How O.P. Smith Saved 15000 Marines 

Louis Katz passed August 8, 2021, one of the last surviving members of the Chosin Reservoir. Rest in peace Marine.

The 31st Infantry Regiment may be the most hard-luck regiment in the US Army. 1919-1920 they fought in Siberia, 1941-42 they were in the Philippines and wound up in the Bataan Death March, and here they were at Chosin Reservoir. Poor bastards!

He should have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for this. He would not cave to ALmond's pressure to rush up that road and stockpiled supplies because he saw it coming. He saved the Corp from its greatest defeat in history.

I was priviledged to work with his son, Brian Dana Smith, while in the U.S. Navy during the 1970s. It was an honor to know of his Dad through him, and a great joy to work with Brian.

The Chosin Campaign was very brutal. From all accounts, the 1st marine division sustained nearly as many casualties as the 31st RCT. The Cold weather saved the 10th Corps. Gen Almond helped thousands of Korean civilians escape their fate in N Korea at the final withdrawal. Tom Ricks apparently has access to the mind of General Almond to make the marines vulnerable, and of course, the mind of Gen Smith was to disobey the orders of Gen Almond. Ricks obviously knew that Gen Almond was a "Jerk" after hearing the marine version of the battle. He forgot to tell how Gen Smith failed to help the 31st RCT during their retreat.

Today is Christmas Eve and a best time to know more about O.P. Smith. Just want to give my warmest thanks to all American GIs who sacrificed in Hungman and Korea during the Korean War. American troops also saved/evacuated almost 100,000 civilians from Hung Nam. Merry Christmas to all!

Hi everyone in the comments. Scrolling down I am quite a bit surprised by some people's animosity towards Mr. Ricks' talk. I gather some has personal stake and perhaps the title of his talk was a tinge provocative. Still some discussion are devolving into personal attacks that seemed unnecessary. I have read Rick's book and this specific chapter. Nowhere in his writing did he ever question the bravery or sacrifices of the army soldiers that suffered those staggering losses. His book focused less on minutiae of specific battles but rather on the history of American generalship, their decision making process in combat and their consequences. He was putting forth an argument here that had O.P. Smith not made certain key decisions at the generalship level, the marines would have equally suffered staggering casualties. Rick's writing focused his criticism on general Almond's decisions as X corp commander that placed Faith and his men out on a limb. Perhaps the title of the talk can be upsetting to some as it appears to diminish the sacrifice of the army. There is no doubt that Task Force Faith had mightily contributed to the survival of the marine. But Ricks was just trying to emphasize the point that poor leadership at the highest level costs a lot of lives.

Ricks does not mention that the 31st RCT stopped a muti division Chinese force from advancing down the East side of the Chosin Reservoir. This is from Roy Appleman's escaping the trap. The Chinese were very inflexible. They could not change plans to adjust for circumstances. They were unaware that the 5th Marines had been moved to the West side of Chosin. The plan called for one Chinese force to hit the 7th Marines on the West Side of Chosin and another to hit the Marines on the East side of Chosin. That force hit the 31st RCT. Army strength on the East Side of Chosin was actually less than regimental, two infantry battalions, and artillery battalion, and two anti aircraft batteris. The third battalion never got to the East side of Chosin. Ricks talks about 5th and 7th Marines fighting two Chinese Divisions for 4 days and 3 nights. The understrength 31st RCT fought elements of three Chinese divisions for 5 days and 4 nights.

