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The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat
A "gut-clenching and meticulously detailed" ( USA Today ) account from the Korean War and how Captain William Barber led 246 courageous Marines of the Seventh Marine Regiment in the perilous defense of Fox Hill. November 1950, the Korean Peninsula: After General MacArthur ignores Mao’s warnings and pushes his UN forces deep into North Korea, his 10,000 First Division Marines find themselves surrounded and hopelessly outnumbered by 100,000 Chinese soldiers near the Chosin Reservoir. Their only chance for survival is to fight their way south through the Toktong Pass, a narrow gorge that will need to be held open at all costs. The mission is handed to Captain William Barber and the 234 Marines of Fox Company, a courageous but undermanned unit of the First Marines. Barber and his men climb seven miles of frozen terrain to a rocky promontory overlooking the pass, where they will endure four days and five nights of nearly continuous Chinese attempts to take Fox Hill. Amid the relentless violence, three-quarters of Fox’s Marines are killed, wounded, or captured. Just when it looks like they will be overrun, Lt. Colonel Raymond Davis, a fearless Marine officer who is fighting south from Chosin, volunteers to lead a daring mission that will seek to cut a hole in the Chinese lines and relieve the men of Fox. This is a fast-paced and gripping account of heroism in the face of impossible odds.
368 pages, Paperback
First published December 2, 2008
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December 4, 2013
Whenever something's titled "the last stand of" you know it doesn't end well for whoever's name is unfortunate enough to come after the "of".
Bob Drury and Tom Clavin's The Last Stand of Fox Company spotlights a horrendous engagement during the Korean War, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Extreme freezing temperatures, the introduction of Chinese forces fighting on the North Korean's side, and the enemy's overwhelming numbers created one of the most adverse battle conditions in military history. Some even liken it to the Battle of Thermopylae (what the kids now call "300" due to the popular movie).
Though this is about one battle between essentially two armies, this book feels like it includes a cast of thousands. There are so many stories to be told and many end in sadness. Regardless, they are all intertwined nicely. A soldier's tale maybe be told in one, quick gulp if that's all the reader would be interested in. The tale of others may stretch through out the book, such as that of Colonel William E. Barber, then a captain and veteran of WWII. Loose strings like that are handled deftly and all is tied up satisfactorily in the end.
Bob Drury and Tom Clavin's The Last Stand of Fox Company spotlights a horrendous engagement during the Korean War, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Extreme freezing temperatures, the introduction of Chinese forces fighting on the North Korean's side, and the enemy's overwhelming numbers created one of the most adverse battle conditions in military history. Some even liken it to the Battle of Thermopylae (what the kids now call "300" due to the popular movie).
Though this is about one battle between essentially two armies, this book feels like it includes a cast of thousands. There are so many stories to be told and many end in sadness. Regardless, they are all intertwined nicely. A soldier's tale maybe be told in one, quick gulp if that's all the reader would be interested in. The tale of others may stretch through out the book, such as that of Colonel William E. Barber, then a captain and veteran of WWII. Loose strings like that are handled deftly and all is tied up satisfactorily in the end.
November 28, 2025
4.5 stars
"After two nights of repulsing Chinese [Communist Force] assaults, the 246 able-bodied Marines and [Navy] corpsmen had been reduced to 159 'effectives,' most of them frostbitten. [Commanding officer] Captain William E. Barber knew better than to show it, but doubt crossed his mind. He wondered if Fox Company had one more day - or night - of fight left in it. His cracked pelvis had been dressed with sulfa powder, bandaged, and splinted with two pine boughs. He used a tree limb as a crutch. As difficult as it may be to believe in a more cynical age, the dramatic sight of their bloody, shambling C.O. making his way along the company perimeter, barking out order while leaning on a goddamn tree branch, breathed a new spirit into the Marines of Fox." -- ooh-rah!!!, on page 183
One of the earliest books in the durable Drury & Clavin writing partnership - preceded by the excellent Halsey's Typhoon, which I read at this time last year in honor of the 80th anniversary of said titular naval event - the grungy and scrappy The Last Stand of Fox Company recounts the hellish combat and weather conditions endured by USMC personnel during a segment of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in late November / early December 1950 amidst the first year of American military involvement in 'The Korean Conflict.' (Yes, I also purposely timed reading this book in honor of the 75h anniversary of the depicted event.) Shadowing several dozen privates, corporals, and sergeants from 'Fox' - and, much like a stereotypical infantry squad in a WWII movie, a big mix of personalities, ethnicities, and regional differences between said mostly young men from all across the continental U.S. - said company faced harsh subzero temperatures and snowfall, dwindling ammunition / food / medical supplies, and a substantial amount of both injuries and casualties during a nearly two-week unrelenting skirmish against soldiers of the Chinese Communist Forces on a mountainous hillside in what is now modern-day North Korea. While it was occasionally difficult to keep all of the involved Marines' names in order, the swift narrative highlights their bravery and inarguable resilience during a highly unenviable - and, in what probably also felt like a never-ending - wartime situation.
