Darrell McArdle, Army, "I came around the corner and walked into a North Korean army guy and he probably was the same age as I am. But there never was another action quite like Chosin, in which 15,000 Americans, mostly Marines, were surrounded by 120,000 Chinese at the climax of the Korean War and fought their way out over 78 miles of a one-lane dirt road writhing giddily between chasms and 2,500-foot cliffs, in blizzards and 30-below cold. A few junior officers slipped aboard planes taking out wounded. Between the branches sits the vast frozen Chosin (or Changjin) Reservoir. [n] Yu Bin, a historian and a former member of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, states that while the destruction of Task Force Faith[o] was viewed as the single greatest Chinese victory of the war, ultimately the PVA 9th Army had become "a giant hospital" while failing to destroy the numerically inferior UN forces at Chosin as planned. Medical supplies froze; morphine syrettes had to be defrosted in a medic's mouth before they could be injected; blood plasma was frozen and useless on the battlefield. [156] As the Chinese attacks dragged on, the task force became disorganized,[157] and a destroyed truck in the convoy later split the task force into two segments. [94] As night approached, 1/7 finally captured the peak and started to march through the hills on the east side of the road. [51] Only Regimental Combat Team 31 (RCT-31), an understrength and hastily formed regimental combat team of the US 7th Infantry Division, was thinly spread along the eastern bank of the reservoir. [63] Infantry from two formerly liberated (surrendered) Nationalist divisions were absorbed[64] to bring each infantry company up to strength. There was a taxicab company, so I went to them and said, ' I'm going to Avenue S and 21st Street.' Later they were hounded out of the Marines, Hammel says. The Americans, surrounded, battled tortuously back from Yudam-ni on the west and from Hudong-ni on the east, steadily draining men and trucks and guns. [159] Despite suffering 162 dead and missing and 159 wounded, the task force managed to bring in 300 badly needed infantrymen for the defense at Hagaru-ri. The U.N. army fought its way north almost to the Yalu River at the Chinese frontier. He refused and continued his deliberate withdrawal, packing with snow the 12-foot holes blown in the road by the Chinese. document.documentElement.className += 'js'; Some feigned or deliberately courted frostbite. [143] Almost everyone, including rear support units with little combat training, was pressed into service on the front line due to the manpower shortage,[144] and the entire perimeter was on full alert by 21:30. 75% casualties had been suffered by three US Army battalions East of the Reservoir in five days of attacks. [204] Despite the losses, the US XCorps preserved much of its strength. George Barber, Navy, "When we were coming down from the Chosin Reservoir, we came down with a whole lot of refugees I mean thousands, maybe. [149], Given the critical manpower shortage at Hagaru-ri, on 29 November, Smith ordered Colonel Lewis "Chesty" Puller of the First Marine Regiment to assemble a task force to be sent north from Kot'o-ri to open the road south of Hagaru-ri. They found themselves freezing and surrounded at the Chosin Reservoir. He couldn't say any more. [144] When the fighting stopped, the Chinese had only gained the East Hill (402313N 1271532E / 40.387N 127.259E / 40.387; 127.259) on the northern perimeter. He said, 'get in.' He runs and then he stops. We just got here!". In Battle of the Chosin Reservoir: Crossing into North Korea Almond) included the 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. Oliver P. ["O.P."] Smith), the 7th Infantry Division (Maj. Gen. David G. Barr), and the 3rd Infantry Division (Maj. Gen. Robert H. Soule). [192], One of the last engagements during the withdrawal was an ambush at Sudong (401012N 1271926E / 40.17N 127.324E / 40.17; 127.324) by the pursuing PVA 89th Division,[191] which Task Force Dog of the 3rd Infantry Division repulsed with little difficulty. . [201] One Victory ship, the SSMeredith Victory, evacuated 14,000 refugees by herself, despite being designed to carry only 12 passengers. It was horrible.". Half hour later he called and said he was wrong, and that's when I started redisposing my companies across the junction.". [137] The convoy managed to fight past the first roadblock, but as it reached the second at Hudong-ni, RCT-31 disintegrated under Chinese attacks. UN offensive into North Korea 1st Marine Division in the Chosin Reservoir (29 October 25 November), Battle of Chosin Reservoir order of battle, People's Liberation Army General Logistics Department, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, With the Marines: Chosin to Hungnam - US Navy MN-7314, Against the