Pfc. Hector Cafferata of Venice, Fla. won the Medal of Honor. He will tell you he was no hero; he was just saving his backside when he killed over 100 enemy soldiers in the battle for “Fox Hill” during the early months of the Korean War. Pvt. Hector Cafferata was a 20-year-old green Marine replacement. He joined Fox Company’s 2nd Platoon a few days before the first wave of Chinese troops attacked his listening post at the Toktong Pass during the early months of the Korean War that cold November night half a century ago. Six hours later, the hulking 6-foot-3-inch Marine was a seasoned “Jarhead” who had survived a number of human wave assaults by the enemy. When daylight came more than 125 Chinese soldiers lay dead in front of his position. He was officially credited with killing 15 of the enemy and wounding many more because they didn’t think those considering him for a commendation would belive one Marine had killed that many Chinamen, according to his company commander. Cafferata would receive the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman. The young private played a key role in stopping the Chinese attack on his company’s defensive position atop a hill overlooking the pass that controlled the winding dirt road leading south to the coast and freedom. Fox Company was surrounded by at least an enemy regiment. Even so, its job was to hold Tokfong Pass and the road that wound through it. If it didn’t, parts of two Marine regiments at Yudam-ni, further to the north up the road near Manchuria and the Yalu River, could be cut off. If that happened 8,000 Marines might be annihilated by the enemy hordes flooding across the North Korean border from China. When the 246 men of Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Regiment arrived on what would become known as “Fox Hill,” the temperature was well below zero. Despite the freezing temperatures, there was talk in the ranks of the war ending and the troops being home by Christmas 1950. The 1st Marine Division-which included the 1st, 5th and 7th Regiments- more than 20,000 strong-was ordered by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, NATO’s supreme commander in Korea, to march to the Yalu River and back. The distance from Hugnam, along the Sea of Japan, to Chosin was 76 miles. The general’s idea: Run the Communist troops out of Korea and unify the entire country as a democracy. Before the march was over, the 1st Marine Division would be confronted by 21 enemy divisions, more than 200,000 soldiers. They would kill and wound 37,000 of the enemy. An additional 30,000 Chinese soldiers suffered frostbite. The Marines would lose 6,000 killed and wounded, and 6,000 more sustained frostbite. “It must have been around 1:30 a.m. I was zipped up in my sleeping bag lying out on the frozen ground behind some rocks and pine trees we’d cut and put up as a wind break. My buddy, Kenny Benson, was next to me in his sleeping bag. We heard some rifle fire and a machine gun open up. I realized this was for real,” said Cafferata, who now lives in Venice, Fla. “I unzipped my bag and grabbed my M-1 rifle. There were Chinese all around us. I shot five or six right in front of me immediately. “I said to Benson, ‘What are you doing?” “’Putting on my boots,’ he replied. “’Forget the boots. Start shooting,’ I said.” He grabbed his Browning Automatic Rifle, but it was frozen. It was 20 degrees below zero and nothing made of steel operated well in such severe temperatures. “There were Chinese all around us, so I knew we had to get the hell out of there. Benson and I started crawling back toward our lines. I wasn’t sure where we were.” All Cafferata knew for certain was that the enemy was shooting at them and they were shooting back. “Then this grenade plopped down right in front of Benson. I threw myself off to the left to get as far away from it as I could. Benson picked up the grenade and threw it just as it exploded. The explosion broke his glasses and burned his face. He couldn’t see worth a damn and he was all shook up. “I told Benson, ‘Hang on to my foot. We’re going to crawl.’ We crawled up to a wash, where rainwater cut a shallow trench into the side of the hill. I told him, ‘This is where we’re going to stay.’” They found three members of their squad badly injured hiding in the same gully. Cafferata took the three injured Marines’ M-1s from them. “By the time we looked up, the Chinese were right there on top of us again. Since Benson couldn’t see, because his glasses were broken, he loaded rifles and passed them to me,” Cafferata said. “For the rest of the night I was batting hand grenades away with my entrenching tool while firing my rifle at them. I must have whacked a dozen grenades that night with my tool. And you know what? I was the world’s worst baseball player. I couldn’t hit a bull in the ass with a baseball bat, but I didn’t miss many that night.”

I just Googled maps north korea. That airstrip at Changjin (Chosun Reservoir) is still there. It's now a north korean air force base.

Thank You for your lecture on my favorite Marine General, O.P. Smith. General Smith should have been awarded the Metal of Honor for his leadership at the Chosin Reservior. You mentioned later in your questions and answers, two things of interest to me. Bowser was the CG of Recruit Training at MCRD San Diego in 58 when I was a boot. Later my CO was an Staff NCO, now a Captain, under Puller at Chosin Reservior. When they reached the beach, they went to an Army Mess Tent. Asked where was their mess gear, he replied, "where is your trash for a tin can and place the pancakes right here on my hand." Harbord in WWI was an Army General in charge of the Marine Brigades.

Thanks for your sacrifice from S Korea

I joined the Corps in 1957. The veterans worshipped Chesty, but attributed their lives to O.P.

