 North Korean machine guns continued to assault the American lines , and Americans who had expended their ammunition were forced to use their weapons as clubs . Of 667 men in 3rd Battalion , over 60 percent became casualties , including the battalion commander , Lieutenant Colonel Carl Jensen , and much of the battalion staff . Shattered , 3rd Battalion was forced to withdraw in small groups , many of its soldiers already captured or forced to escape on foot through the countryside back to American lines . Most of the retreating men were also captured . Remaining soldiers formed a provisional company of 150 for the retreat . In total 90 percent of the battalion 's equipment , including weapons and helmets , was lost . Another four of the M24 tanks were also destroyed without disabling any of the North Korean T34s . 