"After two nights of repulsing Chinese [Communist Force] assaults, the 246 able-bodied Marines and [Navy] corpsmen had been reduced to 159 'effectives,' most of them frostbitten. [Commanding officer] Captain William E. Barber knew better than to show it, but doubt crossed his mind. He wondered if Fox Company had one more day - or night - of fight left in it. His cracked pelvis had been dressed with sulfa powder, bandaged, and splinted with two pine boughs. He used a tree limb as a crutch. As difficult as it may be to believe in a more cynical age, the dramatic sight of their bloody, shambling C.O. making his way along the company perimeter, barking out order while leaning on a goddamn tree branch, breathed a new spirit into the Marines of Fox." -- ooh-rah!!!, on page 183
One of the earliest books in the durable Drury & Clavin writing partnership - preceded by the excellent Halsey's Typhoon, which I read at this time last year in honor of the 80th anniversary of said titular naval event - the grungy and scrappy The Last Stand of Fox Company recounts the hellish combat and weather conditions endured by USMC personnel during a segment of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in late November / early December 1950 amidst the first year of American military involvement in 'The Korean Conflict.' (Yes, I also purposely timed reading this book in honor of the 75h anniversary of the depicted event.) Shadowing several dozen privates, corporals, and sergeants from 'Fox' - and, much like a stereotypical infantry squad in a WWII movie, a big mix of personalities, ethnicities, and regional differences between said mostly young men from all across the continental U.S. - said company faced harsh subzero temperatures and snowfall, dwindling ammunition / food / medical supplies, and a substantial amount of both injuries and casualties during a nearly two-week unrelenting skirmish against soldiers of the Chinese Communist Forces on a mountainous hillside in what is now modern-day North Korea. While it was occasionally difficult to keep all of the involved Marines' names in order, the swift narrative highlights their bravery and inarguable resilience during a highly unenviable - and, in what probably also felt like a never-ending - wartime situation.
June 3, 2015
At the Marine Museum, four signature 20th Century battles are honored. We all know about 3 of them, Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, Khe Sanh…but Fox Hill? I had never heard of this battle. The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat is one of the best accounts of a small-unit action in a major battle I have come across. For 6 days, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, Seventh Regiment fought off the CCF 59th Division and held open a key choke point on the main supply route to the Chosin Reservoir. Three Medals of Honor were awarded for this fight. The cold weather is as much an enemy as anything else.
The book has a perfect balance of placing the importance of this fight in the wider context, along with maps and diagrams of the defensive positions, the troop movements, the attacks and the wider battlefield. It had just the right amount of detail for me. Strangely, the style of writing here worked just fine in jumping from the fight to discussing the backgrounds of the participants. I had complained about this technique in Drury and Clavin’s other book, Last Men Out: The True Story of America's Heroic Final Hours in Vietnam. One clear difference is the riveting accounts of the individual battles.
Fox Company fought by themselves for 6 days, only resupplied on a few occasions by airdrops. They had to scrounge weapons and ammunition on the battlefield. Much of it came from the Chinese forces. Here is one picture after two nights of battle.
As a result of the airdrops and the captured weapons, each American foxhole now resembled an international gun show. At least that was Dick Bonelli’s thoughts as he eyed the armaments lining the parapet of the hole near his light machine gun emplacement up on the east crest. Walt Klein and Frank Valtierra had covered the rim with two Thompson submachine guns, an 8-mm Mauser rifle, a forty-five caliber American-made Grease Gun, a German-made machine pistol with a sack of ammo, and a 1903 Springfield rifle complete with stripper-clipped ammunition rounds. Their M1s were crisscrossed across a box of grenades.
“Startin’ a war?” Bonnelli yelled.
This is a mandatory addition to the permanent Korean War bookshelf. Great story.
The book has a perfect balance of placing the importance of this fight in the wider context, along with maps and diagrams of the defensive positions, the troop movements, the attacks and the wider battlefield. It had just the right amount of detail for me. Strangely, the style of writing here worked just fine in jumping from the fight to discussing the backgrounds of the participants. I had complained about this technique in Drury and Clavin’s other book, Last Men Out: The True Story of America's Heroic Final Hours in Vietnam. One clear difference is the riveting accounts of the individual battles.
Fox Company fought by themselves for 6 days, only resupplied on a few occasions by airdrops. They had to scrounge weapons and ammunition on the battlefield. Much of it came from the Chinese forces. Here is one picture after two nights of battle.
As a result of the airdrops and the captured weapons, each American foxhole now resembled an international gun show. At least that was Dick Bonelli’s thoughts as he eyed the armaments lining the parapet of the hole near his light machine gun emplacement up on the east crest. Walt Klein and Frank Valtierra had covered the rim with two Thompson submachine guns, an 8-mm Mauser rifle, a forty-five caliber American-made Grease Gun, a German-made machine pistol with a sack of ammo, and a 1903 Springfield rifle complete with stripper-clipped ammunition rounds. Their M1s were crisscrossed across a box of grenades.
“Startin’ a war?” Bonnelli yelled.
This is a mandatory addition to the permanent Korean War bookshelf. Great story.
December 29, 2008
This remarkable book tells the unbelievable story of a small company of Marines fighting to hold open a mountain pass in Korea. Out-numbered and out-gunned, these 246 Marines hold off 10,000 Chinese soldiers determined to overtake the Toktong Pass near the Choisin Resevoir. The story of their eight day battle is a moving account of bravery and of sacrifice.
Drury and Clavin have given the reader a riveting day-by-day picture of the efforts of this extraordinary group of soliders. The narrative is enriched by what are obviously first-hand accounts from the soldiers themselves. The horrors of the days, where the Marines must battle both the elements and the enemy, are meticulously detailed, as are the ever-mounting casualties.
This book is not an easy read by any means, but even knowing the staggering losses that would be presented, I found it hard to put down. Both the writing and the story itself draw the reader in, and make finishing this book an imperative. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in U.S. military history.
Drury and Clavin have given the reader a riveting day-by-day picture of the efforts of this extraordinary group of soliders. The narrative is enriched by what are obviously first-hand accounts from the soldiers themselves. The horrors of the days, where the Marines must battle both the elements and the enemy, are meticulously detailed, as are the ever-mounting casualties.
This book is not an easy read by any means, but even knowing the staggering losses that would be presented, I found it hard to put down. Both the writing and the story itself draw the reader in, and make finishing this book an imperative. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in U.S. military history.
