By Marie Hughes

Following closely on the heels of World War II was the Korean War, sometimes referred to as “the forgotten war.” On September 2, 1945, Japan signed a declaration of surrender, bringing to an end World War II in the Pacific Theater. It was at this time that the peninsula of Korea was officially divided into two occupation zones at the 38th parallel with the Soviet Union occupying the northern half and the United Stated the Southern half. This was to be a temporary situation until such a time as the Korean people were deemed capable of self-rule. Due to many extenuating circumstances, including the onset of the Cold War, and opposition of the Korean people to the trusteeship, the initial framework eventually failed and the question of the fate of Korea was handed over to the United Nations to find an acceptable solution. When they failed to meet the expectations of the Soviet Union, the United Nations supervised an election in U.S. occupied Korea with Syngman Rhee winning the election. Kim II Sung became the leader of Soviet-controlled Northern Korea. Both leaders locked horns with each claiming sovereignty over the whole Korean peninsula, a conflict that culminated with North Korea invading South Korea on June 20, 1950, in an attempt to re-unify the peninsula under communist control. During the Korean War the North Koreans were supported by China and the Soviet Union while South Korea received its military assistance from the United Nations Command, of which 90% were from the United States. The conflict, which was essentially a war between communism and non-communism, ended in July 1953 and claimed 2.5 million lives. However, it did not end with an end of war peace treaty but an armistice . . . a temporary cease-fire. Both North and South Korea remain in a state of conflict to this day with each claiming to be the legitimate government over the entire Korean peninsula. 

“After my mother left, I was bouncing around . . .  well . . . I wanted to be somebody,” exclaimed Jim. “The Marines, as far as I was concerned, was an elite outfit, and that’s what I wanted to be, it’s a small unit and to me, that’s where heroes are made,” he stated with certainty. Jim graduated from Miami High School in 1950 and promptly made his way to the Marine recruitment center at Parris Island, South Carolina, enlisting on July 31, 1950, a decision that had an undeniable impact on his life. “We were a part of men at arms at a time when our nation needed us. I knew there was a war going on when I enlisted but I loved my nation, and I wanted to be a part of it,” declared Jim from the heart of a true patriot. 

Jim arrived in Korea on the 21st of January 1951, in the dead of winter, part of the 50,000 men who were sent to bolster the troops. After living most of his life in Miami, Florida, he was unprepared for the sub-zero temperatures that greeted him. “The old shoe packs were almost useless, your feet just stayed cold and they got wet,” proclaimed Jim. He was assigned the position of  gunner in Love Battery, 4thBattalion of the 11th Marine regiment, an artillery unit known as the ‘Cannon Cockers.’  In a crew of ten men, Jim was the one who was the trigger man on the M114 155mm Howitzer. The 155 towed howitzer, a key asset for the United Nations forces during the Korean War in the challenging mountainous terrain, had a range of 14,000 meters [8.7 miles]. It was a workhorse providing indirect fire support for both infantry and armored units.

“A young man, especially that age thinks he is invincible, they think they can do anything,” noted Jim, speaking of the men in his battalion. “Most of us were younger men and we liked action. We really thought that we were going to win the war. We created a bond that is just as strong now as it was seventy-five years ago. We would do anything for each other,” declared Jim. 

Prior to Jim’s deployment, the Chinese joined the conflict in support of the North Koreans, causing a pivotal point in the war. Eighty thousand Chinese troops ambushed the U.S. Marines on November 26, 1950, in a surprise attack at the Chosin Reservoir (Chōsen is the Japanese word for Korea), a siege that lasted seven days. The U.S. troops and their allies, unprepared for the sub-zero temperatures, were forced to retreat. Jim and his battalion arrived in the aftermath of this attack which is recorded as one of the worst battles in American history, with the death of 4,500 U.S Marines and nearly 7,000 injuries directly related to the freezing weather.  

It was shortly thereafter that Jim and Love battery joined the conflict. “The wind was blowing, and it was twenty below zero,” recalls Jim. “Now, that is cold,” he exclaimed. As Jim’s battalion was forced towards the front lines any glorified allusions of war he and his comrades might have had were quickly dissipated as optimism faded and reality set in. “We would go through these different little towns, and they would be just leveled. You would see bodies and body parts . . . seeing the carnage . . . seeing the destruction . . . we realized, we were in the war and everybody’s scared to death,” he declared as he recalled the harsh cold truth of daily battles. Jim remembers well fighting against the campaign of the brutal Chinese Spring Offensive near the 38th parallel. 

