The fight for Hill 266: Glenn Dohrmann recalls one of the Korean War’s most fierce battles

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The Battle for Hill 266, a position also referred to as “Old Baldy,” was one of the Korean War’s most fiercely contested engagements. Among the soldiers who displayed extraordinary acts of valor and sacrifice was Glenn Dohrmann. His leadership and bravery earned him the Silver Star, a commendation for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.

Dohrmann’s company had already suffered significant losses over the course of the war. Beginning with 174 men, it was reduced to a couple dozen by the time he was given the mission as a platoon leader to take Hill 266 in October of 1952. He faced a daunting task as they approached a formidable mountain known as “Old Baldy.” United Nations forces had already failed three previous times to take the territory.

Hill 266 got its nickname after artillery and mortar fire stripped its crest of trees. As the highest point on a ridge, the position held significant strategic value by commanding views over the surrounding terrain in three directions.

“The mountain was different from any mountain you ever saw. It was called ‘Old Baldy’ for a reason,” said Dohrmann. “It had absolutely no cover and, as you looked at it from the front, you saw the ground was smoothed all the way straight down.”

The battle for Old Baldy consisted of five engagements for control of Hill 266 in west-central Korea. The clashes took place over a span of 10 months from June 26, 1952 to March 26, 1953, with intense fighting occurring both before and after the main engagements.

The Chinese had more than ten battalions of artillery deployed along the front. U.N. forces originally devised a two-phase operation aimed at capturing and holding outposts located a few thousand yards ahead of the main defensive line.

The first engagement began in the spring of 1952, as U.N. forces sought to secure the hill from Chinese control. The initial attack was met with stiff resistance, and fierce fighting ensued, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

Throughout the summer and into the fall, the battle for Old Baldy continued, with both sides launching repeated offensives. The second and third engagements saw the hill change hands several times, each assault marked by intense artillery bombardments and close-quarters combat.

Winter would bring no respite, as the fourth engagement took place amid freezing temperatures and harsh conditions. Both sides dug in, fortifying their positions with bunkers and trenches. The fighting became a war of attrition, with each side trying to wear down the other.

“Before we even started up the hill I lost three men from mortars, plus my company commander. He was the first one killed when a round hit right in his foxhole,” said Dohrmann. “So, now, I’m in charge. And I have no radio, no way to communicate with anybody.”

The rugged terrain and limited cover made each advance costly, requiring soldiers to brave a deadly hail of bullets and shrapnel. With the first and second platoons ready to engage, Dohrmann’s troops prepared for the ascent up Hill 266.

The plan was to follow in support and maintain a tactical distance. Dohrmann said the third platoon had already been wiped out. In the chaos of battle and with the loss of leadership, Dohrmann attempted to coordinate with other units. As they advanced, Dohrmann’s platoon was under constant fire.

“For 14 days, nobody could crack that line up there. The enemy fire was fierce and relentless,” said Dohrmann. “On my last assault, the bullets were coming from above us, raining down on top of our position, and we were trapped.”

Dohrmann was later hit in the shoulder by Chinese machine gun fire. Despite his wound, he continued leading his men up the hill against a well-entrenched enemy. With their ammunition running low, they relied on grenades and sheer determination. During his effort to neutralize an enemy position, he was wounded two more times.

“The war ended for me on that day. I was hospitalized for nine months, with extensive treatment and rehabilitation,” said Dohrmann. “The machine gun bullets left me with bad wounds, they really tore my body apart. I still have the scars and struggle with internal damage all these decades later.”

Dohrmann earned a Purple Heart for his actions on that day. He was also nominated for the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military honor. However, it was ultimately denied because not enough soldiers who witnessed his heroism survived the battle to corroborate what happened. Instead, he was awarded a Silver Star.

While Dohrmann was out of the fight, the battle for Hill 266 went on. The final and most decisive phase of the battle happened in early 1953. In March, the Chinese launched a major offensive, overwhelming the U.N. defenders with a combination of massed infantry attacks and continuous artillery fire.

Despite desperate attempts to hold the line, the U.N. forces were ultimately pushed back. By the end of the engagement, the Chinese had secured Old Baldy, solidifying their control over the hill. It was a costly conflict for both sides. Even though U.N. forces captured Hill 266 multiple times, the battle ended as it began with the Chinese occupying the strategic position.

U.N. forces suffered 357 deaths, while Chinese casualties were estimated to have reached up to 1,100. Despite the heavy losses, the battle had little strategic impact on the broader Korean War. It also highlighted the challenges faced by the U.N. forces, as they struggled to gain a decisive advantage. It would foreshadow the events at Pork Chop Hill as a precursor of what was to come.