February 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this audio book. There was never a dull moment and they used a lot of Marine Corps colloquialisms and vernacular which makes the testimony more authentic for this ex-Marine. What the Marines accomplished in the Chosin Reservoir was nothing short of incredible. Fox Company's stand will go down in the annals of The United States Marine Corps. While the army units in X Corps were falling apart, the United States Marine Corps stood firm and exercised an orderly withdraw. Fox held open a critical pass for the 1st Marine Division for seven days at temperatures of minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit with a windchill that made it feel like minus 70 Fahrenheit. Most of their weapons wouldn't even function properly. There is never a dull moment and there is a minimum of background information presented which makes the story fast-paced and action packed and yes, there is some gallows humor that rears it's head from time to time as well.
Now a word about the narrator. It was apparent to me that this man was not a Marine and probably not a student of military history. He continued to refer to X Corps as "X Corps" using the letter "X" rather than "Tenth." His mispronunciation of the rifleman's standard battle weapon the M1 Garand was laughable. The final straw for me was when the narrator tried to sing the Marine Corps Hymn as the remnants of Fox were marching away from Fox Hill. He sang the third line of the song the same as the first two. Has this guy never heard the Marine Corps Hymn before? He ruined a moment for me...but still, it was well worth it. I think I will listen to it again.
As my drill instructor told me, we enjoy freedom not because a group of hippies marched down the streets smoking weed toting a banner. Freedom has more to do with men making sacrifices like the men of Fox Company who held open Toktong Pass in a remote area of Korea a long time ago.
Now a word about the narrator. It was apparent to me that this man was not a Marine and probably not a student of military history. He continued to refer to X Corps as "X Corps" using the letter "X" rather than "Tenth." His mispronunciation of the rifleman's standard battle weapon the M1 Garand was laughable. The final straw for me was when the narrator tried to sing the Marine Corps Hymn as the remnants of Fox were marching away from Fox Hill. He sang the third line of the song the same as the first two. Has this guy never heard the Marine Corps Hymn before? He ruined a moment for me...but still, it was well worth it. I think I will listen to it again.
As my drill instructor told me, we enjoy freedom not because a group of hippies marched down the streets smoking weed toting a banner. Freedom has more to do with men making sacrifices like the men of Fox Company who held open Toktong Pass in a remote area of Korea a long time ago.
April 13, 2017
Everything the titles promises and more -- non stop action, inspirational stories, a look at a breed of fighting men who have never been equaled anywhere -- the United States Marines!
March 16, 2025
I did not appreciate this book when forced to read it as a TBS student. I think I appreciate it more now, however, I still found the writing style very jarring and hard to follow. On Desperate Ground remains a superior book about Fox Company IMO.
January 5, 2013
Of all the accounts of specific battles of the Korean War, none are more vivid, riveting, and intense as the one described in The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of US Marines in Combat. The authors place you right there with the Marines on Fox Hill in one of the most gallant, heroic stands of the Korean War. Although there have been numerous firsthand accounts of the war, specifically Martin Russ’s The Last Parallel: A Marine’s War Journal and Joe Owen’s Colder than Hell, The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of US Marines in Combat deserves a place among these classic accounts of the conflict.
To be sure, the authors describe the horrors of those days and nights on Fox Hill from the perspective of the men who fought, survived, and died there. You shiver when you read how cold it was for the men; you almost can hear the bullets whizzing overhead, smell the cordite in the air and breathe a sigh of relief when the men of Fox Company survive another night. The authors excel in their detailed accounts of battle that allows readers to have some basic understanding of what it was like for the Marines on the hill as they fought to stay alive, surviving one attack after another, until help arrived.
In 2000, as a feature writer for the Korea Times, the oldest English language newspaper in Korea, I had the honor to meet two of the men who survived that ordeal: General (ret.) Raymond Davis, who led the rescue mission from Yudam-ni, and Henry Danilowski, who was a member of Fox Company. I was covering one of the Korean War commemorative events, which just happened to fall on a frigid Veteran’s Day, in the Yongsan Garrison in Seoul. Davis talked about how treacherous it was for him to lead his men, the ridgerunners, over those frozen, craggy ridges to rescue Fox Company. The soft-spoken Davis, stopped a few times as he recalled that mission and that night, his voice filled with emotion when he described how the sudden appearance of a star in the sky on that very dark night was a sign that he and his men would reach the beleaguered men of Fox Company and survive that night as well as how he hoped he could return to Hagaru-ri one day and bring back the Marines still buried there.
If you want to remember and honor those men who fought in this so-called “forgotten war” this is one book that should be at the top of your list.
To be sure, the authors describe the horrors of those days and nights on Fox Hill from the perspective of the men who fought, survived, and died there. You shiver when you read how cold it was for the men; you almost can hear the bullets whizzing overhead, smell the cordite in the air and breathe a sigh of relief when the men of Fox Company survive another night. The authors excel in their detailed accounts of battle that allows readers to have some basic understanding of what it was like for the Marines on the hill as they fought to stay alive, surviving one attack after another, until help arrived.
In 2000, as a feature writer for the Korea Times, the oldest English language newspaper in Korea, I had the honor to meet two of the men who survived that ordeal: General (ret.) Raymond Davis, who led the rescue mission from Yudam-ni, and Henry Danilowski, who was a member of Fox Company. I was covering one of the Korean War commemorative events, which just happened to fall on a frigid Veteran’s Day, in the Yongsan Garrison in Seoul. Davis talked about how treacherous it was for him to lead his men, the ridgerunners, over those frozen, craggy ridges to rescue Fox Company. The soft-spoken Davis, stopped a few times as he recalled that mission and that night, his voice filled with emotion when he described how the sudden appearance of a star in the sky on that very dark night was a sign that he and his men would reach the beleaguered men of Fox Company and survive that night as well as how he hoped he could return to Hagaru-ri one day and bring back the Marines still buried there.