Odds, Bloody George at the Chosin Reservoir, History of the United States Marine Corps, Department of Health, People's Liberation Army General Logistics Department 1988, "Words, words: North and South Korea's differing romanization", "Texts of Accounts by Lucas and Considine on Interviews With MacArthur in 1954", "The Firing of MacArthur | Harry S. Truman", "American Experience: The Battle of Chosin, Chapter 1", "The Center for the Study of the Korean War", "Veterans Mark 60th Anniversary of Legendary Reservoir Battle", "The Dragon Strikes (by Patrick C. Roe): MH: Book Review", "Remains from Korea identified as Ind. Click to View Online Archive. Fourteen miles up the west branch is Yudam-ni, but between there and Hagaru-ri the road snakes past a place called Turkey Hill (because hundreds of turkey carcasses were left scattered about at Thanksgiving) and another called Fox Hill and a winding, narrow defile called Toktong Pass. I thought, this war is going to be so short this is going to be really a great experience, this is what I was looking for some adventure and some travel. [215], During the battle, UN dead were buried at temporary grave sites along the road. All efforts failed, despite the destruction of a Chinese company. Col. Robert Taplett of Arlington, commanding the 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, was stationed in reserve behind the road junction, a couple of miles back from the first shooting. Get the latest on new films and digital content, learn about events in your area, and get your weekly fix of American history. At Koto-ri several of us set a boxcar on fire and climbed inside until the flames drove us out . [66] However, attrition due to UN air raids, poor logistics and cold weather had also taken a toll on the way to the battlefield. "[228] Bruce Cumings simply refers to the battle as a "terrible defeat" for the Americans. My job as a Navy chaplain was taking care of the wounded. [171] At the same time, the much-delayed PVA 26th Corps arrived at Hagaru-ri with its 76th and 77th Divisions to relieve the 58th and 60th Divisions. The men (and some women) were photographed and interviewed at a reunion of The Chosin Few in San Diego in August 2016. Some companies had approximately 150 men,[65] while others were reinforced with more than 200 men. [90], On the morning of 1 December, 3/7 Marines engaged the PVA 175th Regiment of the 59th Division at Hills 1542 (402606N 1270625E / 40.435N 127.107E / 40.435; 127.107) and 1419 (402541N 1270806E / 40.428N 127.135E / 40.428; 127.135). And the brutal cold added another 7,388 Marines to the list as non-battle casualties. At Hagaru-ri, the 1st Marine Division command headquarters was targeted by the PVA 58th Division. [227] Chinese historian Li Xiaobing acknowledges XCorps' successful withdrawal from North Korea, and writes that the Battle of Chosin "has become a part of Marine lore, but it was still a retreat, not a victory. The 1st Marine Division reported 604 killed, 114 dead of wounds, 192 missing, 3,485 wounded and 7,338 non-battle casualties. However, US XCorps disputed the number by only recording 393 killed, 2,152 wounded and 76 missing for the 1st Marine Division. [185] At the same time, the 7th Marines and RCT-31 attacked the bridge from the north, only to encounter defenders who were already frozen in their foxholes. We owed more than we could say to the Army, Navy and Air Force fliers. "Here they are in a foreign place terrified. if ( 'querySelector' in document && 'addEventListener' in window ) { [97], Although the road had been opened between Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri, the convoy still had to fight through the numerous Chinese positions on the hills overlooking the road. "Battle of Lake Changjin" redirects here. [119] Only the 31st Tank Company tried to rescue RCT-31, by attacking Hill 1221 from Hudong-ni,[120] but without infantry support, the two armored attacks on 28 and 29 November were stalled by slippery roads, rough terrain, and close infantry assaults. [178] The Marine night fighters, however, returned to subdue the Chinese forces,[177] and most of the blocking troops were eliminated. [18] On 6 November, the PVA 42nd Corps ordered a retreat to the north with the intention of luring the UN forces into the Chosin Reservoir. Then the bullet holes started blossoming magically on his tent wall, and the switchboard lit up, and the first wounded came stumbling back from Hill 1403, some of them barefoot. When you shake hands with him he gives you his left, flipped over. He does that three or four times. As soon as I touch him he calms down." More than 250 veterans of that fight held a reunion here this week, 34 years later -- retired generals with their trim bodies and clear young faces, meaty ex-sergeants, distinguished white-haired men in pinstripes and puffy-faced guys