Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

War hero, and Marines, deserved better
San Diego Union Tribune | April 29, 2002 | Gina Lubrano

Posted on 4/30/2002, 2:03:59 PM by LavaDog

Don't say the word "defeat" to Marines, especially in connection with the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Korea in 1950. But an obituary last Monday for Korean War hero Col. William E. Barber, a Medal of Honor recipient, did just that. It said he was "best known for his heroism in one of the worst defeats in Marine history."

"Who the hell calls this a defeat for the Marines?" asked H.C. "Pete" Peterson in an e-mail, referring to last Monday's article by the Associated Press. "As a retired Marine, I'm angry about the historical inaccuracy – we Marines take our heritage very seriously."

"The Chosin campaign was and is an operational and tactical victory of the highest order for the Marines," Peterson said.

It wasn't just the historical inaccuracy that bothered him. Peterson said the reference dishonored Barber, an Orange County resident at the time of his death, and "insults the Marine Corps," particularly the 1st Marine Division whose men fought the battle in the bitter cold of Korea and which is "now garrisoned less than 50 miles from the editorial offices of your newspaper.

"I suspect the obit was printed as received from the AP (which ought to know better), but with the size of the military audience the Union-Tribune has, you just can't do that with military stuff," Peterson wrote.

(The Associated Press, alerted to the error by the Union-Tribune, issued a clarification on Friday, four days after the article appeared).

Peterson said he is upset not only because of his Marine background. As a reader, he said, he is troubled about the "casual publication of something that should have prompted some questions.

"Someone could have noticed two things," Peterson wrote. "A Marine hero (albeit from a long-ago war) from a local unit died, and the words defeat and Marine appeared in the same sentence. This should have triggered two things: check on any local reaction and do a 'reality check' on the 'defeat' description."

Although there was no reference to Camp Pendleton or the 1st Marine Division in the AP obituary, a check of the Union-Tribune archives would have shown numerous past stories on the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, including interviews with local survivors of what some have called one of the greatest moments in the history of the Marine Corps.

Historian Allan Millett, a professor at Ohio State University and author of "Semper Fidelis: the History of the United States Marine Corps," said calling the battle the Marine Corps' worst defeat was an "egregious error."

Millett said the 1st Division was ordered to withdraw from the Chosin Reservoir and did so in an orderly manner. Although it was the mission of the Chinese to wipe out the Marines, they failed, Millett said. "The Marines basically made five to seven Chinese divisions combat ineffective on the walkout, and so the Chinese mission was frustrated and the Marine mission, which was to withdraw . . . was completed."

Ellen Guillemette, archivist for the Command Museum at MCRD, said the Marines were facing a numerically superior force in a surprise attack. They were without adequate cold weather gear, without hot food.

"It was a defining moment, another defining moment for the corps," she said. "It proved the effectiveness of ground-air support." The Marine ground-air support team was "the envy of the military forces" fighting in Korea, she said.

A Marine Corps Web site calls the 1st Division its oldest, "most decorated division-sized unit." As a result of fighting in Korea, the division added a Presidential Unit Citation to its list of decorations. The fifth presidential citation was "for the division's 'attack in the opposite direction,' fighting its way out of Chosin Reservoir against seven Communist Chinese divisions. The Chinese suffered an estimated 37,500 casualties trying to stop the Marines' march out of the 'Frozen Chosin.' "

Calling the battle the Marines' "worst defeat" was inaccurate and a mischaracterization of what took place.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; US: California
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 4/30/2002, 2:03:59 PM by LavaDog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
Thanks for the post. "C" 1/5 1st Mar. Div. Semper Fi
2 posted on 4/30/2002, 2:30:21 PM by kellynla
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
When the Marines were finished with the Chosin operations, the Chinese divisions pursuing them were completely destroyed, and had to be withdrawn from service. Some defeat.
3 posted on 4/30/2002, 2:51:54 PM by Glock22
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
Part of the price we pay for the volunteer military is that reporters, and society in general, are increasingly clueless about military issues, tradition, and history.
4 posted on 4/30/2002, 3:20:05 PM by LouD
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
Respectful "All the way" airborne bump.

