SAN DIEGO -- Upon entering the Command Museum aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, a visitor would have the pleasure of meeting Arthur Barbosa, a retired Marine first sergeant, one of the many docents that guide tours for the museum’s visitors.
On the humbled veteran’s chest he displays two medals, the Navy Cross and Purple Heart. The story behind those medals is a story of bravery and intuitive thinking.
His story begins when the 11-year-old New York native learned that the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Barbosa recalls writing a letter to president at the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt, about wanting to be the Marine Corps mascot and his desire to be a Marine.
“I got a letter back saying that they thought I was very patriotic and that the armed services would gladly take me when I turned 17-years-old,” Barbosa said with a laugh.
Sure enough, Barbosa enlisted in 1947 and was shipped off to recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. Upon completion of graduation, Barbosa served at various duty stations in the United States and overseas in China.
As a corporal, Barbosa was assigned to “Easy” Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division as a squad leader aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
In March of 1952, 21-year-old Barbosa was deployed with his unit to Korea, where he was promoted to sergeant. Barbosa explained that the 1st MARDIV had just transferred from Eastern to Western Korea.
Barbosa and 80 other Marines were posted at Outpost-3. The Marines there had two light-machine guns, two heavy-machine guns and one mortar. During the day, the Marines would dig trenches and take turns standing guard at night.
On the night of April 15, OP-3 was assaulted by 700 Chinese soldiers. Barbosa and his gunner were just getting relieved from watch.
After a cup of coffee and short conversation to wind down, Barbosa and his fellow Marine headed to bed. Two steps after they stood up, the entire skyline lit up.
“It reminded me of Coney Island on the 4th of July,” explained Barbosa. “At that time, we didn’t even think that we were being attacked.”
They then moved to higher ground to see who had fallen under attack, and soon realized that it was OP-3 being assaulted.
“The Chinese pounded that outpost,” said Barbosa. “It was one of those moments that you looked up and prayed to God saying, ‘If you get me out of this one, I promise I’ll go to church every Sunday!’”
The assault lasted about 30 minutes then stopped. In the eerie silence, two green flares were shot off in front of them, two in the rear, and one on each side, explained Barbosa.
“Then all hell broke loose,” said Barbosa. “The Chinese came at us blowing sheep horns and bugles; our riflemen didn’t stand a chance.”
As the Chinese came from all sides of the outpost, the Marines engaged in hand-to-hand combat using whatever they had to fight off their enemy such as KA-bars, entrenchment tools and rifles.
Another squad leader, Cpl. Duane Dewey, and Barbosa manned their guns as they began to fight back. Barbosa’s gunnery sergeant ordered him to move his squad down the terrain.
“I began to move down the finger and something inside of me said not to go any further,” he explained. “I said, ‘put it up right here’, and (my gunner) didn’t hesitate or ask questions.”
Barbosa and his Marines were completely out in the open. He thought about the terrain and the route of attack and knew that in order to cover the entire area, their position had to be exposed.
“Frank Jeffs (assistant gunner) and I had broken up several assaults and we just laid there waiting for the next one,” said Barbosa. “I kept thinking about ammo, time and numbers.”
With the sound of mortars and artillery going off in every direction, Barbosa turned to his assistant gunner and asked, “Frank, we gonna make it?”
Barbosa explained that Frank’s dislike for the military due to his draft had made him the biggest complainer in 1st MARDIV, but when he had asked the young private first class that question, Frank replied with daggers in his eyes, “Hell yes! We’re Marines aren’t we?!”
Moments later, three hand grenades were tossed in their direction. Two rolled away but the third got stuck on the web belt and went off. Frank absorbed nearly 90 percent of the blast and after mumbling a few words, he died, recalled Barbosa.
Barbosa, now alone, continued to man his post until the Chinese started to break off at approximately 3 a.m. He remembers being surprisingly calm throughout the night and that his main concern was his Marines.
“The Chinese ran into a buzz saw that night,” said Barbosa. “The Marines fought them with every ounce of their bodies; it was one night to remember.”
Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Marines of OP-3 maintained their position against the assault suffering minimal casualties.
Barbosa’s courageous efforts and initiative in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations proved vital against enemy aggressor forces.
He was later stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. in 1953, where he was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on the night of April 15, 1952.
“When I wear my medals, I think of the members of my squad that didn’t make it,” said Barbosa. “They played a large role in me receiving these; I wear it for them.”
Barbosa proudly served in the Marine Corps for 21 years and now volunteers as a docent at the Command Museum. There he shares his experiences as he guides recruits and other visitors through the history of the Marine Corps.