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\n\t\t\t\t![\"Marines](\"http:\/\/nedforney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Marines-at-Chosin.jpeg\" "\\"Marines")
\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t“We grunts never knew, one day from the next, where we were or what we were accomplishing. The mountains, valleys, stinking rice paddies, and frozen mountains all seemed the same to us. We were living and dying in our own violent little world.”\u00a0– Marine serving during the Korean War with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines<\/p>\n
The Darkhorse Battalion<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn a remarkable five-month period, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (3\/5) would make history. They would fight at the Pusan Perimeter, be the first to land at Inchon, help liberate Seoul, and play a key role in one of the Marine Corps epic engagements: The Battle of Chosin\u00a0Reservoir.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their hard-charging leader, Colonel Robert D. \u201cBob\u201d Taplett, a 6’2″ strapping World War Two veteran who “cared deeply about his men,”\u00a0would earn a Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, and the Legion of Merit during his time in Korea.\u00a0<\/p>\n
From August to December 1950, the men of \u201cDarkhorse\u201d Battalion (nicknamed in reference to Taplett\u2019s radio call sign \u201cDarkhorse Six”) distinguished themselves as fearless warriors, loyal brothers in arms, and, above all, dedicated Marines.<\/p>\n
![\"Taplett](\"http:\/\/nedforney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Taplett-recieces-Silver-Star.jpeg\")
Taplett is awarded a Silver Star for his actions on Wolmi-do. (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
The “Yellow Leggings\u201d Defend Pusan<\/strong><\/h2>\nAs members of 1st Marine Provisional Brigade, or the “Fire Brigade,” as it was called by the media, the Marines of 3\/5 left San Diego on July 14, 1950, and three weeks later landed at Pusan, South Korea. They were immediately sent to the Pusan Perimeter to help defend the last toehold of freedom on the Korean peninsula.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Taplett, a no-nonsense South Dakota native who had grown up during the Depression and joined the Marine Corps in 1940, spent the next four weeks leading his Marines as they attacked and counterattacked wherever the Army needed them. By the end of the first week of September, the 1st Provisional Brigade had lost over 150 men, with more than 700 wounded. The North Koreans had suffered an estimated 9,900 killed and wounded.<\/p>\n
The \u201cyellow leggings,\u201d as the North Koreans called the Marines, had played a decisive role in the defense of Pusan.<\/p>\n
![\"Marines](\"http:\/\/nedforney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Marines-on-the-gangway-with-yellow-leggings.jpeg\")
Marines leaving San Diego for South Korea. Notice the \u201cyellow leggings.\u201d (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
But stopping the North Koreans had taken its toll. Recalling the terrible plight of South Korean refugees, Taplett wrote in his book<\/a>, Dark Horse Six<\/em>:<\/p>\nWe came upon one of the most horrific sights I witnessed in Korea. A party of 30-40 women, children and old men fleeing from the carnage of war had been caught in a cross fire. Retreating Army tanks had run over the bodies, grinding up the remains in their treads.<\/em><\/p>\nWithin days of leaving Pusan, Taplett and his men were once again on Navy ships, this time headed for the largest amphibious operation of the war: the Inchon Landing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s It; Let\u2019s Go Get A Cup Of Coffee<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn the early morning hours of September 15, 1950, D-Day for the\u00a0Inchon<\/a>\u00a0invasion, the Marines of 3\/5, now part of 1st Marine Division, enjoyed what would be their last hot breakfast for weeks. They then climbed into waiting landing craft and began barreling their way towards Wolmi-do, a strategically-located island in Inchon harbor.<\/p>\nWith the US Navy’s big guns pounding the island and Corsairs flying overhead \u201cstrafing the beach with guns and bombs and hot empty shell casings falling on them,\u201d Taplett and his men hit the beach and\u00a0immediately went into action. Blowing up bunkers, blasting caves, and destroying pockets of enemy resistance, they secured the island in less than an hour.<\/p>\n
![\"3\/5](\"http:\/\/nedforney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Marines-on-Wolmi.jpeg\")
3\/5 Marines raise the American flag on Wolmi-do, while North Korean prisoners are guarded by onlooking Marines. (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
When General Douglas MacArthur, watching safely from his command ship in the harbor, saw Taplett\u2019s men raise the American flag over Wolmi-do, he exclaimed, \u201cThat\u2019s it; let\u2019s go get a cup of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his official radio message to the invasion fleet he said, “The Navy and Marines have never shone more brightly.\u201d For Taplett, it would prove to be one of the proudest moments of his Marine Corps career. <\/p>\n
By the end of the day, Inchon was under Marine control.<\/p>\n
