Public-domain ebook
by United States. Marine Corps; Hicks, Norman W.; Kuokka, Hubard D.; Montross, Lynn
Language: en2,696 downloads on Project Gutenberg
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In: History - American·History - Modern (1750+)·History - Warfare
Public-domain ebook sourced from Project Gutenberg #65010.
This volume is the fourth of a five‑part official history of United States Marine Corps operations in the Korean War, covering the east‑central front from late December 1950 through March 1952. It opens with a sweeping appraisal of Marine achievements, from the Pusan Perimeter to the Chosin Reservoir, then narrows to the 1st Marine Division’s activities after its return to the “bean patch” at Masan. The narrative proceeds chronologically, detailing the division’s integration with the Eighth Army, its air‑support coordination, and the intense campaigns around the Punchbowl, Hwachon Reservoir, and the final push toward Seoul. Interspersed with extensive maps, photographs, and an appendix of technical terms, the text draws on official diaries, interviews, and after‑action reports, offering a meticulously documented account of combat, logistics, and the emergence of helicopter‑borne assault tactics.
Written in a formal, report‑style voice typical of mid‑20th‑century military scholarship, the book reflects the perspective of senior Marine officers and historians who compiled it in the early 1960s. Its dense factual tone, abundant operational detail, and reliance on official sources make it especially valuable to scholars of Korean War history, military professionals studying amphibious and air‑ground coordination, and readers who appreciate rigorous, primary‑source‑driven accounts of combat operations.
The opening · free to read
Americans everywhere will remember the inspiring conduct of Marines during Korean operations in 1950. As the fire brigade of the Pusan Perimeter, the assault troops at Inchon, and the heroic fighters of the Chosin Reservoir campaign, they established a record in keeping with the highest traditions of their Corps. No less praiseworthy were the Marine actions during the protracted land battles of 1951, the second year of the Korean “police action.”
The 1st Marine Division, supported wherever possible by the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, helped stem the flood of the Chinese offensive in April. Then lashing back in vigorous and successful counterattack, the Marines fought around the Hwachon Reservoir to the mighty fastness of the Punchbowl. The Punchbowl became familiar terrain to Marines during the summer of 1951, and the Division suffered its heaviest casualties of the year fighting in the vicinity of that aptly named circular depression.
The fighting waxed hot, then cold, as the truce teams negotiated. They reached no satisfactory agreement, and the fighting again intensified. Finally, after a year of active campaigning on Korea’s east-central front, the Marines moved west to occupy positions defending the approaches to the Korean capital, Seoul.
The year of desperate fighting, uneasy truce, and renewed combat covered by this volume saw the operational employment of a Marine-developed technique--assault by helicopter-borne troops. Tactics were continually being refined to meet the ever changing battle situation. However, throughout the period, the one constant factor on which United Nations commanders could rely was the spirit and professional attitude of Marines, both regular and reserve. This is their hallmark as fighting men.
DAVID M. SHOUP General, U. S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Reviewed and Approved 20 Nov 1961.
This is the fourth in a series of five volumes dealing with the operations of United States Marines in Korea during the period 2 August 1950 to 27 July 1953. Volume IV presents in detail the operations of the 1st Marine Division and 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, the former while operating under Eighth Army control and also as part of IX Corps and X Corps, USA, and the latter while controlled by the Fifth Air Force.
The period covered in this volume begins in the latter part of December 1950, when the Division rested in the Masan “bean patch,” and continues through the guerrilla hunt, the Punchbowl fighting, and all other operations during 1951. The account ends when the Marines move to positions in the west during March 1952.
Marines did not fight this war alone; they were a part of the huge Eighth United States Army in Korea. But since this is primarily a Marine history, the actions of the U. S. Army, Navy, and Air Force are presented only sufficiently to place Marine operations in their proper perspective.
Many participants in the fighting during this period have generously contributed to the book by granting interviews, answering inquiries, and commenting on first draft manuscripts. Their assistance was invaluable. Although it was not possible to use all the plethora of detailed comments and information received, the material will go into Marine Corps archives for possible use and benefit of future historians.
The manuscript of this volume was prepared during the tenure of Colonel Charles W. Harrison, Major Gerald Fink, and Colonel William M. Miller as successive Heads of the Historical Branch. Production was accomplished under the direction of Colonel Thomas G. Roe. Major William T. Hickman wrote some of the preliminary drafts and did much valuable research and map sketching. Dr. K. Jack Bauer and Mrs. Elizabeth Tierney assisted the authors in research, and Mr. Truman R. Strobridge assisted in proofreading and preparing the index.
To the Army, Navy, and Air Force officers, as well as Marine officers and NCOs, who submitted valuable comments and criticisms of preliminary drafts, thanks are also extended. These suggestions added to the accuracy and details of the text. Additional assistance was rendered by personnel of the Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army; the Division of Naval History, Department of the Navy; and the Historical Division, Department of the Air Force.
The exacting administrative duties involved in processing the volume from first draft manuscripts through the final printed form were ably managed by Miss Kay P. Sue. All manuscript typing was done expertly by Mrs. Miriam R. Smallwood.
The maps contained in this volume were prepared by the Reproduction Section, Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, Virginia, and the Historical Branch, Headquarters Marine Corps. Official Department of Defense photographs were used.
The Marine Corps mourns the passing of the prime author of this series and other admirable works of Marine Corps and military history. Lynn Montross, after a lengthy illness, died on 28 January 1961.
H. W. BUSE, JR. Brigadier General, U. S. Marine Corps, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3.
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