Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images for NBC Kris Connor / for NBC NewsĮach man takes pride that they were part of a greater good. Colonel Bob Black's(Ret) speaks at his house in Carlyle, Pa as part of reunion for members of the 8th Ranger company in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement.

Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, for a ceremony commemorating the armistice - and for the dedication of an exhibit highlighting their 1951 mission. From an original Ranger company of 117 plus 20 replacements, about 12 to 15 are living, estimated Rivera, who lives in Santa Fe, N.M. They may feel “forgotten” by time, but they also feel like they still have each other, even as the brotherhood shrinks. “For the last 62, 63 years,” Teich said, “I’ve been getting letters and phone calls from these guys, and I don’t know them other then their names.” “I know I did the right thing in my heart because if I didn’t and those guys got wiped out,” Teich said, “I could never live that down.” Just as a human being, you’ve got to do things that are right.”ĭespite the command to withdraw on April 24, 1951, Teich said he “volunteered to stay behind,” and lead four tanks to the surrounded Rangers. I’ve got a moral obligation as an officer to do things that are right. “When these guys talked to me on the radio, they were in a real bad position. “If somebody asks for help, you can’t deny them,” said Teich, who lives in Aurora, Colo. The captain’s response: “We've got orders to move out. Teich, then a lieutenant, asked his captain if he and his fellow tankers could roll north for a rescue attempt. of Aurora, Colo., was a member of the 8th Ranger Company that served in the Korean War. He heard Rivera’s report: they were cutoff with a mess of wounded. Dave Teich, 87, feels the need explain why he defied orders.Īs 300,000 Chinese troops rumbled south toward his tank platoon - parked about five miles south of what is now the 38th parallel that divides North and South Korea - Teich monitored radio chatter from the 8th Ranger Company. Exactly six decades after an armistice was signed ending the war, retired Army Maj.

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