Ben Wagner - The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir

Personal reflections of Ben Wagner, A Navy Corpsman and member of the "Chosin Few". Ben served in Korea from August to December of 1950 in one of the most brutal of conditions in the Changjin or Chosin Reservoir region. Mr. Wagner spoke to the Men's Club at Dickinson Hall, The Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Senior Center in Lake Forest, Illinois

[@craigd1897]

My uncle PFC.Clinton Hawkins was part of the Chosin Few!! Sadly, he passed a few years ago. His stories of that time were absolutely incredible! Its men like my uncle Clint, this Man, and especially ALL who paid the ultimate price give the TRUE MEANING TO AMERICAN SPIRIT!!!! THANK YOU ALL AND GOD BLESS!

[@cheefsmokealot4479]

It’s an honor to meet any veteran and talk with them. Their words of wisdom I cherish forever. Truly the greatest generation. 😆😆🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@kathleencraig3804]

Is Ben Wagner still alive? In North port fl my friend's dad a USMC he served chosen frozen he passed away few years ago in december. He was police chief former. Love history. They need to make a movie about this. Amazing what marines went thru.

[@deeluxe2010able]

I wish I could send this guy a thank you card. What a wonderful job he did, then and now.

[@jaycore7935]

man im so glad there are men like this guy and every1 else who serves our great country im joining the Marines! oorah

[@jessejames7757]

Awesome man.

[@lewjames6688]

Another great book about the Chosin fight is "Breakout", by Martin Russ.

[@iparent2148]

Good 'ol South Dakota boy. Tells it like he sees it; that surely doesn't play well with lots of people nowadays.

[@jameswells-uk6qu]

We don't hear much about the Korean war let alone this horrific battle! Where the soldiers were without enough supplies, ammunition, Clothing, Food, medical supplies, shelter, manpower etc. Of course America sent the most men! As usual! Thank you for sharing your story and service in one of the fiercest battles of war!💝

[@user-dv8ge8hf1o]

Semper Fi Doc!

[@jessejames7757]

I recommend Fox company last stand you can find it here on youtube

[@A6Wizard]

OO-Rah Doc!!! Bless you for your actions! You had my complete attention & HAVE my endearing respect! (On a side note: I'd love for some tech savvy fella to re-edit this magnificent video, and either remove that damned tinkering music in the background, or go back in time and take a Ka-Bar and cut the friggin wires!!! lol)

[@nei1mchugh]

respect

[@JOEMODE4U]

Denmark was represented with at least on KIA, NIELS I QVISTGAARD Corporal US Marine Corps Veteran of the Korean War The following was taken from the Arlington Cemetery Tribute page for Cpl Qvistgaard When King Frederick of Denmark visited the United States in 1960 he went to Arlington National Cemetery, not only to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns, but to also lay a wreath upon the grave of a United States Marine. Qvistgaard, son of a Danish Admiral who was the Naval Attached to the United States in 1950, had deep admiration for the Marine Corps. He had previously served in the Danish Army and with the British Forces in Germany, but the Korean War had just broken out and he wanted to be a Marine. It took special exemption to waive the citizenship requirements, but it was done. When he found that he had been ordered to headquarters duty, he begged for a combat assignment in Korea. He was subsequently made a forward artillery observer and was killed in action by a shell when the Communists attacked his region in October 1952. He had said that should he fall he wanted to be buried with his Marine comrades. This request was granted and he was buried in Section 12 of the cemetery. President Truman wrote, in part, to his father, "He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase it blessings. Freedom lives and through it, he lives - in a way that humbles the understandings of most men." (He was listed on the Company A, 2nd Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion roster)

[@blainedunlap4242]

Young Chinese are tough. We were tougher China. Keep that in mind. Watch Your Step.