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thedrifter
04-06-04, 07:47 AM
Marines re-create Inchon Landing

By Nathan Smith
The Daily News

Published April 04, 2004

GALVESTON — There were no artillery explosions in the sand. The Corsair fighter planes buzzing overhead did not crackle with machine gun fire. But the re-enactment of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Korean War landing at Inchon near Galveston’s East Beach on Saturday was still real enough to bring tears to the eyes of a few Marines who couldn’t help but remember.

The re-enactment, the first of its kind in Galveston, was organized by the Houston chapter of The Chosin Few, a Korean War veterans organization of Marines who battled Communist forces near the Chosin Reservoir in the Korean Mountains near Manchuria. They are called the “Chosin Few” because so few survived the onslaught and freezing temperatures Marines endured during the months-long engagement.

The Inchon landing represented the beginning of the turn in the war when nearly 70,000 troops cut off North Korean supply routes and paths of retreat near Seoul.

Current Marines re-enacted the beach landing using modern amphibious vehicles and vintage Korean War-era aircraft to re-create the atmosphere faced by the Chosin Few.

“We want to show people that this is what happened 50 years ago, that this is what it was like for us,” said Harvey Dannhaus, a Galvestonian and member of the Chosin Few. “With all the turmoil in the world today, you have to remember one thing: These men were protecting their country, and these young people here from the corps are the ones that are doing it today.”

More than 20 men and women from the 23rd Regiment, 4th Marine Division stormed the Seawall at 10 a.m. Saturday. A drill team and color guard from Texas A&M University at Galveston also performed at the event.

Most of the 100 or so spectators who watched knew or were related to someone who had served in Korea. Becky Roberds accompanied her father-in-law, Phil Roberds, a member of the Chosin Few, to the event.

“He’s a great man,” said Roberds, as she watched him line up for a photo with Marines from two generations. “Korea is sort of the forgotten war. This is a good way to remind people of the men who gave their lives there. Look at that, you’ve got Marines of every color, every age. That’s America.”

The youngest member on hand from the Chosin Few was 70. But the re-enactment still stirred powerful feelings in the veterans. Harry Bockemeyer was with the first landing of Marines that was hit by Communist forces.

“This is quite an honor,” said Bockemeyer as tears welled up in his eyes. “(The landing) was an impossible job, and we got it done. Once a Marine, always a Marine.”

Many of the veterans said that only other Marines could fully appreciate what they had been through on the Korean Peninsula, and the respect shared between the Marines young and old at the event was apparent.

“These young men are the pride of the corps,” said Bockemeyer. “We’re proud of them.”

A portrait of a platoon of Marines in action was presented by the Chosin Few to thank the re-enactors. Staff Sgt. John McInerney, one of the Marines who re-enacted the landing, said no thanks were necessary.

“Between Marines of any generation, there’s a bond right off the bat,” said McInerney. “For the Marine Corps, one of our strong suits is the tradition and history of the corps. It’s a full legacy, and our history makes us who we are.

“This is just a way for us to let the public know what these men did for their country and help them understand what they were fighting for.”

http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?wcd=19314


Ellie