Brutal Winter Combat Deep in North Korea | Battle of Chosin Reservoir | Watson Crumbie Jr.

Watson Crumbie Jr., a World War II veteran who had already seen fierce combat on Saipan and Okinawa, would once again find himself called to action when the Korean War broke out in the summer of 1950.
On September 15, 1950, Crumbie participated in the amphibious landings at Inchon which helped stem the North Korean invasion and led to the recapture of the South Korean capital of Seoul.
Crumbie would however see his fiercest combat as his unit advanced deep into North Korea into an area known as the Chosin Reservoir. It was there that 30,000 American and UN Marines would battle a Chinese force four times their size in a battle that would go down as lore in Marine Corps history.
Watson Crumbie Jr. passed away on February 14, 2023 at the age of 97
Interview recorded on December 15, 2022
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[@charleslevitt3777]

Bjc

[@knowyourrights9793]

This Amazing Brave HERO, *Watson Crumbie Jr.* Sadly Passed Away on Feb. 14, 2023 aged 97. *RIP* *Mr.* *Crumbie*

[@peaceonearth351]

RIP brave warrior

[@stephenwalsh1332triumph]

USMC 👍💪

[@emmanuelhernandez5173]

Sadly? Bitch he was 97 what do you expect?

[@Cia-ua-Txoj-Kev-Kawm]

R.i.p

[@next_train]

Fair winds and following seas

[@YouveBeenMiddled]

The greatest generation is almost gone. Strive to keep their values and memories alive.

[@Cosmic_Nomad]

Trying to

[@kathymacellis9478]

My dad, a WWII and Korean War veteran, just passed away a couple of weeks ago. I'm devastated. 😢

[@matthewmccutchen1524]

@@kathymacellis9478 May God grant him eternal rest. God bless

[@kathymacellis9478]

@@matthewmccutchen1524 Thank you so much. Father's Day will be hard , I think .

[@craigfinno551]

Especially their values

[@BlueWaterSTAX]

The Chosin few. Sent chills down my spine. God Bless all our Veterans. Hopefully we never have to fight the Chinese again.

[@tituscelani5546]

Agreed!

[@sgtstedanko7186]

We will. Because our Rothschild overlords will make sure of it. It's the end game for the NWO

[@pmccoy8924]

Current trajectory and "leadership' has US troops fighting Russia/China/Iran/NK against the "free" world on the horizon. Hope to God I am wrong. Would be like WW1. Take anyone and everyone. 18-50 years old. Lawyers to grocery baggers. Korean war and Vietnam were thanks to Russia and it's spread of communism. Japan could be lumped in there too because China wasn't commie until they occupied. What a mess.

[@Randomyoutubecommenter]

Its inevitable, with the country in a downward spiral theyre gonna want to take their opportunity. Wether its this generation, or the next, or the one after that. Something will happen, it always does.

[@doug1863]

Talk to China Joe Brandon about that

[@TheGainfather]

I could listen to him speak for hours. What a incredible man. A true hero.

[@Pastrychef90210]

My late uncle Tony told me the same story. It’s identical to what this gentleman is saying. The landing with Chesty Puller at Incheon, the thought that the war was over and random dead Chinese soldiers. Washington told them that they were Koreans so they continued to travel north. He was staring into China when the attack happened. And the temperature wasn’t an exaggeration. Men froze to death and Tony used them as sandbags. They had to pee on their rifles to use them. His wife was pregnant with twins. He prayed to live through it. When it was all said and done, he walked over 70 miles with frozen feet.

[@c3bhm]

The clothing, equipment, and food that they had back then was so low-tech...miserable.

[@nifushu5758]

tr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCrk_Tugay%C4%B1#/media/Dosya%3AWaltonWalker%26TahsinYazici.jpg İn the kunuri war Turkish brigate hold the chinese for 3 days. They run out of ammunition in early first day. They spent two days with bayonet battles and ammunition collected from the enemy. Chinese couldnt capture the mountain passes. İn this time all Un brigades was able to retreat to southern korea.Turkish troops suffered their greatest losses in this region. After the kunuri battles. the ceremony organized by the UN command. This picture of the medal given to the Turkish general for their high achievements.

[@nifushu5758]

İn this ceremony Douglas MacArthur said, "The heroic battles of the Turks made it possible for the United Nations Forces to withdraw safely to new defense lines."

[@cosmicallyderived]

Wow were the Turks really there too? Amazing

[@Pastrychef90210]

@@cosmicallyderived according to what I was told by my uncle, yes. I think he said Australians too.

