Frozen Chosin - The Korean War's coldest battle

It was deadly, it was brutal and with temperatures colder than 25 degrees below zero, it was frozen. The battle of the Chosin reservoir in the winter of 1950 during the Korean War was one of the coldest battles in US history. Outnumbered nearly ten to one United Nations forces, made up mostly of American troops, were the first to fight against Chinese soldiers as they poured across the border and entered the Korean War. Eddie Rios, a Tucson native was there and fought alongside thousands of other marines, who are now known as the The Chosin Few.
Producer: Tom Kleespie
Videographer/Editor: Lindberg

[@loricoleman1766]

My father fought in the Korean War he came back to the States post traumatic stress syndrome he raised all of six kids we never went hungry I never remember him taking a sick day off from work he never drew unemployment if he lost his job he had one the next day. The things he learned in the Marine Corps stuck with him for the rest of his life surviving Korea in 1950 made a Survivor out of him for the rest of his life he's been gone twelve years now but he lives in my heart along with the things he taught me rest in peace Sergeant Billy Coleman

[@feriya9]

Without those heroes, South Korea would not exist today. Thank you always and I hope your father will rest in peace. Thank you.

[@incongnito12]

my respects and my condolences to your father. He was truly a hero that allowed what south korea is now.

[@edwinhargrave679]

Thank God for our brave military.

[@bobloblaw2958]

A big salute to your pop, may you and your tribe live in the security he helped give us all!

[@travismckinnon7649]

After what he went through in Korea I guess life back in the States was gravy.

[@AC_702]

As a fellow Marine, I salute the Chosin Frozen. Such an incredible display of determination, will, and sheer force of mind to deal with that battle and survive.

[@montwestblack3678]

Force of mind is great but the cold is cold

[@CaptainFedora]

My Grandfather, Robert Wallace Hudson, was one of them. His first born son, Bob, died at approximately 5 years of age in his arms. He served at the end of WW2 as a chemist (I think he helped make the bombs that hit Japan). He was a good man, a loving father of 8, had multiple grandchildren, and one of my namesakes. He would have been 99 years old on August 7 this year (2019). He died at 95 in the hospital, and I wasn't there to say goodbye. His wife, Helen, died a couple years later due to a broken heart. His Marine uniform, and sweater (that I'm currently wearing) are the last things I have left of him.

[@mortalclown3812]

You'll all see each other again. May extra angels be with you. ❤❤

[@antoniolucero6910]

Such humble man. Such super human. Can’t even begin to imagine what they went through. I’m in awe I respect you sir. Thank you for your service.

[@artmoss6889]

My father-in-law was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart as a Captain at Chosin. I only learned about this when I was helping him clean up his basement and looked into a 50 year old box containing his medals and citations. I knew very little about Korea, so I started reading some books on the subject including "The Coldest War," and tried to get him to talk about his experiences. He was not interested in reminiscing. He was a graduate of West Point and had served on McArthur's staff in Tokyo before the Korean War began. After the war, he got his Ph.D. and became a college professor but eventually left academia to work in computer science. He was very soft-spoken, gentle and humble, but his bravery at Chosin made him a giant of a man in my eyes.

[@allencollins6031]

All I can say is wow. Damn man. To accomplish all ge did after that hell.

[@artmoss6889]

@@allencollins6031 Yeah, people from that era were able to take a licking and keep on ticking.

[@allencollins6031]

@@artmoss6889 they weren't raised on I dream of Jeanie, leave it to beaver, happy days, friends, sex in the city etc. They were children of the great depression. I know I'm preaching to the choir. Just thanks for that story. Reminds me of my dad. WWII seabee- Solomon islands.

[@Snuffy03]

An old friend of mine, who has now passed, was with H 3/1 at the Chosin. His stories of that time were inspiring to a Marine like myself.

