Combat· Korean War
Wolmi-do Landing
Wolmi-do, "Moon Tip Island," was the fortified island commanding the approaches to Inchon harbor, and it had to be taken before the main assault could go in.
Because Inchon's extreme tides allowed only a narrow morning window, the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines made a separate dawn landing to seize the island, then held it through the long hours of low tide while the rest of the division waited offshore for the evening high water. Preceded by days of air and naval bombardment, the Marines went ashore against a stunned garrison, fought across the island and its causeway to the smaller Sowolmi-do, and secured the high ground that dominated the landing beaches. The operation was swift and nearly bloodless, and the planting of the American flag on Wolmi-do signaled to the watching command that the great gamble at Inchon had begun successfully.
Record no. 607