Frozen Hell: Marine on Close-quarters Combat Across Korea | Chosin Reservoir | Johnny M. Johnson

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  • čas přidán 29. 04. 2024
  • Sgt Johnny M. Johnson enlisted in his beloved Marine Corps in 1948, two short years later the Korean War broke out and Johnson found himself en route to the Korean Peninsula to be one of the first Marines in combat.
    Johnson would see his initial combat after landing at Pusan and to help drive the North Koreans back up the peninsula. He would participate in MacArthur's famed amphibious invasion of Inchon where he would experience intense hand-to-hand combat.
    Johnson and his fellow Marines would face their biggest hardship as they advanced North into North Korea and settled into a mountainous region surrounding a vast reservoir known as "Chosin". The Marines would quickly find themselves surrounded and outnumbered by Chinese soldiers and the battle that ensued would go down in Marine Corps lore.
    Interview recorded on November 4, 2023
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    Video Credits:
    Interviewer - Luke Ryan
    Director of Photography - Umit Gulsen
    Editor - Daniel Taksas

Komentáře • 115

  • @americanveteranscenter
    @americanveteranscenter  Před měsícem +5

    HISTORY LOVERS - before you comment, be sure to subscribe to this CZcams channel and ring the notification bell so you never miss a future upload!

    • @jacobsnyder6888
      @jacobsnyder6888 Před 2 dny

      you deserve all the like for what yall do even more so then any singer, actor or anyone for that matter

  • @user-bj7dj5rj5k
    @user-bj7dj5rj5k Před měsícem +156

    I am from South Korea. Thanks to you, all South Koreans, over 70% of all Koreans, are living freely. If it weren't for your help, my family and I would probably be living a terrible life in the worst country in the world. I truly appreciate it.

    • @karytrumble9145
      @karytrumble9145 Před měsícem +18

      My grandpa was there and survived Chosin. He died in the 90s, but we just recently found a very formal letter to him from the Korean government thanking him for helping to build schools and helping the people. I know my grandpa absolutely loved the Korean people. He said they were hard-working and kind and he admired them very much!

    • @JohnCarlson-vw6vx
      @JohnCarlson-vw6vx Před měsícem +6

      My dad served there in 52 developed frost bite on his feet. Couldn’t handle the cold weather back home. He never talked about his experience there other he didn’t care for the Chinese. He loved the Korean My wife dad served in the marine corp wouldn’t marry her mom until he returned didn’t want her to be a widow. You are very welcome they would both do it again. My dad passed away in 02 and my wife’s dad in 08.

    • @skwabo
      @skwabo Před měsícem +11

      Thank you for giving your valuable perspective. Some young Americans don't understand why we fought in wars overseas. It's important for us to have these reminders that we did the right thing.

    • @bryantdarris
      @bryantdarris Před měsícem +1

      👏🏽

    • @davidmc1489
      @davidmc1489 Před 16 dny +1

      I served there in the army in 19993-1994 at a place called camp stanley. South and east a bit of uijongbu. Loved my year there. They have closed that base along with others now.....kinda sad if ya ask me.

  • @whiskeymonk4085
    @whiskeymonk4085 Před měsícem +21

    "And here I am 93.... And I made it."
    Thats how you do it lads ❤

  • @shadowmihaiu
    @shadowmihaiu Před měsícem +24

    My father was in the 45th Infantry in Korea, wounded twice, once mistakenly listed as KIA. Listening to him and his veteran buddies as a kid, it was unbelievably savage. Hand-to-hand, for real, again and again. These men who might seem frail today, who might be otherwise gentle people, are true warriors. One if the things we owe them is to honor their service by aggressively protecting our liberties, and those of others, at home

  • @ThriftGestapo
    @ThriftGestapo Před měsícem +20

    I love the note of how the enemy “hadn’t fought any Marines yet.”
    They certainly knew they had fought some Marines afterwards! Thank you for your service!

    • @williamaraujo2603
      @williamaraujo2603 Před 14 dny +1

      Dad, a Marine, fought at Pusan, Inchon, Seoul and Chosin said they said " we don't mind fighting the Americans, the ones with leggings we don't like to fight."