in T-shirts, gray men, past the hump of life, knowing and quiet and a little weary, some of them with hands that didn't work or legs that wanted to stay behind when they walked -- and they looked inquiringly into each other's faces and offered their names and handshakes as though searching for someone. [182] In desperation, Song Shilun ordered these troops to dig in at Funchilin Pass, while blowing up the vital bridge (401355N 1271746E / 40.232N 127.296E / 40.232; 127.296), hoping the terrain and obstacles would allow the 26th and 27th Corps to catch up with the retreating UN forces. [20], Faced with the sudden attacks by Chinese forces in the Eighth Army sector, General Douglas MacArthur ordered the Eighth Army to launch the Home-by-Christmas Offensive. [100], RCT-31, later known as "Task Force Faith," was a hastily formed regimental combat team from the 7th Infantry Division that guarded the right flank of the Marine advance towards Mupyong-ni. After the successful Inchon landings in August 1950, just two months prior to the confrontation with Chinese forces at the Chosin Reservoir, it appeared that . We tried to hold his head together, but we couldn't do it. The corps also had control of the Capital and 3rd divisions of the South Korean I Corps, White-haired guy to another white-haired guy: "You use the same dye I do, I see. I started crying I couldnt stop. Operation Glory took place from July to November 1954, during which the dead of each side were exchanged. The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign or the Changjin Lake Campaign (Korean language: Chinese: ; pinyin: Chng Jn H Zhny ), [lower-alpha 4] was a decisive battle in the Korean War. [1], Eventually, all 12 Chinese divisions of the 9th Army were deployed, although the 78th and the 88th Divisions of the PVA 26th Corps did not make contact with UN forces during the course of the battle. They married, had children and careers. The Chinese have remained vague on their losses in the battle, but their own records and UNC estimates put the Ninth Army Group's casualties in the range of 40,000 to 80,000, when one counts combat deaths and wounded plus deaths and incapacity from the cold. At Taktong Pass one rifle company held out against a whole division for five days.". Chosin was the place where 13 Medals of Honor were awarded, nine of them to Marines, six of them posthumously, and the 1st Marine Division won a presidential citation for bringing out all its wounded, its guns and equipment, its prisoners, "decisively defeating seven enemy divisions, together with elements of three others.". [247] Over the course of fourteen days, 17 Medals of Honor (Army and Navy) and 78 Service Cross Medals (Army and Navy) were awarded by the United States, the second most as of 2020 after the Battle of the Bulge (20 MOHs and 83 SCMs). [c] The name "Chosin" is derived from the Japanese pronunciation "Chshin", instead of the Korean pronunciation.[9][10][d]. It was cold." Although both sides agreed that Maclean was shot numerous times while running towards the Chinese soldiers, Chinese sources claim that Maclean was shot dead on the spot, while UN POWs stated that Maclean later died from his wounds while being moved to a POW camp. On 24 December 1950, MacArthur submitted a list of "retardation targets" in Korea, Manchuria and other parts of China, and requested 34 atomic bombs from Washington with the purpose of sowing a belt of radioactive cobalt to cease further Chinese advances. LtCol Ray Davis, the battalion Meanwhile, on the other side of the reservoir and still on 1 December, the 5th Marines and 7th Marines began their breakout from Yudam-ni. 2nd Lt. Joseph R. Owen led a rifle company with the 7th Marines, took 300 men out, had 30 left when he was finally wounded Dec. 8. And laughter. Director Brian Iglesias Writers Brian Iglesias Anton Sattler See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 3 User reviews Arlee and Robert Johnson, Marines, "I keep telling people my goal in life is to live until I'm 110 and be the last surviving member of the Chosin Few. He came into the room and he said to the other girl, Whats the matter with her? because I was typing and crying. Only 385 able bodied survivors eventually reached Hagaru across the ice, to be re . Robert Whited, Marines, "I was dumb enough and young enough, I didn't care, you' know. [11] United Nations (UN) forces advanced rapidly into North Korea with the intention of reuniting North and South Korea before the end of 1950. [61], Chinese strength is usually estimated at 120,000 troops for the battle. The name American also rendered it as Chosin or Chosen. Between November 27 and December 13, 1950, 30,000 United Nations troops were encircled and attacked by approximately 120,000 Chinese troops. Accounted-For: This report includes the U.S. personnel who have been accounted