“They had waves, human waves of people coming at the army and the marines, they’d blow these bugles and yell and start charging, it was awful” he stated, recalling the scope of the enemy. On July 1, 1951, Jim’s battalion, Love Battery, found themselves isolated and taking on a barrage of heavy artillery. “The first thing we knew, there was an explosion over to our right and we knew exactly what was happening . . . we were getting so much incoming. We had to be out there shooting back at the enemy when they were shooting back at us.” The military record of the events on the 3rd of July states, ‘…At approximately 1315 4thbattalion began receiving 76mm enemy artillery from estimated 4 guns. Fire, which was believed to have been observed by enemy, fell in King and Mike with serious damage to one gun in each battery. Forty-five minutes later, heavy fire fell in vicinity of Love. An AO [Aerial Observation] located and adjusted on enemy guns until their fire ceased. One enemy round landed in Love #6 gun pit setting off the powder. The intense heat caused by this fire exploded 10 rounds of WP [White Phosphorus] and 3 rounds of HE [high explosive] sending shell fragments over the entire area. Number 6 gun damaged by this action, and declared unserviceable by the ordinance section. Communication lines between the FDC [Fire directions Center], Love, and 2/11 [2ndbattalion, 11th marines] were knocked out temporarily by enemy fire. This situation did not greatly hamper operations since radios were on standby on all nets as soon as shelling began. Thirteen men of the firing batteries were wounded due to enemy artillery, 6 in King, 6 in Love and 1 in Mike. Nine men were evacuated for further treatment . . . ’  

During the three days of combat that followed, Love battalion lost two of its six guns. The communication system was also knocked out, cutting off all contact with command, thereby leaving each gunner operating blind. “I had to put the new primer in and get ready to fire this gun, we didn’t have time to think about anything except the immediate,” stated Jim acknowledging the seeming hopelessness of the situation. “I was scared,” he confessed with sincerity, “I looked over in the midst of this and I saw these two . . . two lieutenants,” said Jim, losing his composure momentarily as his thoughts drifted back to that moment in time. “They were out there walking around to each gun, encouraging the men, seeing what they needed. Whatever protection I had, they had none,” he stated, still overcome with emotion as he related how they moved fearlessly from gun to gun bringing a measure of calmness in the midst of chaos and fear. Although he only remembered them as Coffeen and Rice, their heroism that day bolstered Jim’s courage and became the catalyst God used to transform him.  He said of them, “They were faithful to their job, faithful to their men. It was such an inspiration to see those men, coming around doing their job, even though it meant they could get killed at any moment. If they are still living, they would not think of themselves as a hero, but I tell you what, I think of it, because they inspired one young man who needed some other man to inspire him and lead him . . . they inspired me . . . greatly. I guess without knowing it, just those few fleeting moments that I saw them, set the mold for what I wanted to be,” said Jim with obvious respect for the lieutenants. Their heroism continues to inspire him to this day, for Jim has never forgotten the impact their actions had on the formation of the man he would become. “As I grow older, I’m eternally thankful . . . they inspired me to be faithful, to be that type of man,” concluded Jim reverently of the men he held in high esteem. 

Jim was discharged from the Marines on July 31, 1954. Upon his discharge, he enrolled in Columbia Bible College to pursue his ambition of becoming a Presbyterian minister or missionary. From the young age of fifteen, he knew that God was calling him into the ministry, a path his wife Mary was happy to walk with him. Following a year at Columbia, Jim went to Tennessee Temple University, a Bible College in Chattanooga, Tennessee, remaining there until graduation, circa 1958. He and Mary had decided not to pursue any more schooling, but their pastor counseled them and believed Jim should attend seminary. The Lord had already been preparing their hearts for this change of plans, so they enthusiastically left Tennessee and headed for Texas, the state where God had planted Jim’s roots so many years ago on the day of his birth. Jim attended Dallas Theological Seminary for one year before enrolling in Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where he graduated with a master’s degree. The first ministry he had was at Sylvania Heights Baptist Church in Miami, Florida before returning to Dallas to become the principal of Dallas Christian Academy for three years. From there, God called him to pastor and plant several churches, but the one nearest and dearest to my heart was his calling to Baytown Community Church. The church was in its grass roots stage when Ed Carpenter and Bob Salstrom from Dallas Theological Seminary advised the church to call Jim to be their pastor. Jim and Mary, always obedient to God’s calling, served our church faithfully for twelve years 