With Heavy Hearts<\/strong><\/h2>\nOver the next two weeks, the Marines of 3\/5 made their way to Seoul and in vicious street-to-street, house-to-house fighting secured the war-torn city. On September 27, Taplett\u2019s Marines again raised the American flag, this time over the South Korean Capitol building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Taplett had pushed his Marines hard. Since landing at Wolmi-do, his battalion had killed 1,200 North Korean soldiers and captured more than 590. But their success had come at a high price.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith heavy hearts,\u201d Taplett later wrote, “we added up our lost comrades . . . and mourned the loss of four company commanders and fifty-four enlisted men killed in action (KIA) and seventeen officers and 289 Marines wounded in action (WIA).”<\/p>\n
![\"Col.](\"http:\/\/nedforney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Raising-US-flag-in-Seoul.jpeg\")
Col. Taplett\u2019s Marines raise the flag in Seoul, September 27, 1950. (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
A Frozen Bloody Hell<\/strong><\/h2>\nBy November, the Marines had made their way to the Chosin Reservoir<\/a>, a frozen lake deep in the snow-covered, wind-swept mountains of North Korea. Taplett and his men spent Thanksgiving day, November 23, eating frozen turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, and hoping they’d be home by Christmas, as MacArthur had promised. \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/nedforney.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Korean-War-Map-Wintery-Knight-243x300.png\")
But on the night of the 27th, the Chinese attacked in force. Thirty thousand Americans\u00a0were surrounded by 120,000 Chinese.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur winter wonderland changed abruptly to a frozen bloody hell,\u201d\u00a0Taplett wrote.<\/p>\n
Taplett is awarded a Silver Star for his actions on Wolmi-do. (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
The “Yellow Leggings\u201d Defend Pusan<\/strong><\/h2>\nAs members of 1st Marine Provisional Brigade, or the “Fire Brigade,” as it was called by the media, the Marines of 3\/5 left San Diego on July 14, 1950, and three weeks later landed at Pusan, South Korea. They were immediately sent to the Pusan Perimeter to help defend the last toehold of freedom on the Korean peninsula.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Taplett, a no-nonsense South Dakota native who had grown up during the Depression and joined the Marine Corps in 1940, spent the next four weeks leading his Marines as they attacked and counterattacked wherever the Army needed them. By the end of the first week of September, the 1st Provisional Brigade had lost over 150 men, with more than 700 wounded. The North Koreans had suffered an estimated 9,900 killed and wounded.<\/p>\n
The \u201cyellow leggings,\u201d as the North Koreans called the Marines, had played a decisive role in the defense of Pusan.<\/p>\n
Marines leaving San Diego for South Korea. Notice the \u201cyellow leggings.\u201d (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
But stopping the North Koreans had taken its toll. Recalling the terrible plight of South Korean refugees, Taplett wrote in his book<\/a>, Dark Horse Six<\/em>:<\/p>\nWe came upon one of the most horrific sights I witnessed in Korea. A party of 30-40 women, children and old men fleeing from the carnage of war had been caught in a cross fire. Retreating Army tanks had run over the bodies, grinding up the remains in their treads.<\/em><\/p>\nWithin days of leaving Pusan, Taplett and his men were once again on Navy ships, this time headed for the largest amphibious operation of the war: the Inchon Landing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That\u2019s It; Let\u2019s Go Get A Cup Of Coffee<\/strong><\/h2>\nIn the early morning hours of September 15, 1950, D-Day for the\u00a0Inchon<\/a>\u00a0invasion, the Marines of 3\/5, now part of 1st Marine Division, enjoyed what would be their last hot breakfast for weeks. They then climbed into waiting landing craft and began barreling their way towards Wolmi-do, a strategically-located island in Inchon harbor.<\/p>\nWith the US Navy’s big guns pounding the island and Corsairs flying overhead \u201cstrafing the beach with guns and bombs and hot empty shell casings falling on them,\u201d Taplett and his men hit the beach and\u00a0immediately went into action. Blowing up bunkers, blasting caves, and destroying pockets of enemy resistance, they secured the island in less than an hour.<\/p>\n
3\/5 Marines raise the American flag on Wolmi-do, while North Korean prisoners are guarded by onlooking Marines. (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
When General Douglas MacArthur, watching safely from his command ship in the harbor, saw Taplett\u2019s men raise the American flag over Wolmi-do, he exclaimed, \u201cThat\u2019s it; let\u2019s go get a cup of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his official radio message to the invasion fleet he said, “The Navy and Marines have never shone more brightly.\u201d For Taplett, it would prove to be one of the proudest moments of his Marine Corps career. <\/p>\n
By the end of the day, Inchon was under Marine control.<\/p>\n