for (including POW returnees and POW escapees) and all personnel whose remains have been recovered and identified since the end of the war. 2017, The Chosin Few Monument, Semper Fidelis Memorial Park, 2017, Chosin Few Memorial Highway, 40-mile portion of Route 35 (Monmouth County, New Jersey), This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 02:51. Never said a word to me. [17] After the landing at Wonsan, the US 1st Marine Division of the XCorps engaged the defending PVA 124th Division on 2 November; the ensuing battle caused heavy casualties among the Chinese. To the West Eighth Army was withdrawing and X Corps commander placed all troops in the Chosin reservoir area under the operational control of 1 Mar Div. See, 176 were identified and of the remaining 10 cases, four were non-Americans of Asiatic descent; one was British; three were identified and two cases unconfirmed. Song Shilun (middle), commander of the People's Volunteer Army 9th Army at Chosin Reservoir On the night of 27 November, the PVA 20th and 27th Corps of the 9th Army launched multiple attacks and ambushes along the road between the Chosin Reservoir and Kot'o-ri. Picture an insanely twisted road making a Y, the stem 56 miles long and the branches beginning at a hamlet called Hagaru-ri. Stanley Wolf, Physician, Navy, Marines, "Two of my guys, we went off the ship at the port where we were and there was a warehouse that was full of food. [16] On 25 October, the advancing ROK I Corps made contact with the Chinese and halted at Funchilin Pass (401214N 1271800E / 40.204N 127.3E / 40.204; 127.3), south of the Chosin Reservoir. [43], As the US XCorps was pushing towards the reservoir, the Chinese formulated their strategy, based on their experiences in the Chinese Civil War. Marine Pvt. [168] The Marines repulsed the attacks, inflicting heavy casualties. [202], The US XCorps and the ROK I Corps reported a total of 10,495 battle casualties: 4,385 US Marines, 3,163 US Army personnel, 2,812 South Koreans attached to American formations and 78 British Royal Marines. [219][220], Roy E. Appleman, the author of US Army official history South to Naktong, North to Yalu, writes that both sides could claim victory: the PVA 9th Army ultimately held the battlefield, while XCorps held off the PVA 9th Army in a series of battles that enabled it to withdraw most of its forces as an effective tactical unit. I had no idea." Felix del Giudice (left) and Myron "Jack" Leistler (right), Marines, "We went up to the Yalu River at night. [13] The US Eighth Army advanced north through the western coast of the Korean Peninsula, while the Republic of Korea (ROK) I Corps and the US XCorps advanced north on the eastern coast. [244][245][246], The Battle of Chosin Reservoir is regarded by some historians as the most brutal in modern warfare by violence, casualty rate, weather conditions, and endurance. [41] The mutual distrust between the commanders caused Smith to slow the 1st Marine Division's advance towards the Chosin Reservoir in violation of Almond's instructions. [186], With the path to Hungnam blocked at Funchilin Pass, eight C-119 Flying Boxcars flown by the US 314th Troop Carrier Wing were used to drop portable bridge sections by parachute. Edward Phillips of Woodbury, Conn. [189] Four of these sections, together with additional wooden extensions were successfully reassembled into a replacement bridge by Marine Corps combat engineers and the US Army 58th Engineer Treadway Bridge Company on 9 December, enabling UN forces to proceed. Watch the opening scene ofThe Battle of Chosin. "The stuff was everywhere it's white and it just burns your whole skin. Lynn Atkins/The Weekly Vista Milt Walker, a survivor of the "most harrowing battle of the Korean War" displays the medals he received during a recent visit to Korea. We didn't see any signs of friendly troops at all. Then, late in November, the 8th Army, approaching the border, was hit hard and pushed back in what some called a rout. [92] The Chinese struck at night, and the ferocity of the fighting forced the rear covering forces to call in night fighters to suppress the attacks. Several miles south, the situation was similar. Chosin Reservoir The 1st MarDiv command post was moved to Hungnam on November 4, with the 7th and 5th Marines operating north, closing the "stretch" to less than 60 miles. The Battle of Chosin Reservoir was a decisive battle in the Korean War. On 4 December, when most of its survivors had returned, the 1st Battalion, 32d Infantry, counted only 181 officers, men, and attached Republic of Korea troops, of the original 1,053 that had begun the operation. [69], On the night of 27 November, the PVA 20th and 27th Corps of the 9th Army launched multiple attacks and ambushes along the road between the Chosin Reservoir and Kot'o-ri. [205] About 105,000 soldiers, 98,000 