Combat· Korean War
Yudam-ni Breakout
The breakout from Yudam-ni was the first and most difficult stage of the division's fighting withdrawal to the sea.
The 5th and 7th Marines, surrounded at the western tip of the advance, had to turn and fight their way back along the single mountain road to Hagaru-ri, every ridge above the route held by the Chinese. Rather than batter straight down the road, a battalion made an audacious night march over the snow-covered peaks to relieve the defenders of Toktong Pass and unhinge the enemy positions from the high ground, while the main column ground forward against roadblocks below. The Marines brought out their vehicles, their wounded, and their dead in a column that fought for every mile. Reaching Hagaru-ri intact, having beaten the blocking forces on the heights, was the achievement that proved the encircled division could break the trap.
Record no. 618