{"id":3387,"date":"2019-01-05T17:07:20","date_gmt":"2019-01-05T08:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nedforney.com\/?p=3387"},"modified":"2019-01-06T21:12:37","modified_gmt":"2019-01-06T12:12:37","slug":"hungnam-evacuation-featured-on-nbc-timeless","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nedforney.com\/index.php\/2019\/01\/05\/hungnam-evacuation-featured-on-nbc-timeless\/","title":{"rendered":"A “Timeless” Tribute to the Korean War"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Marines<\/p>\n

In one of the most unlikely events of holiday primetime television, the writers of \u201cTimeless,\u201d a science fiction drama series with a following of millions, showcased the Korean War\u2019s Hungnam Evacuation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The show\u2019s final episode, which aired on December 20 and highlighted the little-known military and humanitarian operation, became the talk of the town on social media sites and news outlets\u00a0across the country. It was even reviewed in Smithsonian<\/a> magazine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A Christmas Miracle<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The NBC program, which was in its second season, depicts people going back in time to to prevent the show\u2019s bad guys from changing history. In the finale, the characters are transported (via time machine, of course) to the North Korean port city of Hungnam, where tens of thousands of American GI\u2019s and North Korean refugees are boarding ships for the South. The Chinese army has surrounded Hungnam and will soon enter the city. Anyone left behind will be at the mercy of the communists, who are determined to make an example of civilians who have \u201ccollaborated\u201d with the Americans.<\/p>\n

In a testament to the Timeless<\/em> writers\u2019 research and attention to detail, the Hungnam scene is remarkably accurate. With little time to cover specifics of the withdrawal or tell the story of the Marine Corps\u2019 epic breakout from Chosin<\/a>, the viewers are at least given a glimpse into the importance of the evacuation and the suffering taking place there.<\/p>\n

\"Refugees

Servicemen watch as refugees board a ship at Hungnam. One hundred thousand refugees and 105,000 military personnel, with their equipment, supplies, and vehicles, were withdrawn from the port. (PC: US Navy)<\/p><\/div>\n

A Dedicated Team<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The writers also pay tribute to the team of Marine Corps and Navy amphibious experts who orchestrated the complex and unprecedented operation. Marine Colonel Edward H. Forney<\/a>, the officer responsible for the land side logistics and loading, makes an appearance.<\/p>\n

Portrayed in a sharp, professional, and no-nonsense manner (exactly the way he\u2019s depicted in history books), Forney represents the thousands of US military personnel on the ground, in the air, and at sea who played a role in the two-week long evacuation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Hyun Bong-hak, a Korean doctor attached to the US Army as an interpreter and civil affairs officer, is also portrayed in the episode. Born in Hamhung, a town just ten miles from Hungnam, Dr. Hyun had tirelessly advocated for the refugees, ensuring that thousands were rescued.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Refugees

Refugees waiting at Hungnam (PC: National Archives)<\/p><\/div>\n

“Everybody is Important”<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In a tribute to the real essence of the evacuation, Lucy, one of the show\u2019s main characters, is asked why they should risk their lives to help rescue a pregnant North Korean woman who has been separated from her family. She responds, \u201cWhat\u2019s the point of saving history if we don\u2019t save the people in it?\u201d<\/p>\n

And that really is what the entire Hungnam Evacuation is about: saving people. People who at the time were \u201cunimportant,\u201d a logistical headache, even a danger to the safety of our fighting men. But despite the inconveniences and the dangers involved, the men at Hungnam did what was right. As Lucy points out, “Everybody is important.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today there are a million descendants of those rescued at Hungnam who are living in freedom. And they\u2019re grateful. If the US servicemen at Hungnam hadn\u2019t saved their families, they would almost certainly be living under North Korea\u2019s totalitarian regime.<\/p>\n

\"A

A scene from “The Miracle of Christmas,” the season finale of Timeless.<\/p><\/div>\n

3.22 Million Viewers!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Thank you to the writers, producers, actors, and entire team at Timeless<\/em> for showing millions of people the importance of the sacrifices made by so many at the Hungnam Evacuation<\/a>. Viewers and critics alike hailed the episode as a huge success. The show\u2019s hashtag, #Timeless, was the number one trending hashtag in America – and number four in the world – during the broadcast.<\/p>\n

The Hungnam Evacuation, the largest amphibious evacuation of civilians, under combat conditions, in US military history, became a household word, albeit briefly, for over 3.22 million viewers on December 20. If you missed it, you can watch it on\u00a0NBC.<\/a> (The Miracle of Christmas<\/em>, episode 2, begins at approximately the 38-minute mark).\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\"USS
\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\tUSS Begor watches the demolition of Hungnam harbor on Dec. 24, 1951. The Americans destroyed the port as they left to prevent the Chinese from using it. (PC: US Navy)<\/p>\n

Top picture<\/strong>: Marines arriving in Hungnam after fighting their way from the Chosin Reservoir (PC: USMC).<\/p>\n