STUDENT HANDOUT (JUL 2004)

OUTLINE

1. KOREAN WAR

a. The Marine Corps emerged after a short period of demobilization following World War II to again prove itself as a great asset t our nation. This time it would be on the frozen battlefields of Korea.

b. After World War II, Korea was split, north and south, along the 38th parallel. The North turned to Communism and the South became a Democratic Republic. On June 25, 2950, North Korean troops, supplied with Russian and Chinese equipment and advisors, crossed the 38th Parallel attacking South Korea. U. S. Army forces were immediately dispatched from Japan; however, they could only slow the communist onslaught. The South Korean and U. S. Army forces were pushed back to a small perimeter around the port city of Pusan. The decision was soon made that American Marines should be sent in.

c. On July 12, 1950, the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade was sailing from San Diego, while the rest of the First Marine Division was making preparations to move to Korea. This rapid deployment of a combat capable Marine contingent again proved the Marine Corps' concept of being a "Force in Readinesss." The First Provisional Marine Brigade, composed of the 5th Marines and MAG-33, was to be used to plug holes in the perimeter defense.

d. The communist onslaught was so swift and powerful that, by the time the Marines arrived on August 2, 1950, elements of the U. S. Army were already surrounded within the Pusan Perimeter. The Marines then pushed the communists back along the left flank, 26 miles into enemy territory, until August 8 when a call came to pull the Marines back to the perimeter.

e. Seventy-five miles north, the North Koreans had pushed across the Naktong River and threatened the entire perimeter. As the Marines moved in as a blocking force, the North Korean division attacked. When the Russian built tanks closed to within 100 yards of the Marines' position, the Marines opened up. With the help of Marine Air and some well-aimed fire, the tank force was destroyed.

f. The following day the Third Battalion took the left flank of the Communist Division and the Marines soon took the ridge overlooking the river. The North Koreans were now in full retreat as the 5th Marines pushed forward and Marine Air dropped everything they had on the Communist Division. The Marines were pulled out of this area for a short rest but not for long.

g. On September 3 the North Koreans threw everything they had at the same spot. The 5th Marines moved in once again. After three days of tough fighting they pushed the Communists back six miles and the perimeter was secure once again. Virtually single handedly, the Marines had saved the Pusan Perimeter and repulsed the massive Communist counter offensive.

2. THE INCHON LANDING

a. The Marines were to make their first amphibious assault since World War II on September 15. The significance of the landing was that it was opposed by nearly all high ranking officials in the Department of Defense. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had stated, "There will never be another amphibious landing with the magnitude of World War II." This landing, if successful, would put the Marines behind enemy lines to cut off their supply lines and crush the enemy. The task ahead was a formidable one. (MCCS .02.02e)

b. The city of Inchon was surrounded by mud flats with a tide difference of 33 feet. One the morning tide the Marines would take the island of Wolmi-do. Then, on the evening tide, the main assault on the city would be made. As the bombardment of the city lifted, the assault began.

c. Using ladders and nets to scale the 8 foot sea wall, the Marines carried the day. The 5th Marines took the city while the 1st Marines swung south of the city to cut off the route to Seoul. After two days the Marines had captured Inchon and were ready for the push to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. As the North Koreans fell back, the Marines pushed on utilizing hand-to-hand combat, flame throwers and all weaponry at their disposal to crush any communist resistance. With Inchon secured the Marines would turn to Seoul.

d. Entering the city of Seoul, which was defended by 10,000 Korean soldiers, the 5th Marines pushed to clear every street of the city. Every street was barricaded and every house was a bunker. The 1st Marines would not be denied. They utilized tanks to smash through the enemy barricades and eventually resorted to house-to-house fighting, securing a block at a time. Those North Koreans that failed to yield were destroyed by the massive fire power the Marines brought to bear. Seoul was taken on September 27 after 3 days of heavy fighting. The 7th Marines delivered the final blow against the North Koreans by taking their supply depot at Uijongbu. As the trap closed the North Korean Army suffered a devastating defeat.

3. THE CHOSIN (CHANGJIN) RESERVOIR

a. As the Marines moved north through this frozen wasteland, the Red Chinese were preparing to move south. The Marines marched to the west of a man-made reservoir called Chosin (Changjin). You may have heard the term "Chosin" Reservoir used when referring to the "Changjin" Reservoir. "Chosin" is the name that was on the maps the Marines utilized to create their own maps during the Korean War. The term "Chosin" has been used to refer to the battle in that specific reservoir for over 40 years. The use of the term "Chosin" is offensive to the Korean people since it serves as a reminder of their former Japanese occupation. In order to show our respect for the Korean people when referring to the "Chosin" reservoir we will also recognize their term "Changjin" reservoir.

b. On the night of November 2, just south of the Chosin (Changjin) Reservoir, the 7th Marine Regiment was attacked by a Chinese Division. The Marines fought off the attack until dawn when they moved out to clear the area. The 12th Chinese Communist Division left the field of battle that day with the loss of 1,000 soldiers. As the Chinese division retreated, the 7th Marines pushed ahead halting at Yudam Ni where General O. P. Smith pulled his division closer together.