  • @MrPapageorgio
    @MrPapageorgio Před měsícem +45

    My grandpa fought in Chosin. Military gave them stripper clips so he got frostbite from having to take his gloves off to hand load the en block magazine for his Garand. He said there was "waves of Chinese Soldiers" coming over the hills. They fought hand to hand under parachute flares and were just fighting to make it to day break so the airforce could fly in. He said he was trying to sleep in a foxhole when the tarp covering it suddenly disappeared and they saw a Chinese soldier holding it in the air on the end of his gun. They then got into close quarters fighting. He had to pile up his frozen friends. I miss you my Gunny.

    • @Jace-ew5si
      @Jace-ew5si Před měsícem +2

      Greatest generation! Never forget, GOD REST HIS SOUL!

    • @jethrox827
      @jethrox827 Před měsícem +1

      👍

  • @Dracsmolar
    @Dracsmolar Před měsícem +48

    Brother in law turned 18 on the troop ship headed to Korea 1950. Served for the duration then did two tours in Vietnam. RIP Bob.

  • @CowBoy_talk
    @CowBoy_talk Před měsícem +34

    My Grandpa was in Korea- 1st Cavalry Division, attached to the 77th field artillery battalion- he’s got some wild stories….

    • @treyhazel9010
      @treyhazel9010 Před měsícem +2

      Glad he made it back 2 tell em Semper Fi

    • @brendenharper9898
      @brendenharper9898 Před měsícem +3

      cavalry? that's gnarly stuff. you should share some of those stories I bet its crazy. Thanks to your gramps

    • @CowBoy_talk
      @CowBoy_talk Před měsícem +1

      I’ll give you guys two stories,

    • @CowBoy_talk
      @CowBoy_talk Před měsícem +4

      I don’t know exactly where he was at, But he said; him and his buddy Harvey were cleaning their M1 Garands, and they both heard the North Koreans marching on the other hill, and Harvey grabbed my Grandpa’s safety switch, and Harvey said he would give it back when he got back, My Grandpa teary eyed said the last time he saw Harvey was when he was carried out in a stretcher with a bullet wound in the middle of his eyes, and the back of his head blown out.

    • @thespicemelange.1
      @thespicemelange.1 Před měsícem

      My buddy's Dad was there too. I wonder if you knew him. His name was James Jondro. He has some crazy stories he would tell me. May God rest his soul.

  • @danflores8445
    @danflores8445 Před měsícem +17

    As a U.S. Army Combat Veteran Paratrooper, I Salute you with the upmost Respect and Gratitude. Every member of Congress, every politician, judge, mayor, law enforcement official and city council member should be required to hear this man’s story. This man’s story is a great example of Duty, Patriotism, Service, Sacrifice, Commitment and Courage.

    • @yorktown1953
      @yorktown1953 Před měsícem

      We simply no longer have a “Congress”, only a corporate entity representing corporations.

    • @tombob671
      @tombob671 Před měsícem +1

      Danflores8445 thanks for your service and a salute from this old Marine

    • @sharonrwilson2727
      @sharonrwilson2727 Před měsícem

      Yep

  • @chrisedgemon4943
    @chrisedgemon4943 Před měsícem +7

    my 95 yr old grandpa was a marine in Korea never really talked about it he did talk about being there during the peace talks really a shame they don't get the recognize they deserve he was drafted an eventually signed with the marines for a shorter tour cuz he was going either way he received a purple heart from catching shrapnel in the back

  • @delmccormack7001
    @delmccormack7001 Před měsícem +20

    These men have truly lived. Thank you all. Heroes are forged in extreme circumstance.

  • @dotell3359
    @dotell3359 Před měsícem +22

    From one veteran to another I salute you Sir. God bless.

  • @CaptainLysop
    @CaptainLysop Před měsícem +8

    Wow 93 years old!

  • @dexter255
    @dexter255 Před měsícem +8

    Man! They don’t make them like this anymore! What a group of men! So grateful and always faithful! God bless the marines he made them mean and green!❤

  • @janehall2720
    @janehall2720 Před měsícem +6

    I had an uncle, Gene Miller, in the service but I don't know which branch. I do know that he went missing for something like 6-8 weeks. He would not talk about. Maybe he was captured and got away, or he just got separated. He may have told him wife but our family didn't know. He has passed now.
    My other uncle served with the marines during WW2. He was in the Philippines and Japan. He watched them raise the flag at Ewojima (sp?). He spent time in fox holes and one night he was too hot so he slept outside. In the morning every man inside had been killed. He had PTSD very bad when he came home.
    Thank you for your service.