[@MrRadioGypsy]

My Dad was with a small Army detachment with you Marine guys at the Chosin. Although it was mostly Marines there, there were some Army personnel. Anyway, I remember my Dad telling me many stories of how they survived the weather and the relentless enemy horde and their attacking in one direction after being surrounded just to break out. Then there was the march out of there. In particular, my Dad told me about the some of the prisoners they had walking along the road. Dad said it sounded like blocks of ice being pounded on concrete. Because these prisoners feet were frozen solid; but they could still walk on them. They all had to walk; there was no other way out at that time. The bone freezing cold of 40 below zero they all had to endure out in the open. The Chinese did not have the provisions necessary to survive the extreme cold. Many people died of freezing, as well as the bullets and bombs. They had to stay moving to keep from freezing to death. They had goose down sleeping bags, each man had two of them, and they would slip one bag inside the other and then sleep in that. Dad was so happy and surprised that those bags were so good that he could get some real sleep in them without freezing. Said he was pretty warm, despite those circumstances. Dad kept those bags for fifty years, I remember them and even had a chance to use them myself as a kid when camping. Just some of the things I remember from Dad.

[@ordinarybear7037]

written records needed of these times . .

[@hubertwalters4300]

If he was in the Army,there was a Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division with the Marines at Chosin,they were on the east side of Chosin and when the orders to fight there way out of the trap at Chosin came down,this Regiment had to fight there way back down to the Marines, but they were cut off from the Marines by the Chinese and their co was killed,in the ensuing action the Regiment had to break up and try to infiltrate through the Chinese to get to the Marine lines,out of 1053 soldiers in the Regiment only about 300 made it,all of the rest were killed wounded, captured or froze to death in the frozen waste of Chosin.

[@johnwalsh4948]

A friend's father was there. He was also the only member of his company besides the captain who weren't killed or wounded on Iwo Jima. He finished out WWII as a marine...went to Korea and was in the Chosin Resivoir and then to Viet Nam until he retired. Native American Marine. When he died the Navy was going to send four sailors and a boombox to his funeral...his son (also Marine Viet Nam) called the commander at Camp Pendleton, Ca. and told him about it...needless to say he called the Navy and chewed them up good...he sent Marines as an honor guard and a bugler instead.

[@rickhibdon11]

"Nobody said no" How can this country ever begin to repay these brave young men?

[@timharrison8293]

By giving them a percentage of every Korean car sold in the US.

[@DixieSchizo]

@@timharrison8293 America needs to properly compensate them plus that's not why they fought

[@watersidelapper6314]

Begin with not voting demoncrats

[@mac26x98]

A Marine Story I would like to NEVER be forgotten.......As a Navy Hospital Corpsman 1949-51 I had many wounded (frozen) Korean Marines from Chosin that needed quick med care and were coming state side very fast, so it was front-line medic if available, M.A.S.H then airlifted via AF C-54, rest-refueling stop at Hickam then on stateside, Travis. One marine "non-Chosin" I transported from Travis AFB had a cast (Spica) from his waist down to the knee on his left leg and all the way on the right with a turnbuckle out the bottom that was tighten to keep his leg stretched because the Femur was gone. On the AmBus his litter wouldn't fit in a litter station so I had to place him on the floor for the "bumpy ride" to Oak Knoll. Needless to say he was in a lot of pain, I had to give him a shot of Morphine to at least relieve it somewhat. The M.A.S.H docs had put a little box on the inside bottom of the cast full of Maggots to keep the infection abated. Our Oak Knoll med guys removed it before he went to x-ray the same night I transported him. The leg was so far gone they had to amputate it right after the cast and "Maggots" were removed because it started Hemorrhaging again. I ask for and got permission to stand a "Special" watch on him that same night. I had my 2 hour watch on him as he came out of surgery without a right leg. The Chaplin came in and told me not to mention it to him, he would when he came-out of anesthesia. You talk about about a Gung-Ho Marine, when the Chaplin told him his leg was gone, he didn't say anything for what seemed like a long time, maybe only a few seconds, but his first words were "Does that mean I have to leave the Corps". He had taken three 30cal bullets instead of across they were from just above the knee up to the hip, a few inches apart. They went in small from the left front but took most of the femur bone and flesh from the knee to the hip joint going out. I had one of the best Black guy Ambus bus drivers you would ever want, he did super and was a great help on every trip. On the trip out in the morning him living in Oakland, we would stop by his house (he made his own beer) to pick up a couple bottles for our trip but he never over did it ever, the one each was all. We always liked eating at David Grant, Travis hospital before picking up our patients for the trip back to Oak Knoll. This is the story I sent to my email "Chosin Few org for their newsletter" Marine friend that I transported News Years 50-51, he was frozen but not too bad and stayed in the Corps retiring as a Major I think he told me.

