The Pentagon's investigation into the killing of refugees by American soldiers early in the Korean War underscored the need for continuous military training in how to deal with civilians in combat, former Army Secretary Louis Caldera said Tuesday.

Addressing a Korean-American group, Caldera also defended the investigation's main findings that South Korean refugees were killed at the hamlet of No Gun Ri but that there was no clear evidence soldiers were ordered to fire.

"We have learned that you have to have a military that actively trains people to deal with the possibility of civilians caught in the cross fire," Caldera said. "The Korean War came at a time when the military was not prepared to fight. The result was that we had soldiers who were quick to desert and were easily confused."

The comments brought nods of approval, and even some applause from the group the Washington chapter of the Korean American Coalition, an advocacy group. But there were also signs of enduring resentment.

"It is much easier to say there is not enough evidence than to find out what happened," David Chuk, a coalition member, said during a question-and-answer session. "Why can't there be a firm answer as to whether there were orders or not?"

Another member of the audience said many members of the Korean community were awaiting an apology. Former President Clinton expressed regret for the incident, but stopped short of using the word "apology."

South Korean and U.S. investigators concluded, in reports issued in January, that the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment killed "an unconfirmed number" of refugees at No Gun Ri between July 26 and July 29, 1950. Ex-GIs who were there told investigators the civilians were killed by "small arms, machine guns, mortar and artillery fire" under a railroad trestle and elsewhere near No Gun Ri.

Survivors estimate 300 died, mostly women and children, in the tunnels and an additional 100 in a preceding air attack.

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