c. On November 28, eight Chinese Division flanked the First Marine Division. The Army units on the Marines' left flank were crumbling, and the Marines were dangerously exposed. On the night of November 28, the Chinese peoples Army struck. The United Nations' forces crumbled, and the Marines were left alone over 70 miles from the sean and with their supply lines cut.

d. After having been briefed on the situation, Colonel Puller stated, "So they've got us surrounded, good, now we can fire in any direction, the bastards won't get away this time." There was only one choice, fight their back down to the supply lines at sea. It was about this time that General Smith was quoted as saying, "We are not retreating, we are just attacking in a different direction."

e. An interesting fact of this retrograde movement was that Marines brought out all operable equipment, properly evacuated their wounded and dead, and maintained tactical integrity. This left nothing to aid the eight Chinese divisions. The Army, in such a haste to retreat, had deserted some of their men and equipment. The Marines would pick up the Army stragglers and equipment, bringing them along to the sea.

f. There is a sea story that says the Army Chief of Staff later phoned the Commandant of the Marine Corps requesting the return of their equipment. As the Marines has already cannibalized the equipment, taking all space usable parts and shot the hulks up as targets on gunnery ranges, the Commandant calmly replied, "What equipment is that?"

g. The First Marine Division was the only unit to come out of the Chosin (Changjin) Reservoir intact. The United Nations had written the Marines off several times. The determination and leadership shown by Marines at all levels was to serve as an example to Marines for years to come. The Marines were led by Colonel Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller. He is the only Marine who was awarded the Navy Cross five times. (MCCS .02.02f)

4. THE WAR CONTINUES

a. After Chosin (Changjin), the Marines were dropped at Pusan where they would rest and receive replacements. In February, General Ridgway drew plans for a new offensive. The Marines were to act as the spearhead and push forward.

b. By April, the Marines were north of Soul and pushing over the 38th Parallel. The Chinese Communists massed for a counter offensive. By mid-May the Communists were stopped, and the Army units were pushing north to rejoin the Marines. As the Marines pushed north once again all three regiments were on line.

c. As the United Nations lines solidified north of the 38th Parallel, offensive operations were slowed to a halt because of the 5th Air Force proposed plan to bomb the Chinese out of the war, instead of pursuing the ground offensive plan. For several months bombs fell all over Northern Korea with little effect on the Chinese who rebuilt faster that the Air Force could bomb. The was quickly came to a stalemate.

d. For several months Marines conducted limited operations, moving to different areas to stop the enemy drives. The overall situation changed little in the months to come as the Chinese offered to negotiate. While talks continued, limited battles raged until July 27, 2953, when a truce was finally signed.

e. Many historians believed that a major mistake was made by the Army when they did not use the First Marine Division in any other amphibious assaults other than at Inchon. An entire amphibious force, when effectively used, can force the enemy to use a large percentage of his troops to guard countless miles of coastline. The Korean peninsula was perfectly suited for this tactic with extensive coastlines to choose from. Thus, this force can drastically increase its value by launching amphibious flanking assaults. The Army refused to use the Marines in this manner despite the urging of our Marine officers and instead, piecemealed the Corps in land engagements.

5. DEVELOPMENTS

a. The first of these was the development and use of lightweight body armor in the latter stages of the war. This is the origin of flak jackets that is used from time to time in recruit training and in the fleet.

b. The second was the introduction of the thermal boot. Because of the intense cold, and the problem of fighting in an arctic environment, all Marines replacements for Korea were sent to Pickel Meadows, California for extensive cold weather training prior to departure for Korea.

c. Third and probably most important was the introduction of the helicopter into a combat environment. Koreas was the testing ground for the Marine Corps' doctrine of Vertical Envelopment; we know it today as helo assault.

d. The overall importance of the was was the proof that the amphibious assault doctrine was still as valid as ever during the dawn of the Atomic age. One Marine Corps tradition continued: of the 7,190 American taken prisoner in Korea, only 227 were Marines. Marines would fight hard, and they would die in battle, but they rarely surrendered and never surrendered while they still had the means to resist.

6. AFTER KOREA

a. In 1956 the Egyptian government moved in to seize the Suez Canal and war broke out in the Middle East. As American citizens in Egypt became endangered the Marines of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea were landed in Alexandria, Egypt and evacuated all American civilians from the country.

7. SERGEANT MAJOR OF THE MARINE CORPS

a. In 1957 the twenty-firs Commandant, General Pate, established the office of Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps. This office was filled by Sergeant Major Bestwick. The new Sergeant Major of the Marin Corps was to be the Commandant's senior enlisted advisor. (MCCS .02.02g)

8. FORMOSA

a. In 1958 Marines of the 3rd Marine Division were landed on the island of Formosa (known today as Taiwan) when Chinese Communists made threats of invading the country. The presence of the Navy and Marines on Formosa convinced the Communist Chinese that the invasion was not worth the price they would have to pay.

9. LTCOL JOHN H. GLENN

a. Later on February 20, 2962, the United States launched its first manned capsule to orbit the Earth. It was manned by Lieutenant Colonel John H. Glenn, one of the Marine Corps' finest pilots. In Korea he was awarded five Distinguished Flying Crosses. Lieutenant Colonel Glenn retired as a Colonel and served as a U. S. Senator from Ohio.

REFERENCE

1. Marine Corps Values: A User's Guide for Discussion Leaders            MCRP 6-11B w/Ch1