Listening to Our Better Angels

"I have always thought of Christmas as a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time." - Fred, the nephew of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

With the holiday season once again upon us, Americans from all walks of life - and every race, creed, and religion - become observers, and in many cases, active participants in the “kind, forgiving, and charitable time” of Christmas.

And as Americans, we always try, as our parents, teachers, and religious leaders taught us, to give more than we receive.

In December of 1950, US servicemen fighting in Korea did just that. And more. They listened to their "better angels" and despite the hardships, dangers, and fears they faced during the darkest days of the Korean War, went above and beyond the call of duty and successfully orchestrated one of the largest humanitarian operations of the 20th century.

In a team effort that involved thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Merchant Mariners, the US military did the impossible.

Marines begin the long, cold trek to Hungnam; many would not survive. (PC: USMC)

With the Battle of Chosin coming to a close in early December 1950, men of 1st Marine Division and the US Army X Corps, having fought their way 70 miles south through knee-deep snow, fierce winds, and sub-zero temperatures, began boarding US Navy and Merchant Marine vessels for their journey to Busan, South Korea.

Taking their weapons, ammunition, vehicles, and supplies with them, the US servicemen would live to fight another day. But that’s only half the story.

In the final days of the massive evacuation, with the enemy closing in on the port, a dramatic event occurred. Sometimes referred to as a “Christmas Miracle,” tens of thousands of North Korean civilians - men, women, and children who had fled from the approaching Chinese Army and were trapped at the port - walked, limped, and scampered aboard waiting ships.

Refugees boarding an LST at Hungnam (PC: US Navy).

And the world was watching.

On Christmas Eve, the last day of the Chosin-Hungnam saga, the lead story in The New York Times read:

Evacuation of Hungnam Completed . . . UN Fleet Brings Out 105,000 Soldiers and 100,000 Refugees

The largest amphibious withdrawal of the Korean War, and the greatest seaborne military evacuation of civilians, under combat conditions, in US history was over.

“I thank God for the success of the Hungnam operation. It is the best Christmas present I’ve ever had,” President Harry Truman proclaimed after receiving a 1 a.m. Christmas call from Omar Bradley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Today, there are an estimated one million descendants of those rescued at Hungnam who now live in freedom in South Korea, the United States, and throughout the world.

Former North Korean refugees from Hungnam at a reunion at Dongcheon Church in Seoul, December 2018. (Photo credit: Ned Forney)

As we enjoy the holidays this season and relax with families and friends, we also pay tribute to those who did what many thought was unnecessary, too dangerous, or a misuse of our resources at Hungnam. We also thank all those who at this time of year make it a priority to honor our country’s history and the courageous, hard-working, patriotic men and women who played a role in it.

Today, in our fast-paced, ever-changing 21st century world, it's more important than ever to remember those who went before us. For without their sacrifices, we would not be the country we are today. And South Korea would not be the country it is today. 

Marines evacuating at Hungnam, Dec. 1950. (PC: David Douglas Duncan)

Postscript:

Last year, in a remarkable turn of events, the largely forgotten Hungnam Evacuation became a household word. In the final episode* of the hugely popular NBC historical drama “Timeless,” over 3.22 million viewers watched “The Miracle of Christmas,” an engaging and thought-provoking account of the Hungnam Evacuation.

In a tribute to all those who risked their lives to rescue so many hungry, tired, and frightened North Korean civilians, Lucy, one of the show’s main characters, when asked why she and her friends should save a pregnant North Korean woman, responds, "Everybody is important.”

And that really is what the Hungnam Evacuation and Christmas are all about: kindness and service to others.

Merry Christmas America!

*You can watch Timeless on Netflix. "The Miracle of Christmas" is season 2, episode 12.  Click on pictures below for a larger image.