[@ds654]

Thank you for your service !

[@waynesmith1704]

My Dad, PFC Billy Lee Smith U.S. Army was in this battle. We lost him to cancer 7 years ago today. Thank you to all of the soldiers and Marines for what you did at the Chosin Reservoir.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

The Marines bore the brunt of the Chinese attacks in fact survival chances were few and far between with most of those men wounded or dead.

[@joeswansonthesimphunter2612]

@@CrossOfBayonne of the 2,500 NATO troops dead at Chosin Reservoir, the majority were Marines.

[@hubertwalters4300]

@@joeswansonthesimphunter2612 There were no NATO troops at Chosin,all were US Marines and one US Army unit.

[@joeswansonthesimphunter2612]

@@hubertwalters4300 there were british troops there and some troops from other countries. the majority of the troops were US Marines

[@hubertwalters4300]

@@joeswansonthesimphunter2612 You're right,I forgot about the British Royal Marine Commandos and the others.

[@Daniel-ex7fs]

My grandfather was in the frozen chosen in the Korean War. He was one of the first to leave the USS Missouri. He and 2 others made it out alive from his section. Sadly, he never talked about any of his experience ever to his family. He was scarred from his experience. God bless those who fought.

[@James_Cy]

You can't even spell Chosin correctly, I doubt your grandfather ever served. Name rank and unit.

[@noahsenz854]

James C Chill, man he is probably a kid or made a simple spelling mistake.

[@neelysmama]

Thank you for all freedoms we have,

[@wmcbarker4155]

@@neelysmama Wesley ' Bud' Phillips my friend, was a POW then, R.I.P. Bud

[@jadenmorin7948]

@@James_Cy Just because someone spelt a fucking word wrong doesn’t mean his grandfather didn’t serve. Literally makes no sense

[@willm678]

My grandpa joined the army in 1942 at age 17 where he served as a paratrooper in ww2 in the pacific theater- Japan. He gained his master parachutist badge before heading off to Korea at the end of the war where he joined an infantry unit. He earned a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Battlefield Commission. He was almost killed when a grenade went off and sent shrapnel to his chest, and he also got malaria in Korea. He saw men die around him, and he killed men. After that he served in the Signal Corps stationed in Viet Nam. He retired a lieutenant colonel in 1970. A true American hero and badass to me. He died aged 91. Rest In Peace, Papa. 1925-2017 US Army 11th Airborne Division 24th Infantry Division Army Signal Corps

[@dukeman7595]

Your Grandfather was a true badass indeed and a brave man.

[@josephcarr2742]

God bless

[@ordinarybear7037]

A great man, may he rest in peace .

[@mikefry8152]

Those were the real marines back then. My uncle was there I followed in his footsteps later on. But those were the real fighting to the death marines. God bless every one of them and semper fi as always

[@chrisholland7367]

' Per mare Per terram '41 independent Royal Marines commando who served alongside the USMC and marched out together from the frozen chosin 🇬🇧

[@timholtzclaw8930]

Thank You from North Carolina.

[@williamprice2677]

Harry Truman: "the safest place to be in in Korea is behind a platoon of Marines..." Didn't like Truman, but happened to be right once in while. Semper Fi Arizona

[@feriya9]

Without those heroes, South Korea would not exist today. Thank you always and hope they rest in peace.

[@gunsaway1]

These are the men who were forgotten by America

[@to-tt7fc]

Forgotten by mainstream America but embraced in the heart by South Koreans.

[@rowdyyates5345]

As defenders of the nation we are all forgotten. The sheep like the sheepdog when Mr wolf is prowling. When he is gone they like if we are neither seen nor heard.

[@danielwebb9306]

Thank you for your service Marine my dad served in Korea in the USAF in pusan

[@rnjsaudwo]

Great appreciation from a Korean guy. We would never forget your dedication, your sacrifice, and your blood.

[@xiaoyulin4008]

you seems not grateful to the guy who saved your country many times from japan in ancient time

[@weizhang1913]

shame, still a tributary ,to China,to Japan, now to American.

