How the Marines fought the Korean War's greatest battle

In his new book, "On Desperate Ground," author Hampton Sides recounts the fateful experience of U.S. Marines and their clash with overpowering Chinese forces at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea in November 1950, which has been called the Korean War's greatest battle. National security correspondent David Martin talks with Sides; Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, whose father fought at Chosin; and Warren Weidhahn, who was a private during the battle.
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[@geneciliberti3361]

I'm a proud member of The Chosin Few - an association of those who survived the reservoir battle. I arrived with the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade in August 1950 and left during the march to the sea in December. Had some frostbite but I made it home OK.

[@shawnmalone9711]

Thanks for your service Marine!👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@cm-pr2ys]

Semper Fidelis Old Salt! We joined because of people like you! I’m glad you made it back and thank you for your service in the Korean War. I’ll always remember visiting the DMZ and working with the ROK Marines in 2014 in Okinawa and Osan.

[@psychonauturiel005]

most underrated comment, where can i here stories from real soldiers? its important that we dont forget

[@floridalawgirl]

Thank you for your service. My father-in-law also served in this great battle. RIP Maj. James Anderson.

[@isaacadkins9358]

Thank you for your service. May God bless

[@chappelshow24]

My grandfather Erving Chappel fought this battle. The man who taught me everything without needing to say much is my hero. Thank you for your service sir. And to all those who fought along and followed after. Thank you.

[@pfsalinger7195]

My grandfather was a Marine during Korea he served with honor and I miss him often. The stories he told were horrific, specifically the hand to hand combat.

[@minns5515]

Much respect to anyone who served... My Father served twenty years in the Army two terms in Vietnam and one in Panama

[@dariengash3116]

I hope panama was a nice time, Ive been there and really like it. My family remembers the marines there and they seemed to enjoy staying in our country.

[@on2wheels378]

I have two great uncles who are farmers in Hanford, and Tulare California. When it get's chilly or cold, one of us kids would say, "oh it's cold." Uncle Joe or Uncle Dennis would say, not as cold as Korea... Then they would have this sad look on their faces... I am so thankful for their service and sacrifice in Korea.

[@neovivaldi]

I would like to express my deep gratitude for the sacrifice the foreign warriors made to safeguard the democracy and peace of a country they did not even know. Year 2020, as Korean, we are not forget them.

[@FuttBuckerson]

What a great comment to hear. This makes my heart warm

[@wahooto]

Dad, Bill V. Araujo, B/1/11, "Chosin Few" member also came over with Brigade. Fought to and through Chosin. He passed in 2005.

[@mac26x98]

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.

[@terryfriend16]

Great story and good interview. Respect the 90 year old man for the interview too. You did good.

[@calebclark6696]

Ww2 soldiers and Korean War soldiers are the greatest generation. Those men suffered worse than anyone can imagine.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

I would say more specifically WW2 because the Korean War veterans were born too late for that war.

[@thunderbird1921]

@@CrossOfBayonne Actually, a number of the Korean War officers were World War II vets (and a few older pilots and infantry men were also). Imagine surviving not one, but TWO of the nastiest conflicts America has ever fought in.

[@robertisham5279]

@@thunderbird1921 Vietnam was nastier.

[@scottburns2600]

​@@robertisham5279 I would probably have to agree with you because at least with Korea, there was some actual battle lines to understand. Vietnam was a complete shitshow for the poor troopers

[@vanwahlgren8451]

Intense Battle, The 1st Marine division had almost as many casualties as the 31st RCT the army unit on their flank.

[@hyphenlife]

It’s too bad the Marines ensured it took 50 years for the Army soldiers’ sacrifice preserving the Marines escape be recognized. Spent decades calling them cowards.

[@alightinthedarkages9494]

Ask a South Korean if they think the American efforts were worth it.

[@tjq1888]

@up Up this war is important to China to become permanent members of the United Nations Security Council

[@alightinthedarkages9494]

@Hyungwon That's my point. And were it not for the US South Korea, one of the most advanced, cultured, richest countries in the world...would not exist. It would be like the north, which is one of the very worst places in the entire world.

[@tjq1888]

@up Up so it’s a divine victory for China

[@Momcat2012]

Thank you, Marines, for your service!

[@mycheesesteak]

AMEN!

