The Last Stand of Fox Company
The Last Stand of Fox Company
1. In as few words as possible, what is this book about?
This book is a true story about a company from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, during the Chosin Reservoir in November of 1950 when China was getting involved in the Korean War. The company had to hold a hill so that other Marine units could fight their way clear of the Chinese and make it to the coast to get out of North Korea.
2. What made you want to read it?
It was suggested that I read it by my leadership.
3. Did it live up to your expectations? Why? Why not?
The book lived up to my expectations by creating a very impressive and detailed depiction for me of not only the Korean War, but also old-school Marine Corps combat tactics; i.e. using an e-tool to deflect incoming grenades and other hand-to-hand tactics. The book was very realistic and made me feel like I was right there in Captain Barber’s company.
4. Did you learn anything new? If so, what?
I learned a lot of history of the Korean War. I learned much about the importance of the 38th parallel.
5. Which part of the book did you find most interesting?
What I found most interesting about the book was the various effects of the subzero temperatures and how the Fox Company Marines learned to endure and survive the savage conditions. One of the major health concerns and causes of fatality was the widespread frostbite. They slept in the ice and snow and lived mostly off of crackers and candy. Some of the effects on their equipment was how the firing pins on many of their weapon systems were frozen solid and even some of the grenades that they threw would not explode. Another instance in the book that interested me was how they had to put syringes of morphine in their mouths to warm the medicine before it could be administered.
6. Did this book inspire you to want to do more research on the subject? Why? Why not?
7. Would you recommend it to a friend or another Marine? Why? Why not?
1. In as few words as possible, what is this book about?
This book is a true story about a company from 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, during the Chosin Reservoir in November of 1950 when China was getting involved in the Korean War. The company had to hold a hill so that other Marine units could fight their way clear of the Chinese and make it to the coast to get out of North Korea.
2. What made you want to read it?
It was suggested that I read it by my leadership.
3. Did it live up to your expectations? Why? Why not?
The book lived up to my expectations by creating a very impressive and detailed depiction for me of not only the Korean War, but also old-school Marine Corps combat tactics; i.e. using an e-tool to deflect incoming grenades and other hand-to-hand tactics. The book was very realistic and made me feel like I was right there in Captain Barber’s company.
4. Did you learn anything new? If so, what?
I learned a lot of history of the Korean War. I learned much about the importance of the 38th parallel.
5. Which part of the book did you find most interesting?
What I found most interesting about the book was the various effects of the subzero temperatures and how the Fox Company Marines learned to endure and survive the savage conditions. One of the major health concerns and causes of fatality was the widespread frostbite. They slept in the ice and snow and lived mostly off of crackers and candy. Some of the effects on their equipment was how the firing pins on many of their weapon systems were frozen solid and even some of the grenades that they threw would not explode. Another instance in the book that interested me was how they had to put syringes of morphine in their mouths to warm the medicine before it could be administered.
6. Did this book inspire you to want to do more research on the subject? Why? Why not?
7. Would you recommend it to a friend or another Marine? Why? Why not?