  • @williamaraujo2603
    @williamaraujo2603 Před měsícem +6

    Dad, Bill Araujo, B/1/11, also went to Pusan Perimeter w/1st Provisional Marine Brigade. He also fought at Inchon, Seoul and Chosin.

  • @Ilovesarahbforeva
    @Ilovesarahbforeva Před měsícem +8

    My grandfather was there with the 5th Marines I think thanks to all these men I have an amazing wife who is half Korean and 2 amazing kids

  • @L33Reacts
    @L33Reacts Před měsícem +6

    My grandpa and his brother (i guess my grand uncle) served in Korea. There is actually a book written about them called "The Windtalkers" (not the native american ones) about them putting up pirate radio stations for coms behind enemy lines. They were great men. My gramps and namesake lived to be 99 and he is so missed. Thank you for your service to all who served during Korea and all other conflicts.

  • @TwoHawksHunting
    @TwoHawksHunting Před měsícem +10

    Thank you and all the rest of the Korean War veterans for your valor and commitment. Semper Fidelis.

  • @HamCubes
    @HamCubes Před měsícem +20

    Thank you, Sgt. Johnny M. Johnson! 🙏❤️‍🔥🦅🌎⚓️
    I felt that right in me gut!

  • @sickowhale6861
    @sickowhale6861 Před měsícem +3

    People don't know how hellish the Korean war was, especially during the battle of Chosin. It is a literal winter version of WW l, and it is criminal that these heroes are not recognized as one of the hardest fellas who ever lived on earth! I'm Korean and I owe you so much, not just me, literal ALL of my fellos Koreans as well. If these gentlemen's family member see this comment, THANK YOU for your service, and you MUST know how it was like to fight in Korean during the war! It was more hardcore than any modern wars.

    • @sickowhale6861
      @sickowhale6861 Před měsícem

      Thanks to you we are all alive and not living under the horrible communist regime of the north!

  • @1vootman
    @1vootman Před 25 dny +2

    My father was in the 1st Battalion, Black Watch. He fought in Korea, and recently passed at the age of 92 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇲

  • @yorktown1953
    @yorktown1953 Před měsícem +9

    Outstanding 🫡 Thank You Marine ⚔️

  • @randyedmisten2895
    @randyedmisten2895 Před 14 dny +1

    My uncle, Verlynn Kukuk was a Marine fighting at the Chosin Reservior. He lost his arm and part of his foot. He was a farmer from South Dakota and rolled his own cigarettes one handed. I was born two years after the war ceased and my mother gave me part of his name, Lynn. I joined the U.S. Air Force and served 9 active years in Korea. My wife of 40 years is South Korean. God bless all these men who served in that terrible war that made it possible........

  • @user-lo6cf3df1x
    @user-lo6cf3df1x Před měsícem +5

    Korea the forgotten war our veterans paid dearly in that war

  • @xvsj5833
    @xvsj5833 Před měsícem +9

    Thank you Sir for your service, sacrifice and courage to fight against our enemies ❤ 🇺🇸 God Bless you, family and friends ❤️

  • @TUCOtheratt
    @TUCOtheratt Před měsícem +10

    Unapologetic American Valor! 😃👍

  • @anlerden4851
    @anlerden4851 Před měsícem +11

    Thank You so much for your service and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful USA!!! Dear American Marine Sir, Semper Fi!!!!!! ususususususus.....🥰😍🤗❤❤❤❤❤🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍💙💙💙💙💙💯🙏✝

  • @austinking5420
    @austinking5420 Před měsícem +5

    Man, imagine the fear running through your blood as you hide in a boxcar, hearing the cars around you getting cleared. God bless the marines.

  • @williamneumyer7147
    @williamneumyer7147 Před měsícem +8

    A comprehensive account of the "police action" is "The Forgotten War" by Clay Blair (1987).

  • @Doug3575
    @Doug3575 Před měsícem +2

    God Bless him.