[@coldairdesign]

One of the few war stories my father shared with me was his memory of that battle.

[@nightowl1654]

Gerard K what did he say? God bless him and your family sir

[@largenumbnuts]

History forgets that at Chosin .... The Us Army 3rd Infantry Division, 7th Infantry Regiment, 15th Infantry Regiment, 65th Infantry Regiment, 17th Infantry Regiment, 17th Infantry Division, 31st Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines (Britain) and many Units from South Korea were also involved in that battle .... It was NOT just Marines . ( no offense meant to the "Jarheads" ) But please , give Honor to ALL involved.

[@jch4538]

God Bless America....to all the soldiers, US and Korean, RIP

[@coldairdesign]

He told me the story of how hordes of poorly equipped Chinese attacked them in droves every night, some with no weapons many with rags and paper wrapped around their feet as they had no boots and it was like 30 below out. He was a Chief Warrant Officer machine gunner and told of the carnage and how in the morning there would be a pile of dead and wounded Chinese soldiers stacks up like cord wood in front of his position the Marines took causalities too, but not like the Chinese. Horrible memories etched on my mind from this story, I can't even imagine how it must have affected his.

[@Mrs.GrayMan]

Gerard K kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp2vgHV9r5Jlirc

[@DP-eo5xd]

A fighting withdrawal in that terrain with those temperatures is one of the most difficult things to accomplish militarily. The Chinese Army was nearly annihilated as well as American air power gradually reduced them to nothing and at some point they couldn’t give chase to the withdrawing Americans.

[@EroticOnion23]

If the Chinese Army was "reduced to nothing" then why did the US Army keep running to become the "longest retreat in US history"??...grow a brain kid...😆

[@DP-eo5xd]

@@EroticOnion23 mostly US Marines, some Army elements that retreated to the Hungnam Port for evacuation, the Chinese largely stopped giving chase because entire divisions were wiped out. American units were also in no position to counter attack either. I think you need to educate yourself. The fact that you refer to the US Army when it was largely a Marine battle shows your ignorance

[@StevenAcunaBG05]

I can tell you as a young Marine, we were always reminded of the sacrifices of those Marines in the Frozen Chosin. Marines do not fail, we adapt. Today's Marine Corps cold weather training is still completely modeled by the fight in Korea. We changed the way we moved, slept, and fight based what what the Marines before me experienced in Korea. As a Marine serving today I thank those Marines who paved the way and you have my commitment to uphold the core values in myself and my Marines of what it means to to wear that eagle globe and anchor!

[@rudedogii]

I dad was there! He says the marines got all the glory but he was there with the Army before the Marines!

[@Melior_Traiano]

And Task Force Faith (US Army*) did a heroic stand at the Battle of Chosin for which they hadn't been recognised for quite a while afterwards.

[@binraswtor7760]

i mean the suffered 1,000+ dead to the Chinese 19,000+ dead. hey man it just shows the fighting spirit of the USMC.

[@beorntwit711]

Note that the biggest weapons the Chinese had were mortars. UN also had complete air supremacy, with commies not even having relevant AA ability. It was an army of peasants against the world's most luxuriously well trained and equipped force.

[@tjq1888]

@@beorntwit711 yes

[@hongtaosun6779]

Not accurate. US has, according to US sorce, 17,843 casualties with around 6000 dead (missing is basically dead. No difference). Chinese has, according to UN, 29,800 casualties. So China probably suffered 2x or 3x more casualties. But not exactly what you pictured 20x. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chosin_Reservoir

[@openthinker6562]

The Chinese had also surrounded them with up to 10x as many soldiers because the Chinese wanted to destroy the famed 1st division to shatter US/NATO morale. Not only did they fail, but the Marines evacuated most of their equipment and picked up 2 South Korean divisions and over 100,000 Korean Civilians. And, if I’m correct, the parents of the current president of South Korea were amongst those 100,000 evacuees.

[@wetalkinb0utpractice]

​@@beorntwit711 L.