[@jerryhammack1318]

My first duty station was Camp Howze South Korea 44th Engineer battalion. I saw the bunkers they destroyed. Entire forests blow away and the ground covered in bullets and shrapnel! Brutal fighting by those brave men. My deepest respect for these men in arctic conditions . And the wrong field equipment and uniforms. Broken Hearted Warriors at the Breach! 1993-1994 A company Hemett driver Jerry Hammack . Bless those who fought and died in that frozen hell!

[@tommychew6544]

I was a Marine myself and meant another much older Marine from this area, sorry to say he passed away several years ago. The brotherhood of Marines even compared from the 50's to the 80's still hadn't changed. I miss getting to talk to him, he wouldn't give up much information from back then and I never probed for more, I understood times were different back then and yet still the same today. Some people just can't go into their experience, and I understood. Men like this Marines telling means the world to me, what they hold back from telling is 3/4 of the story. Whomever coined the phrase "War Is Hell" hit it on the money!

[@The-Shadow-Realm]

The man who coined the phrase “War is Hell” (which is part of a longer quote), is actually a historical hero in my branch of service, and the Commanding General my Great Great Great Grandfather served under: US (Union) Army Major General William Tecumseh Sherman.

[@finddeniro]

​@@The-Shadow-Realm.Franklin Park Speed...I have a several Ewing s and Smiths ..Stay Blessed.

[@terrillroot9994]

The greatest generation will never truly be gone so long as we remember what they did for every single one of us! Nothing could repay them, nor would they have expected anything- that’s true patriotism! I thank God every day that such men and women lived!! ❤

[@Gamecocks101]

Seven battles and no injuries. Dang

[@bibekjung7404]

ALMIGHTY God KABIR 🙏🙏--..

[@JimmyIreland69]

Mental scars for life afterwards I'll bet... Semper Fi Sgt crumbie rest in peace 🙏

[@Gamecocks101]

@@JimmyIreland69 absolutely

[@johnserafinko130]

The first response from ALL should be “Thank you for your service to our country” 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@theamerican-fm2im]

Seven battles no wounds .. no weapon formed against him would prosper

[@thomasfx3190]

SGT Crumbie, you sir are a badass. I’m sorry you had to live through that, but I’m proud to be your fellow Red Leg!

[@to8860]

Can you imagine kids today dealing with this?!!

[@ericmckinley7985]

​@@to8860 i don't know, ask them in Donetsk.

[@drown_n]

@@ericmckinley7985 HAHAHHA gotteem

[@michaelt2596]

Ssgt

[@ED-ti5tc]

Thank you for your service!You are an American Hero!

[@fazole]

The Korean War is badly overlooked and unreported. No Private Ryan, No Band of Brothers films for Korean War vets. Why? Vietnam was addressed finally, but not Korea? It's actually disrespectful, imo. Pork Chop Hill was probably the last film covering US ground forces in Korea. South Korea and even China have made many films on it.

[@BeefCake1012]

There’s “Devotion”, that newer one that came out recently about the first black navy aviator who served in Korea. I haven’t seen it yet but I heard it was pretty good. But nonetheless I agree, there need to be more miniseries and movies about the Korean War. I have a great uncle, Sam, who was and army infantry sergeant in a bazooka squad. I never met him because he died when I was little, but he was a good man who worked hard all his life after the service/war and my dad talked about him like another father figure.

[@joeswansonthesimphunter2612]

@@BeefCake1012 the only other piece of media about the korean war i can think of is M*A*S*H, but even then it’s so under spoken about it’s saddening. but yes i saw Devotion, it’s not so much about the combat aspect of the Korean War, but more about the emotional battle during the Korean War, and in my opinion it was a good movie

[@erikgothberg8078]

I agree, personally I think that Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg should make a series about the Korean War, as they did with WW2 in Band of Brothers and the Pacific

[@peaceonearth351]

They call the Korean War "The Forgotten War".

[@titaniumskunkogkush4365]

​@@peaceonearth351 for good reason. It was a war that demonstrated the resolve of the people in Asia. America wants to forget that war. Now Joe wants another Korea war. Might I remind you that China is not the same China back then militarily power wise.

[@CarlosGarcia-xi2gj]

Sir consider yourself lucky to survived all those battles to tell your story to the public. God blessed you..

[@richardthornhill4630]

Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.

[@Nick9Three]

This man is incredible. I could listen to him talk all day. What an amazing life, 7 battles and no injuries, and lived to 100 years old. Absolutely spectacular. Thank you for your service and thank you American Veterans Service for helping tell these stories.

