The Archive / Season 1, Episode 4
The Frozen Chosin
THE ARCHIVE Season 1, Episode 4: "The Frozen Chosin" --- [ARCHIVAL NOTE: The following accounts are drawn from letters, journals, and oral histories of American Marines and Army soldiers who fought at the Chosin Reservoir, November-December 1950. The battle remains one of the most harrowing in American military history. Temperatures dropped to -35°F. Casualties exceeded 17,000 on the American side alone. These are the voices of those who were there.] --- [LETTER ONE] From: PFC Michael Sullivan, 1st Marine Division To: His mother, Boston Date: November 27, 1950 Dear Ma, We're somewhere in the mountains. Can't tell you exactly where — censors would black it out anyway. But it's cold, Ma. Colder than anything I ever felt back home. The guys from Minnesota say it's colder than their worst winters. My canteen froze solid. Had to sleep with it inside my parka just to have water in the morning. They told us the war would be over by Christmas. General MacArthur said we'd be home for the holidays. Now there's talk of Chinese soldiers in the hills. A lot of Chinese soldiers. Some of the older sergeants are getting nervous, and when sergeants get nervous, privates should be terrified. But don't worry about me. I've got good boots and a warm sleeping bag and the best Marines in the world...