[@user-bq6dp3dc6r]

Thank for your service

[@wl7107]

According to military historians, including several retired Army Generals who are recognized historians(one being Matthew Ridgeway who replaced Gen MacArthur), have said that the Marine's performance at the Battle at the Chosin Reservoir was probably the high point in American military history. The best Chinese army group in the Chinese military was given the task of destroying America's best so America would lose the will to fight a war on the Asian mainland. Mao Tse Tung gave those orders to Gen Li personally; Gen Li was considered one of the three bravest men in China. Gen Li's twelve Chinese divisions attacked one Marine division. Chinese records admit they lost 7 divisions in their entirety, just written off the books. Three other divisions lost significant elements, between 1/3 to 2/3 of each division. The other 2 divisions never made contact. The Marines held their ground until orders came two days later saying make your way to the harbor at Hungnam. During those 2 days, the Army units on the Marines' flanks had retreated and the Marines became totally surrounded. Now the Marines found themselves attacking in another direction. The 1st Marine Division boarded ships and were still rated combat-effective, so they were given new fighting positions just two weeks later. After the Chinese onslaught, the largest combat-effective unit in the Army was a battalion under the 8th Army. Later, these military historians agreed that it was to the Marines' credit to not be cowed by Gen. MacArthur who wanted the Marines to move faster and in essence forget their flanks. The Marines planned well, even creating a small airfield to help out if needed. Also, during the movement southward along the main supply route(one small road surrounded by hills on both sides) the Marines adopted the same tactics that the Greek mercenaries used in Persia among the hordes of Persian fighters. They attacked the high ground along the road where the main body was. This battle at the Chosin produced several Marine Corps Commandants in later years. This Marine Corps Division did everything asked of them and when we take into consideration the extreme record-cold temps, their performance is just unbelievable. Isn't it ironic that the high point in American military history is during the forgotten war?

[@jamesdunn9714]

MacArthur was also known as Dugout Doug. He was a supreme egotist and full of self aggrandizement. Eisenhower considered him a hero until he served under him as his military aid and changed his mind. He didn't like Doug for good reason. Great video and the 90 year old veteran is as sharp as a tack. These men suffered greatly but endured and are to be admired.

[@heresclowny5115]

Harry S. Truman's main concern in Korea at the time, was the possibility of Chinese forces using nukes if Doug had pressed into crossing the Chinese border- at anytime during the war like here. And basically that was the general's main plan all along: Douglas MacArthur's US forces had the military instinct to get to the source of the problem and finish the job: the Chinese homeland. Personally I believe the Chinese would have resorted into using nukes had MacArthur pressed crossing into the Chinese border just like Truman was preaching. Shortly after the korean mishap america would had launched nukes from retaliatory bases stationed inside of the US territories at China- results: A totally wiped out Asia in 1953 that's my scenario version of what could have submerged out of the Korean War. today it will be no different. if we have any problems with (them again) and it looks like we're going to have problems with China's government again very soon because they seem to be trying to drive out America from the pacific theater, also the international waters off the red china sea- that's not going to happen! China should really give up those man-made Islands too,,, before the United States decides the forfeit them for security purposes like they did the Japan during the 1940s. I urge this Trump fellow to start making plans to do so. Of course don't expect anything beyond the epidemic catastrophe hitting the us homeland anytime soon from Trump,,, instead expect only consistent failures

[@outcast8223]

@@heresclowny5115 I really think it's funny that Kim jong un threatens everyone around them with nukes. But if they launch one nuke to anyone then the US will simply wipe north Korea off the face of the Earth with just 10 nukes.

[@taotaozhang4568]

@@heresclowny5115 Uhhh.... China didn't have nuclear weapons until 1964...

[@happyjohn354]

@@taotaozhang4568 officially...

[@Stinger913]

@@heresclowny5115 the Chinese didn’t have nukes at the time and the Americans knew that. US was worried about the -Soviets- using nukes as retaliation/helping the Chinese if we attacked Chinese supply bases

[@anthonysmalley4696]

My great uncle Alfred A smalley Company E, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division was killed at in on February 22 1952 at punchbowl an received a purple heart an several other medals 🏅

[@hydroxyflutamide]

PLA always brutally used human wave by forcing people running in front their troops....many were those who were originally Chinese Nationalist army surrendered to Chinese communist army during the war before 1950.,,... While working at a VA hospital in Taiwan, I personally met a lot of veterans who were belonged to Chinese volunteering army to Korea and later surrendered to US army because they wanted to take a chance to be sent to Taiwan after becoming US army's POWs.... I heard a lot of stories from them....very sad and heartbroken....