Well, from the Army point of view Regimental Combat Team 31 is generally remembered for holding the eastern side of the reservoir long enough that there was a Hagaru-ri for the Marines to consolidate to. And, like O.P. Smith, apparently, aren't remembered by name by the Marines or their historians.

Excellent presentation. Thank you.

CORRECTION: Lt. Chew En Lee (not Col. Ray Davis) was the hero who lead Baker Company as they rescued Fox Company out of the Chosin Reservoir.

"The Last Stand of Fox Company." I have one regret: that I did not know about Gen Raymond G. Davis's when I shook his hand. I do now. Semper Fidelis.

Entry of Chinese army into Korean war was not a surprise. There were ample warning signs picked up by local units of UN but the high command in Tokyo simply ignored them. In the middle of reading The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam. Gen Almond was in 'command' of an army group in Korea only because he kissed up to Gen. McArthur like there was no tomorrow. There were 2 Separate groups of UN force in the Korean war because Gen McArthur wanted his pet, Gen Almond, to be able to command an army. I can honestly say Gen Almod was one big reason N Korea still exists today.

Appall and Salute Gen OP Smith an unsung Hero of US history.

One of the greatest presentations on RU-vid.

My uncle was Army and fought in Korea. He explained that their retreat was every man in their own for survival. Peeling each other off vehicles while in retreat. Utter failure and chaos. Army's generals didn't expect a hard fight from the Chinese.

Thank God for men like o p smith

It's disappointing to see people like exarmydoc basically ignore all the poor decisions Almond and MacArthur made but is happy to go after Smith. Almond put all of the units in the position they were in Marines included. Almond a noted racist, who's poor WWII showing as a General should have prevented him from commanding X Corps. Luckily for him, MacArthur, who was a marginal general himself, loved people who told him what he wanted to hear. Despite repeated attempts by Smith, Faith, and other Commanders Almond refused to slow the advance to consolidate even after Chinese forces were encountered. Faith also ignored advice from the CO of the 5th Marines and moved forward.

James Harbord commanded the Marine Brigade in the fighting at Chateau-Thierry and Belleau Wood during WWI. "We dig no trenches, The Marines will fight where they stand."

The last question was painful. I always hate it at these talks when someone gives another mini-lecture before asking a question. The answer is Peyton March. There was no Army Chief of Staff named James D. Hardboard.

When China sent their troops to Korea, we were warned. The Chinese had no representation at the UN, but they relayed thru the Indian UN Ambassador that they would intervene if UN forces crossed the 38th parallel. Mac ignored this warning. The Eighth Army was devastated on the west coast of Korea. The Second Infantry Division still remembers the ass kicking it took at the Chongchon River. X Corps fared better on the East Coast because OP Smith knew Chinese troops were around and prepared his units for the clusterf*** that followed. His Corps Commander, who was an incompetent division commander in WW2, but a FANTASTIC MacArthur syncophant post-war, tried to get Smith's 1st Marine Division to abandon prudence, as he succeeded in doing to the 31st RCT, but Smith wasn't having any of it. Marines understand small unit warfare, even if Army generals don't. The ass kicking the 31st RCT took east of the reservoir was X Corps Commanders fault, NOT OP Smith's. End of story.

16:58 Almond lying about the airstrips? Incompetent and liar. And put in charge. Great...

Every Clime and Place !. The World's Finest US Marines . Semper Fi

History of the RCT Chapter 5 "Had the RCT been under Marine Division control it doubtless would have followed Colonel Murray’s advice, advice General Smith also passed on, and not advanced beyond Hill 1221 at least until the entire unit was assembled. The outcome of the battle would have been drastically different."

Superb history, so well told

After Korea, Chesty Puller was asked by a interview what hard lessons the Marines learned......he spat it out in a Second, NEVER SERVE UNDER X CORPS !! He was RIGHT ON !! Semper Fi. 💯👍💪

Great lecture from an excellent author and historian. Read 'Fiasco' if you haven't already. I particularly loved the slap down of the last question from an obvious jerk.

THIS WAS EXCELLENT. HE COVERED EVERYTHING IN AN HOUR. MY UNCLE MIKE SERVICE IN FIR MAR DIV AT CHOSEN HE ALWAYS CALLED IT FROZEN HELL ON EARTH. GOD BLESS GEN SMITH AND THE USMC. SEMPER FIDELIS. ALWAYS. SHALOM

O.P. SMITH "WE ARE COMEING OUT, WITH OUR HONOR!"

