November 27 – December 13, 1950 · Northeast Korea Theater
November 27 – December 13, 1950
In temperatures plunging to minus 35 degrees Fahrenheit, 30,000 US Marines and soldiers of X Corps found themselves completely surrounded by 120,000 Chinese troops at the Chosin Reservoir in the mountains of northeast Korea. General Oliver P. Smith's Marines executed one of history's most celebrated fighting retreats — 78 miles through enemy lines to the port of Hungnam. 'Retreat, hell — we're just attacking in a different direction,' became the battle's motto. Frostbite casualties rivaled those from combat.
Commanders