MMA to pay homage to heroes of a forgotten battle, forgotten war
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Marine Military Academy will hold the Chosin Few Memorial Ceremony Saturday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. at the Chosin Few Memorial Gate on the MMA campus in Harlingen, Texas. The public is invited to this event to pay homage to the heroes of a forgotten battle and a forgotten war.
Korean War veterans from across the country are encouraged to attend this event, particularly Chosin Few survivors and family members of the Chosin
Few men who lost their lives.
According to MMA Superintendent Col R. Glenn Hill, the Korean War (June 25, 1950 – July 27, 1953) is also known as the “Forgotten War.”
“At MMA, the south entrance of our campus is named Chosin Few Memorial Gate. Because so many people are unfamiliar with this period of history, parents and guests frequently ask me and the staff why ‘Chosin’ is misspelled. After I tell them the spelling is correct, I tell them about the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War,” Hill said.
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir (Nov. 27 – Dec. 13, 1950) was one of the bloodiest battles during the Korean War. It was also one of the coldest battles in history and often referred to as “Frozen Chosin.”
It was during the coldest winter in 100 years in North Korea that 8,000 fighters, mostly Marines, were surrounded by 120,000 Chinese soldiers at the Chosin Reservoir. In 17 days of brutal, sub-zero temperatures, the men battled wave after wave of Chinese soldiers as they fought 78 miles down a steep and narrow mountain road they called the MSR or main supply route. By inflicting crippling losses on the Chinese, the Allied troops actually broke through the trap and reached freedom at the Hungnam port. Their fighting spirit, courage, determination and devotion saved the lives of 98,000 civilian refugees.
MMA wishes to properly honor its guests at the Chosin Few Memorial Ceremony. All survivors and family members of the fallen heroes who plan to attend are asked to call (956) 421-9222 or email salazar@MMA-TX.org.