[@senkim7260]

Thank you for helping South Korea. Thanks to their very hard Battle of Chosin Reservoir, they were able to inflict devastating damage on the Chinese elite forces who launched a surprise attack, which bought them time to save 100,000 civilians from the evacuation of Heungnam. Thanks again. I think you are a true hero.

[@silentwatcher1455]

The Chinese inflict them with extreme losses. That's why they are withdrawing to safety.

[@nifushu5758]

tr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BCrk_Tugay%C4%B1#/media/Dosya%3AWaltonWalker%26TahsinYazici.jpg İn the kunu-ri (chosin) battles after the main-UN-line broken Turkish brigate hold the chinese for 3 days. Turkish brigade run out of ammunition in early first day. 5000 Turks spent two days with bayonet battles and ammunition collected from the enemy. Chinese couldnt capture the mountain passes and couldnt surround all UN forces. İn this 3 days all Un forces was able to retreat to southern chosin area.Turkish troops suffered their greatest losses in this region. After the kunuri(chosin) battles the ceremony (picture) organized by the UN command. This picture of the medal given to the Turkish general Tahsin Yazıcı for their high achievements. İn this ceremony (UN forces commander in chief) Douglas MacArthur said, "The heroic battles of the Turks made it possible for the United Nations Forces to withdraw safely to new defense lines."

[@rexaly875]

U just know 0 history lol

[@sirtango1]

I know a Pastor Arnold Murray was a member of the Chosin Few. I heard him speak briefly a couple of times about his experiences after the chinese poured across the border. Our thoughts and prayers are with these men! Thank you for your service just doesn’t seen anywhere near adequate!

[@johnathonmounce2265]

Yes he was and a fine preacher he was

[@nathant3897]

What’s really sad is that 3/4 of the casualties were from cold weather smh it’s like our military learned nothing from the battle of the bulge just a decade earlier. Imagine if they would have had the proper cold weather gear they might have been able to beat the Chinese. The Chinese lost half of its force and half of that froze to death also. The waste of life is truly sad

[@EDINTHEWIND]

I was in Korea in the late 80’s at Camp Greaves. I remember night ambushes when it was -50. It’s brutal cold there in the winter and hot in the summer. Ooh and it super wet in the spring monsoon.

[@CausticPuffin]

“I did my duty and I did everything I was asked to do.” Discipline- the instant willingness and obedience to execute all orders.

[@randallpinkfloyd7225]

Thank you for your service. You sir, are a true American Hero! You served with honor. My father was a Korean War Veteran, and those who served have a special place in my heart.

[@nifushu5758]

Sometimes even the toughest heroes need rescuing somewhere. For these situations: Turkish Armed Forces🇹🇷🇺🇳

[@DRFelGood]

Thank you for your service, courage and sacrifice 🇺🇸❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@charlesmiddleton3247]

A Big Semper Fi to this outstanding veteran and a Thank You to him and his family! He's hanging out with all of his buddies in his new life of eternity. I hope he greets me when my time comes... From a Vietnam Era Marine Corps veteran.

[@Steven-c3n3m]

Sorry to hear Watson Crumby Jr. passed away. I appreciate his service to our Country. He is a hero like my late Uncle Dave and a friend I knew named Bob. All 3 men were there in the Chosin Reservoir and all saw action. What was a amazing is that all 3 men made it home ! Many were not as fortunate. God bless them all !!❤

[@Native_love]

What a brave hero! RIP Marine! You are a true hero!

[@ocularpressure4558]

Thank you for your service, sir

[@JEM133]

Hats off to you sir,,,, My dad was on the same invasion plan as you,1st Marines.Inchon to frozen Chosin. Actually you were all 10 corps. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

[@shirleyle3931]

My father and uncle's were in Korea and at Thanksgiving I eavesdropped the adult table and heard tales I've never forgotten.

[@AlexNH56]

Dude I know this dude hates the current state of this country

[@JLB456]

Thank you for ALL your sacrifices and your service sir.

[@edaddylongsnake]

My best friends grandpa was a tanker in Korea, only thing he EVER told my buddies mom (one time) was that he opened the hatch, looked around and they were surrounded. And said “it was a long night” and closed the hatch back up.

[@mmddmm553]

Semper Fi my Brother nothing but respect for you .

[@robertgreen2658]

My Dad was in 1st marine division. The heart of American patriot a American warrior CAN NOT BE MATCHED by anyone or army or country or domestic enemy. GOD IS ALWAYS WITH THE RIGHTEOUS we will always serve him Always

[@chillis28]

Much respect Sir!

