Ranger Infantry Company of the Korean War

Ranger Hall of Fame

SERGEANT WILLIAM KIRSHFIELD

Sergeant William Kirshfield was born at Fort Benning, Georgia on January 27, 1927. He served with honor in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard, and then joined the U.S. Army in 1950. Ranger Kirshfield was an original member of the 5^th Ranger Infantry Company (Airborne). His principle job was that of a Browning Automatic Rifleman (BAR) within the 2d platoon. In early April 1951, Ranger Kirshfield and his fellow members of the 5^th Airborne Ranger Company were attached to U.S. 25^th Infantry Division while fighting in Korea. On the morning of 10 April 1951, the 5^th Airborne Company was assigned the mission of infiltrating the Chinese lines and seizing Hill 383, a dominating terrain feature to the rear of Chinese positions. It was anticipated that the Chinese would be occupying the hill and surprise was critical to the Ranger success. When the 5^th Rangers had seized the objective, other forces from the Division would attack the Chinese lines from the front and flank, break the Chinese line and relieve the Rangers on Hill 383. As soon as it was dark, the Rangers moved from concealed positions and crossed the Hantan River. Ranger Kirshfield led a scouting party and reported important information back to his unit. Despite heavy fighting, the 5^th Ranger Company succeeded in taking the objective and paving the way for the 25^th Infantry division attack. Relief did not come. The heavily entrenched Chinese chose to attack on three sides of the hill, the fourth being a cliff face that the enemy deemed an unsuitable avenue of approach. Ranger Kirshfield again voluntarily placed himself in harms way. Moving forward on the slope of the hill, he provided early warning to his unit, alerting them to the oncoming Chinese. There lead elements discovered, the Chinese pounded the Ranger position with mortar fire. Ranger Kirshfield's position took a direct hit killing his assistant gunner and severely wounding him from the waist down. The ensuing battle raged for forty minutes with Rangers inflicting a heavy toll on the enemy. Chinese reinforcements continued to pout in and concentrate on the flanks of the perimeter. It soon became evident that this engagement, being fought deep within enemy territory, would soon overwhelm the small Ranger force. With the Chinese attacking the hill on three sides, the decision was made to withdraw to friendly lines. In order to accomplish this the Chinese had to be contained for a short time longer. Sergeant Kirshfield, though badly wounded, unselfishly volunteered to remain behind to provide covering fire while the remainder of the platoon and company withdrew. When last observed, Ranger Kirshfield was still firing his Browning Automatic Rifle to ward off the enemy assault. Sergeant William Kirshfield sacrificed his life that dark night so that his Ranger comrades could live to fight another day. His example goes to the heart and soul of the Ranger Creed and is an inspiration to all present and future Rangers.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!!