If you want to remember and honor those men who fought in this so-called “forgotten war” this is one book that should be at the top of your list.
August 15, 2013
This was a harrowing account of a battle location that held strategic importance for the rear movement of the American Forces leaving the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. There were only minor parts in this book that I didn't care for but the detail on the battle and struggle over the course of 6 days + 2 more were well accounted for. Some of these young men lost their lives in a place far away that is all but forgotten today by the vast majority of Americans. This story is of Fox Company, 2nd Bn, 7th Mar, 1st MarDiv which were located at Toksong-san pass on Fox Hill located just off the MSR between Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri to the southeast of Chosin. I would have preferred a better detail account along the story line of where the big picture laid and less negative comments about MacArthur (though not enough negativity in my view could ever be expressed toward Ned Almond.)
For people that enjoy reading military history and specific engagements then this would be a good book for you. It is graphic, real, and forces a person to revisit the horrors of Korea before the years of Vietnam and after the conclusion of the Second World War.
For people that enjoy reading military history and specific engagements then this would be a good book for you. It is graphic, real, and forces a person to revisit the horrors of Korea before the years of Vietnam and after the conclusion of the Second World War.
September 23, 2013
One of the points this book makes is that the Korean War is often overlooked altogether, particularly in comparison to its "big brother" WWII. This was certainly the case for me. Historical wars are of particular interest for me, but what I've read about Korea could fill a teaspoon. Not only was this book a fascinating primer on the subject, it is also an incredibly good tale in its own right.
The authors do a great job of interweaving the soldiers' personal stories with the overall schematics of the battle itself. In many ways, it reminded me of Stephen Ambrose's spectacular Band of Brothers. Definitely worth the read for anyone interested in warfare and particularly the conflict in Korea.
The authors do a great job of interweaving the soldiers' personal stories with the overall schematics of the battle itself. In many ways, it reminded me of Stephen Ambrose's spectacular Band of Brothers. Definitely worth the read for anyone interested in warfare and particularly the conflict in Korea.
November 10, 2011
I've ranted about crappy editing in military works for years. Now, I need to add clueless book narrators to the mix. I may read this in print someday, but I couldn't listen to the reader mispronounce "X Corps" and "Garland rifle" after the first disc.
May 26, 2021
An important story of courage
Well-written, fast-paced, graphic. Painful to read of the suffering endured yet an important story of courage in a forgotten war.
Well-written, fast-paced, graphic. Painful to read of the suffering endured yet an important story of courage in a forgotten war.
June 30, 2023
At first I was not digging this book. It is constant fighting, constant horror, but it really is realistic and shocking what these men endured. Ended up liking it.
May 3, 2019
When two writers combine to write a historical work, you know they’ve succeeded when a reader only wants to start the book and finds themselves fully immersed and 33% completed in the first sitting, only interrupted because one has to awaken the next day to pay the bills.
Bob Drury and Tom Clavin have done an excellent job in introducing readers to the one of the calamitous and hair-raising battles of the Marine Corps in the Forgotten War. For many, including the show MASH, which I enjoyed until Alan Alda took it over, Korea was dubbed a Police Action. Ask the men who fought there if it was a Police Action or a full-blown war? In the Grand Strategy sense and the weapons allocated it was not on the scale of WWI or WWII but for the ground solider it was just as vicious and nasty as Peleliu, Iwo Jima, Belleau Wood and Tarawa.
Rather than spend time introducing us to the actual men who fought and the strategies to be incorporated, the authors throw the reader right into the fight and are relentless in the delivery which is an excellent approach. As the story un-folds we are introduced to the heroes who lived and died on the western shores of the Chosin Resevoir in the most inhospitable weather imaginable. That’s right, even worse than Stalingrad. It is amazing that any of the men walked out of their alive to recant their experiences in this desolate plain in Northern Korea.
I cannot recommend this book enough to those who want a taste of what Korea was like and the men who represented the United States Marine Corps in one if its most trying battles.
Without a doubt, FIVE STARS!
Bob Drury and Tom Clavin have done an excellent job in introducing readers to the one of the calamitous and hair-raising battles of the Marine Corps in the Forgotten War. For many, including the show MASH, which I enjoyed until Alan Alda took it over, Korea was dubbed a Police Action. Ask the men who fought there if it was a Police Action or a full-blown war? In the Grand Strategy sense and the weapons allocated it was not on the scale of WWI or WWII but for the ground solider it was just as vicious and nasty as Peleliu, Iwo Jima, Belleau Wood and Tarawa.
Rather than spend time introducing us to the actual men who fought and the strategies to be incorporated, the authors throw the reader right into the fight and are relentless in the delivery which is an excellent approach. As the story un-folds we are introduced to the heroes who lived and died on the western shores of the Chosin Resevoir in the most inhospitable weather imaginable. That’s right, even worse than Stalingrad. It is amazing that any of the men walked out of their alive to recant their experiences in this desolate plain in Northern Korea.
I cannot recommend this book enough to those who want a taste of what Korea was like and the men who represented the United States Marine Corps in one if its most trying battles.
Without a doubt, FIVE STARS!
January 17, 2023
Sounds like it was a little colder than Quantico
Oorah 7-1
Oorah 7-1
January 7, 2013
I am not a Marine and I don't imagine that I ever will be. However, I don't think you need to be a Marine to appreciate the story of heroism and brotherhood that is this book. This is not a book that glorifies war or attempts to justify war in any way. There is nothing political about it. This book is about the men who were asked to fight in the name of the United States in a country that one Marine Officer claimed Genghis Khan wouldn’t have tried to tackle. Throughout this book the experiences of several Marines are woven together so that the reader can gain an understanding, or at least an appreciation, of the hardships that soldiers endure at the request of their country.
