Robert Lee Custer

Description

US Marine Corps...A Chosin Reservoir Survivor.

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir was a decisive battle in the Korean War. Shortly after the People's Republic of China entered the conflict, the People's Volunteer 9th Army infiltrated the NE part of North Korea and surprised the US X Corps at the Chosin Reservoir area. A brutal 17 day battle in freezing weather ensued. In the period between 27 Nov & 13 Dec 1950, 30,000 UN troops (nicknamed "The Chosin Few") under the command of Major General Edward Almond were encircled by approx. 67,000 Chinese troops under the command of Song Shi-Lun. Although Chinese troops managed to surround and outnumber the UN forces, they broke out of the encirclement while inflicting crippling losses on the Chinese. The evacuation of the X Corps from the port of Hungnam marked the complete withdrawal of UN troops from North Korea.