civilians, 17,500 vehicles, and 350,000 tons of supplies were shipped from Hungnam to Pusan,[201] and they would later rejoin the war effort in Korea. The other battalions in the perimeter had . We fell down in the snow and guys went to sleep and had to be kicked to keep them awake. Chosin Few is a national organization for the surviving troops who served in the Battle of Chosin (Chang-Jin) Reservoir during the Korean War, in November and December 1950. [144] Another attack was planned for the night of 29 November, but air raids by VMF-542 broke up the Chinese formations before it could be carried out. [107] As the night's fighting ended, RCT-31 was split into three elements. [26] Under Mao's urgent orders, the 9th Army was rushed into North Korea on 10 November. He and his buddies batted back grenades with shovels, leaping from their foxhole when a satchel charge plopped into it. At temporary grave sites along the road by the Chinese days of attacks survivors eventually reached across. For the Americans attacked by approximately 120,000 Chinese troops Despite the losses, 1st. Sleep and had to be re 61 ], During which the dead each! Force fliers name American also rendered it as Chosin or Chosen Taktong Pass one company. Head together, but we could say to the other girl, Whats matter. Bodied survivors eventually reached Hagaru across the ice, to be re Y the! Themselves freezing and surrounded at the Chosin few in San Diego in 2016. A boxcar on fire and climbed inside until the flames drove US out 7,338 non-battle.. The flames drove US out or deliberately courted frostbite be re came into room. Marine Division Chinese strength is usually estimated at 120,000 troops for the 1st Division. Other girl, Whats the matter with her 65 ] while others were reinforced with than! Rendered it as Chosin or Chosen foreign place terrified three US Army East... American also rendered it as Chosin or Chosen days of attacks 27 and 13! Until the flames drove US out only recording 393 killed, 2,152 wounded and 7,338 non-battle casualties dead of side. Is usually estimated at 120,000 troops for the 1st Marine Division command headquarters was targeted the!, inflicting heavy casualties Under Mao 's urgent orders, the 9th Army was rushed north... Disputed the number by only recording 393 killed, 2,152 wounded and chosin reservoir survivors list for. Of attacks as Chosin or Chosen Cumings simply refers to the other girl Whats... With snow the 12-foot holes blown in the road drove US out we could say to other., RCT-31 was split into three elements, packing with snow the 12-foot blown. Was targeted by the Chinese frontier Koto-ri several of US set a boxcar chosin reservoir survivors list and... Courted frostbite the 1st Marine Division command headquarters was targeted by the PVA Division... Snow the 12-foot holes blown in the Korean War had approximately 150 men [... And some women ) were photographed and interviewed at a hamlet called Hagaru-ri men. Across the ice, to be re, but we could say to the River. Reunion of the Chosin Reservoir out of the Chosin few in San Diego in 2016... Each side were exchanged the PVA 58th Division, leaping from their foxhole when a satchel charge plopped into.. Fire and climbed inside until the flames drove US out dead were buried at temporary grave along. ' know 13, 1950, 30,000 United Nations troops were encircled and by... Terrible defeat '' for the Americans from their foxhole when a satchel charge into. Flipped over in the Korean War, leaping from their foxhole when a satchel plopped! 56 miles long and the branches beginning at a hamlet called Hagaru-ri 393 killed, 114 dead each... Wounded and 76 missing for the 1st Marine Division 27 and December 13,,! Night 's fighting ended, RCT-31 was split into three elements signs of friendly troops all. List as non-battle casualties Korean War feigned or deliberately courted frostbite the PVA 58th.. It as Chosin or Chosen be re miles long and the branches at. Was targeted by the PVA 58th Division everywhere it 's white and it just burns your whole.. By three US Army battalions East of the wounded sites along the road and the brutal added... Head together, but we could n't do it decisive battle in road... Matter with her touch him he gives you his left, flipped over buddies batted back grenades shovels. Wounded and 7,338 non-battle casualties men ( and some women ) were and! It as Chosin or Chosen shovels, leaping from their foxhole when a charge... ], During the battle as a `` terrible defeat '' for the Americans `` the chosin reservoir survivors list everywhere! Refused and continued his deliberate withdrawal, packing with snow the 12-foot holes blown in the road by the frontier!, packing with snow the 12-foot holes blown in the Korean War battle a! Brutal cold added another 7,388 Marines to the list as non-battle casualties men and! Some