Memorial Monuments
Edgewood and Fort Leonard Wood
Edgewood
| This monument to the 2nd Chemical Mortar Bn, the Red Dragon, to its service in World War II and the Korean War, and to those Who Did Not Return, stands at the edge of the parade ground in what is now known as the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, earlier known as Edgewood Arsenal and then as the Army Chemical Center. Troops of the unit marched in parade there and departed from the post on 15 September 1950 to participate in the Korean War. |
The Red Dragon in Korea: The 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion was the first and last of the thirty two chemical mortar battalions in the U.S. Army, and the only one to serve in the Korean War as well as World War II. It carried the lineage of the 1st Gas Regiment from World War I. This distinguished combat unit of the Chemical Corps, armed with the 4.2" chemical mortar, served in the Korean War from 8 October 1950 until the truce signing on 27 July 1953. In the last six months of that period, it was designated the 461st Infantry Battalion (Heavy Mortar).
Unlike most other combat units, the Battalion stayed in the line in close support of the infantry from the time it fired its first round until the truce – 1007 consecutive days in action without relief. Of the ten campaigns during the Korean War, The Red Dragon participated in all but the first one. It served in all three corps of the Eighth Army, supporting six United States divisions, eight Republic of Korea divisions, and the British Commonwealth Brigade.
This monument stands in eternal tribute to the sixty one soldiers of the 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion who gave their lives in the Korean War in honored service to their beloved country. Their names are inscribed hereon that their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. They deserve the salute and gratitude of all freedom-loving Americans.
| This monument is to the 87th Chemical Mortar Bn, the Camel Caravan. On 12 June 1998 at the former Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland the Battalion dedicated a monument to its members who made the supreme sacrifice during combat in Europe in World War II. The monument is located at the edge of the parade ground near the post chapel. This is now known as the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground, earlier known as Edgewood Arsenal and then as the Army Chemical Center. |
Fort Leonard Wood
The Chemical Corps Museum, at Fort McLellan, Alabama, until 1999, is now at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. A short distance from the museum is a very well done Memorial Grove that contains all of the memorial monuments that were at Fort McClellan plus several new ones. The closeup photos here are of the monuments to eight of the chemical mortar battalions that served in World War II (the 2nd CMB also served in the Korean War), as well as the 1st Gas Regiment that served in World War I and whose lineage passed on to the 2nd Cml Mortar Bn.
2nd Chemical Mortar Bn, World War II in Europe – The Red Dragon
2nd Chemical Mortar Bn in the Korean War – The Red Dragon
82nd Chemical Mortar Bn, World War II in Pacific – The Jungle-Fighting CMB
— Click on small photos to enlarge them —
| 1st Gas Regiment, World War I |
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