James G. Oxendine
2nd Infantry Division
72nd Tank Battalion
James Oxendine, wounded in action on 21 September 1950 in Korea, finally receives his Purple Heart. Nearly 100 family and friends of James G. Oxendine attended a ceremony and awards presentation for the 81-year old Korean War veteran on Memorial Day, 2012 at the Lumbee Warrior Association. The ceremony was made possible by research of the support from Congressman Mike McIntyre, and persistent work by the Veterans’ Legacy Foundation. Army Major General (ret) John Atkinson, former NCNG adjutant general helped present the war as well as Colonel (ret) Lynn E. Locklear. Mr. Oxendine was assisted by his nephew Byron Jones (Vietnam Veteran) and great-nephew Tyrone Oxendine (Iraq Veteran).
Oxendine enlisted was assigned to go out with a group of five tanks in his company on September 21, 1950. As they entered the area under attack the enemy began to bomb the tanks. The tank in the rear was the first one hit and he watched three of his fellow Soldier’s burn to death. The company proceeded forth as the first tank was hit. The second tank slid off the road. The third tank was also destroyed and then he began to receive enemy fire. The first missile went under the tank and the second one was a direct hit.
Oxendine watched as all of his company was destroyed, as he was the only survivor. He suffered from severe facial damage for three days before
medics could get to him. When the medic arrived he told him that he also was a Native American and from the mid-west. After the medic dressed his wounds and they prepared to depart he also was killed in front of him. Oxendine was then taken to Japan and Hawaii receiving blood at both places before he was transported to the combat recovery hospital located in Texas. He spent months in the hospital before his release.
The Naktong River offensive: At 2400 hours on 20 September, the task organization for the offensive of the Naktong River was drawn up.
The morning of the 21st of September was spent in preparation for the attack. At 1200 hours the attacking units moved out. The enemy met fire with fire on the entire front. The 9th Regimental Combat Team in the south had particularly bad luck. Using ten amphibious trucks it managed to ferry two platoons across the river under cover of fire from tanks of the 72nd tank Battalion, artillery, anti-aircraft guns, and air strikes. However, the enemy put up stiff resistance and succeeded in damaging nine of the ten river crossing vehicles. As a result, the two platoons already across were recalled, withdrawing under cover of a heavy smoke screen laid down by the 9th’s mortar unit.
The battalion combat team, advancing from the center of the front moved forward but the advance was slow. To the north the advance was likewise slow. One of the tanks of the 72nd in the attacking force was destroyed by a mine. Two other tanks of the 72nd were disabled by fire from enemy anti-tank guns.
Oxendine’s awards include the:
Purple Heart Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal w/2 Campaign Stars
United Nations Medal -Korea
Republic Of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Pembroke, N. Carolina (2012)
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