Thank you, vnoahpe.

and welcome to the forum.

Originally Posted by DubleDeuce

Hello Tom Tom,

... It is also not clear to me if the particular hill I mentioned was in fact a hill of contention between the two forces or if it was merely a marker set outside the compound where the 44th was eventually to settle down.

... The compound is (was in 1967) part of a massive military installation with considerable storage and manufacturing facilities on the grounds. It was known in the trade as "Rear Echelon" so the location and description should lead you to the "hill' that I spoke of. The accuracy of the "Rest of the Story" will be for you to uncover.

I was with the 44th in '67-'68 and can fill in some detail here.

The compound mentioned by DoubleDeuce is Camp Carroll (at Waegwan) and the hill is hill 303 ... the site of the "hill 303 massacre," in which the North Koreans executed 40+ captured US soldiers.

More detail here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hill_303_massacre

Broken Heart Bn :The correct version is they were in Japan preparing to go home when North Korea attacked the south. The Bn was broken hearted. They painted the broken heart on all their equipment so it would be easier to identify. This was stated from the 44th eng library which we opened at Camp Mercer when we moved up north from Changwan/Masan in 1973. We took over Camp Mercer from the 80deuce

Any connection to "Heartbreak Ridge?" It was in Korea, despite the movie.

This Mangadae Raider has it right
I was there 79-80

Originally Posted by vnoahpe

The 44th was on their way home to the US and portions of it were at sea loaded up with equipment when McCarther called for everything he could get to attack in Inchon. All units going in were instructed to mark all of their materials and equipment so that they could easily identify it. The 44th came up with the broken heart becuase they were all literally broken hearted about being turned around to fight in a war that had not been going well up to that point in time as they were about to finally go home from a long deployment in Japan.

We did put the broken heart on everything we built. It is embedded in concrete abutments, foundations, decking, and support columns all over South Korea. It used to be painted on roofs and decorating the countryside near the Battalion's larger projects as well. Many of those have probably faded or been covered by now but if you drive on country roads in Korea you will eventually cross a bridge with a broken heart still on it particularly the closer you get to the DMZ.

I was in B co 802nd at Camp Mercer until we got sent to Humphries, 1973 I believe. Spent time at Camp Indian and Camp Rice TDY also. Does anybody in the 802'nd or 44th remember the Agent Orange storage warehouse at Mercer, just as you came thru the gate on the left? Army says it never existed 71,72,73 at least.

I was stationed at the 44th just after it finished the Chin-hae/Masan ammo project near Pusan. The Battalion was moved north near Kimpo in 1973. I was a part of that move.

As it was told to me, the Broken Heart moniker came in the Korean war when the unit was charged with building a bridge (location unknown). As things progressed following the construction of the bridge, a retreat was ordered whereby the 44th had to blow up the bridge it had just built, hence the Broken Heart.

Great informative posts guys!!

I served at Camp Indian May 88 to July 89 the way it was told to me was as Dtop stated. When I was there D Co. 44th was at Camp Indian and part of the 8th Army (cookie patch). As I understand the 44th is no longer part of the Eighth. Anyone who served at Indian from 88 to 89 contact me.
Thanks “Gerber”

Some nine years ago I answered a member's question on the origins of the name "The Broken Heart Battalion". As it turned out my version of the story (as I had heard it in 1967) was a better story than the truth of the matter. (Aren't they always) I am glad that DTop was able to correct some of the particulars on this subject. At the time I posted my reply I had a photo of this Broken Heart image on hill 303 just outside the fence line of Camp Carroll. I just relocated it and would like to share it with the group. https://www.dropbox.com/s/g061ze5xnx..._0160.jpg?dl=0