The ‘Frozen Chosen’ – The battle of Chosin Reservoir (North Korea, 27 November – 13 December 1950)

In November 1950 the US 1st Marine Division was trapped in the Chosin Reservoir following the intervention of Red China in the Korean War. Fought during the worst blizzard in a century, the ensuing battle is considered by the United States Marine Corps to be ‘the Corps’ Finest Hour’. The soldiers who fought there would later become known as the ‘Frozen Chosen’.
The fierce struggle in defense of the Chosin Reservoir was a shining example of heroism and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds, as a handful of Marines fought desperately against wave after wave of Chinese forces. Sometimes forced into desperate hand to hand combat, the fighting retreat from Chosin marked one of the darkest moments for Western forces in Korea, but would go on to resonate with generations of Marines as a symbol of the Marine Corps’ dogged determination, fighting skill, and never-say-die attitude on the battlefield.

On display at the Suncoast Center For Fine Scale Modeling (FLA)