the company and pressed the attack forward, causing many enemy casualties, before receiving an order for a general withdrawal.

 

The Silver Star citation went on to remark that Lieutenant Geraci’s conspicuous gallantry and inspiring courage reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service.

 

Selfless Gallantry

On 22 May 1951, near Sukso-ri, Korea, Lieutenant Geraci’s Company “F” was occupying defensive positions when it was suddenly subjected to a fierce attack by a numerically superior enemy force.

 

Ignoring the withering enemy fire sweeping the area, Lieutenant Geraci moved from position to position, reassuring his men and giving them valuable instructions.

 

During the fierce engagement, he personally directed the fire of his machine gun and recoilless rifle sections.

 

Lieutenant Geraci’s selfless gallantry materially contributed to the repeated repulsion of the fanatically hostile attackers. This was the action for which he was awarded his second Silver Star, only 27 days after the first.

 

Heroic Actions

Only 3 days later, on 25 May 1951, while attacking well defended enemy positions on Hill 856, Korea, Company “F” was suddenly subjected to withering enemy machine gun fire from the right flank.

 

Fearing that the entire attack would bog down, Lieutenant Geraci courageously braved the intense hostile fire and ran 75 yards to a nearby road where a group of tanks were supporting the attack.

 

After directing the tanks’ fire on the enemy emplacements, he ran back to his forward elements and, continually exposing himself to enemy observation and fire, urged his men to renew the vigor of their assault.

 

Lieutenant Geraci’s actions were officially described as heroic and he was awarded the Bronze Star with “V”.

 

Inspires His Men

With such a distinguished track record in only his third Officer Efficiency Report which was for the period to 5th June 1951, it was fittingly stated that Lt Geraci (Rifle Company Commander, Co. F, 7th Inf.) inspires loyalty, accomplishment and devotion to duty.

 

His Battalion Commander, Thomas J. Cleary Jr., now Lt Colonel Inf., wrote that he considered Lt Geraci to be an outstanding Company Commander in combat.

 

His Regimental Commander, James O. Boswell, Colonel Inf. described Lt. Geraci as an outstanding combat leader who is courageous, resourceful. Furthermore and significantly for the career that was to unfold for Lt Geraci Colonel Boswell his remarked that Lt Geraci inspires his men by his superior leadership.

 

The following month, on 23rd June 1951, Lieutenant Geraci was promoted to Captain (AUS) and by September was at Ft Ord, CA.with a new assignment as Plans & Operations officer for the Advanced Leaders Course, 53rd Field Artillery Battalion.

 

From hereon and across the next 27 years, John P. Geraci’s personal leadership qualities, combat experience, skills as a linguist and interest in the training of soldiers was to take him from Captain to Colonel and from the USA to Europe, South East Asia and Africa.  

 

To be continued ….