[@drivelogic3841]

My deepest respect to the fallen Heroes, Thank you United States of America.

[@SethJonesPROJECT]

My grandfather Lawrence Jones fought in korea in the marines. Great man

[@rolandshelton3900]

I didn't hear mention of the army units that fought on the Eastern side of the chosen and delayed the Chinese for 5 days. I've read reports of Marines that said had the army not done that they may not have been here today.

[@mikewbrooks]

Thank you!

[@Dad_Life_Marine_Vet]

British Royal Marines also thought at chosin

[@benwabawls4807]

Imagine doing a special on a war then blurring guns in the background of the interview

[@sunflowerpwr.8821]

November 27 my birthday...wow!

[@larry1824]

Chesty kept on coming

[@krzysiek1961mk]

Semper Fi and Thank You form Poland

[@johnthegunguy781]

My grandpa fought in chosin when he was 15 years old

[@nonyabiz9487]

The Frozen Chosin

[@ElenaGeorge1]

Chosin Reservoir was our Stalingrad.

[@Melior_Traiano]

Yes. But Stalingrad was the Chosin Reservoir on a much larger (urban) scale.

[@BlossomField91]

Who are "we" in that scenario? The Germans or Soviets? The Germans lost, even if they inflicted proportionately way more casualties.

[@ElenaGeorge1]

@@BlossomField91 You pick which side since it was a Pyrrhic victory either way

[@calebreutener870]

Blurred out guns wtf. (Background of the historian guy)

[@user-jg6dp6gu2z]

Army iraq good job marines

[@trixiebeldon579]

We're there 'thousands' . War is ugly and romanticizing it does a disservice to those who must look to the past to make choices regarding the present and future. My father and grandson served/serve. I'm grateful to those who do. Those who lead, those who decide better have real facts, not fish tales.

[@Mrs.GrayMan]

trixie beldon kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp2vgHV9r5Jlirc

[@user-on1vk6ex8x]

not even the japanese in WW2 managed to cause so much damage to the american despite the chinese army were less well equipped and supplied, the USA have the aircraft, tanks and heavy artillery that chinese army didn't have, the only advantage of the chinese was the numerical superiority of the people

[@truthhurts3807]

Good job Marines , the fact of the matter is the US Army fought the majority of the battles in Korea.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Well actually it was both but the Marines fought the most important battles of the Korean War such as Inchon and Chosin, The 1st Marine Division also later on fought in the static phase of the war until the ceasefire was declared in July 1953

[@porkc78nj19]

The 7th infantry Army had 900 days of combat..

[@realalcibiades2909]

Good job Marines , the fact of the matter is the US Army fought the majority of the battles in Korea Just like every other war.

[@thunderbird1921]

Both were critical, as were the Navy and the Air Force (General Ridgway bluntly said America and the coalition could not have saved South Korea without the skill of American pilots and the power of our planes).

[@cyberthrall]

I love how whenever there's a video about the army or the Marines, there's always that guy in the comment section trying to prove that one branch is better than the other based on the sacrifices of other Americans. Rather than saying "these men were heroes, regardless of what branch they fought under" it's "well AKSCHULLY the Army always did more ;)" like it's an accomplishment that one group of Americans suffered more than another

[@theroadrunnerjarhead4109]

Jealous much?

[@CrossOfBayonne]

Out of all US deaths in Korea most of them were Marines of the famed 1st Marine Division with a total of nearly 12,000 fatalities over 4,000 of which were killed in battle against North Korean and especially later Chinese forces.

[@RobertBrown-wm9ob]

I think you need to read some good history books my friend. The US Army took way more casualties and deaths in Korea then the Marines did the numbers are not even comparable. Same thing in World War 11 same thing in Vietnam same thing in World War 1. the Army has suffered many more casualties than the Marines. Mainly because it's such a larger Force. The Marines have done an incredible job for the United States I have nothing bad to say about them. But in almost every conflict all the Marine hype will lead you to believe they won the Wars all by their self.