Really interesting lecture.

When I shook hands with Raymond G. Davis, my eyes were drawn to his chest showing that he had been awarded the Medal of Honor. At that time I did not know the circumstances regarding his MOH. Now I do, thanks to the book "The Last Stand of Fox Company". I deeply regret not knowing Gen Davis' history when I shook his hand.

Ricks also states that a Marine Officer went up to the site where the Army units were massacred to recover casualties. According to OP Smith's biography, The Gentle Warrior: Oliver Prince Smith, OP Smith made a very desultory attempt to break through to the 31st RCT, which failed.

Caesar's Roman Legions would have been in awe of the US Marines @ Chosin.

Ricks quotes General Almond telling LTC Don Faith not to let a bunch of Chinese Laundrymen stop his attack towards the Yalu. General Almond said that to Colonel Allan McLean, original commander of the 31st RCT BEFORE the Chinese attack began.

OP Smith did not save the 1st Marine Division from annihilation. What saved the 1st Marine DIvision was that the Army's 31st RCT on the east side of Chosin prevented two Chinese DIvisions from getting to Hagaru-ri before 5th and 7th Marines could consolidate there. OP Smith claimed the soldiers ran and did not fight. if he Soldiers had not fought two Chinese infantry divisions would have been able to advance down the East side of CHosin unopposed.

I believe that this is actually Vincent D'Onofrio playing the part of Thomas Ricks. What an actor! He certainly nailed it.

THANK YOU

Ricks mentioned the gap between 8th Army and 1st Marine Division. That gap was terrain impassable to military units. According to other histories, OP Smith's left flank was not open.

Exactly Semper Fi

Enjoyed watching the speaker drinking the glass of water

I am reminded of a quote by Chesty Puller that went something like "The main difference between the Chinese Army and the American Army is that he could always depend on the Chinese being where they were supposed to be."

The Chosin Few.

Brilliant . . . ask everyone but the man in charge what happened ?

Ray Davis made two trips to Turkey Hill to relieve Marines there (3.5 miles away by jeep) before he took after Fox Hill. The marines started moving on the day that 31RCT was destroyed due to O.P. Smiths orders. He removed the tanks of the 2bn 31st and Cp back to Hagaru before 31RCT could reach them. Marines had warming tents, Brandy, and 24 hour breaks off the front lines. RCT31 did not. They (the Marines) had a caravan that was miles long marching into Hagaru dealing with long range rifle fire. Almonds quotes to Col. Faith were intended to motivate. Not anything else. If Almond was not good, then why did General Ridgeway state, that he preferred Almond over O.P. Smith. Smith who was quickly replaced shortly after Ridgeway took command because O.P. Smith was again asking for concessions as he did so many times with Almond. Smith, Almond, and MacArthur should have faced a tribunal or board of inquiry following the battle of the Chosin IMHO. Had that been done, Ricks speech would never have taken place. How does one get to be a Gentleman Warrior as O.P. Smith is accredited and considered a Good General. Lawful Orders are Lawful Orders. O.P. Smith was not invited by to speak on the Chosin because he would have been embarrassed and brought to task. Ricks book will not change the history, but god knows he is trying. Sadly IMHO

No mention of Hell Fire Valley? I guess this was a high level discussion, but what a battle to totally leave out and not even mention.

Very interesting. I have read the Marine history on this matter and know that the tactics used by Smith were very similar to those used by Xenophon in the Anabasis (Anabasis means march up country- Xenophon eventually became more or less the commander). It would be interesting to know how much Smith knew of that campaign. Particularly since it appears that Smith was an avid reader. The terrain Xenophon faced was very similar to that faced by the Marines.

RIP Task Force Faith, aka Regimental Combat Team 31. Those "Army cowards" saved the Marines' asses. IF RCT-31 didn't hold out to the last man on the eastern flank there would have been no successful retreat by the Marines.

... To all interested in this subject -> A must: David Halberstam's "The Coldest Winter"

He made all the right moves and had his head into it. Makes you wonder what in the world the other guys were thinking...if at all. Really seems like politics played a hand in things rather than smarts and deeds. I was in the `Nam fiasco and things hadn't changed much between those two times just the field..Iraq wasn't a smart move either...the more it changes the more it stays the same. O.P. probably got back and called `em all a bunch of idiots and as we all know you can't do that with the powers to be `cuz it's never THEIR fault.