  • @bryantdarris
    @bryantdarris Před měsícem +1

    🥲👏🏽🇺🇸Thank you for my freedom. South Koreans that I met love America and 🙏🏽 Pray for us. Thank you for telling your story and honoring your Fallen comrades.

  • @tig9495
    @tig9495 Před měsícem +1

    Thank you for making me and my family’s life peaceful and be able to do the things I do today

  • @Alienatedvasion
    @Alienatedvasion Před měsícem +1

    When my great grandfather died he died when I was like two years old maybe but I always ask my grandma and she always told me that he didn’t like to talk about it much. I wish he did because these stories are what I feel like the youth needs to be strong again.

  • @Ja_s-per
    @Ja_s-per Před měsícem +9

    🎇🇺🇲"God Bless Our Veterans and Active Warrior's!!!"🇺🇲🎇
    🫡

  • @jacobsnyder6888
    @jacobsnyder6888 Před 2 dny

    the end when hes talking about when they're going back to leave and said "chester puller hasn't went anywhere from where they landed and we marched in the camp singing the marine corp hymn" gave me goosebumps lol because i could only imagine how bad ass they looked marching in to that camp!!! God Bless this man his familyand all the men/women that fight for our freedom especially the ones that have gave their lives!

  • @MeALG.
    @MeALG. Před měsícem +4

    Gloves on for an interview...that man is a stone cold killer.

  • @jacobsnyder6888
    @jacobsnyder6888 Před 2 dny

    you deserve all the like for what yall do even more so then any singer, actor or anyone for that matter

  • @abrahamornelas160
    @abrahamornelas160 Před měsícem +2

    Respect due.

  • @4catsnow
    @4catsnow Před měsícem +2

    Harry Truman couldn't, or wouldn't step up here..and guys like this really caught it....

  • @inesborstel5592
    @inesborstel5592 Před měsícem

    Thanks!!

  • @JohnThreeSixteen918
    @JohnThreeSixteen918 Před měsícem +2

    👏 Brilliant. Thanks much for this excellent series. I just love watching/listening to these fellas as I go about my daily chores...they colour my day!

  • @johngrogan7585
    @johngrogan7585 Před 21 dnem

    Thank you Sir

  • @pirpin
    @pirpin Před měsícem +6

    Does anyone know of anyway I could reach out to this man? I would like to write a book on some of his stories from the Korean War.

  • @ronaldedson496
    @ronaldedson496 Před 23 dny +1

    Worked with a guy who was part of the lost platoon who discovered the Chinese at Chosin reservoir.

  • @whiskeymonk4085
    @whiskeymonk4085 Před měsícem +2

    All this war buisness has to end. Lets all pray in our individual faiths that we can become wise enough squash it.

  • @Threestars307
    @Threestars307 Před měsícem +1

    My grandpa mark soldierwolf was in the Korean war, hand to hand fighting is crazy fr the Marines are a force to fight several million Chinese

  • @boblevey
    @boblevey Před měsícem

    God Bless you, and He did🙏🏼

  • @jenBaker707
    @jenBaker707 Před měsícem +3

    God Bless you Mr Johnson

  • @patrickheavirland3599
    @patrickheavirland3599 Před měsícem +1

    Semper Fi sir!

  • @FitnessPlanB
    @FitnessPlanB Před 16 dny

    The power of the hymn is still liiving

  • @rockitsurjon8629
    @rockitsurjon8629 Před dnem

    Thank you Korean War veterans. The Korean War Memorial in DC is quite something to behold at sunup with nobody around. I found it to be an honorable tribute.

  • @jamesmounce3242
    @jamesmounce3242 Před měsícem +4

    I am shocked that men survived this war.

  • @345Weeehrs
    @345Weeehrs Před měsícem +4

    I MADE IT!

  • @LprogressivesANDliberals

    The forgotten war we Americans forget about. Chosin res is a battle I will always remember. Don’t forget we pushed to far north and that battle was because upper management got to greedy!! Thank you marines for fighting and serving

  • @345Weeehrs
    @345Weeehrs Před měsícem +5

    TRUE AMERICAN HEROS

  • @alextaylor29
    @alextaylor29 Před měsícem +2

    Thank you US Marines!