[@Nerodontgivefuck]

My step dad's father looked at the TV one time and they showed the invasion of Korean. He said I was there...And he never said anything else....it was scary to watch his face go slack

[@dwaynekoblitz6032]

Another true American hero. God bless you sir! God bless all of our veteran warriors. Thank you for your heroic service. We owe you everything.

[@Leonbergerss]

Thank you Devil Dog , Semper Fi. You are a true American Hero 🇺🇸

[@austinferguson8879]

Wow just wow bro, my grandpa was a Korea vet he went over 55 years without talking in detail about it. I wish I knew before he passed but I would never dare ask him about those things he saw

[@sanghyunkang-m3o]

Than you for your service. I am a Korean who was born in 1987. My generation didn’t experience the war but I try to find more interviews form you Veterans. always I have remind that freedom is not free. again thank you for your service. take care and wish you and your family good health ❤

[@yjseo1524]

What a true hero. 🙏 I’m in the Recon unit and sending my deepest respect and gratitude to all the brave heroes who fought for my country S.Korea. Your blood and sweat is what defended freedom in this land. I’m deeply grateful for all the sacrifices you made. Without you, our country would’ve never existed. RIP Mr. Watson Crumble Jr. 🫡

[@jdenmark1287]

Richard J Whitworth Sr, 1930-2012, USMC, 1950-1954, served with the Fifth and Seventh Marines, two Purple Hearts, from Inchon through Chosin Reservoir and beyond. He and his best friend, Denny Pendergast, accidentally ended up on the same landing craft on September 15th, 1950 during the landing at Inchon. It was their 20th birthday too. They had one other classmate, Raymond Johnson, serve the entire campaign too. All three survived. All with severe PTSD they overcame on their own. All with families and careers. RIP Marines.

[@brianbrachel4871]

God bless you sir and thank you for your service.

[@RacerX1971]

The toehold he was referring to was Pusan. I was station in Osan AFB in 1984. He is a good story teller and thank you for your service

[@TheRealSlimshadyyyyyy]

As a fellow Marine, I would give anything to buy this Devil Dog a coffee. And just listen.

[@DanielBoyle-m6t]

Wow, 97 years old, we love all you old salts. Amazing how well spoken you are leatherneck. Thank you for your service. Great video. Semper Fi Marine!!

[@fazole]

There is an excellent documentary called Fire and Ice on the Chosin battle. Horrible went those men went through. Like an American version of the German experience at Stalingrad but the Americans got out!

[@ericmckinley7985]

No, the American Stalingrad would be Aachen or Manila.

[@andreholmlund1981]

Thank you sir for your service. Semper Fidelis

[@mgunny05]

A STUD….a young Marine that did his duty and fought like hell for his fellow Marines….humble but STILL a HERO in my book! Semper Fi SSgt, Semper Fi.

[@tonynapoli5549]

You did what you had to do ! Thanks

[@SuperSammyj14]

Thank you for your service and rest easy Sir Semper Fidelis

[@mikeblankenship7930]

My dad was there. 1st Marines. He also served in WW2 in Pelelui anong other battles.

[@baileybrewer1172]

Sad to read that he passed in February. Thanks very much for your service Mr. Crumbie, may you rest in eternal peace.

[@RelixAz]

Thank you for recording this and sharing it. He may not think of himself as a hero but I do

[@emilyhorak5651]

Thank You for your Service, God Bless

[@joelpierce3940]

Thank you, Sir! I hope we are worthy of your sacrifice.

[@tommierios6518]

Korea does get very cold. Much respect to you, sir. Thank you.

[@garymckee8857]

I glad you got his story before he passed away. SEMPER FIDELIS.

[@kentcrawford7080]

Thank you for your service

[@ericmckinley7985]

He dead

[@mrc4912]

A dear family friend was there and he said it was so cold in the Winter that the gasoline froze up in the lines of the heaters for the tents the GIs slept in (around minus 40 degrees). And in the Summer, it got up to close to 120 degrees.

[@andrewcastillo9558]

My grandpa served in korea as an infantry man. Thats all he talked about from what my mom says. How cold it was. Same with my childhood friends grandpa. Talked about how cold it was and refused to eat rice since 1953.

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

Yeah, Purple Heart is probably one of those accolades you'd rather _not_ receive, tbh...

