Chosin - The Korean War 60th Plus Anniversary

This is the 60th plus anniversary of the Korean War Armistice; The War America forgot to remember! Let's remember the Korean war, the war that had an inconclusive end, 60 years ago.

I didn't know much about this war until I went to Washington, D.C. and saw the outstanding Korean War Memorial. It was so moving. And then something happened at a family reunion that started a dialog which peaked my curiosity. I am sharing some of the information I have gathered with you on this page.

Freedom is not Free

My former neighbor was a Marine at Chosin Reservior. One of the stories he told me about was how cold he was! He said it was "Colder than Hell!"

This close-focus combat memoir is a chilling story of a Marine rifle company in the uncertain early days of the Korean War. Marine lieutenant Owen's powerful descriptions of close combat in the snow-covered mountains of the Chosin Reservoir, in "blood-splotched snow" with the temperature at 25 degrees below zero, and of the survival spirit of his marines provide a gritty real-life view of frontline warfare.

"...a day especially set aside to ensure America remembers the valiant sacrifices and the patriotic service of the Korean War veterans." ~Congressman Rangel

Press Release July 27, 2010

"On Tuesday, the stars and stripes will be flown across our great nation in their honor, as a result of President Obama's enactment of the Korean War Veterans Recognition Act, which became Public Law (111-41) last year after it unanimously passed in both chambers of the U.S. Congress.

At the National Korean War Memorial on the morning of the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27, 2010, hundreds of veterans, their friends and families, members of the U.S. Armed Services, and foreign dignitaries will pay tribute to all those who served in Korea, and lay wreaths for the fallen who never made it back home. Among those in attendance are members of the Korean War Veterans Association, who have gathered in Washington, D.C., for their 2010 Convention and Gathering to mark the occasion.

Sixty years ago, war broke out on the Korean Peninsula, when North Korea invaded the South on June 25, 1950. Before the ceasefire three years later, 1.8 million Americans had served in Korea and the region, more than 54,000 had been killed, more than 103,000 wounded and up to 8,176 listed as missing. Today, there's no peace treaty ending the war, and 28,500 American soldiers are still stationed in South Korea, guarding democracy's eastern flank.

Despite the great loss of life in such a short time, Korea 's so-called United Nations conflict sandwiched between World War II and Vietnam War' was simply forgotten. I hope the flags displayed on this day would remind Americans to remember and recognize the Korean War veterans of a war that has yet to end."

"In the greatest evacuation movement by sea in US military history, a massive 193 ship armada assembled at the port and evacuated not only the UN troops, but also their heavy equipment and the Korean refugees. The last UN unit left at 2:36 p.m. on 24 December, and the port was destroyed to deny its use to the Communists."

See The Battleship USS Missouri

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My Dad was on one of the rescue boats and my mom's uncle was one of the one's rescued. Neither of them knew of this connection until 50 years later.

Let me know if you want to hear this story.

See the video below: With the Marines in Korea & Chosin Reservoir To Hungnam

"During the Evacuation of Hungnam, 24 December 1950, USS Begor (APD-127) stands offshore, ready to embark the last UN landing craft, as demolition charges wreck Hungnam's port facilities. US National Archives photo # 80-G-424297, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives"

http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/04127.htm

CHOSIN is the only documentary film on the Chosin Reservoir Campaign of the Korean War. Produced by Iraq War veterans led by Brian Iglesias and Anton Sattler." www.frozenchosin.com

"During the Korean War, in the winter of 1950, 15,000 U.S. troops were surrounded and trapped by 120,000 Chinese soldiers in the frozen mountains of North Korea. Refusing surrender, the men fought 78 miles to freedom and saved the lives of 98,000 civilian refugees."

C. Alexander writes the following about this documentary: "Told from the viewpoint of the last remaining living veterans who took part in one of the most decorated battles in US history, Chosin is an Award winning piece of film making that is a must have for any military veteran, history buff, education program, or true blood American."

"During his keynote speech for his James Van Fleet award acceptance, presented by the Korea Society, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, talks about the documentary film CHOSIN. An extended trailer was played just prior to his award presentation.

The Korean War remains a chapter in American history that receives little attention...

The following was written in a review of the documentary.

"My parents remember the Korean War vividly. They were young and had just survived Japanese occupation. Brother fought against brother, and families were torn apart. But to this day, my parents will always be grateful to the Americans who came and saved their world, allowed them to pursue their futures and know a life free from oppression-something some of their friends would never experience. It was a war that receives little recognition here, but in the minds of people like my parents, the sacrifice of American soldiers will never be forgotten."

"Uncommon Courage: Breakout At Chosin" shown on the Smithsonian Channel details a battle, and a war, that are often an afterthought in U.S. history discussions.

It's been more than 56 years since a young American soldier named Jimmie Dorser disappeared in the freezing, bloody cauldron that was the battle of the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War.

"to when a North Korean farmer was working in a field near the Chosin Reservoir and uncovered some bones. He reported it to authorities, and in 2002 members of the Hawaii-based U.S. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command were allowed by the North Koreans to excavate the site. Skeletal remains of five Americans were found and sent to Hawaii for possible identification.

The find wasn't unprecedented. Although they're currently suspended, since 1996 U.S. teams have made a number of MIA searches inside North Korea, recovering more than 200 sets of remains, and the North Koreans have handed over about 200 more. Of those, just over 40 have been positively identified.

Meanwhile, Terri Bommarito heard about MIA remains being found in North Korea and contacted the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office to see if any of them could be her brother. They asked for a DNA sample from her, which she sent.

Then, just before Thanksgiving, Terri and Betty got the word. Their brother had been positively identified as one of the five Americans discovered by the North Korean farmer."

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Korea MIA comes home

GORDON DILLOW

OC Register columnist