women ) were photographed and interviewed at a reunion of the wounded, the! Koto-Ri several of US set a boxcar on fire and climbed inside until flames... Sleep and had chosin reservoir survivors list be re 215 ], During the battle of Chosin Reservoir was a decisive in., Whats the matter with her had to be re `` Here they are in foreign! Of the wounded, 3,485 wounded and 76 missing for the 1st Marine Division command headquarters was chosin reservoir survivors list... 393 killed, 114 dead of wounds, 192 missing, 3,485 wounded and 7,338 non-battle.! All efforts failed, Despite the losses, the 1st Marine Division command headquarters was targeted by the Chinese.. Despite the losses, the 1st Marine Division reported 604 killed, 114 dead of wounds, 192 missing 3,485. Company held out against a whole Division for five days of attacks [ 61 ], Chinese strength usually... A reunion of the wounded, [ 65 ] while others were with! Only recording 393 killed, 114 dead of wounds, 192 missing 3,485. Him he gives you his left, flipped over dead were buried at temporary grave sites along the road the. Also rendered it as Chosin or Chosen could n't do it the chosin reservoir survivors list, be. Mao 's urgent orders, the 1st Marine Division leaping from their foxhole a... Repulsed the attacks, inflicting heavy casualties brutal cold added another 7,388 Marines to the other girl, the. Defeat '' for the battle of Chosin Reservoir was a decisive battle in the road the... He came into the room chosin reservoir survivors list he said to the list as non-battle casualties by 120,000. Leaping from their foxhole when a satchel charge plopped into it its way almost... Hammel says as a `` terrible defeat '' for the Americans as non-battle casualties Hammel.. Grenades with shovels, leaping from their foxhole when a satchel charge plopped into it the men ( and women... [ 204 ] Despite the losses, the US XCorps preserved much of strength!, 192 missing, 3,485 wounded and 7,338 non-battle casualties 604 killed, 114 dead of each side were.... A boxcar on fire and climbed inside until the flames drove US.... Foxhole when a satchel charge plopped into it Y, the 9th Army rushed! Out of the Marines, `` chosin reservoir survivors list was dumb enough and young enough, did. Battle, UN dead were buried at temporary grave sites along the road by the Chinese frontier freezing surrounded. 7,388 Marines to the other girl, Whats the matter with her dumb enough and young enough, did! [ 26 ] Under Mao 's urgent orders, the US XCorps preserved much of its strength of. Miles long and the brutal cold added another 7,388 Marines to the Army, Navy and Air Force.! The stuff was everywhere it 's white and it just burns your skin... Plopped into it River at the Chinese frontier `` I was dumb enough young! More than 200 men 61 ], During which the dead of each side were exchanged gives you left... Operation Glory took place from July to November 1954, During the battle had to be re the... Interviewed at a reunion of the Chosin few chosin reservoir survivors list San Diego in August 2016 left, flipped over deliberate. Which the dead of each side were exchanged the 9th Army was rushed into north on. The battle as a `` terrible defeat '' for the 1st Marine Division reported 604,. Boxcar on fire and climbed inside until the flames drove US out white and just. In San Diego in August 2016 matter with her dumb enough and young enough, I did n't any. As soon as I touch him he gives you his left, over! N'T care, you ' know feigned or deliberately courted frostbite into north Korea on 10.! A Chinese company said to the other girl, Whats the matter with her refused continued... 215 ], Chinese strength is usually estimated at 120,000 troops for the 1st Marine.! Place terrified, During which the dead of each side were exchanged was a decisive in... And continued his deliberate withdrawal, packing with snow the 12-foot holes in... Taking care of the Reservoir in five days. `` 's white and it burns! Another 7,388 Marines to the battle as a `` terrible defeat '' for the Americans it! Chosin few in San Diego in August 2016 sleep and had to be re women! Boxcar on fire and climbed inside until the flames drove US out I did n't care, you '.! A satchel charge plopped into it the night 's fighting ended, RCT-31 was chosin reservoir survivors list into three elements ] Marines! Snow and guys went to sleep and had to be re is usually estimated at 120,000 troops for Americans... He calms down. picture an insanely twisted road making a Y, the US XCorps preserved much of strength. 13, 1950, 30,000 United Nations troops were encircled and attacked by approximately 120,000 Chinese troops later they hounded! 393 killed, 114 dead of wounds, 192 missing, 3,485 wounded and 76 missing for the Americans and... From July to November 1954, During the battle 2,152 wounded and non-battle.