top of page

ABOUT US

​OUR HISTORY

Chosin Reservoir

North Korea

27 Nov 1950

 

With word they would be home by Christmas, the units of X Corps
moved into the Chosin Reservoir perimeter. Marine units proceeded to the west, the Army’s 31st Regimental Combat Team to the east. RCT-31, later known as Task Force Faith, was low on supplies and ammo. Their winter clothes had not arrived. They were still moving into the east perimeter of the Chosin when night fell.

 

None could have known that a Siberian cold front and the Chinese army were bearing down on them. None would have believed that a short five days later 90 percent of them would be casualties, most dead, many captured. Those who survived the reservoir were evacuated and treated for their injuries. They were reassigned to other units or sent state side.


After the armistice was signed in 1953, they began to rebuild their lives. Some stayed in the military, most went back to their homes. Their physical injuries finally healed. They married, had children and careers. On the surface it was life as normal.


Emotionally, the wounds remained fresh. We now know about PTSD and survivor’s guilt. But for RCT-31survivors these went undiagnosed for many years. They did not talk about the battle; who would have believed them? The unit had faced charges of cowardice but were cleared by General Matthew Ridgway. That did not seem to matter as
they were written out of history and never recognized for their valliant efforts at the Chosin.

 

So many questions remained for these men. Who survived? What happened to their friends and comrades? Did they make it out or were their remains still at the Chosin or a Chinese prison camp?
Without answers, would anyone ever understand what happened at the Frozen Chosin?

​OUR CHAPTER

Ft. Sill, Oklahoma
1986
 
The national organization of The Chosin Few was formed. Membership was open to those who fought at the reservoir. Most were Marines but a few Army survivors also joined. They found their experiences were very different.

In 1986 at a reunion of the 31st Infantry at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, survivors of Task Force Faith decided the Army needed its own chapter. The U.S. Army Chapter of The Chosin Few was born.
 
Over the years many friends have been reunited, most not knowing before that reunion the other was still alive. At long last someone shared their memories, good and bad. For them the healing had begun.
​​

​THE FUTURE

The times have changed and so has the Chapter's mission. It is becoming more focused on correcting history and making their stories known. In 2000 they finally received the Presidential Unit Citation from the Navy, and Task Force Faith was finally recognized for its sacrificial efforts during the Chosin battle.
 
Today, many families of MIAs and survivors have attended reunions to hear the truth about what happened at Chosin. Every year other survivors are found and reunited with members of RCT-31.
 
It is the desire of the Army Chapter to share their experiences and continue to educate the public, which now includes grandchildren and great-grands.
 
 

© 2015 by US Army Chapter of The Chosin Few.

bottom of page