  • @thespicemelange.1
    @thespicemelange.1 Před měsícem +1

    Wow

  • @ronaldedson496
    @ronaldedson496 Před 23 dny

    Marine corps commandant personal representative was Major General Merritt Austin Edson 1897-1955 USMC.

  • @reggiegesmundo7043
    @reggiegesmundo7043 Před měsícem

    Chosin, Toktiong pass legendary

  • @garymckee63
    @garymckee63 Před měsícem +7

    Damn right they never fought any UNITED STATES MARINES 🇺🇸

  • @omarrp14
    @omarrp14 Před 18 dny +2

    Back when the COVID vaccine first came out I was on orders helping in the process of people getting vaccinated.
    I registered a Marine vet that landed in Incheon and fought in Seoul. I told him about how awesome Seoul is now, and how it wouldn’t have happened if not for him. Korea has been my favorite duty station so far, the war will never be forgotten to me.

  • @debbiannelauper4402
    @debbiannelauper4402 Před měsícem

    Do you remember Harold Lauper?

  • @user-ud2jj2dg3l
    @user-ud2jj2dg3l Před měsícem

    Id like to know if these Marines could still qualify with there rifle

  • @garymcgoff6946
    @garymcgoff6946 Před měsícem +2

    Praise Jesus!

  • @g-man2228
    @g-man2228 Před měsícem

    🇺🇸

  • @markoj3512
    @markoj3512 Před měsícem +2

    🫡

  • @CaptainLysop
    @CaptainLysop Před měsícem +1

    Was that old man just a civilian ? 😮 15:32

    • @johe90
      @johe90 Před měsícem +2

      He had a concealed weapon so he shouldn’t have been a dumb azz

    • @ddial1982
      @ddial1982 Před měsícem +2

      Larry didn’t think so.
      That’s good enough for me.

    • @user-tx3xy7lw6w
      @user-tx3xy7lw6w Před měsícem +4

      ​@johe90 only if you interpret decorative ornaments as a weapon lol. Seems to me like it was just a walking cane.

    • @sharonrwilson2727
      @sharonrwilson2727 Před měsícem

      ​@u3ser-tx3xy7lw6w 3 ft. Sword!!!

  • @indy500tabasco8
    @indy500tabasco8 Před měsícem

    👽👽👽👽🌎👽👽👽👽

  • @SahrulHidayat-gl9el
    @SahrulHidayat-gl9el Před 24 dny

    To pecegah perang

  • @fiscalcpiano
    @fiscalcpiano Před měsícem

    Gut-wrenching story.

  • @SahrulHidayat-gl9el
    @SahrulHidayat-gl9el Před 24 dny

    Yes to idepen media to inggris agais pbb nato getelis

  • @JohnvonLovehq743
    @JohnvonLovehq743 Před měsícem

    How You Can Have Eternal Life ! Realize you are a sinner being sorry. Sin is lying, evil thoughts, lust,etc. Therefore, do not trust in your own works to go to heaven because you realize, being a sinner, you cannot offer the perfect blood sacrifice that God requires to pay for sin. Instead, believe, meaning fully trust, that in Christ's love for you, on the cross, His one perfect blood sacrifice, when Christ bled, suffered and died, in your place, paid for your sins in full, past, present and future ! Believe that Jesus rose from the dead ! Believe Jesus is God Almighty, God the Son, alive for evermore ! And believe that the sinless blood of Jesus Christ is what cleanses you from all sin, which purifies your soul ! Then the Lord Jesus will forgive you,save you from hell and give you eternal life ! And you will be sealed with the Holy Spirit who will dwell within you forever! And thank Jesus ! Rom.3:25,5:8,9,10:9 Rev.1:5,Ephes.1:7,13,4:30, Heb.10:10-14,19,38,39 I John 5:7,13,20

  • @jessejames7757
    @jessejames7757 Před měsícem

    You murder a old man.

    • @mghayes9489
      @mghayes9489 Před měsícem

      The "old man" was holding a 3' long sword in his hand. They stopped the old man from murdering them when they turned their backs on him.
      ..."they have eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear." 🥺

  • @Flibbybibby
    @Flibbybibby Před měsícem

    Officers were all real smart… Well that must exclude the two officers that were passengers in the jeeps driving down the middle of a road in a war zone. Derp