Jim and Mary, who will celebrate their seventy-fifth wedding anniversary this December, have three children: two sons, Jim Jr. and Daniel, who is the baby of the family with daughter, Candi Lee, sandwiched between them. In addition to his natural children, Jim, the man who never knew his own father, was also a spiritual father to so many. Rick Vaughan, current pastor of Baytown Community Church, is one of Jim’s spiritual children. He wrote the following tribute of his beloved pastor: “Jim Owen was the first pastor I ever had.  His teaching led me to faith in Jesus Christ.  For several years he taught me, discipled me, and trained me for ministry.  All the while, he watched over my walk with the Lord, counseling me and correcting me along the way.  But it wasn’t just me during those years.  He met regularly with several men in the church, discipling them and showing them how to trust the Lord Jesus to do His work through them to make them the husbands, fathers, and brothers-in-Christ that He desired them to be.  And so many of those men’s lives were changed because of the help that Jim provided.  In the Bible the apostle Paul addresses two young men, Timothy and Titus, as his true children in the faith.  In my life, I have been blessed with instruction and counsel from many godly men, but through those early years of my spiritual journey, and by his countless hours of investing in my life, pointing me to Jesus Christ in all things, Jim became the one man I thankfully recognize as my true spiritual father.”

Without question, the commitment to duty and loyalty the two courageous lieutenants portrayed, in a moment of time, so many years ago, was indelibly etched in the heart and mind of a fatherless young man. Their inspirational example has had a long-lasting positive effect, not only on Jim’s life but each and every life he has discipled along the way. 

In 2018, Jim’s son Daniel began a search online to see if he could find any servicemen who were in his dad’s outfit during the Korean War. A production company in England, who wanted to put together a program on the Korean War, discovered Daniel’s online search and reached out to Jim to see if he would be willing to be part of their program, which they titled We’ll Meet Again. Jim was happy to do so and looked forward to the prospect of making a connection with the two heroic lieutenants who were so instrumental in making him the man he became. Jim noted that once you get older, things you’ve buried in the recesses of your mind find their way to the forefront.  The call from the production company was just what Jim needed to bring his wartime memories front and center.  “As you get older, many things you’ve never given a thought to become very important once you begin to think about it. How long do I have . . . I don’t know, but while I’m here I want to encourage somebody along the way. 

Armed with only their last names he began his search at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. Chief Researcher, Ann Trevor assisted him in his search and presented him with his own military records. One record, his fitness report, was a pleasant surprise to Jim. In it the officer stated, ‘Sergeant Owen’s high degree of professional skill and his strong competitive spirit have aided the battery a great deal in the accomplishment of its mission. He is an excellent section leader and could easily handle the position of gunnery sergeant.’ Ann was then able to provide him with the names of the two lieutenants he so earnestly sought, they were 1st Lieutenant Albert Coffeen, and 1st Lieutenant Kenneth E. Rice. She then directed him to the National Marine Museum in Triangle, Virginia where she said he could find more detailed records on not only Coffeen and Rice, but also himself. When he arrived, historian Mike W. of the Korean Marine Corps Division assisted him with his research. Mike showed Jim the official detailed report which included the very battle where Coffeen and Rice had shown what heroes were made of, validating Jim’s memories from that day. He learned from the report that six men from his battalion suffered injuries during the July 3rd battle, a fact he was either not aware of or had forgotten. “For the first time I can verify this in fact was what happened,” said Jim, “and it was even worse than I thought. Having a record of the time when I was in the midst of combat and to think that I was a part of it just humbles me,” expressed Jim, “and I tell you, it was just wonderful to see that information written down, and so I’ve got it from now on. I’ll take it home with me and I’ll pour over it and enjoy it all the time,” said Jim with a contented smile.  

