Chosin Reservoir meet in San Diego

San Diego Union Tribune ^ | August 14, 2016 | John Wilkins

[Kozy]

Don’t tell them theirs is the Forgotten War.

“I sure as hell haven’t forgotten it,” said Jean White, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel from Oceanside who fought in the Korean War 66 years ago and was at its most-storied battle, Chosin Reservoir, where outnumbered and surrounded U.S. troops fought their way out of a snowy death trap.

White’s feet froze. Now he has to wrap them in something warm at night to sleep, a constant reminder of “where we were and what we did.”

What they did is so revered it’s taught in the Marines’ officer candidates school, right alongside tales about Belleau Wood in World War I and Iwo Jima in World War II. It’s been used in Iraq and Afghanistan by platoon leaders trying to rally their units against difficult odds. The USS Chosin, a guided-missile cruiser home ported in San Diego, is named after the battle.

[Rockpile]

I worked with a retired Sgt. Major who was a Gy. Sgt. in the 1st Division
in that battle.

The Chinese and Russians were frantic to drive the Americans away
from the Fusen, Chosin and the other reservoir (forgot the name) as they
were built as electricity sources by a Japanese tycoon in the 1920s
and the power was later being used in the separators for the Japanese
atom bomb project. The Reds took over the uranium processing
equipment from the Japs and were determined not to lose anything.

They threw EIGHT Chinese divisions against the 1st Marine Division.

BTW, when the Japs set off their own test bomb in the Sea of Japan
shortly after Nagasaki that was another prompt for Stalin declare war
on Japan.

[ReformedBeckite]

Quote from article:

.....Chosin isn’t the real name of the place. U.S. military leaders got that from old maps drawn by the Japanese......

A long time ago I use to collect antique world globes, Since globes are not dated one has to look at the countries of that time period to figure out the dates. Korea is one of those countries I would look at, If Korea was labeled or named Chosin then the globe was showing the occupation of Korea by the Japanese, which would make the globe about the same time as WWII or before it. Actually at the moment on the top of my head I do not know when the Japanese invaded Korea, and the map companies starting labeling the country Chosin but I would probably guess around the mid 20's to late 20's,

[kiryandil]

He said “I lied about my age to join the Marines. I turned eighteen at Chosin Reservoir.” I said something like “Damn. What was that like?” He said “Well, there wasn’t any cake.”

No, there wasn't any cake...

[Bratch]

As was mine.

He never wanted to talk about it. He survived the battle, but I think the experience eventually contributed to his death. He succumbed to throat cancer, brought on by the classic one-two punch...heavy smoking and consumption of alcohol.

The local Chosen Frozen group came to his funeral and performed a very moving ceremony; the next day, an Honor Guard played taps over his grave.

The Marines never leave their comrades behind.

[combat_boots]

His lung took on frostbite. Went on disability.

Died from heart attack, although the booze and cigarettes were just as guilty.

Never knew him well.

[rbbeachkid]

This article makes me so sad. My uncle was there. This will be the first reunion he will miss. He has been put in an assisted living facility and his Alzheimer’s makes it impossible for him to be there. We tried to figure it out, but couldn’t.

He also lied about his age to enter the Marines. He wanted to play basketball and they had traveling squads. While up in Alaska, playing, he was told that he would be shipping out for Korea in 2 days. No boot camp, no training of any kind. He learned to shoot a rifle on the ship’s passage. He used to tell amazing tales to his children and nieces and nephews, their children and their children.

Good news in that we do still have him but for how long is not for us to know.

[BwanaNdege]

While an entirely fictional account, The Vicar of Christ, by Walter F. Murry, https://www.amazon.com/Vicar-Christ-Walter-F-Murphy/dp/1610272846 gives an excellent description of the battle.

Very intriguing book!

[The_Media_never_lie]

McCarther blundered when he exposed his troops to such a flank, right? I’m not taking away anything from the valiant and successful effort of the troops to stage a strategic retreat.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Sorry to hear about your uncle’s condition.

[Bratch]

That's interesting.

The best description of the Battle of Midway I've ever read was in a novel...Herman Wouk's "War and Remembrance".

Quite compelling.

[Talisker]

McCarther blundered when he exposed his troops to such a flank, right? I’m not taking away anything from the valiant and successful effort of the troops to stage a strategic retreat.

Apparently he didn't know of the size of the Nork army waiting there. Nevertheless, he was in charge, so it was his fault. That's the way it is with command.

[Talisker]

Thanks it looks good, I’ll check it out.

[Flag_This]

"I’m not taking away anything from the valiant and successful effort of the troops to stage a strategic retreat."

"Retreat, hell! We're attacking in a different direction!" - Major General Oliver P. Smith

[ro_dreaming]

Bump for later. Thanks

[opbuzz]

I’m glad I don’t learn my history from FreeRepublic posts. For a good history about the Korean War try David Douglas Duncan’s photo history entitled “This Is War.” Many classic photos!