Reputation from Green - 4th Marine Raider Battalion

Green reacted to GySgt (Ret) Spencer in Spencer's USMC History Thread November 27, 2018

FOLLOW UP ON BRITISH ROYAL MARINES AND US MARINES AT CHOSIN.

I intentionally did not include the following with the last post about 41 Commando and the US Marines at the Chosin Reservoir to keep the length of the text from getting too long. I did however want to share this so after waiting a few days, I am posting this now.

The Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division, MajGen Oliver Smith, sent the following message to LtCol Drysdale of the 41 Independent Commando.

As Commanding General of the First Marine Division, I desire to take this opportunity to acknowledge the high qualities of leadership, heroism, devotion to duty, and self-sacrifice displayed by officers and men of the 41 Independent Commando of the Royal Marines while serving with this division in North Korea. I am familiar with the long and glorious history of the Royal Marines. This history records many outstanding feats of heroism, devotion to duty, and self-sacrifice by units and individuals alike. The performance of the 41 Commandos during the drive from Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri, during the defense of Hagaru-ri, and during the advance from Hagaru-ri to the south will, in the perspective of history, take equal rank with the past exploits of the Royal Marines.

I can give you no higher compliment than to state that your conduct and that of your officers and men under your command was worthy of the highest traditions of Marines.

Following the battle, 41 Commando spent Christmas with the 1st Marine Division at Masan. 41 Commando suffered 50 percent casualties, killed, wounded or taken prisoner. It was decided they would be withdrawn to Japan to await reinforcements. LtCol Drysdale, RM, sent the following message to the Marines of the 1st Division.

This is the first time that Marines of the two nations had fought side by side since the defense of the Peking Legation in 1900. Let it be said that the admiration of all ranks of 41 Commando for their Brothers in Arms was and is unbounded. They fought like tigers and their morale and esprit de corps is second to none.

Note: Before the Korean War, LtCol Drysdale had been an instructor at the Royal Marines Officer School. He retired a Colonel in 1961. Drysdale would say, the Battle of Chosin Reservoir was the highlight of his career.

Green reacted to GySgt (Ret) Spencer in Spencer's USMC History Thread November 27, 2018

This story is dedicated to our Commanding Officer, Captain Childs. As you all know, the Captain is British.

When the American Congress directed that two battalions of Continental Marines be formed for service with the Continental Navy (we were not yet officially the “United States”), in 1775, we were starting something new. To try and create a respectable military unit, the first Commandant of the Continental Marines looked to the British Royal Marines as a military organization to copy. Over the history of the US Marines, there have been very few opportunities for the two organizations to fight together side by side. This is one of those stories!

In 1950, 1st Marine Division was engaged with the Chinese army at the now famous Battle of Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Attached to the 1st Marine Division was 41 Commando of the Royal Marines. In 1951, the 1st Marine Division was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC). Attached units were eligible to receive this award, however, unfortunately, at that time there was no authorization to present the award to foreign units, thereby leaving 41 Commando out.

Marine Chosin veterans who were displeased the Brits weren’t included petitioned to have the PUC issued to 41 Commando of the Royal Marines. That took a great bit of doing for a couple reasons. Not only did they need the US government to make a special authorization for a foreign unit to be issued this award, but also it required the British government to allow 41 Commando to receive it! After fighting through many difficult diplomat channels, most of the permissions were obtained. One final step, and the most difficult step, required the Queen to grant special “dispensation for the battle streamer representing the PUC to be displayed on the 41 Commando colours. No British units have any streamers on their colours so this was a very big deal. In fact on all Royal Marine Colours, the only battle represented is Gibraltar.

In 1957, the Queen granted the special dispensation. 41 Commando is the only organization of the United Kingdom authorized to fly a foreign streamer from its colours.

Note: 41 Independent Commando reported with around 235 men to the 1st Marine Division on 15 Nov 1950 in Hungnam to be used for reconnaissance. They had previously worked with the Marines during the Inchon Invasion months before so this was a reunion of sorts. Initially, they were assigned to “Task Force Drysdale” which also include a company of US Army troops, all under the command of LtCol Drysdale. TF Drysdale was split up by a Chinese attack and less than 100 of 41 Commando emerged. In 20 degrees below zero temperatures, the Brits assisted during the “Advance to the Sea” which started on 6 Dec. Men of 41 Commando even conducted a unit inspection and shaved in this frozen hell, to impress their brother US Marines with their discipline.