Above: Somewhere in North Korea, 1951. Marines from 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7). Carls, Laurie, Hook, Trenholme, Wittsack, Ulmer, and Welsh. From the Ronald H. Welsh Collection (COLL/5677) at the Archives Branch, Marine Corps History Division, OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPH. (Click image to enlarge)

Left: Inchon, South Korea, 15 September 1950. U.S. Marines landing an Inchon, South Korea. "Marines scaling ladders to storm ashore at Inchon in the amphibious invasion." From the Photograph Collection (COLL/3948), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections. OFFICIAL USMC PHOTO (Click photo to enlarge).

The Korean War had become a proxy war and first 'Cold War' conflict for the United States and her former World War II allies. Historian David Halberstam writes that "The Korean War momentarily turned the Cold War hot." North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union, while South Korea was supported by the United Nations and the United States. Like all wars, civilian populations in North and South Korea were caught and killed in the crossfire, with death tolls reaching a staggering 2-3 million. 

Left: Korea, date unknown. Transport Helicopter, Korea. "Return flight-An GRS-1 Sikorsky transport helicopter lifts away with a load of casualties after disembarking the Marines in foreground." From the Photograph Collection (COLL/3948), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections. OFFICIAL USMC PHOTO. (Click photo to enlarge)

Books and Suggested Reading - Korean War
For an excellent survey of the Korean War, check out The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War, by the late historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Halberstam. Another recommended book on the Korean War.

Left: Hagaru-ri, North Korea. 6 December 1950. "Troops of RCT-7 held up just south of Hagaru-ri. Marine and naval air are working over enemy positions with napalm." From the Oliver P. Smith Collection (COLL/213), Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections. OFFICIAL USMC PHOTOGRAPH. (Click photo to enlarge)

Photo Album: U.S. Marines in Korea

The Battle of Chosin Reservoir had become one of the toughest and most infamous battles for the U.S. Marine Corps since World War II. Fought from 27 November to 13 December 1950, brutal mountain terrain and extreme cold weather in North Korea had reached -36 degrees Fahrenheit causing frostbite casualties. 

Books and Suggested Reading - Chosin Reservoir
Chosin: Heroic Ordeal of the Korean War by author Eric Hammel. This contribution to the literature was published by Casemate in 1981. On Desperate Ground: The Marines at the Reservoir, the Korean War's Greatest Battle, written by Hampton Sides gives a gripping narrative of the fighting 'up-close'. This entralling work was published by Doubleday in 2018. HIghly recommended for those interested in this epic fight.