I would like to say that this book was over dramatized, but can you overdramatize war? Can you use the word “overdramatize” without a derogatory overtone? I don’t think so; so I will say that some parts of this book may have been exaggerated or better yet, assumed. Obviously the author had some holes to fill. Part of being a great story teller is not so much lying about what happened, but making what did happen more accessible. I am sure that some of the dialogue was created by Drury and that some of the scenes were not so cut and dry, but I don’t think that I would have had the same feelings about this book if it had read like a research paper rather than a novel.
A lot of the imagery was well written and I was able to connect with the people in the story through the descriptions of the harsh winter and brutal combat. I don’t feel that the battle scenes were made too grotesque or too unrealistic; I actually think that the way he described those scenes was genuine. Throughout the story I felt there was a very authentic tone which helped me “enjoy” it even more.
The ending really got me. I won’t bother putting any spoilers, but I will say that on the last page before the Epilogue I could understand why someone would get choked up. I’m not saying I did, but I could see why someone would. Okay, so I was pretty choked up.
Overall, this was an enduring story that took me almost a year to finally finish. I wish I would have just focused on one book at a time, but I did finish this one and I am better for the experience. Much love to the Men and Women of our Military.
I would like to say that this book was over dramatized, but can you overdramatize war? Can you use the word “overdramatize” without a derogatory overtone? I don’t think so; so I will say that some parts of this book may have been exaggerated or better yet, assumed. Obviously the author had some holes to fill. Part of being a great story teller is not so much lying about what happened, but making what did happen more accessible. I am sure that some of the dialogue was created by Drury and that some of the scenes were not so cut and dry, but I don’t think that I would have had the same feelings about this book if it had read like a research paper rather than a novel.
A lot of the imagery was well written and I was able to connect with the people in the story through the descriptions of the harsh winter and brutal combat. I don’t feel that the battle scenes were made too grotesque or too unrealistic; I actually think that the way he described those scenes was genuine. Throughout the story I felt there was a very authentic tone which helped me “enjoy” it even more.
The ending really got me. I won’t bother putting any spoilers, but I will say that on the last page before the Epilogue I could understand why someone would get choked up. I’m not saying I did, but I could see why someone would. Okay, so I was pretty choked up.
Overall, this was an enduring story that took me almost a year to finally finish. I wish I would have just focused on one book at a time, but I did finish this one and I am better for the experience. Much love to the Men and Women of our Military.
July 13, 2023
Opened my eyes to the terrible combat conditions for the Korean Conflict. So soon after WWII, yet we were so unprepared. I applaud the gallant actions of the Marines of Fox Company. To do so much, with so little support.
January 13, 2023
A detailed and very well written look into the incredible grit and determination of the battle of Fox Hill during the Korean War. These men endured one of the harshest winters while also holding a main supply route open against a seemingly endless enemy. Written from multiple viewpoints throughout, the reader explores different angles of the eight days Fox Company spent on that hill and achieves a detailed, complete look at the battle.
April 20, 2023
This book follows the personal experiences of the Marines from Fox Co during the Korean War in the winter of 1950. For covering such a short period of time, it is filled with an excellent in-depth narrative that provides historical context and paints a clear picture of what these Marines saw, smelt, felt, and heard throughout the long days and nights at Fox Hill.
June 20, 2012
While I appreciate the extremity of war, the fears and horrors soldiers face, I quit the book after about a quarter of it because of the profanity and repeated taking the Lord's name in vain.
April 13, 2019
Wow. If you like war books, this one on the Fox Company from the Korean War is a good one. Recommended for avid war book readers not afraid of the graphic.
May 6, 2019
This was my chosen text for ANZAC reading this year. Though ANZAC day in Australia specifically honours the aussie and kiwi troops who served their countries, I do not limit myself to reading Australian books. Hence, this year, I went with The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat. Following my personal criteria for just reading any book that is concerned with war, combat or patriotic sacrifice, this book about American troops contributed just as much to my appreciation of what Australian soldiers would have gone through as well. Hell, my Poppy fought in the Korean war himself - for reasons this book makes very understandable, he never likes to talk about it. All he ever really said was that, when over there, it was the coldest and the hottest weather he had ever experienced.
This book details the real experiences of real soldiers (albeit in a fictionalised form, like Capote's In Cold Blood) rigorously defending a strategically valuable hill in North Korea. The writers do an absolutely excellent job in capturing the duress, terror, pain and humanity involved in this one great battle for freedom against communism. I don't believe I have read such a vivid and violent depiction of war before. It does a great job in telling a story which really makes you recognise the tragedy and loss (on both sides) that war involves, whilst also encouraging respect and gratitude for those who were swallowed up in it all and were required to fight, kill and often die for the sake of those who were luckier.
This book details the real experiences of real soldiers (albeit in a fictionalised form, like Capote's In Cold Blood) rigorously defending a strategically valuable hill in North Korea. The writers do an absolutely excellent job in capturing the duress, terror, pain and humanity involved in this one great battle for freedom against communism. I don't believe I have read such a vivid and violent depiction of war before. It does a great job in telling a story which really makes you recognise the tragedy and loss (on both sides) that war involves, whilst also encouraging respect and gratitude for those who were swallowed up in it all and were required to fight, kill and often die for the sake of those who were luckier.
May 26, 2021
With the proliferation of first person, common-soldier accounts it is easy to assume this style of history is becoming a bit worn. Fortunately, this book which was first published in 2008 breathes new life into this genre. While it is full of action and memorable characters, the authors' ability to develop these characters while keeping track of the local situation and putting the conflict in its global Cold War context is outstanding. In a very crisp, flowing narrative you come to know these characters backgrounds, their individual and group struggles during some of the war's most brutal fighting, and then are treated with excellent summaries of each men's lives (very much in Paul Harvey's "and that's the rest of the story" style). The American military's breakout from encirclement by Chinese Communist Forces in the Chosin Reservoir area was a mixed bag at best with Army units disintegrating into small groups of armed men and the Marines succeeding to remain in cohesive units albeit suffering great casualties as well. I have previously read accounts of both Army and Marine Corps units in this action, but I must say this book is the best written of them all. I highly recommend The Last Stand of Fox Company to anyone interested in people's reactions to extreme situations, the Korean War, United States Marine Corps history, or just military history in general.
January 26, 2025
Fantastic read that was a little slow to get into but really picked up after the initial lull. A couple gripes.. The frequent use of "scuttlebutt", for one, to the point where it got weird. Secondly, it took forever to figure out what MSR was as the abbreviation wasn't explained- having a glossary detailing military terminology used in the book would've been very helpful for the average reader.
Finally, surely the authors and/or editors could've consulted an actual Korean person to verify the translations? No, migook (written in the book as mee-gook, the actual Korean being 미국) does not mean "beautiful country", it means the USA. I have no idea why the author wrote Shina-jen, or Chinesu, when the Korean word for Chinese army/soldiers is 중국군 (Jungguk-gun) and the ROKs would've referred to them as such.
Other than that, again a fantastic read that I recommend to anyone with an interest in the Korean war. There needs to be more content about this important part of history so that this war will be "forgotten" no longer.
Finally, surely the authors and/or editors could've consulted an actual Korean person to verify the translations? No, migook (written in the book as mee-gook, the actual Korean being 미국) does not mean "beautiful country", it means the USA. I have no idea why the author wrote Shina-jen, or Chinesu, when the Korean word for Chinese army/soldiers is 중국군 (Jungguk-gun) and the ROKs would've referred to them as such.
Other than that, again a fantastic read that I recommend to anyone with an interest in the Korean war. There needs to be more content about this important part of history so that this war will be "forgotten" no longer.
May 12, 2025
2.5 stars
The writing could have been so much better. Sometimes authors of war don’t put enough effort into the actual writing. They do the diligent research and are so excited to tell the forgotten stories that the words come tumbling out onto the pages . They then move on to the next intriguing story from other wars and conflicts. It’s a hard business to make a lot of money so you can’t spend a year editing and rewriting but it is less enjoyable.
So the Battle at Chosin Reservoir is one that every American should know about and this smaller aspect of the larger battle was heroic, gruesome and traumatic. But a broader historical context along with better story telling would have been appreciated.
The writing could have been so much better. Sometimes authors of war don’t put enough effort into the actual writing. They do the diligent research and are so excited to tell the forgotten stories that the words come tumbling out onto the pages . They then move on to the next intriguing story from other wars and conflicts. It’s a hard business to make a lot of money so you can’t spend a year editing and rewriting but it is less enjoyable.
So the Battle at Chosin Reservoir is one that every American should know about and this smaller aspect of the larger battle was heroic, gruesome and traumatic. But a broader historical context along with better story telling would have been appreciated.
February 8, 2020
Excellent writing, detailed perspective
I really enjoyed the style and tone of the author as he described in detail not only the battle but much of the experience and personality of the men who fought on Fox Hill. Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed the style and tone of the author as he described in detail not only the battle but much of the experience and personality of the men who fought on Fox Hill. Highly recommended.
March 23, 2025
All time excellent account of combat in Korea. Written almost as a novel based on the authors interviews with those who were there. Very factual and has several maps that display the events that occurred. This book kept me glued to every page.
June 17, 2025
Not much of a war/Marine book connoisseur… it was good though! Just a lot of details and people that made it tricky to follow.
October 15, 2019
This was a decent history of a very limited span of time during the Korean War. To be honest, I listened to the book and in doing so I suffered from not being able to see a map of the area that is being discussed. This made it very hard to understand certain parts of this battle. I probably should rate the book higher but because of the format I chose, it is not as highly rated.
May 4, 2024
THE LAST STAND OF FOX COMPANY – A BOOK REVIEW BY ALIYU BLUEMANICE (FLARETHRIVE LTD) +2349039506176 | flarethrive@gmail.com
“The Last Stand of Fox Company” is a highly esteemed book penned by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. It was published in 2009 by Atlantic Monthly Press, a subsidiary of Grove/Atlantic, Inc., located at 841 Broadway, New York. The book can be purchased both online and in physical stores, with the paperback version on Amazon priced at $11.69 and the hardcover version available for $22.68.
INTRODUCTION
The cover of the book is adorned with a compelling black and white photograph that portrays soldiers from Fox Company in their battle gear, some donning helmets, against the backdrop of a desert lake. This image radiates a sense of gravity and tension, mirroring the book’s theme of military engagement. The phrase “A TRUE STORY OF U.S. MARINES IN COMBAT” at the top of the cover provides context for the book, while the title is prominently displayed in the center in bold letters. The authors’ names are featured below the title, along with a note highlighting their status as “BESTSELLING AUTHORS OF HALSEY’S TYPHOON.” The cover also includes phrases such as “A MAGNIFICENT BOOK,” followed by a commendation from Nathaniel Fick, indicating endorsements that underscore the book’s significance and appeal. The arrangement of the text and the photograph together underscore the seriousness and historical importance of the U.S. Marines’ combat story depicted within.
Bob Drury, an American writer and journalist, has contributed to various newspapers, magazines, and other publications and has authored over twelve non-fiction books. Tom Clavin, who has co-authored several books with Drury, is a seasoned writer with a rich background in journalism and non-fiction writing. Their combined expertise and experience make them well-suited to write this book. The authors’ purpose in writing this book is to provide a riveting and fast-paced account of heroism and sacrifice in the face of insurmountable odds. The book aims to narrate the story of U.S. Marines in Combat during the Korean War, a topic of interest to military officers and students of military strategy. The book stands out for its lack of a preface, which gives it a unique appeal to readers. However, the main points are well-argued and clear, providing a detailed account of the events. The authors’ writing style is meticulous and detailed, indicative of a high level of English proficiency and effective communication.