Proud to say I have shaken the hand of a chosin vet- didn't even know it until 3-4 years ago.

5 posted on 4/30/2002, 3:22:42 PM by fourdeuce82d
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
Rest in Peace, Colonel Barber. May your Memory be Eternal.
A belated 'Thank you' for your service to our country.
6 posted on 4/30/2002, 3:27:17 PM by MadelineZapeezda
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kellynla
One of the more enduring legends of the Corps..which I have been unable to substantiate..is that when the Marines were surrounded, before the breakout from the Chosin, some 160 Marine KIA were secretly buried in a mass grave in the hills, and it was then concealed. The exact location is supposedly known to only a few at Marine HQ..and they are only waiting for the end of the DNK regime to retrieve the remains and bring them home... It's impossible to determine fro the statistical analysis of casulties during the campaign if it's true or not....it could well be, and I hope it is....
7 posted on 4/30/2002, 4:16:16 PM by ken5050
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
It is my understanding that there were 15 Chinese Divisions in the area. All given the order to destroy the 1st Marine Division. A good number of these ChiCom divisions were destroyed and the rest were rendered combat ineffective. The Division was withdrawing to the sea for follow on operations and was attacked. They brought out all their dead/wounded and equipment plus those left by the 8th Army. I am humbled, as a Marine, to share the same title as these men. Defeat, my a##.
An active duty Marine Captain(Mustang) Semper Fi
8 posted on 4/30/2002, 5:18:03 PM by SICSEMPERTYRANNUS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
Run, don't walk to your bookstore, and order a copy of :The Marines of Autumn !!!
9 posted on 4/30/2002, 8:15:31 PM by genefromjersey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
MOH Citation-BARBER, William E.


Medal of Honor -1950

2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division

Chosin Reservoir, Korea


Born: 30 November 1919, Dehart, Ky.
Entered service at: West Liberty, Ky.



The President of the United States,
in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting
the MEDAL OF HONOR to:

CAPT. WILLIAM E. BARBER
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of Company F in action against enemy aggressor forces. Assigned to defend a 3-mile mountain pass along the division's main supply line and commanding the only route of approach in the march from Yudam-ni to Hagaru-ri, Capt. Barber took position with his battle-weary troops and, before nightfall, had dug in and set up a defense along the frozen, snow-covered hillside. When a force of estimated regimental strength savagely attacked during the night, inflicting heavy casualties and finally surrounding his position following a bitterly fought 7-hour conflict, Capt. Barber, after repulsing the enemy gave assurance that he could hold if supplied by airdrops and requested permission to stand fast when orders were received by radio to fight his way back to a relieving force after 2 reinforcing units had been driven back under fierce resistance in their attempts to reach the isolated troops. Aware that leaving the position would sever contact with the 8,000 marines trapped at Yudam-ni and jeopardize their chances of joining the 3,000 more awaiting their arrival in Hagaru-ri for the continued drive to the sea, he chose to risk loss of his command rather than sacrifice more men if the enemy seized control and forced a renewed battle to regain the position, or abandon his many wounded who were unable to walk. Although severely wounded in the leg in the early morning of the 29th, Capt. Barber continued to maintain personal control, often moving up and down the lines on a stretcher to direct the defense and consistently encouraging and inspiring his men to supreme efforts despite the staggering opposition. Waging desperate battle throughout 5 days and 6 nights of repeated onslaughts launched by the fanatical aggressors, he and his heroic command accounted for approximately 1,000 enemy dead in this epic stand in bitter subzero weather, and when the company was relieved only 82 of his original 220 men were able to walk away from the position so valiantly defended against insuperable odds. His profound faith and courage, great personal valor, and unwavering fortitude were decisive factors in the successful withdrawal of the division from the deathtrap in the Chosin Reservoir sector and reflect the highest credit upon Capt. Barber, his intrepid officers and men, and the U.S. Naval Service.

/S/HARRY S. TRUMAN



Medal of Honor |

10 posted on 4/30/2002, 8:23:40 PM by in the Arena
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LavaDog
Defeat??? Them's fightin' words!

Rest in peace Devildog

11 posted on 4/30/2002, 8:46:38 PM by Cap'n Crunch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson