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U. S. MARINE OPERATIONS IN KOREA
1950–1953
VOLUME III
The Chosin Reservoir Campaign
by
LYNN MONTROSS
and
CAPTAIN NICHOLAS A. CANZONA, USMC
Based on Research by
K. JACK BAUER, PhD.
Historical Branch, G-3
Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps
Washington, D. C., 1957
Preceding Volumes of
U. S. Marine Operations in Korea
Volume I, “The Pusan Perimeter”
Volume II, “The Inchon-Seoul Operation”
Library of Congress Catalogue Number: 57-60727
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office
Washington 25, D. C. Price $2.75
Official Price of this Publication $2.75
III
Foreword
The breakout of the 1st Marine Division from the Chosin Reservoirarea will long be remembered as one of the inspiring epicsof our history. It is also worthy of consideration as a campaign inthe best tradition of American military annals.
The ability of the Marines to fight their way through twelve Chinesedivisions over a 78-mile mountain road in sub-zero weather cannotbe explained by courage and endurance alone. It also owed to thehigh degree of professional forethought and skill as well as the“uncommon valor” expected of all Marines.
A great deal of initiative was required of unit commanders, andtactics had to be improvised at times on the spur of the moment tomeet unusual circumstances. But in the main, the victory was gainedby firm discipline and adherence to time-tested military principles.Allowing for differences in arms, indeed, the Marines of 1950 usedmuch the same fundamental tactics as those employed on mountainroads by Xenophon and his immortal Ten Thousand when they cuttheir way through Asiatic hordes to the Black Sea in the year 401 B.C.
When the danger was greatest, the 1st Marine Division mighthave accepted an opportunity for air evacuation of troops after thedestruction of weapons and supplies to keep them from falling intothe enemy’s hands. But there was never a moment’s hesitation. Thedecision of the commander and the determination of all hands tocome out fighting with all essential equipment were in keeping withthe highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps.
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