 As 1st Battalion retreated , Stephens ordered 3rd Battalion to counterattack the North Koreans on the ridge to regain the position . The American attack was aggressive and 3rd Battalion was able to regain most of the ground , rescuing 10 Americans captured in the first attack in the process . During the attack , the 3rd Battalion uncovered evidence of North Korean war crimes ; six men from 1st Battalion 's heavy mortar company were discovered executed , with their hands tied behind their backs . Several M24 Chaffee light tanks , newly arrived from Pusan , were brought in 3rd Battalion 's assault , the first use of U.S. armor in the war . The M24s disabled a T @-@ 34 while suffering two destroyed throughout the day . During this time , the North Korean 4th Division pressed on south , bypassing Chonui to the west . Following it was the North Korean 3rd Infantry Division , one day behind , granting the Americans time to rest and prepare new defenses . The 3rd Battalion held the position until just before 2400 , when it withdrew to its previous position with most of the equipment that had been lost by 1st Battalion earlier in the day . At that position , the men discovered North Korean forces occupying its old foxholes , and K Company engaged in a one @-@ hour firefight to drive them off . Meanwhile , 1st Battalion withdrew south to new blocking positions 2 miles ( 3 @.@ 2 km ) outside of Chochiwon . 
