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A Task Force Called Faith: The Untold Story of the U.S. Army Soldiers Who Fought for Survival at Chosin Reservoir―and Honor Back Home
Interservice rivalry is as old as the Republic, although nothing shines a light on that better than a single battle during the Korean War. A Task Force Called Faith is the untold story of the rivalry between the US Army and US Marines in the battle of the Chosin Reservoir in 1950. For seven decades, the Marines have been hailed as valiant heroes and the Army grunts as cowards. In ATask Force Called Faith, Steve Vogel sets the record straight. What he's learned is the culmination of twenty years of research and outrage, first as a reporter for The Washington Post and now as a leading military historian.
At Chosin, an Army force of 2,300 soldiers--a unit known as Task Force Faith--positioned on the east side of the reservoir to protect the Marines' flank but was overwhelmed by a Chinese force eight times its size. Almost 90 percent of the Army soldiers were killed, captured, or wounded. Yet, for all the years since the battle, the survivors of Task Force Faith have endured a dramatically different fate than their military brethren as they have been subject to accusations of cowardice and incompetence. The survivors and their families have long sought to clear their names of those terrible charges and reclaim the honor they won at the frozen lake.
A Task Force Called Faith does just that.
At Chosin, an Army force of 2,300 soldiers--a unit known as Task Force Faith--positioned on the east side of the reservoir to protect the Marines' flank but was overwhelmed by a Chinese force eight times its size. Almost 90 percent of the Army soldiers were killed, captured, or wounded. Yet, for all the years since the battle, the survivors of Task Force Faith have endured a dramatically different fate than their military brethren as they have been subject to accusations of cowardice and incompetence. The survivors and their families have long sought to clear their names of those terrible charges and reclaim the honor they won at the frozen lake.
A Task Force Called Faith does just that.
500 pages, Hardcover
First published November 18, 2025
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July 5, 2025
Book Review: A Task Force Called Faith by Steve Vogel
Rating: 4.9/5
Steve Vogel’s A Task Force Called Faith is a masterful reclamation of honor for the U.S. Army soldiers unjustly overshadowed by Marine Corps lore in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. As a reader with a burgeoning interest in military history, I was gripped by Vogel’s meticulous research and impassioned narrative, which dismantles decades of mischaracterization with the precision of a historian and the urgency of a journalist.
Strengths & Emotional Resonance
Vogel’s dual lens as a reporter and historian shines in this work. His 20-year pursuit of truth transforms what could be a dry historical account into a visceral, human story—one of resilience amid frozen hell and bureaucratic betrayal. The chapters detailing Task Force Faith’s stand against overwhelming Chinese forces (eight times their size!) are harrowing yet infused with dignity, particularly when Vogel highlights soldiers’ letters and survivors’ testimonies. The interservice rivalry angle (Army vs. Marines) is handled with nuance, exposing how institutional biases can distort historical memory.
The book’s structure—moving from the political road to Chosin to the battle’s grueling aftermath—mirrors the inexorable march of fate. Standout sections like “Breakout Night” and “Part IV: The Aftermath” left me alternating between rage at the injustice and awe at the soldiers’ unyielding courage. Vogel’s prose is cinematic yet scholarly, evoking the chaos of combat without romanticizing war. His critique of the “cowardice” myth is devastatingly thorough, backed by declassified documents and oral histories.
Constructive Criticism
While exceptional, the book could benefit from:
-Global context: Deeper exploration of Chinese/Korean perspectives to round out the narrative.
-Visual aids: Maps or timelines might help readers less familiar with Korean War geography.
-Thematic expansion: A chapter explicitly linking Chosin’s legacy to modern military culture would elevate its relevance.
Why This Book Matters
This isn’t just military history—it’s a corrective to collective amnesia. Vogel’s expertise (Pulitzer-finalist reporting, Pentagon historiography) ensures rigor, while his empathy for Task Force Faith’s families—still fighting for recognition—adds profound emotional weight. The epilogue’s reflection on honor reclaimed is a tear-jerking crescendo.
Thank you to the National Book Network and Edelweiss for the advance copy. Vogel hasn’t just written a book; he’s restored a legacy.
Final Verdict:
Originality: 5/5 (Fills a glaring gap in Korean War narratives.)
Research: 4.9/5 (Archival depth meets narrative flair.)
Emotional Impact: 5/5 (You’ll grieve the lost and cheer their vindication.)
Accessibility: 4.8/5 (Military buffs and newcomers alike will be captivated.)
A must-read for anyone who believes history should honor truth over myth. 📖
Rating: 4.9/5
Steve Vogel’s A Task Force Called Faith is a masterful reclamation of honor for the U.S. Army soldiers unjustly overshadowed by Marine Corps lore in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. As a reader with a burgeoning interest in military history, I was gripped by Vogel’s meticulous research and impassioned narrative, which dismantles decades of mischaracterization with the precision of a historian and the urgency of a journalist.
Strengths & Emotional Resonance
Vogel’s dual lens as a reporter and historian shines in this work. His 20-year pursuit of truth transforms what could be a dry historical account into a visceral, human story—one of resilience amid frozen hell and bureaucratic betrayal. The chapters detailing Task Force Faith’s stand against overwhelming Chinese forces (eight times their size!) are harrowing yet infused with dignity, particularly when Vogel highlights soldiers’ letters and survivors’ testimonies. The interservice rivalry angle (Army vs. Marines) is handled with nuance, exposing how institutional biases can distort historical memory.
The book’s structure—moving from the political road to Chosin to the battle’s grueling aftermath—mirrors the inexorable march of fate. Standout sections like “Breakout Night” and “Part IV: The Aftermath” left me alternating between rage at the injustice and awe at the soldiers’ unyielding courage. Vogel’s prose is cinematic yet scholarly, evoking the chaos of combat without romanticizing war. His critique of the “cowardice” myth is devastatingly thorough, backed by declassified documents and oral histories.
Constructive Criticism
While exceptional, the book could benefit from:
-Global context: Deeper exploration of Chinese/Korean perspectives to round out the narrative.
-Visual aids: Maps or timelines might help readers less familiar with Korean War geography.
-Thematic expansion: A chapter explicitly linking Chosin’s legacy to modern military culture would elevate its relevance.
Why This Book Matters
This isn’t just military history—it’s a corrective to collective amnesia. Vogel’s expertise (Pulitzer-finalist reporting, Pentagon historiography) ensures rigor, while his empathy for Task Force Faith’s families—still fighting for recognition—adds profound emotional weight. The epilogue’s reflection on honor reclaimed is a tear-jerking crescendo.
Thank you to the National Book Network and Edelweiss for the advance copy. Vogel hasn’t just written a book; he’s restored a legacy.
Final Verdict:
Originality: 5/5 (Fills a glaring gap in Korean War narratives.)
Research: 4.9/5 (Archival depth meets narrative flair.)
Emotional Impact: 5/5 (You’ll grieve the lost and cheer their vindication.)
Accessibility: 4.8/5 (Military buffs and newcomers alike will be captivated.)
A must-read for anyone who believes history should honor truth over myth. 📖
Displaying 1 of 1 review