[@sungpark635]

@@xiaoyulin4008 The Ming dynasty saved Joseon, and the Qing dynasty invaded Joseon. Gratitude was set off against each other

[@xiaoyulin4008]

@@sungpark635 Qing dynasty saved korean once too from the japanese. so korea should be grateful

[@Tang_Plng]

가오리빵즈

[@ftdefiance1]

Thanks for helping this not be forgotten. I served in Korea during peace time. Cold and those yamas were high.

[@grizzlypranks]

oorah. Y'all will never be forgotten

[@CrossOfBayonne]

The Battle Of Chosin Reservoir can be considered one of the most epic struggles of all time besides Thernopyle, Fort Mchenry, and Valley Forge since the Marines of the 1st Division were fighting not only the Chinese but brutal cold weather with frostbite taking the lives of many of the boys who were there while trying to escape North Korea by sea.

[@hlmmoore]

This is how my oldest brother spent his last few days on this earth. He may be in some of these pictures.

[@phaedracollins6051]

Very brave men including 41 Commando RM - they all deserve our fullest respects. I learnt about this when years ago I worked with a former RM who had been there.

[@tigertiger1699]

Mate......, I believe the British Commando went further up that god forsaken dead trap of a road... to help rescue & fight with the USMC.... even when it was obviously a hopeless case... poorly planned by the US generals....., but all of their “❤️” must be held against the poor Chinese..., many of who were fighting with their feet frozen in ice... they had to sent there bare foot... not even a gun each.....🤔 he says they had to wait for more airdrops... , I imagine the Chinese had no airdrops... Why do we do this? Unbelievable mistakes by military leadership

[@rickybobby1055]

These Marines were the reason i became a Marine. That and my family before me were Marines since the Banana Wars, every generation before me. Very proud heritage.

[@williampierce4513]

Thanks for you and your families service!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸 Much respect!!!

[@cavecavecavecave5295]

I could listen to this guy all day. I wish I could shake his hand.

[@malcolmnicoll1165]

These are tough guys. God love 'em. Thanks for posting.

[@Cincinnatus1869]

My Uncle Bill was there and he spent the remainder of his life making damn well sure he was warm. He had an obsession with the fireplace . I always thought he was weird about it until he told me the story of laying in a hole for days with the sub zero winds blowing from Siberia and not being able to build a fire because there were enemy soldiers waiting to shoot anything they could see. He vowed to himself that if he made it home he would make sure he had a fire going whenever he wanted one and that he would never have cold feet again. My Dad was 8 years older and had served in the Pacific during WW2 and had pretty much the opposite experience , dealing with extreme heat and malaria in the tropics. I served in the Persian Gulf for awhile in the 90s and it was hot as hell there too, but nobody was trying to kill me so it was no problem in comparison to Dad and Bill's service experience. Still they were proud of me and always told me I should be proud of my service.

[@therond.patron4959]

My father was there in November of 1950 with Chesty Puller Fox Co 2/7

[@DavidJohnson-gr9lk]

The last stand of fox company is a good book about what they endured

[@kenzeier2943]

David Johnson I read it. Very interesting.

[@TheCerebralDude]

Theron D. Patron My dad served in Fox 2/7 in Korea also!! He wasn’t at Chosin though. He got there in 1952

[@loricoleman1766]

Mine as well dad said they would follow him anywhere. They were in every major battle they took pork chop Hill twice after the Army failed Army advised chesty puller to attack in the morning he said I'll pitch my tent up there tonight and they did with high casualties

[@mweedy1dad]

My dad was in the chosin reservoir during the Korean war he called it the Frozen chosen

[@tomstevenson161]

My dad was there too, mater of fact, he is in the picture on the cover of this video (3rd mortar squad, Able of the 7th). Part of the ridge runners to reinforce Fox company of the 7th.