MAIN BODY
In this captivating book, the central focus is on the events that took place from 2 Nov to 4 Nov 50, during the Korean War. The author expertly intertwines various subthemes, including the hill, the attack, the siege, "We Will Hold," and the Ridgerunners, to craft a truly compelling narrative. The book is divided into nine subjects, with the prologue immersing readers into the harrowing experience of Fox Company. It begins with Fox Company approaching the dark railway tunnel that marks the entrance to the Sudong Gorge. Furthermore, the author captures the tension and uncertainty of the Marines as they navigate the treacherous terrain, unexpectedly coming across Dog Company engaged in a fierce battle, which raises doubts about the Chinese involvement in the war. The author skillfully builds tension through Corporal Alex "Bob" Mixon's encounter with unfamiliar soldiers, only to be met with a barrage of automatic weapons fire. It soon becomes clear to the Marines that they are facing the Chinese, leading to a gripping firefight.
The Hill" is a detailed section that vividly depicts the Day One situation at Chosin Reservoir from 27 Nov to 4 Dec 50. It focuses on Fox Company, Second Battalion, Seventh Regiment, consisting of 192 officers and enlisted men who experienced the harsh reality of frozen terrain. Despite the bone-chilling cold approaching minus-thirty degrees Fahrenheit, the Americans, including recent reservists, were ordered to move out, marking the beginning of a challenging journey. This section also highlights the strategic military positioning and extreme conditions faced by the soldiers, including the impact of MacArthur's air strikes on North Korea and the subsequent strategic decisions made by Mao Tse-tung. Another section, "The Attack," provides a detailed account of the Chinese attacks on Fox Hill on 28 Nov 50. It portrays Lieutenant Bob McCarthy's efforts to prepare his platoon, the unexpected encounter with approaching soldiers, and the ensuing intense battle. The section also highlights Colonel Homer Litzenberg's strategic decisions for the Seventh Regiment's survival at the Chosin Reservoir, offering insights into military tactics and challenges during the Korean War.
The section titled "The Siege" provides a detailed account of the events on 28 Nov 50, during the Battle for Fox Hill. The Marines, having engaged in a full-scale firefight with the Chinese Communists, displayed remarkable resilience and determination. The narrative vividly portrays the aftermath of the intense battle, with both sides regrouping and tending to their wounded. Additionally, the section delves into the strategic decisions made by Captain Barber to ensure the safety of the wounded and the preparation for potential future attacks. The section titled "WE WILL HOLD" vividly captures the intense events of 29 Nov and 30 Nov 50, during the Battle for Fox Hill. The narrative provides a detailed account of the Marines' remarkable resilience and determination in the face of relentless enemy attacks. It portrays the harrowing experiences of individual soldiers, highlighting their unwavering courage and sacrifices.
The RIDGERUNNERS" section provides a detailed account of the events on 1 Dec 50, during the Battle for Fox Hill. It delves into the experiences of individual Marines, highlighting their unwavering courage and sacrifices. The narrative captures the emotional and physical struggles faced by the Marines as they fought to hold their ground. The "EPILOGUE" section portrays the aftermath of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, vividly depicting the toll on the Marines as they arrived in Hagaru-ri, showcasing their exhaustion, injuries, and challenges. It also delves into the experiences of individual Marines, offering compelling insights into their struggles and camaraderie. The "AFTERWORD" section highlights the challenges faced by the Marines following the battle, including the tragic loss of First Lieutenant John M. Dunne and injuries sustained in subsequent ambushes.
CONCLUSION
Over the years, there have been numerous debates about the accuracy and relevance of historical books. However, “The Last Stand of Fox Company” by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin stands out as an exemplar in this genre. The authors’ style is fitting for the subject matter, offering a detailed and realistic depiction of the events. The book is recognized for its precision and technical accuracy, suggesting minimal inaccuracies or irrelevancies. Moreover, the presentation quality of the book is commendable, showcasing a well-structured layout and design. The authors appear to have conducted thorough research, providing a detailed and accurate account of the events. However, the inclusion of footnotes or in-text citations could have further substantiated their research. It’s worth mentioning that this book has received positive reviews on platforms like Goodreads, where it is described as fast-paced and gripping, suggesting it is logically assembled and readable.
In my own opinion, the font size of the book, which is currently set at 10 in Times New Roman, could be increased to enhance readability for the readers. The authors seem to consistently follow the theme and sub-theme of heroism and sacrifice. However, providing pagination on the pages could better enhance the readers’ ability to navigate through each section of the book. Regardless of these minor areas for improvement, the authors still manage to deliver a compelling narrative. Given the positive reviews and detailed account of the events, it appears that the authors achieved their aim of presenting a gripping account of U.S. Marines in combat.
“The Last Stand of Fox Company” is a highly esteemed book penned by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin. It was published in 2009 by Atlantic Monthly Press, a subsidiary of Grove/Atlantic, Inc., located at 841 Broadway, New York. The book can be purchased both online and in physical stores, with the paperback version on Amazon priced at $11.69 and the hardcover version available for $22.68.
INTRODUCTION
The cover of the book is adorned with a compelling black and white photograph that portrays soldiers from Fox Company in their battle gear, some donning helmets, against the backdrop of a desert lake. This image radiates a sense of gravity and tension, mirroring the book’s theme of military engagement. The phrase “A TRUE STORY OF U.S. MARINES IN COMBAT” at the top of the cover provides context for the book, while the title is prominently displayed in the center in bold letters. The authors’ names are featured below the title, along with a note highlighting their status as “BESTSELLING AUTHORS OF HALSEY’S TYPHOON.” The cover also includes phrases such as “A MAGNIFICENT BOOK,” followed by a commendation from Nathaniel Fick, indicating endorsements that underscore the book’s significance and appeal. The arrangement of the text and the photograph together underscore the seriousness and historical importance of the U.S. Marines’ combat story depicted within.
