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One Bugle, No Drums: The Marines at Chosin Reservoir
Korea, December 1950. The temperature has plunged to 20-degrees below zero. Cold enough to crack rocket-launcher ammo wide open. But not cold enough to stop a massive Communist assault against U.S. forces. As the 8th Army retreats, the Marines dig in at Chosin Reservoir and are quickly cut off and surrounded. This is the riveting account of what happened next. The brilliant Marine attack that was to become a classic in military operations. The personal heroism, private ordeals, bitter fighting, and final victory. Told in the powerful words of a man who was there, it is a story you will never forget.
306 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 3, 2014
William Hopkins unfolds his personal account of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in the often forgotten Korean War. Following active duty in WWII the hardened Marine Corps veteran received his law degree from UVA, got married, set up his law practice in Roanoke, Virginia, began to raise a family and devoted time to the Marine Corps Reserves.
In the summer of 1950 the Korean War was set in motion. At the end of the summer, as Hopkins prepared to depart Camp Pendleton for unknown Asian territory, he was startled by the words President Truman as Commander-in-Chief chose to document in a letter to California Congressman McDonough stating: “…For your information, the Marine Corps is the Navy’s police force and as long as I am President that is what it will remain. They have a propaganda machine that is almost equal to Stalin’s.”
General Douglas MacArthur at 70 years old would be Commander-in-Chief, UN Command. Hopkins would serve as Company Commander, H&S Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Division. His regimental commander, Colonel Louis “Chesty” Puller had already achieved legendary status.
The war zone battle culminated in mid-December testing one’s survival skills with temperatures reaching 30 degrees below zero. Those killed in action quickly became frozen and comrades stepped forward to carry the heavy laden bodies away for transport. The memoir involves graphic highs and lows full of sacrifice, duty, honor and lessons learned.
In the summer of 1950 the Korean War was set in motion. At the end of the summer, as Hopkins prepared to depart Camp Pendleton for unknown Asian territory, he was startled by the words President Truman as Commander-in-Chief chose to document in a letter to California Congressman McDonough stating: “…For your information, the Marine Corps is the Navy’s police force and as long as I am President that is what it will remain. They have a propaganda machine that is almost equal to Stalin’s.”
General Douglas MacArthur at 70 years old would be Commander-in-Chief, UN Command. Hopkins would serve as Company Commander, H&S Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Division. His regimental commander, Colonel Louis “Chesty” Puller had already achieved legendary status.
The war zone battle culminated in mid-December testing one’s survival skills with temperatures reaching 30 degrees below zero. Those killed in action quickly became frozen and comrades stepped forward to carry the heavy laden bodies away for transport. The memoir involves graphic highs and lows full of sacrifice, duty, honor and lessons learned.
August 11, 2012
Bill Hopkins wrote one of the best first person memoirs of the Korean War that I have ever read. Recalled to active duty from the Marine reserve, Hopkins provides a gripping account of his experiences in the Chosin Reservoir campaign. His account provides a perspective that is often lost in larger histories of the campaign. Whether you are a student of military history, or are seeking to gain insight to how men react under the harshest and most extreme conditions, I highly recommend this book. I place it as a must read for combat memoirs right beside E.B. Sledge's "With the Old Breed," Robert Leckie's "Helmet for My Pillow," and George Wilson's "If You Survive."
March 15, 2020
This is essentially a war diary by a Marine officer who after living through the bloody Pacific "Island hopping" battles of World War II got recalled to go to Korea. There he took part in the Marines' desperate struggle at the Chosin reservoir. Unlike many of his comrades he lived to tell the story. For those who are interested in learning about "The Forgotten War" this book provides a personal account from someone who was there.