[@jerryhammack1318]

I served in Korea on my first duty assignment as a Combat Engineer. Yes I saw the aftermath of the brutal combat that those forces faced. Whole forests blown away and beds of bullets and shrapnel 6 inches deep! Bless all of the brave men in that frozen hell ! Horrific is an understatement. No supplies,wrong cold weather gear and constant fighting. Brave men caught up in a brutal storm of war. I have the greatest respect for all who fought there. Yes it is the coldest windy high mountain area I ever served in. I will never forget the signs of battle I personally witnessed while serving there long after those brutal bitter sacrifices that were made by those before me. With the deepest of respect, that was a somber and humbling duty station. Huge sacrifices were made on both sides. The people who lived through that are all forever in my prayers. Those that perished gave all for their countries as true soldiers. Bless them all ,and may we not forget what they did ! As a veteran now myself I have a deeper respect for those poor souls who have gone before me and the sacrifices they made!

[@charlottemace1810]

THANK YOU FOR SERVING.

[@janmoon7998]

My father, John (Jock) Mooney, was one of the Chosen few ( Just turned 19 years old). He served with the 41st Independent, a British Royal Marine commando unit that were specifically formed at Bickleigh Barracks near Plymouth, for the war in Korea. They were flown out to Camp McGill in Japan in civilian clothing, where they were fully equipped by the United States Forces.These British Commandos carried out a number of amphibious raids on the North Korean coast line, which my father was part of, they were later re organised into task force Drysdale . One of their later missions was to break through and help evacuate part of the First Marine Division, from the path of the oncoming Chinese army . part of this rescue mission took place in Hell Fire Valley and was part of the historic breakout from the Chosen Reservoir. The 41st independent were later presented with the United States Presidential Unit Citation for services with the 1st Division United States Marine Corps. To this day my father is a fit almost 90 year old living with my mother in Devon England.

[@Chuck883]

Thank you for your service Eddie Rios 🇺🇸

[@GregoryP-jw8qj]

I got frostbite just listening and seeing the miserable frozen conditions these guys had to mount an offensive and withdrawal in. Tough s.o.b.s. Much respect and admiration to you. 🇺🇲

[@user-yg6dk9eh8g]

Finest Men,in the Nation!

[@artistjeannem]

My Dad was a Marine Staff Sergeant, fought in this war, he said it was 50 below, and told me about this war, but only when he was an old man. Gut wrenching horror! He also was Navy WWII, with my grandfather, his Dad. Dad was wounded in Korea, it's a long story, a 💜 Hero. The US government abandoned the troops, napalmed them, and general macarthur killed 10k marines in 1 day due to his own choice. RIP "Daddy" who passed in 2013. PBS has an aired documentary on The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir . Watch it if you can stomach it.

[@nathanielblaney1631]

Wow, imagine going from Tucson, Arizona to the frozen mountains of North Korea. Hardcore humans; mad respect.

[@rjake61]

Uncle Herm. 5th Infantry Regimental Combat Team. MIA, 1951 Chinese Spring Offensive.

[@alandavis9644]

My father was there, had lots of stories about the cold. I have 8mm film that only family have seen he shot during this time period.

[@brianparker130]

A close man Ik was apart of the chosen he is now 87 and u can tell he still deals with the horrors of war

[@dukeman7595]

One never forgets the horrors they see it stays with you for life.

[@user-vk7ib2gz5f]

담신은 모두 영웅 입니다 ᆢ 고생 많이 하셨습니다 ᆢ 고인되신분은 명복을 빕니다 ᆢ 이분 덕분에 우리는 자유롭게 살수 있습니다 ᆢ감사 합니다 ᆢ 건강하시고 ᆢ사랑 합니다 ᆢ 전 1956년 생 입니다 ᆢ

[@Carlito84Qc]

Translation by google : Damshin are all heroes ᆢ You have suffered a lot. Rest in peace to the deceased. Thanks to this man, we can live freely Yes ᆢThank you ᆢ Stay healthy and I love you. I was born in 1956 ᆢ

[@seonwooKIM77]

Thank you for your service

[@kevinflaherty7592]

A former coworker and now deceased good friend was a member of the first marine division.during inchon invasion his unit took wolmido island to support the inchon invasion.i remember distinctly him talking about "frozen" chosen.he was 19 at the time and he said that if he was older he'd never would've survived the brutal cold.he said to go to the bathroom he'd have to lay down on his side in the daylight to avoid getting shot and he had to go quick or his extremeties would freeze because of the brutal cold.i asked him if he ever shot anyone and he said there's nothing good about killing someone else and didn't want to talk anymore about it.i apologized for asking him about his experiences and never asked him again.