[@CrossOfBayonne]

​@RobertBrown-wm9ob I know, I'm just saying this because the Marine Corps was famous in Korea and they actually get a lot of credit for the fight to stop the spread of Communism

[@BlossomField91]

@@RobertBrown-wm9ob The Marines are to the Army what the Navy SEALs to SOCOM. If you believed the movies and books, you'd think the SEALs are the glory boys of GWoT. In reality, USASOC (75th Ranger Regiment, Special Forces, and SFOD-D/CAG) are the work horses of SOCOM. The SEALs, well DEVGRU, get a lot of hype because of the OBL mission, but the Rangers have captured/killed more HVTs than other unit and been the most intensively deployed. The reason the SEALs are so popular is because the Navy needs them for recruiting. They let almost anyone sign a BUD/S contract knowing most will wash out so they can stick them in unpopular MOS's.

[@jeffstrong4580]

Samsung is the largest foreign investor in the US. While TSMC making billions from the US, they didn't invest $1 into the US until they caused chip shortage by sending their shipment to China and Japan first using Chinese middleman. While Samsung invested tens of billions building chip factory in Austin, Texas since 1996 with hiring 20,000 employees in the US.

[@hamishdavidson3368]

McArthur was outstanding in WW2 but Korea was different story refusing to believe the Chinese were there. So this mess the 38 parallel and separation of nation needs a new approach to reach a continued peace. Maybe we will see a united Korea in our life time. Let’s hope so as nothing has budged since 1953

[@user-jl7xo7dc1o]

GOD BLESS TO AMERICA GOD BLESS TOAMERIC WRITEALEJANDRO TAVAREZ

[@leedavid1175]

The only reason that the chinese only attacked at night is because they didn’t have any tanks or planes. It was NOT an even fight to begin with but both sides fought well.

[@user-fk7ir5ug9s]

장진호 전투에서 많은 손실을 입었지만 혹독한 추위와 험한 지형에서 수많은 중공군을 사살하면서 철수를 완료한 것은 클레이튼 커쇼가 던진 공을 애런 저지가 홈런성 타구를 날렸는데 그것을 코디 벨린저가 낚아챈거랑 같은 것이었다.

[@6565hopepy]

Can you imagine the Chinese in such condition 🤦🏻

[@grantodamax]

You can show men suffering on a battle field but you blur out some antique rifles on a wall? What a joke.

[@baopingho6851]

I'm Chinese,I am proud our troops defeated you.

[@thunderbird1921]

Maybe in this part of the war, but you failed to fully reclaim North Korean territory or conquer the South. I'll leave it at that.

[@scottburns2600]

You must not still live in China or you wouldn't be on KZbin. If you live in a western democracy than you can thank The United States

[@stephenyi912]

Great Heros in The Great Battle! Not Forgotten war, but Forgotten Victory!

[@The_memory_be_green]

how did anyone win.

[@1001Balance]

Why sugarcoat? They retreated

[@jeremyfondo4320]

Its called attacking to the rear.

[@mdhaynie]

I guess we’re going to ignore the armys involvement.

[@davanmani556]

Poor clothing, food, and equipment by MacArthur.

[@user-uo2mg1rm9b]

Actually Chinese army have equipped with worse clothing, they are in tropical cloth preparing reclaiming Taiwan. It is the invasion of the US across Yalu river into China that turned this army into North Korea.

[@joeblow9931]

China has just released a movie about this

[@whutdatytopsy9651]

Advance or Retreat?? SAY IT LIKE YOU MEAN IT! You lie to your men, you'll lose your men!

[@barrysorento3572]

They should have fought CBS, instead of some Asian thousands of miles away

[@parkergordon7880]

Those chinese were a problem then, and still a problem now. Who want’s bat soup?

[@amcool3052]

Corona taym

[@chadedwards7689]

"We're not retreating!", dude that's exactly what you were doing.......

[@geneciliberti3361]

The UN told us to leave. We were surrounded and our supply line was cut off. We had to fight to get out. That's exactly what we did.

[@mcqueenfanman]

At the end of the battle, the 2 Chinese divisions were a shell of themselves.

[@TheCerebralDude]

Chad Edwards Not retreat, just fighting in another direction

[@skymaster4743]

@@mcqueenfanman The 1st Marine Division alone had the firepower of 10 Chinese divisons. They were mauled at Chosin and forced to retreat. That is what counts.

[@realalcibiades2909]

America has never been defeated. It was a tactical withdrawal.