With Heavy Hearts<\/strong><\/h2>\nOver the next two weeks, the Marines of 3\/5 made their way to Seoul and in vicious street-to-street, house-to-house fighting secured the war-torn city. On September 27, Taplett\u2019s Marines again raised the American flag, this time over the South Korean Capitol building.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Taplett had pushed his Marines hard. Since landing at Wolmi-do, his battalion had killed 1,200 North Korean soldiers and captured more than 590. But their success had come at a high price.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith heavy hearts,\u201d Taplett later wrote, “we added up our lost comrades . . . and mourned the loss of four company commanders and fifty-four enlisted men killed in action (KIA) and seventeen officers and 289 Marines wounded in action (WIA).”<\/p>\n
Col. Taplett\u2019s Marines raise the flag in Seoul, September 27, 1950. (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
A Frozen Bloody Hell<\/strong><\/h2>\nBy November, the Marines had made their way to the Chosin Reservoir<\/a>, a frozen lake deep in the snow-covered, wind-swept mountains of North Korea. Taplett and his men spent Thanksgiving day, November 23, eating frozen turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, and hoping they’d be home by Christmas, as MacArthur had promised. \u00a0<\/p>\nBut on the night of the 27th, the Chinese attacked in force. Thirty thousand Americans\u00a0were surrounded by 120,000 Chinese.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOur winter wonderland changed abruptly to a frozen bloody hell,\u201d\u00a0Taplett wrote.<\/p>\n
Marines leaving San Diego for South Korea. Notice the \u201cyellow leggings.\u201d (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n
But stopping the North Koreans had taken its toll. Recalling the terrible plight of South Korean refugees, Taplett wrote in his book<\/a>, Dark Horse Six<\/em>:<\/p>\n We came upon one of the most horrific sights I witnessed in Korea. A party of 30-40 women, children and old men fleeing from the carnage of war had been caught in a cross fire. Retreating Army tanks had run over the bodies, grinding up the remains in their treads.<\/em><\/p>\n Within days of leaving Pusan, Taplett and his men were once again on Navy ships, this time headed for the largest amphibious operation of the war: the Inchon Landing.\u00a0<\/p>\n In the early morning hours of September 15, 1950, D-Day for the\u00a0Inchon<\/a>\u00a0invasion, the Marines of 3\/5, now part of 1st Marine Division, enjoyed what would be their last hot breakfast for weeks. They then climbed into waiting landing craft and began barreling their way towards Wolmi-do, a strategically-located island in Inchon harbor.<\/p>\n With the US Navy’s big guns pounding the island and Corsairs flying overhead \u201cstrafing the beach with guns and bombs and hot empty shell casings falling on them,\u201d Taplett and his men hit the beach and\u00a0immediately went into action. Blowing up bunkers, blasting caves, and destroying pockets of enemy resistance, they secured the island in less than an hour.<\/p>\n 3\/5 Marines raise the American flag on Wolmi-do, while North Korean prisoners are guarded by onlooking Marines. (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n When General Douglas MacArthur, watching safely from his command ship in the harbor, saw Taplett\u2019s men raise the American flag over Wolmi-do, he exclaimed, \u201cThat\u2019s it; let\u2019s go get a cup of coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n In his official radio message to the invasion fleet he said, “The Navy and Marines have never shone more brightly.\u201d For Taplett, it would prove to be one of the proudest moments of his Marine Corps career. <\/p>\n By the end of the day, Inchon was under Marine control.<\/p>\n Over the next two weeks, the Marines of 3\/5 made their way to Seoul and in vicious street-to-street, house-to-house fighting secured the war-torn city. On September 27, Taplett\u2019s Marines again raised the American flag, this time over the South Korean Capitol building.\u00a0<\/p>\n Taplett had pushed his Marines hard. Since landing at Wolmi-do, his battalion had killed 1,200 North Korean soldiers and captured more than 590. But their success had come at a high price.<\/p>\n \u201cWith heavy hearts,\u201d Taplett later wrote, “we added up our lost comrades . . . and mourned the loss of four company commanders and fifty-four enlisted men killed in action (KIA) and seventeen officers and 289 Marines wounded in action (WIA).”<\/p>\n Col. Taplett\u2019s Marines raise the flag in Seoul, September 27, 1950. (PC: USMC)<\/p><\/div>\n By November, the Marines had made their way to the Chosin Reservoir<\/a>, a frozen lake deep in the snow-covered, wind-swept mountains of North Korea. Taplett and his men spent Thanksgiving day, November 23, eating frozen turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, and hoping they’d be home by Christmas, as MacArthur had promised. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOur winter wonderland changed abruptly to a frozen bloody hell,\u201d\u00a0Taplett wrote.<\/p>\nThat\u2019s It; Let\u2019s Go Get A Cup Of Coffee<\/strong><\/h2>\n
With Heavy Hearts<\/strong><\/h2>\n
A Frozen Bloody Hell<\/strong><\/h2>\n
But on the night of the 27th, the Chinese attacked in force. Thirty thousand Americans\u00a0were surrounded by 120,000 Chinese.\u00a0<\/p>\n