[@cskibb67]

Plank Owner USS Chosin CG-65 FC1(SW) USN 85-96 Glad you made it back!!

[@kenzeier2943]

According to two books I finished on the events at Choisin, things were grim. A lot of soldiers showed toughness and tenacity. Glad they’re getting some recognition. Our farming neighbor was in Korea but it was like people treated it as a kid brother to WW-2.

[@JaneCooper190072]

My Pastor was there at the frozen Chosin.. Amazing how the hand of God was on those men. God Bless you all..

[@davisworth5114]

I have great respect and admiration for Korea veterans, theirs was truly the forgotten war, they were shamed upon homecoming as being soft and the POWs were seen as communist sympathizers. Count your blessing EVERY DAY, America. Vietnam veteran, class of '68.

[@denisezacaropoulos6184]

My father died yesterday. He was one of " The Chosin Few"

[@Gungho1a]

Three australian soldiers were at the Chosin. They were in the first australian contingent that landed in the south, and deserted forward to see some action. Hitchhiked their way up the peninsular, and ended up with the Marines.

[@chrisholland7367]

Not just US Marines but also Royal Marines were there with them, and they marched out of the frozen Chosin together .

[@averagejo16]

My Dad was there during November of 1950. 1st Marine division, 2nd battalion.

[@Ashphinchtersayswhat]

My uncle who passed a while back was Charles Salls. He’s in the history books somewhere as a hero as all were from the chosin reservoir. 50cal gunner. Lived thru it. Gnarly

[@GamingGioPlays]

I happen to come across this video 6 years to late but it’s a great video.

[@jamesbrewer-lk8te]

God Bless you. Thank you for your service.

[@Carlito84Qc]

"Tortillas and tamales were molded but we still eat them and man they were great, that's penicillin" wait what ? Can I really producemy own penicillin lol

[@arielphillips8484]

Thank you for your service! America’s heroes!

[@nguyenfang6976]

My grandpa was in the Korean War he's 91 years old and still alive today.

[@Mr.Coffee117]

My grandpa use to tell me about how he was part of the frozen chosen. He would tell me how cold it was and he would never forget it.

[@sanarcher]

My grandfather and grandmother both fought in Korea, as Americans foes. They told quite a lot stories about the war. They talked about how US air superiority was dominating, but they believed that we Chinese were much more resilience. Digging trench and manuvuring in mountains during nights filled their memories.

[@rowdyyates5345]

Well isn’t that special

[@sirich7751]

Read somewhere that one of the most important differences and an unsung hero of the war was a sleeping bag. Supposedly, whatever mfr made them, made them of high quality a geared for extreme cold. If it weren't for those bags, I thought I read they would have had to have retreated. Maybe in "Flags of Our Fathers"? But anyway, supposedly the best piece of equipment they had.

[@sjk8273]

Amazing... Determination.

[@wfdix1]

My dad was an Army Lieutenant in chemical warfare, which he said there was none. He was always talking about frozen chosen, which became frozen Chosin as I understood better.

[@maxsands3861]

That's what my dad told us when the bread and cheese got moldy, that's free penicillin kid eat it or go hungry!

[@stephenkubica9829]

"That's penicillin." Good shit.

[@jameseveland6718]

I love MR RIOS A MANS MAN

[@jejohn3676]

May everyone that lost their lives forever RIP ♥️

[@jamesrunions4553]

Why are they no movies of the Korean war

[@zzddll27]

I would eat moldy tamales too if I was up there in that frozen hell hole

[@deankostas7214]

Frozen Chosen happened as a result of Gen MacArthur, front line night patrol hero of WW 1, and very efficient commander in the Pacific in WW 11. After brilliant, counter attack w marines in Korea, he, like many others in history, underestimated enemy resolve, plus ability to conceal troop build up. He disregarded Pres Truman's orders to stop after arriving at N K border, and raced his troops up narrow undefended roads to that of China, despite their warning, and ignoring intell reports? U.S. troops, suddenly surrounded at Chosin, tenaciously, w great determination, managed to fight and pull out, unprepared in sub zero weather, and w air support, to the coast.

