Chosin Few Marine Corporal - Marion Charron - Korean War Veteran

Marion Charron, a veteran from Omaha, Nebraska, was honored at the Omaha VFW Post 2503 on November 7, 2013. He is the only remaining Nebraska survivor of the Chosin Few in the United States Marine Corp. Remembered for both his service to the United States during the Korean War and his ongoing commitment to volunteer work, Marion proudly serves his community  and carries on a tradition of giving back.

Memories of the Korean War

Mr. Charron served the United States during one of the worst war tragedies in our military history. As a United States Marine Corp Corporal, he fought with his men in North Korea on the Chosin Reservoir. For one grueling month, December, 1950, he led his squad of the 1st Marine Division, 4.2 Motor Company to reinforce the U.S. Army's 7th Division, as well as members of the British Royal Marine Commandos. With the addition of the Marine platoons, the United Nation troops on the Chosin Reservoir numbered 15,000.

During this time, the Chinese trapped those on the reservoir. With approximately 120,000 troops at their disposal, the Chinese managed to trap the forces into four main groups. With road blocks set up, and a superior advantage in many ways, the battle began in minus 30-degree weather, on November 27, 1950.

With the reinforcement, the U.N. troops fought their way through one road block after another. On December 11, platoons of Marines were reduced to squads of 9-12 men. Sick bays couldn't begin to serve the wounded. Those less critically injured were left outside in sub-zero weather, then covered with canvas and straw.

As the battle continued, temperatures dropped to minus 45-degrees below zero, winds reached 70 m.p.h., and snow flakes the size of a half dollar caused even greater suffering as frostbite hampered the troops even more.

During the night, the Marines were not permitted to start fires, and the pup and warming tents, which were not on-line, were poorly constructed as stakes couldn't be hammered into frozen ground.

As casualties mounted, and General Almond refused to send in additional reinforcements, the troops fought their way to the sea, bringing the dead and wounded with them.

Mr. Charron recalled the horror of watching the stunning assaults by the Chinese forces. Not only did they attack while the U. N. forces slept, but they would bomb the lead transport vehicle in a line of wounded, blowing it up and stopping forward movement. Then, the Chinese would surround the remaining transport vehicles, with the use of blow torches, would light all of the U.N. troops on fire, including those injured.

With a squad of 9 men, Mr. Charron set a brave example and continued to fight, despite having his ear drum blown out, and both his feet and right hand and arm severely frostbitten.

When the U.N. forces reached the sea, a bloody trail marked the battle's toll. Of the 15,000 allies that started this heroic episode, 12,000 died. Of those remaining, most suffered from frostbite and other injuries.

The photograph shows the 7th Infantry Division 155mm self-propelled howitzers near Sinhung protecting the perimeter around the seaport city of Hamhung during the withdrawal of the 1st Marine Division from the Chosin Resevoir.

According to the Britannica, the Chinese remained vague on their losses in the battle, but their own records and UNC estimates put the Ninth Army Group’s casualties in the range of 40,000 to 80,000, when one counts combat deaths and wounded plus deaths and incapacity from the cold. The 1st Marine Division lost 4,385 men to combat and 7,338 to the cold. Other X Corps losses amounted to some 6,000 Americans and Koreans.

Survival for these ground troops was due, not only to their own gallant valor, but also due to the support of the U.S. Navy, Marine and Air Force fliers.

This battle lead to 17 Medals of Honor, 70 Navy Crosses, and numerous Distinguished Service Crosses. Consequently, more honors were bestowed on these troops than any other battle in the United States' history.

Mr. Charron is the only remaining Nebraska Marine that is a member of the elite Chosin Few.  He is the President of the Great Plains Chapter of the Chosin Few, which includes the Marines, as well as members of the United States Army 7th and 27th Infantries.

Post War

Mr. Charron, and his wife, Charlene, enjoy traveling and volunteer work within the community, as well as the Omaha VFW Post 2503.

While initially a member of the American Legion in  February,1952, as well as the Valley, Nebraska VFW Post in 1952, in 1992, he transferred his membership in the Valley VFW Post to the Omaha VFW Post 2503 where he was honored with a Dove of Peace quilt.


An active volunteer, Mr. Charron volunteers at the Veterans' Hospital, as well as the Omaha VFW Post. Some of his dedication to the community comes back through the following experiences:

• VFW Post 2503 Building Committee for 10 years
• VFW Post 2503 Honor Guard from 1995 to present
• VFW Post 2503 Captain of the Honor Guard in 2000
• Driver of the 40&8 train
• Great Plains President of the Chosin Few of the Marines

The 40 & 8 is a veterans' organization that was founded after World War I. One contribution he shares with pride is the fact that more than 2,500 nurses received scholarships through the 40 & 8 program, in a forty-year period.

According to the Forty and Eight web site, the Forty & Eight was founded in 1920 by American veterans returning from France.  Originally an arm of The American Legion, the Forty & Eight became an independent and separately incorporated veteran's organization in 1960.  Membership is by invitation of honorably discharged veterans and honorably serving members of the United States Armed Forces.

The official emblem of the 40 & 8, the triangular shape suggests Veterans who served in the air, on land and at sea.

Mr. Charron not only is a member of this organization, but he is responsible for the maintenance, as well as driving, their parade train. Built around a 1962 Ford 2 ton pickup truck, the engine is featured in parades throughout the Omaha region.

The quilt includes blocks from quilters from across the country. The centerpiece is doves in the window. These doves represent a peaceful offering to the home.

 

According to VFW Post 2503

 

Marion served in the United States Marine Corps in Korea with the 4.2 Mortar Company, 7th Marine Regiment, First Marine Division in 1950  through 1951.  He spent 11 months in combat and  fought in combat at the Chosin Resevoir.  In the period between 27 November and 13 December 1950, 30,000 United Nations (UN) troops (nicknamed "The Chosin Few") under the command of Major General Edward Almond were encircled by approximately 600,000 Chinese troops under the command of Song Shi-Lun. Although Chinese troops managed to surround and outnumber the UN forces, the UN forces broke out of the encirclement while inflicting crippling losses on the Chinese.

Marion is a life member in the VFW since 1990 and joined  the Honor Guard in 1995 serving as its Captain in 2000 - 2001. He also has served and contributed much to Post 2503 in a variety of different ways.   Please congratulate Marion for his service to our country, the VFW and Post 2503.

Additional Resources

 

Mr. Charron shared fascinating books on the Korean War. For additional information, consider reading books, like these:

• The Korean War History and Tactics - Consultant Editor David Rees
• "To the Last Man!" Kulbes' Mongrels at the Chosin Reservoir, Korea, 1950 by Major Franklin D. R. Kestner, Sr. and James Livingston
• The Last Stand of Fox Company - by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
• Breakout the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, Korea, 1950 - by Martin Russ 
• Faces of War - Korean Vignettes