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"Whether they were really up to the task at the Frozen Chosen was beside the point ~ the Marines deserved the best and they got the best and the 1/15 accepted the honor."

The problem was not whether the Marines were up to the task at the Frozen Chosen. The problem was the Army and Marines were kicking the North Korean's a$$ all the way up the peninsula, there were reports that the Chinese were massing at the border, that they were going to get into the fight. McArthur believed it was a bluff and assured Truman (when they met on Wake Island) that the Chinese would not get involved. He was wrong and the First Marine Division were surrounded by 6 divisions of the Chinese 9th Peoples Volunteer Army.

They retreated to the port of Hugnam for evacation. They inflicted heavy casualties on the Chinese. The only support they got to my knowledge was indirect fire support. No Army unit came in and linked up with them. They fought their way out. As General Julian Smith said: "Retreat Hell! We're just attacking in another direction."

They fought their way out past the 1/15. All histories note that.

I know some Marines would like to forget that, but it wasn't a case of the Army "linking up with" them, just being there. They were there.

Yes, fur shur, everybody was up to their eyeballs in Chicom troops at Chosen. DOD has a continuing series of posters that reflect various battle situations. One that struck me was a tank or mobile artillery piece firing in close proximity to Chicoms trying to overrun American troops.

I've talked to some guys who swore they were in that one ~