During Jim’s second trip to Washington, DC, the U.S.M.C.’s Silent Drill Team recognized Jim with a special performance in his honor.

Unfortunately, he found out his two heroic lieutenants were both deceased, Coffeen passed away in 1983 and Rice in 2011. Although Jim expected that would probably be the case, he was saddened to actually have his expectations confirmed. “It was kind of saddening,” said Jim, “I didn’t expect them to be alive because I figured they were probably second world war men, but if not one of them, I would like to meet one of their sons or daughters and say, I remember your father when he was a hero.  Their families need to be as proud of them as they can possibly be,” noted Jim earnestly.  Jim returned to the National Archive in hopes of finding more information on their surviving family members. Ann Trevor was able to find a number for Lieutenant Rice’s daughter, Kathryn. Jim was able to make contact with her and the meeting proved emotional for both Jim and Kathryn. Kathryn showed Jim her father’s commendation of a bronze star for valor in the very battle Jim had spoken of.  In the commendation, Major General Gerald. C. Thomas wrote: ‘For heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy while serving with a Marine artillery battery in Korea on 3 July 1951. Serving as assistant to the battery executive officer, First Lieutenant Rice displayed outstanding courage and initiative in the performance of his duties. During an intense and accurate artillery barrage, which knocked out communications from the executive position to the firing positions, he fearlessly and with complete disregard for his personal safety, exposed himself to the heavy enemy fire to relay fire commands. When one position suffered a direct hit, he moved quickly to the position and personally assisted in treating the casualties. Moving cooly from gun crew to gun crew throughout the barrage, he calmed the men and encouraged them in directing a large volume of fire on the enemy gun positions. His bravery and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all members of the command. First Lieutenant Rice’s actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Lieutenant Rice is authorized to wear the combat “V.”

Major General G. C. Thomas

Jim now knew that Rice and Coffeen’s heroism not only had an impact on him but also the most senior Marine in command. It also had an impact on Jim’s eldest son and namesake, James Jr. who was so inspired by his dad’s story of the two brave lieutenants that he made a conscious decision early on to be a marine, confessing that if he ever became an officer, he wanted to model his leadership after Coffeen and Rice.

During Jim’s quest to find information on Coffeen and Rice, he visited the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which pays beautiful homage to those who served in the Korean War. Louis Nelson created the memorial wall in the form of a triangle which stands 164 feet-long and 8-inches thick and consists of 42 panels.  The black granite is etched with a mural of over 2,500 military images representing the land, sea, and air troops involved in the Korean War. Walking parallel to the mural wall, within the triangle display, are 19 larger-than-life figures, called The Column, sculpted by Frank Gaylord of Vermont. The figures represent a platoon on patrol: fourteen are U.S. Army soldiers, three are Marines, one is a Navy Corpman, and one is from the Air Force. As you stand in the presence of the brave men in arms, you may feel a chill run through you as you observe the surreal wartime scene. Their ponchos, whipped by the wind, act as a stark reminder of the sub-zero Korean battlefield and the patches of juniper mildly represent the rice paddies they inched their way through in pursuit of the enemy. Their flintlike faces etched with heightened awareness as they firmly clutch their ever-ready weapons, cast a somber mood on the memorial, capturing the stark reality of war. Regardless of where you stand at the memorial, there will always be at least one serviceman looking at you. The images of the nineteen servicemen, which include 12 Caucasian, 3 African American, 2 Hispanic, 1 Asian and 1 Native American, are reflected in the memorial wall bringing the total to 38, a clever tribute to the 38th parallel where the battles took place. Ironically, the war lasted 3 years, one month and two days, beginning its 38th month before a cease-fire was signed. 

As Jim visited the memorial, he tenderly and reverently caressed the images on the memorial wall, silently recalling the faces etched on his heart and the camaraderie and devotion of his brothers in arms. The bond they shared can rarely be experienced by others for it was forged in the crucible of combat, life and death circumstances that fostered a deep sense of mutual trust and loyalty. 

Although the Korean War is referred to as “the Forgotten War” let us remain ever vigilant not to forget, lest we have a repetition of one of the bloodiest conflicts and threaten the stability of not only our nation but those worldwide. Furthermore, let us never forget the sacrifice made by the brave men and women, past and present, who selflessly have given and continue to give of themselves to ensure we remain the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.