[@hubertwalters4300]

Gen.McArthur didn't disobey President Truman's orders because Gen.McArthur convinced him in a meeting on Guam,I think it was,that if the Chinese intervened like Mao was threatening, that bc they had no air power,tanks,or other heavy weapons, they would be slautered, after that President Truman agreed to the advance onto N.Korea up to the Chinese border on the Yalu River,while the Chinese Army had no heavy weapons and moved on their feet,they turned their weakness into a strength,they were able to move an entire Army across Manchuria moving only during the hours of darkness and covering their tracks,they were able to infiltrate 300,000 troops into N.Korea and sat there in the mountains watching the US troops advance up to the Yalu,then in Oct.they made their presence known,then melted away,then in Nov.they launched massive attacks a lot of units were overrun,then the UN forces had to retreat South to escape destruction.

[@hubertwalters4300]

After this high set back,Gen.McArthur wanted to bomb Chinese bases in China,and even use the atom bomb,President Truman almost went along with it then changed his mind and decided to keep the war limited to the Korean peninsula, Gen.McArthur's disagreement with President Truman's policy lead to President Truman relieving him from his command.

[@anjichurch4406]

My Dad was one of the Chosin Few. Paul Formica Jr.

[@davideldridge6796]

My father was born in 1933. Early 33 he's brother went to Europe during WW2 when he got back in 47 my father wanted to be like him. So he joined the army in early 51 April 51 he went to Alabama then to Oakland California then from there Japan then to pusan. He was there the last 11 months of the war till the cease fire agreement, he left korea in September and went to Hawaii were he went for his engineer degree. He came back home to NH and boy oh boy the things he told me

[@davideldridge6796]

He was in the 25th infantry division combat engineer

[@davideldridge6796]

I think it's funny a kid I work with who just joined the marines he's going on june 24th he says he can't wait to see combat jeeezzz he has no fucking idea what might happen. Honestly I don't think I see him making it back

[@RichardMyers-gx5fw]

Semper Fi Brother

[@blades2255]

TRUE WARRIORS. Amazing people dont realize the losses these great warriors took. Im pretty sure there were as many or more mia's in Korea than Vietnam. THANK ALL OF YOU. I taught my children about the true real life super heroes combat soldiers are. Now Im teaching my grandkids. In my small world ill NEVER allow these men to be forgotten

[@robertdean1929]

Thank you all

[@idgeek]

Thanks for your service, You will never be forgotten here in Korea,

[@tigertiger1699]

Hi, as a kiwi I think one of our proudest... yet forgotten things about ourselves is that every Anzac Day there is a contingent of Korean military that come and march and lower their/ your flag to ours🌹. I don’t think many of the crowd even know what it’s about... but it curs me every time... our nations and peoples showing gratitude and respect to and for each other.... 🌹

[@themisfitsman77]

My dad was part of the 7th marine of fox company! He was apart of the chosin frozen

[@jaimelaureano6649]

... To all interested in this subject -> A must: David Halberstam's "The Coldest Winter"

[@JDsModernMartialArts]

These were tough men nothing like the majority of young men today.

[@sharonkeith601]

JDsModernMartialArts / Pastor Murray, who began KZbin channel “Shepherd’s Chapel” was in Korea, at Chopin Reservoir. He said it was really horrible! He was also an excellent Bible teacher! Dennis Murray is now the preacher.

[@bobloblaw2958]

Heroes. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@hauntedmoodylady]

