Combat· Korean War
Han River Crossing
The Han River was the last major barrier before Seoul, and crossing it under fire was the first opposed river assault of the Korean War.
After clearing the south bank, the 5th Marines made the crossing in amphibian tractors, an initial reconnaissance swim having met heavy fire from the commanding heights on the far shore. The Marines pushed across the broad river and clawed out a bridgehead against North Korean troops dug into the hills overlooking the water, then fought to expand it toward the northwestern approaches to Seoul. The crossing demonstrated the value of the division's amphibian tractor units and its integrated air support, which worked over the far-bank defenses ahead of the assault waves. Securing the north bank set the stage for the final converging attack on the capital from the west and the south.
Record no. 610