#39, Battle of Chosin Reservoir: 17 Days in Frozen Hell Against 120,000 Chinese
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir from November 27 to December 13, 1950, killed an estimated 48,156 combatants, approximately 1,029 Americans killed, 4,894 wounded, and over 7,000 non-battle casualties from frostbite in temperatures reaching minus 36 degrees Fahrenheit. Chinese losses were catastrophic: an estimated 29,800 battle casualties plus tens of thousands of additional cold-weather casualties from the 9th Army Group's 120,000-strong force.
The Chinese 9th Army Group attacked in human waves at night, blowing bugles and whistles, overwhelming isolated Marine and Army positions along the frozen reservoir. But the 1st Marine Division didn't retreat, they attacked in a different direction, fighting 78 miles south through seven Chinese divisions to reach the coast at Hungnam. Marine Major General Oliver Smith famously told reporters, "Retreat, hell. We're just attacking in another direction." Entire Chinese divisions were rendered combat-ineffective by frostbite; soldiers froze to death in their foxholes. The breakout from Chosin is considered one of the most remarkable fighting withdrawals in modern military history and cemented the Marine Corps' reputation for tenacity under impossible conditions.
