This Week in American History

Here is what happened this week in American History.

• May 21. On this day in 1951, once again momentum in the Korean War changes sides. The Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army and North Korean Peoples Army Fifth Offensive has crumbled with massive casualties at the Battle of the Soyang River. South Korean ROK, UN and US forces begin their own attack and quickly regain much of the ground lost early in the Chinese offensive while pushing north of the 38th Parallel. Meanwhile, Gen. Matthew Ridgway calls for Gen. James Van Fleet to attack behind the most forward bulk of PVA and KPA forces, cutting lines of communication, supplies and support. A day earlier, I Corps, IX Corps, and part of US 1st Marine Division began that part of the attack about 15 miles north of Seoul. Lt. Gen. William Hoge leads the 24th Infantry Division and 7th Infantry Division along with ROK forces toward the PVA and KPA reserves. Initial results are mixed as PVA and KPA units are running faster than cautious troops can pursue.

• May 22. In 1915, Lassen Peak, sometimes called Mount Lassen, erupted. An active lava dome located in the Shasta Cascade area near Sacramento Valley in California, Lassen Peak had been inactive for an estimated 27,000 years prior to a series of precursor earthquakes. It was the first volcano to erupt in the US during the 20th Century, and one of only two to do so. The area around Lassen Peak has been designated as the Lassen Volcanic National Park and it remains active with fumaroles or steam vents, hot springs, and mudpots — or hot, bubbling mud — are found throughout the park.

• May 23. Today in 1951, forces under Lt. Gen. Hoge are on the move in the Korean War. Enemy forces continue retreating as US tanks and infantry capture and occupy Kap’yong. Meanwhile, X Corps is capturing important roads and crossroads despite PVA and KPA resistance. The advances take place before PVA and KPA soldiers can retreat along those roads. Elsewhere, Allied attacks take place near P’ungam-ni aimed at capturing the Habaejau road junction. The 1st Marine Division attacks toward Kari-san in the mountains and recover 11 wounded Marines of the 2nd Infantry Division. As PVA and KPA forces retreat, they concentrate and their numbers grow with resistance becoming stiffer. As they did in the Pacific Theater during World War II, Allied forces are bypassing large concentrations of fleeing enemy forces to surround them and deal with them later.

• May 24. On this day in 1951, while Chinese and North Korean forces are retreating, they can and do stop to fight and delay South Korean, UN and US advancing forces. Gen. Claude Ferenbaugh, of the 7th Infantry Division, is attacking while checking along the Soyang River for crossing sites. Ferenbaugh and a small group are reconnoitering when they come under fire from a substantial PVA blocking force. Two of Ferenbaugh’s soldiers are killed with a third wounded. Ferenbaugh, an aide and the driver are forced to hide among rocks and brush. About three hours later, a US psychological warfare team inadvertently finds them and summons help. In what could have been featured in a movie, 1st Lt. Ivan Stanaway takes his platoon of tanks to cover Ferenbaugh and his men, rescuing them in the darkness.

• May 25. In 1977, the first Star Wars movie is released in US theaters and instantly proves a huge success. Production had gone over-budget by $3 million and there were serious doubts the movie would even cover production costs, much less earn a profit. As a result, it opened in relatively few theaters. It would earn over $410 million worldwide in just the first release.

• May 26. Today in 1949, Philip Michael Thomas is born in Columbus, Ohio and raised in San Bernardino, California. He was part of a blended family that included seven half-siblings. Thomas attended Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama followed by the University of California in Riverside, studying to become a minister. Then he auditioned for and was cast in a production of “Hair” and changed career paths to acting. He landed a few small roles before being chosen to portray Ricardo Tubbs in the hit television series “Miami Vice”. The series would propel Thomas to stardom but it was short-lived as he appeared in only a few roles after “Miami Vice”. Now 76, Thomas has not been active in some time.

• May 27. On this day in 1927, after a production run of 15 million cars, the last Ford Model T rolls off the assembly line. The plant then retools to begin production of the Ford Model A. The last Model T was driven out of the plant by Henry and Edsel Ford. That car was permanently preserved and is on display at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.