The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir and the Heungnam evacuation in the Korean War are the most unfortunate events. I still cannot forget the tragedy that I experienced during retreat when the unification was around the corner for the rest of my life. I look back on that memory.
After participating in the Operation Chromite, I dramatically reunited my mother in Daegu and headed back to Busan. I moved from Busan to Riwon Country, South Hamgyong Province.
As we advanced through Bukcheong Country, Sansu Country, and Kapsan Country to Hyesan City, I witnessed the North Korean Army running away through the frozen Yalu River. I thought that reunification is right in front of my eyes. Even the U.S. soldiers were happy that they were about to be able to return to their motherland. The U.S. soldiers and the KATUSAs hugged each other and anticipated the end of the war.
Sadly, the joy didn’t last long. From the 26th, the Chinese army began to invade with their full scale. The 7th U.S. Division was surrounded by Chinese forces, and the situation changed in a day. I barely escaped from Hyesan City with the help of the residents, but it was not easy for our troops to escape because the Chinese army was surrounding Chosin Reservoir. Chosin Reservoir was surrounded by mountains and the temperature dropped down to negative 30 degrees Celsius. The U.S. military also records the Battle of Chosin Reservoir as the worst battle the U.S. military has ever experienced.
The battle took place for about two weeks as Chinese troops surrounded U.S. troops in the area where Chosin Reservoir is located. I managed to escape Hyesan City, but this time I was trapped again near the region. We had no choice but to wait for reinforcements. I don't remember the exact location, but I waited for the escape while enduring in a deserted house where mountain residents lived. Although the story seems to be a little off, I would like to mention a little bit about the type of residence in the mountain area where I stayed. It was so cold and difficult at the time that I still remember clearly. The house had no fence, and people and livestock lived in a single room, and the entrance door used a kitchen door. There was an attic, mainly storing potatoes, corn, and grains. I couldn't make a fire in the house because I was afraid the Chinese army would detect me. Still, poncho and sleeping bags stuffed with chicken feather, which were given to the U.S. soldiers, helped fight the cold. Eventually, I was able to escape with the help of the U.S. Marine Corps. However, the damage was severe due to the large number of frostbite patients as well as injuries to the U.S. military.
After I escaped and came near Hamheung City, I noticed that the number of troops was almost halved. The Battle of Chosin Reservoir was as fierce as it was. In contrast, Hamheung City was so peaceful that a market was formed at that time and goods were traded. It was so different from Chosin Reservoir area that I wondered. From Hamheung City, we moved to Heungnam City. There was an order to help evacuate the refugees. The refugees were crowded with people who already heard about the evacuating operation. The scene where 100,000 refugees' transportation operations were carried out was a complete pandemonium. Still, Major General Edward M. Almond of the 10th U.S. Army dropped down the large weapons loaded on the warship and began to pick up the refugees, I felt I got out of a dead end. General Almond blew up Heungnam wharf with the weapons we dropped when the last LST carrying refugees departed. A throbbing tremor Leaving Heungnam wharf behind, which made heaven and earth red, we departed for Busan. Looking back, it is still heartbreaking to think that I left even after seeing refugees desperately hanging to get on the LST and screaming for a ride. Tears well up whenever I think about people who could not board the warship. I never forget the comrades who died in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and those who struggled to ride the Victoria, the last LST during Heungnam evacuation. The war literally ruined people’s life. I only hope that such a tragedy will never happen on the Korean Peninsula again.