[@ramccall]

My grandfather was 101st and part of this battle, he never talked about it. Only thing he would say is that the thing that saved him from freezing was his whiskey

[@gunnarr9882]

These guys are great. My dad flew an RF-86F there, taking pictures.

[@curtistignor3966]

Saluting you sir. God bless you. Thank you for our freedom.

[@Ronald-hx6zn]

A friend of mine served USA Korea. He said,coldest place he ever went to.And he said the Chinese kept coming in wave after wave. Willy is no longer with us,but he was a good man!!

[@williammccormick966]

Thank you for your service sir ❤

[@aegontargaryen9322]

Much respect to you sir .

[@Somegoy]

When he said he went through WW2, that means he went through the ENTIRE war. 2 years after PH to its end at least. You didn't have deployments back then, you were sent over and fought until you literally couldn't anymore, or you won the war. No injuries?? You wanna talk about odds??!?

[@joedirt5720]

My grandpa was Marine survivor of Chosen Reservoir... He says it was HORRIBLE because all you heard was trumpets all night long with countless Chinese coming over the mountain... 😊

[@mitchellculberson9336]

Thank you for your service to a FREE and grateful nation.

[@thegreenman2030]

I will probably take some crap for this but the difference in humility between the Korean and Vietnam vets as compared to some (not all) of todays vets of my age group (Gen x) is so very different. I guess technically and ease of life in modern day America has a big role to play in it as well. God bless this man and all that perished in all the wars fighting for America.

[@robertlawson9732]

Thank you for your service. You and my dad are my Hero.

[@skimmer8774]

At least a legend. No purple heart is a good thing. Two wars is way more than I would do. Thank you for your story and the freedoms my family enjoys. USAF ( Skimmer) ret.

[@joelpierce3940]

My late friend, Ken Slade, fought at the Frozen Chosen. He said he has never been so cold in his life.

[@kdog543]

Thank you for your service.🗡🦅🇺🇲

[@johnmarlin4661]

Never Forget !!!

[@ericfrantzen2516]

Thanks for Your Service and Bravery, Sir

[@mostlyshorts7462]

U.S marines , single handedly paved South Korea as we know it today , True Americans 🇺🇸❤️ most others in this world dont understand what we have done for them

[@ifronnin]

He's more cogent in his 90's than our Commander in Chief is at 80.

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Great video

[@emmanuelawosusi2365]

Love the channel

[@miltonhollis703]

Staff Sergeant Honorable Crumble Your Heath looks good, your mind Is like a Steel Trapp, and at 78, I can't Compete with you....Yes, you're still a Big Hero in my Book"

[@larryb982]

He has passed away.

[@AussieStandsWithRussia]

General Hackworth wrote a fantastic book about the battle in Korea called “about face”

[@bruh1077]

This guy is a national treasure!

[@spookyskelly5276]

My grandfather was there and took a round to the knee. Got two purple hearts and a bronze star by the time he finished his service.

[@seanlander9321]

People tend to forget that China went to war against the United Nations in a repugnant attack on civilisation.

[@brandonhallberg3213]

That man deserves a purple heart

[@MikeBison_]

Oh I’m definitely certain there’s a debate to be had about whether the T-34-85 was superior or not to the M46

[@stand4truth44]

This man is definitely a HERO!! Where's his metals?!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

[@chanalex8358]

As a Chinese , good to see this interview.

[@wildcat8598]

Tha k you Sir and I’m sorry my generation has met the country get to where it is today when your generation did everything to make this place the greatest country on earth. I can only imagine how it must feel for real Men like this gentleman seeing the world the way it is today.

[@larryb982]

May he rest in peace.

[@haroldmclean3755]

Good on Ya Mate 👍 Respect

[@speck6180]

My grandfather received the bronze star after getting left behind on the front for 8 hours alone so that General Van Fleet could have space on an evac plane. He was the generals body guard.

[@MichaelGalt]

Just signed up on Patreon. These interviews are priceless. Keep up the great work!

[@Theblackchromatic]

My great uncle was a marine in this battle - Joe Ollerenshaw from Livingston NJ

[@jamisonbernhardt3310]

Badass

[@trebopp5367]

Long love you soldier ❤ may you rest in peace.

[@dancemunki]

Dug out Doug was a military genius. That Incheon landing was a stroke of genius.

[@jongriggs85]

I wonder if he’s from St Louis. I believe I’ve met this hero before and he is a hero bc he kept other men alive in a real war in a real battle.

[@jeffjr84]

7 battles and 0 purple hearts kind of does make you a bit of a legend.. especially in this war..