The Frozen Chosen: The 1st Marine Division and the Battle of the Chosen Reservoir
In 1950, America and the United Nations got involved in a land war in Asia. The unfortunate location: Korea. Against expectations – the U.S. government was convinced no Communist countries made a move except at the USSR’s orders – Red China sent an army sweeping into North Korea, and the worst Siberian blizzard in a century swept through as well. North of the 38th parallel, trapped at the Chosin Reservoir, the 1st Marine Division was about to make history in the hardest possible way. Holding off attacks from a massive Chinese force, battling blinding snow, ice, and temperatures as low as 20 degrees below zero, the Marines fought their way out. It’s hard to understand how anyone survived under such conditions. But even against these killing odds, the 1st made it back, although the butcher’s bill for this success was staggeringly high.
This is one of the most famous fighting retreats in history; alas, this book doesn’t do it justice. Of the book’s 296 pages, only about 80 are actually about the Chosin Reservoir battle. Almost 100 pages of the book background the political events leading up to the war in Korea. While the author’s knowledge of this conflict is obvious, it’s displayed in endless detail, such as lists of ships, planes, and divisions. He interviewed some of the Frozen Chosen themselves, but there are few quotes from them in the book. Fourteen Medals of Honor were awarded – but all we only get the full story of one. A few times we’re merely told so-and-so was awarded a Medal of Honor “for his leadership.” (And fourteen Medals of Honor is not “more than awarded for any other American battle.” For instance, 27 were awarded for actions at Iwo Jima.)
A fascinating subject, a frustrating book.
