LIRight sends us a link to Defense.gov which reports of the dedication of the Chosin Few Battle Monument in the new Medal of Honor Theater in the National Museum of the Marine Corps.
Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford knows the story of the battle, as all Marines do. The 1st Marine Division, two battalions of the Army’s 31st Infantry Regiment and British Royal Marines from 41 (Independent) Commando were attacking north, chasing a defeated North Korean Army up to the Yalu River, when an estimated 120,000 Chinese Communist troops attacked and surrounded the force around the Chosin Reservoir.
[…]
Dunford said. “In all sincerity, any success I have had as a Marine has been as a result of attempting to follow in their very large footsteps.
One set of footprints belonged to Joseph F. Dunford, Sr. who celebrated his 20th birthday while carrying a Browning Automatic Rifle with the Baker Bandits of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines in the ridges over the reservoir Nov. 27, 1950. “He spent the night in close combat as three regiments of the Chinese 79th Division attempted to annihilate the 5th and 7th Marines,” the general said.
Growing up, Dunford’s father never discussed how he spent his 20th birthday. “He never spoke of the horrors of close combat or the frostbite that he and many Marines suffered on their march to the sea,” he said. “I was in the Marine Corps for seven years before we had a serious conversation about his experiences in the Korean War.”
If you haven’t seen the documentary “Chosin”, you really should. It’s the story of the battle told in interviews with the veterans who were there. Last time I checked it is still on Netflix.
The National Museum of the Marine Corps is on the base at Quantico, Virginia.
Real men.
Real heroes.
Word.
Good deal.
About time.
Way to go, GEN Dunford.
Agreed!
One of many thing every kid should be taught about in elementary school.
Several years ago, I got to know an old Marine who had been a machine gunner in 7th Marines at Chosin. He was a very quiet, dignified gentleman who mostly kept to himself, and he never really said much about the battle. However, on the few occasions when he did open up and talk about what happened out there, it sent shivers up my spine.
Sadly, I lost contact with him and I haven’t seen him around for quite a while, so I hope that he’s still here with us, and that he’s OK.
Semper Fidelis.
I read “The Last Stand of Fox Company” just last year. Truly harrowing stuff they went through, glad they are memorializing the veterans of that battle.
I haven’t been there myself yet, but I heard that the Marine Corps museum’s exhibit on this battle has a giant walk-in freezer that simulates the cold these men endured for days during that battle. Gotta check it out one of these days.
Maybe not freezer temp, but noticeably cooler. It’s a pretty amazing place. Definitely need to check it out. Every year they add something to it. You’ll want at least a full day or two.
I read about this when I was young and after seeing the documentary I was awe struck at the fortitude and heroism of the men who fought at the Chosin. Thank you General Dunford.
The Marines were there too?
Next thing you know, somebody will say that there were Army units in the Pacific during WW II.
You can’t be serious. Here’s a quote from ARMY Major General Frank Lowe: “The safest place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord how they could fight. Read ANY book on the subject, but most especially “This Kind of War” by T.R. Ferenbach; a career ARMY officer. It’s not just one of the best, most riveting books ever written on any subject, it’s THE definitive history of the Korean War. It takes you from the fox hole to the highest levels of geo-political strategy and reads like a novel. HE makes very clear the stark contrast between the performance of the 1st Marine Division and the Army’s 2nd Inf Division and his ADMIRATION for the Marines. The Marines pulled together, held and fought their way out INTACT, bringing their wounded and their equipment with them. 2nd Inf Div literally melted. Units fell apart, broke and ran, abandoning equipment and dropping rifles (“bugged out” was the term). EVERY history written by ANYONE references the miracle that 1st MarDiv worked when it fought it’s way out. NONE holds the Army’s performance up for praise of ANY kind. Some individual Soldiers bravery? Yes, of course. Army units as a whole? Not so much. Get a clue.
The temperature during the day at Chosin Reservoir was in the -30F range, while at night, the estimate is that the temperature dropped lower, somewhere around -60 to -70F.
Wind chills weren’t recorded in those days, but if the -25F daytime recorded in January 1985 in Chicago and surrounding counties resulted in a wind chill of -80F, then it would not be a stretch to say that the daytime wind chill there was -90F and night time well below -100F.
I do know that the troops were eating canned meat directly out of the can and that it would freeze so quickly they could hardly finish it, and that some of them lost the tip of a finger trying to eat peanut butter in that hellish cold. The soles of their boots froze stiff, too. The problem was that this cold front was not expected or predicted.
Here’s a report from one of the survivors.
https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/2012/06/chosin-reservoir-medical-care-subfreezing-weather
Anyone who survived that intact deserves more than just a pat on the back.
Thanks for the link. I have read about “shoe-pacs” for years, usually in negative terms. At last I know why. I never knew there were long-term effects, either.
I have never been to Korea but I have been to Germany and Dahlonega, Georgia (USA). Fellow Yankees may laugh, but it does actually get cold down below the Mason-Dixon line, and up in the mountains of north Georgia it can get Damn cold!
When we got to Dahlonega we were issued parkas with fur-lined hoods and Mickey Mouse boots. The barracks were unusually solid and well insulated, with doors that reminded me of walk-in cooler doors.
One night we tried to build a fire, and used up almost 5 gallons of gasoline in the attempt, without getting so much as a glowing ember due to the strong wind.
Like the first time you get shot at in anger, I can remember a feeling of surprise and amazement as I realized that this was for real; no timeouts, do-overs, or “Take this job and shove it” allowed. Cold weather can kill you just as dead as a bullet. Mother Nature ain’t your friend. On Thansgiving when everyone else give thanks for the sentimental stuff I give thanks for central heat and indoor plumbing. Some people laugh, but I forgive them, “for they know not what they do”.
Nowadays, whenever I read about those poor bastards at Chosin, or The Bulge for that matter, I am more appreciative of the lush green tropical “paradise” where I spent so many fun-filled days and nights.
I swear I’ll never bitch and moan again when I’m sitting in a tree-stand hunting the “elusive” whitetail when it’s a little chilly. Chilly is 15 or 20 ABOVE zero!
I guess I was getting a little pussified as compared to the fine men in this story!
Grandpa (Dad’s step-dad) was an Army rifleman in Korea. Not at Chosin, obviously, but he was trading bullets with the commies elsewhere on the peninsula at the time.
I remember once watching the news with him as a kid, and the weatherman saying it would be too cold for snow. I asked him about that, and he replied, “Boy, if I learned anything in Korea, it’s that there ain’t no such thing as too cold for snow.”
A VA C&P doctor told me he occasionally sees someone from the battle who is asking for a small % for lost toes so he could get some compensation. He told me he always gives them the max compensation allowed for their loss. As PH said, they deserve more than a pat on the back. These are the type of men who deserve the most they can legally obtain.
I’ve noticed in Jonn’s postings of those whose bodies are found and returned from Korea, most seem to be from the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.
Truly courageous men in horrible conditions.
Two good books about the Chosin:
Chosin, by Eric Hammel
East of Chosin by Roy Appleman
My uncle was one of the survivors. He was at the dedication. A very quiet, courageous man who never put on airs. We are so lucky that we have such men.
Spent two and a half years in Alaska and two in Korea. There were times when I was colder in Korea than Alaska by far. This IMHO was America’s “Valley Forge” of the Korean War. These men are the embodiment of the American Military fighting spirit.
“Don’t you forget that you’re Marines- First Marines! Not all the Communists in hell can overrun you!- Col. Lewis B. Puller, Chosin Reservoir, Korea December 1950
OOORAH!