H.Res. 912

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 912 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 912

Recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir 
during the Korean conflict.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 25, 2025

Mr. Issa submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir 
during the Korean conflict.

Whereas, between November 27, 1950, and December 13, 1950, a combined force of 
over 100,000 United Nations troops under the command of X Corps, 
including the 1st Marine Division, the 3d Infantry Division, the 7th 
Infantry Division, Regimental Combat Team 31, the Republic of Korea I 
Corps, and supported by aviators of the United States Air Force, Navy, 
and Marine Corps, as well as sailors of United States 7th Fleet afloat 
in the Sea of Japan, conducted combat operations against North Korean 
forces, north of the 38th parallel on the Korean Peninsula;
Whereas United Nations forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, 
United States Army, and X Corps Commander Major General Edward M. 
Almond, United States Army, with Major General Oliver P. Smith, United 
States Marine Corps, leading the 1st Marine Division, were encircled by 
an estimated 150,000 enemy troops of the Chinese People's Volunteers, 
fully intent on destroying X Corps and all associated United Nations 
forces;
Whereas the forces of X Corps were spread across over 170 miles from the Port of 
Hungnam to the village of Hagaru-ri and the westernmost positions in 
Yudam-ni;
Whereas, in addition to the geographically disbursed nature of the forces, the 
supply and logistics issues were compounded by a cold front that arrived 
in mid-November, bringing with it subzero temperatures that plummeted as 
cold as 25 degrees below zero Fahrenheit across the snow-covered 
mountains, icy roads, and wind-swept cliffs, making every skirmish, 
firefight, and attack during the long days and sleepless nights a 
nightmare beyond the men's wildest dreams;
Whereas the United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division, under the leadership 
and resolve of Major General Smith, fought their way south through 
multiple Chinese roadblocks to a defensive perimeter at Hagaru-ri, 
holding the vital Toktong Pass long enough to extricate two regiments of 
Marines, and executed a breakout to the coast with the assistance of 7th 
Fleet naval gunfire while evacuating their wounded and equipment while 
preserving unit cohesion;
Whereas the fighting spirit of the Marines of 1st Marine Division that fueled 
and enabled the historic retrograde under nearly unbearable conditions 
and against all odds was captured most succinctly by the press in the 
famous quote from Major General Smith, ``Retreat, hell, we're just 
attacking in a different direction.'';
Whereas the Marines successful breakout owed much to the courage of individual 
rifle companies and the small unit leaders, such as Fox Company, 2d 
Battalion, 7th Marines, under the command of Captain William E. Barber, 
a veteran of World War II and the Battle of Iwo Jima, where he had 
earned a Silver Star;
Whereas Captain Barber and the Marines of Fox Company, 2d Battalion, 7th Marines 
held Toktong Pass against overwhelming assaults for six days and five 
consecutive nights, ensuring the main column of Marines could withdraw;
Whereas the United States Army's Regimental Combat Team 31, later commanded by 
Lieutenant Colonel Don C. Faith, Jr., United States Army, was encircled 
east of the reservoir near the village of Sinhung-ni, fought with 
extraordinary valor under extreme conditions, and suffered devastating 
casualties, with only a fraction of its 2,500 men reaching friendly 
lines;
Whereas elements of the 3d Infantry Division provided a critical rear guard at 
the port of Hungnam, enabling the safe evacuation of X Corps, more than 
100,000 civilian refugees, and vast quantities of equipment and materiel 
during the Hungnam Evacuation, referred to colloquially as ``Operation 
Christmas Cargo'';
Whereas United States Air Force and Navy aviators flew more than 4,000 close-air 
support sorties in support of X Corps during the battle, delivering 
decisive airstrikes that kept open vital supply routes and blunted wave 
after wave of enemy offensives;
Whereas, throughout the 17 days of bitter combat, United States forces suffered 
more than 10,500 battle casualties and more than 7,310 nonbattle 
casualties, primarily frostbite and cold injury due to a lack of 
sufficient quantities of cold weather gear, with countless soldiers and 
Marines fighting in bare feet after frostbitten boots were removed, or 
leaping from sleeping bags to resist night assaults;
Whereas, by December 24, 1950, the final United Nations forces evacuated 
Hungnam, extracting more than 105,000 troops, 17,500 vehicles, and 
350,000 tons of cargo, along with nearly 100,000 Korean civilians 
fleeing Communist control;
Whereas 13 Medals of Honor and 78 Service Crosses were awarded for actions at 
the Chosin Reservoir, making it the second most decorated battle in 
United States history after the Battle of the Bulge;
Whereas the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir is an 
occasion to honor the courage, endurance, and sacrifice of both the 
United States Marine Corps and the United States Army, who together 
demonstrated valor and perseverance in one of the most grueling 
campaigns in American military history; and
Whereas the people of the United States are encouraged to observe December 1, 
2025, as ``Chosin Few Day'' with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
activities: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the 
Chosin Reservoir, which lasted from November 27, 1950, to 
December 13, 1950;
(2) honors the United States Marine Corps, the United 
States Army, the United States Navy, the United States Air 
Force, and allied members of the Armed Forces who fought 
valiantly in the campaign;
(3) commemorates the sacrifices of Army units, including 
Regimental Combat Team 31 and the 7th Infantry Division, and 
the extraordinary valor of the 1st Marine Division in executing 
one of the most storied fighting withdrawals in American 
history;
(4) remembers the members of the Armed Forces who gave 
their lives, and the thousands who endured frostbite, wounds, 
or captivity;
(5) recognizes the strategic importance of the Hungnam 
evacuation in saving lives, preserving combat power, and 
ensuring future success in the Korean conflict; and
(6) reaffirms the Nation's enduring gratitude to all who 
served during the Korean conflict, members of the Armed Forces 
who have defended the Nation and the freedoms of its citizens 
since 1950, and to those who continue to serve in the Armed 
Forces of the United States today, defending the homeland and 
the Nation's national security interests abroad.
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