February 21, 2023
Not Really The Chosin Reservoir
The book filled in what happened to the part of the 1st Marine Regiment that was left behind at Chinhung-ni to guard the Main Supply Road (MSR) and the supplies there, well south of the Chosin Reservoir. Hopkins unit, Headquarters & Suppy Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division, was actually lucky to not have taken part in the horror that happened north of him, at the Chosin Reservoir. When the 1st Marine Division began their breakout to the sea from the Chosin Reservoir and headed south to the port city of Hungnam, Hopkins unit had the task of capturing Hill 1081, which overlooked Funchilin Pass. The pass was blown by the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF), trapping the Division until it could be repaired by Marine Combat Engineers. Hill 1081 had to be secured to allow the engineers to repair the bridge; and, later, the area south of Funchilin Pass needed to be held open for the 1st Mar Div to continue south towards the sea. Hopkin's battallion then became the rearguard.
The first encounter with the CCF began with the 7th Marines at Sudong, and then continued further north, as they climbed up the plateau towards the Chosin Reservoir, passing villages with names that will forever live in American history…Koto-ri, Hagaru-ri, and finally Yudam-ni, where the 7th Marines linked up with the 5th Marines on November 26, 1950, one day before the massive Red Chinese Army attacked to “annihilate the 1st Marine Division”. The entire 1st Marine Division—the 1st Marine Regiment (minus Hopkins Battalions), 5th Marine Regiment, and the 7th Marine Regiment, battled for their lives for over a week, while strung out along a single road (the MSR), from Yudam-ni to Koto-ni. The Marines were first surrounded and then attacked by a fearsome enemy that was more than five times their size.
Hopkins’ story is not about the Marine's fighting at the Chosin Reservoir, like Joseph Owen’s book 'Colder Than Hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir' was, because the fighting that took place on the Chosin Reservoir plateau, was far away from Hopkins. However, Hopkins gave priceless facts about the history and the battle, as well as his own, personal story of what happened to him during the breakout. I am not making light of Hopkins experiences or doubting his bravery and sacrices, I'm merely stating that this is NOT a story of what happened at the Chosin Reservoir. It is still a worthwhile read and valuable addition to my library of books on the Forgotten War.
The book filled in what happened to the part of the 1st Marine Regiment that was left behind at Chinhung-ni to guard the Main Supply Road (MSR) and the supplies there, well south of the Chosin Reservoir. Hopkins unit, Headquarters & Suppy Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division, was actually lucky to not have taken part in the horror that happened north of him, at the Chosin Reservoir. When the 1st Marine Division began their breakout to the sea from the Chosin Reservoir and headed south to the port city of Hungnam, Hopkins unit had the task of capturing Hill 1081, which overlooked Funchilin Pass. The pass was blown by the Chinese Communist Forces (CCF), trapping the Division until it could be repaired by Marine Combat Engineers. Hill 1081 had to be secured to allow the engineers to repair the bridge; and, later, the area south of Funchilin Pass needed to be held open for the 1st Mar Div to continue south towards the sea. Hopkin's battallion then became the rearguard.
The first encounter with the CCF began with the 7th Marines at Sudong, and then continued further north, as they climbed up the plateau towards the Chosin Reservoir, passing villages with names that will forever live in American history…Koto-ri, Hagaru-ri, and finally Yudam-ni, where the 7th Marines linked up with the 5th Marines on November 26, 1950, one day before the massive Red Chinese Army attacked to “annihilate the 1st Marine Division”. The entire 1st Marine Division—the 1st Marine Regiment (minus Hopkins Battalions), 5th Marine Regiment, and the 7th Marine Regiment, battled for their lives for over a week, while strung out along a single road (the MSR), from Yudam-ni to Koto-ni. The Marines were first surrounded and then attacked by a fearsome enemy that was more than five times their size.
Hopkins’ story is not about the Marine's fighting at the Chosin Reservoir, like Joseph Owen’s book 'Colder Than Hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir' was, because the fighting that took place on the Chosin Reservoir plateau, was far away from Hopkins. However, Hopkins gave priceless facts about the history and the battle, as well as his own, personal story of what happened to him during the breakout. I am not making light of Hopkins experiences or doubting his bravery and sacrices, I'm merely stating that this is NOT a story of what happened at the Chosin Reservoir. It is still a worthwhile read and valuable addition to my library of books on the Forgotten War.