People do not remember OP Smith because ultimately the battle was a defeat akin to the evacuation of Dunkirk--basically escape from utter disaster. This does no justice to the soldiers or Smith, but is often the way history is rendered.

SLA MARSHALL wrote a history report on the Chosin operation. OP Smith praised the report. MARSHALL's report was highly CRITICAL of the leadership of the 7th and 3rd Divisions and the RCT as well.

How the US Army and OP Smith saved 15,000 Marines.

There is a Chinese saying, a horse that can run 1000 miles a day is easier to be found that the man who can find that horse. So this lecturer did the almost same important thing as Smith did.

I wouldnt call the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir decisive but WHAT a rearguard action

The problem with govt bureaucracies like the military is that good combat officers and ncos are often expected to benefit those higher in rank, not lower.

Chinese frostbite saved these troops' lives. Hiking, attacking, and camping in -30 degree weather in the hills and mountains killed and injured the Chinese advance. The lesson I take from this is to move mostly out of the cold mountains during winter fighting and then move back into them as soon as the thaw breaks and things warm up. Let your enemies "battle the weather" and freeze unnecessarily. The Chinese attack might have succeeded better had they attacked in warmer weather. Also, retreat to better areas when dangerously under-supplied, otherwise the fighting moral eventually drops to zero.

True badass hero!

Seems evident to me that General Smith just wasn't part of the good ol' boy network. And I think it's important to mention that a good Marine can be fully dedicated to the Corps and not be part of that club. I know of one such good Marine Officer - I see him every time I look in the mirror.

Great lesson on how to slowly drink a glass of water over 50 minutes.

it is 2018, just before the November mid-term elections. I wonder if this series is still being offered?

What separates the Marine Corps from all the others is psychological. Marine Corps boot camp is an indoctrination on abject suffering. Expect the worst and you'll never be disappointed. Semper FI

The USA should have stopped their advance at the narrowest point of the peninsula north of Pyonyang and dug in there. If they had done that, the Chinese would not have attacked and Pyongyang would now be part of South Korea. North Korea, on the other hand, would be a small mountain-bound country. Seole would be a lot farther from its northern border and we would not be having the trouble with the fat boy. Its all MacArthur's fault.

Lt Gen William McCaffery United States Army and a veteran of the Chosin Campaign said the following about RCT 31 "“.I suggest the unraveling of the 31st RCT was a reflection of incompetence and misconduct on the part of Gens Barr and Hodes,(ARMY) a lesser degree of incompetence on the part of the field grade officers, who, nevertheless, in general, died or were overwhelmed by the cold, the enemy and the enormity of the problems that cascaded over them. In three days the chain of command ceased to function and leaderless men faced death from the enemy and the cold with no guidance and only whatever desperate courage could be summoned up from their innermost sources of their being.” Unravelled.......RCT 31

That microphone works a little too good.

One of the lies Marine admirers propagates this lie about Chosin, that hundreds of Soldiers faked wounds to get evacuated from Hagaru-ri. From the DVD on Task Force Faith and from other sources, fewer than 1500 soldiers made it to Hagaru-ri. Fewer than 400 were able bodied and they marched out. Just about all the rest were severely injured or frost bitten. The source of the falsehood actually is a priest, Father Otto Sporrer, who served as a Chaplain with the Marines. I believe he was assigned either to the 5th Marines or to the 11th Marines. In 1951, the Navy produced a documentary about Chosin which was not at all complimentary to the Army. The Army protested and DOD forced the Navy to revise the documentary. Sporrer was pissed about the alterations. So, in 1952, several months after the event, he made the claim that he had witnessed 400 soldiers faking wounds and getting on medieval aircraft. There was an investigation of his claims by General Matthew Ridgeway, who commanded 8th Army after the death of Walton Walker. The investigation founded that Sporrer's claims were unfounded. When one looks at it, one wonders why Sporrer would have had any credibility except that people wanted to glorify the Corps, considering he made the claims months after the Battle of Chosin, and had an ulterior motive for making the claims.

@36:30 in the video the person commented about a person not being fired upon by the Chinese. IMHO on speaking to many of the Vets and information gathered it was probably due to the fact that the Chinese were woefully under maintained and under supplied. Though they had the numbers, they did not have enough equipment/ammunition to finish the job. I think the Chinese by that time were just trying to stay alive as well as using their ammo sparingly. Though the US were taken by surprise the Chinese were taken by surprise on the sheer stubbornness of the Marine's defensive withdraw. As the fighting continued The Chinese army had less and less ammunition to continue the ferocity of the fight as they had in their initial attack. The US units were battered but well armed and amply supplied. Far better than their Chinese counter parts. This is a perfect example of losing such an important battle because of logistics and support. Which the PLA did not have. Just think if the PLA had adequate supplies through out this battle. It would not been the famous retreat at the Chosin Reservoir. It may have been the greatest victory over the US during the Korean War.

56:47 That kid shouldn't smoke dope while he's doing "research". Attending VMI isn't anything like ROTC and he got the answer wrong to his own question. What a buffoon.

"Stacked like cordwood" is just poetry. Most people like poetry more than the truth. Thanks for the insight.

We will be posting a add on to the Facebook page "Chosin Reservoir" shortly after tonights airing of "American Experience" The battle of Chosin. See PBS stations for times. This posting will show the breakdowns and holes that have been persisted through the decades regarding the Chosin Reservoir campaign. The author, Ray Vallowe, challenges most of what Ricks has stated in this video, and his validated research will bear that out. Watch the Show. Check the website. Decide for yourself. Vallowe monitors this page will be happy to discuss his findings vs accepted history through out the decades. It is my humble opinion that Ricks only perpetuates some of the hype and myths of this General, and the campaign itself. But come see for yourself.

The destruction of Task Force Faith is something the Army seldom mentions. The 7th ID was spread all over N. Korea; the USMC 1st Div. kept their Regiments fairly close...a wise decision. Had they scattered their regiments - as the 7th ID did - they likely would have never made it to the coast. TF Faith - comprised of both US & Koreans, was not a very cohesive force - ya just can't throw people together & "call" them a regiment. Applemans book - East of Chosin - should be mandatory reading by every 2LT before commissioning. TF Faith did what they were ordered to, but if the Principles of War are ignored, the consequences are predictable. LTC Faith is now buried at Arlington...his remains were returned ~2012...what was left of them. (I have a personal interest in this - my uncle (RIP) was in N. Korea w/ the 7th ID in 1950...he never talked about it. It wasn't his first time in combat; he had served on the USS California in WWII, in the last battleship on battleship battle the world will likely see.)

There were many excellent documentaries on youtube about this battle, all removed now that PBS made their own documentary , with the same material, which you have to buy, sigh

Rick's is incorrect on a number of points. "With the assistance of Marine Corps air support - expertly coordinated by Capt. Stamford and without which the task force would have been overwhelmed - RCT 31 fought off heavy assaults by the PLA 80th and 81st divisions for another two days, inflicting severe losses on the communist forces who left hundreds of bodies in the snow around the army position. During the day Stamford directed 38 sorties, making this the major effort of the 1st Marine Air Wing for the day. From 0645 until 1830 Marine planes attacked the Chinese, dropping 21 napalm tanks, 16 500-lb bombs, 21 fragmentation bombs, and firing 190 rockets. All attacks on the perimeter were repulsed. The Americans were running low on ammunition, and over half their number had been killed or wounded, including a high proportion of key leaders. Faith, realizing he was surrounded and greatly outnumbered, decided to attempt a breakout to the south, toward Marine lines. The situation was so desperate that only a minimum of equipment and sufficient vehicles to carry the wounded were taken, freeing more soldiers to fight as infantry. The rest of the equipment was destroyed in place, including the artillery's howitzers after they fired their last rounds." The above passage is supported by the bulk of the available information available from the DoD.

"That greatest of all Marine institutions, the Drill Instructor." I feel great pity for the USMC now. How sorrowful, to have DIs as their greatest institution!

Page 323 of Appleman's “East of Chosin” states: "Withdrawing these forces (31st Tank Co and 31st Rear) from Hudong-ni had the effect of signing the death warrant for Task Force Faith and its wounded. What commander in his right mind could order such a move...". If you are to cheap or lazy to buy the book, contact me and I will send you a copy.

Non-commercial, unless you want to post it on RU-vid and monetise it

IF Litzenberg had taken Yudam ni by Nov. 14th as Ordered, they would have been able to prevent the Chinese from incircling the forces and changed the entire scope of the battles in North Korea or at least change the situation to a different outcome. But alas he dragged his feet for 11 days to get there. Sheppard knew Almond probably better than he knew O.P. Smith because they were fellow students at VMI. After Smith whined to the higher ups, Sheppard basically told him to get in line. A general has the right and the priviledge to address his orders from the higher up, but he does not have the righto disregard a Valid Order. O.P. Smith was told by Almond to make Litzeberg to take Yudam-ni. For Ricks to not believe him is his choice, but the reality was, it happened. O.P. Smiths orders caused the death of 31RCT TF MacLean/Faith. That is pretty cut and dry on November 29th. Smith did nothing to help the Army on the East of Chosin who was ordered to take out the previous assignments of the Marines as verified by Divisional order OpO 7 and Regimental order by MacLean of 31RCT, OpO 25. Ricks is so far off base I am offended.

this guy should move away from the mic when he takes a drink.

Four casualties were helicoptered out of RCT 31 before its disintegration. Two battalion commanders and two others....WTF? Why the battalion commanders? What kind of leadership is that?

How Thomas Ricks THINKS OP Smith saved 15,000 Marines. Thomas Ricks is wrong.

this lecturer insinuated that D. MacArthur was not brave. His bravery was well documented especially during WW!.

RIP Jose Guerena

we are not retreating, we are just fighting in another direction.

It was one of the "Reasons", for his ACTUAL NAME ( to "Us" MARINES anyway . . . ) . . . "Howling Mad" SMITH !.

Yes yes. Logic and facts are not the point here. The point is to ignore the history books and the observations of those who were there. Thank god the RCT saved the Marines.

54:33 - Must teach the midshipmen the difference between the Chief of Staff UNDER Pershing (Harbord) and the Army Chief of Staff OVER Pershing (March) :-)

the best marine!RCT 31 would of need someone like him too..Maclean comander of the rtc made a few mistakes in organizsing defense altough they didn know that such an amount of chinese is coming ..also many soldiers meeting the first blocks just runaway and deserted the convoy..and records show 1500 alive fro 2500 , many wonden and with frost bit

OP Smith did not save 15,000 Marines. In spite of Thomas Ricks, it was the 31st RCT which covered 1st Marine Division's exposed Eastern flank. Mr.Ricks doesn't even try to explain why the 27th Chinese Army failed in its mission to take Hagaru ri.

I do.

My objection is at around 34:58. Mr. Ricks (although he said Almond) is clearly speaking of Lt. Don Carlos Faith and Mr Ricks is wrong in his assessment. Lt. Col. Faith knew his job, he knew what he was facing, and he didn't take his artillery pieces with him on the retreat because all of the ammunition for the artillery had been used.

His act below is kind of a taint to his career. There is evidence that Smith misstated the contribution of United States Army units under his command to the effort at Chosin. 31st Infantry Regimental Combat Team (also known as "Task Force Faith" or "Task Force Maclean"), which protected his right flank and took the brunt of a reinforced CCF corps for five days was not included in Smith's recommendation for the Presidential Unit Citation after the battle.[8] Thirty years later, the CCF commanders, Gen Song and Gen Peng, attributed the 31st RCT with breaking their offensive and preventing them from achieving their objectives.

First mistake Ricks makes is that OP Smith insisted he be allowed to consolidate his regiments. He had 5th Marine on the East side of Chosin, 7th Marines on the west side and the 1st Marines strung out to the South along the MSR. General Almond put the 31st RCT on the East side of Chosin, which allowed OP Smith to put 5th Marines and 7th Marines on the West side. My source is Roy Appleman's Escaping the Trap, available as a Kindle download from Amazon.

I'm using this for commercial purposes! Ah hah! Hah hah hah hah!

He built a airport otherwise it's hard to escape

No Task force Faith and Maclane saved the 1st Mar DIV...

One thing I don’t understand about this battle is why the US didn’t carpet bomb the Chinese positions surrounding the Marines and soldiers at Chosin reservoir with B29’s or some other heavy bomber? Were the Chinese simply too close to the Americans to risk hitting friendlies?