Bob Drury, an American writer and journalist, has contributed to various newspapers, magazines, and other publications and has authored over twelve non-fiction books. Tom Clavin, who has co-authored several books with Drury, is a seasoned writer with a rich background in journalism and non-fiction writing. Their combined expertise and experience make them well-suited to write this book. The authors’ purpose in writing this book is to provide a riveting and fast-paced account of heroism and sacrifice in the face of insurmountable odds. The book aims to narrate the story of U.S. Marines in Combat during the Korean War, a topic of interest to military officers and students of military strategy. The book stands out for its lack of a preface, which gives it a unique appeal to readers. However, the main points are well-argued and clear, providing a detailed account of the events. The authors’ writing style is meticulous and detailed, indicative of a high level of English proficiency and effective communication.
MAIN BODY
In this captivating book, the central focus is on the events that took place from 2 Nov to 4 Nov 50, during the Korean War. The author expertly intertwines various subthemes, including the hill, the attack, the siege, "We Will Hold," and the Ridgerunners, to craft a truly compelling narrative. The book is divided into nine subjects, with the prologue immersing readers into the harrowing experience of Fox Company. It begins with Fox Company approaching the dark railway tunnel that marks the entrance to the Sudong Gorge. Furthermore, the author captures the tension and uncertainty of the Marines as they navigate the treacherous terrain, unexpectedly coming across Dog Company engaged in a fierce battle, which raises doubts about the Chinese involvement in the war. The author skillfully builds tension through Corporal Alex "Bob" Mixon's encounter with unfamiliar soldiers, only to be met with a barrage of automatic weapons fire. It soon becomes clear to the Marines that they are facing the Chinese, leading to a gripping firefight.
The Hill" is a detailed section that vividly depicts the Day One situation at Chosin Reservoir from 27 Nov to 4 Dec 50. It focuses on Fox Company, Second Battalion, Seventh Regiment, consisting of 192 officers and enlisted men who experienced the harsh reality of frozen terrain. Despite the bone-chilling cold approaching minus-thirty degrees Fahrenheit, the Americans, including recent reservists, were ordered to move out, marking the beginning of a challenging journey. This section also highlights the strategic military positioning and extreme conditions faced by the soldiers, including the impact of MacArthur's air strikes on North Korea and the subsequent strategic decisions made by Mao Tse-tung. Another section, "The Attack," provides a detailed account of the Chinese attacks on Fox Hill on 28 Nov 50. It portrays Lieutenant Bob McCarthy's efforts to prepare his platoon, the unexpected encounter with approaching soldiers, and the ensuing intense battle. The section also highlights Colonel Homer Litzenberg's strategic decisions for the Seventh Regiment's survival at the Chosin Reservoir, offering insights into military tactics and challenges during the Korean War.
The section titled "The Siege" provides a detailed account of the events on 28 Nov 50, during the Battle for Fox Hill. The Marines, having engaged in a full-scale firefight with the Chinese Communists, displayed remarkable resilience and determination. The narrative vividly portrays the aftermath of the intense battle, with both sides regrouping and tending to their wounded. Additionally, the section delves into the strategic decisions made by Captain Barber to ensure the safety of the wounded and the preparation for potential future attacks. The section titled "WE WILL HOLD" vividly captures the intense events of 29 Nov and 30 Nov 50, during the Battle for Fox Hill. The narrative provides a detailed account of the Marines' remarkable resilience and determination in the face of relentless enemy attacks. It portrays the harrowing experiences of individual soldiers, highlighting their unwavering courage and sacrifices.
The RIDGERUNNERS" section provides a detailed account of the events on 1 Dec 50, during the Battle for Fox Hill. It delves into the experiences of individual Marines, highlighting their unwavering courage and sacrifices. The narrative captures the emotional and physical struggles faced by the Marines as they fought to hold their ground. The "EPILOGUE" section portrays the aftermath of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, vividly depicting the toll on the Marines as they arrived in Hagaru-ri, showcasing their exhaustion, injuries, and challenges. It also delves into the experiences of individual Marines, offering compelling insights into their struggles and camaraderie. The "AFTERWORD" section highlights the challenges faced by the Marines following the battle, including the tragic loss of First Lieutenant John M. Dunne and injuries sustained in subsequent ambushes.
CONCLUSION
Over the years, there have been numerous debates about the accuracy and relevance of historical books. However, “The Last Stand of Fox Company” by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin stands out as an exemplar in this genre. The authors’ style is fitting for the subject matter, offering a detailed and realistic depiction of the events. The book is recognized for its precision and technical accuracy, suggesting minimal inaccuracies or irrelevancies. Moreover, the presentation quality of the book is commendable, showcasing a well-structured layout and design. The authors appear to have conducted thorough research, providing a detailed and accurate account of the events. However, the inclusion of footnotes or in-text citations could have further substantiated their research. It’s worth mentioning that this book has received positive reviews on platforms like Goodreads, where it is described as fast-paced and gripping, suggesting it is logically assembled and readable.
In my own opinion, the font size of the book, which is currently set at 10 in Times New Roman, could be increased to enhance readability for the readers. The authors seem to consistently follow the theme and sub-theme of heroism and sacrifice. However, providing pagination on the pages could better enhance the readers’ ability to navigate through each section of the book. Regardless of these minor areas for improvement, the authors still manage to deliver a compelling narrative. Given the positive reviews and detailed account of the events, it appears that the authors achieved their aim of presenting a gripping account of U.S. Marines in combat.
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