Seems the story of the Frozen Chosen, almost never includes the story of the US Army units which made up the 8th Army, and X Corps which the US Marine 1st Division was a part. Units of the Army's 7th Div occupied the North Eastern side of the Chosen reservoir, primarily the 31, Regiment (to include units of the 32nd Regiment), this force was known as Task Force McClean, which was commanded by the Regimental Commander COL McClean. Upon arrival task force McClean relieved units of the 1st Marine Div which returned to the 1st Marine Div on the West side of Chosen. The US Army 3rd Div protected the 1st Marine Div West flank. Elements of the Army's 7th Division were on the Marine's East Flank. Undoubtedly, MacArthur and his staff believed it would be an easy sweep to the Yalu River at the Chinese border. It would have been had the Chinese PLA not got involved. Task Force MacLean was the lead force facing the Chinese. Task Force MacLean was also least prepared for the Chinese on-slaught. No intelligence on the enemy, no to bad communication, essentially no artillery support. COL. MacLean was killed while trying to make contact with who he thought were a groups of men of his Regiment, when in fact they were Chinese. At that point the Task Force became known as Task Force Faith (BN. CO of the 31th BN). Task Force MacLean/Faith fought the Chinese 80th Division essentially with small, arms and hand to hand. The 1st Marine Div after advancing 1,500 hundred yards began their fighting retreat/withdrawal. The untold story is Task Force Maclean/Faith; which though decimated brought up the rear of the X Corp. A Marine Chaplin happened to see these men of the 7th US Army Division who endured the brunt of 4 Chinese Divisions (the Marines had 3 Divisions on their West flanks, the 3rd US ID was there also, obviously those units closer to the port did not endure the entire gauntlet). This Marine Chaplin upon seeing these men of the US 7th Inf. Div undoubtedly beat to hell as they closed in on the assembly area to board ships referred to these men as 'cowards' they were the last to reach the relative safety of the port. The 1st Marine Div were soon recognized with the Presidential Unit Citation. This Marine 'Chaplin's' comment, and subsequent articles which repeated these 'observations' resulted in the untold story taking until 1999 to be reconciled. It was 1999 when the men of the 7Infanty Division, and the men of Task Force MacLean/Faith were recognized with The Presidential l Citation.. COL MacLean, LTC Faith (KIA's) were among the 90 - 95% pf the Task Force who were either killed, wounded, or taken captive.. These men became know as the Polar Bears. They protected the 1st Marine Div East flank for 4 days. Such a shameful story perpetrated by the 1st Marine Div Commander, O. P. Smith, and a clueless, busybody Marine Chaplin..

[@mikesarich1680]

Pop was there too, 30 cal barrel burns on his arm, two holes in him in the retreat

[@user-nr3si1no9g]

Great America ! God Bless! The world needs her!

[@user-qi5ns6yw6y]

1:02 maps...If the Sea of Japan is mislabeled, it is the East Sea

[@davidstaudohar6733]

🦅🇺🇸🦅 Semper Fidelis 🦅🌍⚓ , thank U 4 serving 👌👌‼️

[@Strings-jg2to]

What a bunch of badasses.

[@cameron6707]

my uncle was in this

[@michaelwoo4123]

That's a reminiscence of Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat in the brutal harsh cold winter in Russia.

[@TheRealAb216]

"that's penicillin" fuck yes Devil Dog.

[@duckys10]

1st Sgt Bill Stephens, USMC. Semper Fidelis.

[@tommykankare6775]

A true American hero!

[@rcjabroniyup4959]

I'm here from Tyler zed.. Nobody dropping those care packages cared to factor in wind ? It seems like they wanted to deliver to the enemy. It's almost like leaving tanks and weapons for your enemies. Those rations saved lives of the enemies. In that case they could have poisoned rations and dropped them in enemy zones that woulda been sweet

[@thejohnsong4166]

As a Korean, I have such respect for the US and other UN nations who aided us. South Korea was able to be where we are now because of your sacrifice. Even amongst the young like myself, there are those who remember what you did. We owe you a debt we cannot pay back but I assure you we will come to your help when you are in need. US and Korean alliance forever!

[@Tennischamp450]

I have met many Korean Americans in the Army, the bond lives on! It’s really impossible to fathom what the world would look like if North Korea held all of Korea, literally millions upon millions of lives would have been forever ruined.

[@larry1824]

We're not retreating we are attacking in a different direction

[@elwerouno1]

RIOS#1 👏👍💪🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@larrycapps4397]

SEMPER FIDELIS MY BROTHERS

[@lonw.7016]

tomallies and tortillias froze in the night evenin our sleeping bags. tomallias and tortillias

[@benquinney2]

Important correction

[@duckyday1099]

Heroes everyone.🙏

[@mikecamp486]

My dad did 30yrs drafted 1950 he served in Vietnam 8 tours and he said Korea was worse

[@wesleydunn9952]

My uncle robert got two purple hearts there god rest his soul usmc