September 12, 2021
Excellent first hand Account of the battle for the Chosin Resivor and the withdrawl of the First Marine Division. The author goes in depth at the company and platoon levels. He also covers the mistakes made that lead up to the encirclment and withdrawl from the White House down to the commanders on the ground.
An overall excellent read for the Korean War historian
An overall excellent read for the Korean War historian
November 4, 2011
Jacob Wirth
11/1/11
This story talked about a guy that was in the army in the 1950’s when his platoon was called out for duty over in Korea. The main characors were Winston-Salern and William B. Hopkins. The plot of the story was showing how brutal and deadly the Korean war was back in the 50’s. “The tempeture has plunged to 20 below zero. Cold enough to crack rocket-launcher ammo wide open. But not cold enough to stop a massive communist assult against U.S forces.”
When I read the book the auther did a good job on keeping the theme of the book in order and not have random stuff in it that is not needed. It was a fine book but it didnt really move me much this isnt my type of book I like to read. I leaned that the cold could crack a rocket-launcher ammo wide open I never knew that before. I would say people who like reading about war would like it. “Cold enough to crack rocket-launcher ammo wide open.”
I gave the book a 3 out of 5 because it kept me in to reading it even though I don’t like to read. It had a lot of good action and it could be a little funny from time to time. But I think they got drunk a little to much in the story it seemed to happen almost every few chapters or them talking about wiskey and some sort. I would think a few people that I know would love to read this book.”It did not take long for someone to discover a whiskey store across the street from the station.”
11/1/11
This story talked about a guy that was in the army in the 1950’s when his platoon was called out for duty over in Korea. The main characors were Winston-Salern and William B. Hopkins. The plot of the story was showing how brutal and deadly the Korean war was back in the 50’s. “The tempeture has plunged to 20 below zero. Cold enough to crack rocket-launcher ammo wide open. But not cold enough to stop a massive communist assult against U.S forces.”
When I read the book the auther did a good job on keeping the theme of the book in order and not have random stuff in it that is not needed. It was a fine book but it didnt really move me much this isnt my type of book I like to read. I leaned that the cold could crack a rocket-launcher ammo wide open I never knew that before. I would say people who like reading about war would like it. “Cold enough to crack rocket-launcher ammo wide open.”
I gave the book a 3 out of 5 because it kept me in to reading it even though I don’t like to read. It had a lot of good action and it could be a little funny from time to time. But I think they got drunk a little to much in the story it seemed to happen almost every few chapters or them talking about wiskey and some sort. I would think a few people that I know would love to read this book.”It did not take long for someone to discover a whiskey store across the street from the station.”
March 21, 2016
Why is this not a classic? If you are looking for a way to feel cool during the hot season.... A memoir of the Chosin Reservoir battles of the Korean War. A soldier very aware of the plight of the noncombatants caught in the crossfire. I am in rapt attention with every page. North Korea seems a forbidding place on winter temperature alone! A great early Cold War book with a lot of insights.
December 3, 2009
Great story!!!Very interesting and informative. gives you a picture of what it was like to be surrounded in freezing temperatures. the author was great at giving enough detail to be interesting and broad strategy to be informative.
July 10, 2011
Hopkins writes of the US Marine advance and retreat from the Chosin Resorvoir in Korea as MacArthur tried to cross the Yalu River into China during the Korean Conflict. The one Marine division was surrouned by twelve divisions of regular Chinese troops.
May 28, 2015
Interesting
A different perspective on Korean war. This book tells the story of the Marines who helped the retrograde movement from Chosin. It provides the story of the effort to get the Marines out of Chosin and is well told. Could our Marine Corps do it today???
A different perspective on Korean war. This book tells the story of the Marines who helped the retrograde movement from Chosin. It provides the story of the effort to get the Marines out of Chosin and is well told. Could our Marine Corps do it today???
January 10, 2008
I have a personnal interest in this book. My Dad fought in this battle (Chosin Resvervoir). Unbelievable battle, against all odds.
March 19, 2014
This account brings the reader right into the events of the battle. I'm glad I read this.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews