[sparklite2]

1. It wasn’t just American troops. The Brits were there, too.
2. Where do you get the notion they were untrained?
3. The UN forces at Chosin were also supported by one of the greatest concentrations of air power during the Korean War, per Wiki.

[wrench]

Wiki is wrong on this one

[Kozy]

The Brits were there. Sorry but I have read American books on the subject.
Air power must get into the air. At Chosin the weather kept the largest air corp on the ground and when if flew it was daylight and the Chinese did not advance during the day. The army troops were raw green, many were reservists who had no training in combat. These kids shut up and learned fast and well.

The UN then and now is a joke. Americans fight the fight and the UN drinks tea far away from the fighting.

Fourteen men were awards the CHM in that battle, half posthumous.

Col. Reginald Myers is one of those recipients who survived.
Here is his citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Executive Officer of the Third Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on November 29, 1950. Assuming command of a composite unit of Army and Marine service and headquarters elements totalling approximately 250 men, during a critical stage in the vital defense of the strategically important military base at Hagaru-ri, Major Myers immediately initiated a determined and aggressive counterattack against a well-entrenched and clearly concealed enemy force numbering an estimated 4,000. Severely handicapped by a lack of trained personnel and experienced leaders in his valiant efforts to regain maximum ground prior to daylight, he persisted in constantly exposing himself to intense, accurate and sustained hostile fire in order to direct and supervise the employment of his men and to encourage and spur them on in pressing the attack. Inexorably moving forward up the steep, snow-covered slope with his depleted group in the face of apparently insurmountable odds, he concurrently directed artillery and mortar fire with superb skill and, although losing 170 of his men during fourteen hours of raging combat in sub-zero temperatures, continued to reorganize his unit and spearhead the attack which resulted in 600 enemy killed and 500 wounded. By his exceptional and valorous leadership throughout, Major Myers contributed directly to the success of his unit in restoring the perimeter. His resolute spirit of self sacrifice and unfaltering devotion to duty enhance and sustain the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Chosin was not his first rodeo, he also fought at the Battle of Guadalcanal, Battle of Okinawa, Battle of Inchon.

By the way how many UN troops were awarded the country's highest honor at Chosin?