Customer Reviews

The Outpost War: U.S. Marines in Korea, Vol. 1: 1952

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A Marine Korean War combat veteran, Lee Ballenger has gone far toward filling a major gap in the history of the "forgotten war." Almost all Korean War books dealing with the Marine Corps are about the epic fighting withdrawal from the Chosin. It would almost seem that the stalemate that followed was not worth mentioning. In fact, when the 1st Marine Division was assigned responsibility for western Korea in an extended front known as the Jamestown Line, there was almost constant sharp fighting. The difference was that the conflict was rarely on a grand scale, but rather sharp, short, and vicious fights, often hand to hand. This book is the first of two volumes to chronicle the Marines and their new kind of war. Trained to assault and aggressively attack, the Marines found themselves in static positions, frequently patrolling, but most often in defensive battles for outposts.

This is a very good book and long overdue. Most of the information in it is seeing print for the first time and the personal accounts of the fighting are well presented. One of the better recollections is LT William Watson's account of the fighting on Bunker Hill and the Hook. Also of interest was the use of armor in the fighting and patrolling.

Like my war, Vietnam, Korea saw a lot of responsibility placed on the shoulders of young sergeants and lieutenants and the very young grunts. Even the upper level mismanagement (I won't dignify it by calling it leadership) was reminiscent of Vietnam. This book is a valuable recounting of a neglected part of our military heritage, a time when the property fought for was not as important as the killing done to hold or retake it. Any Marine-- indeed, any American -- should be proud what was done in the Outpost War. Semper Fi, Mr. Ballenger. I look forward to Volume Two.

Lee Ballenger has written an important work in this first book, and his decision to produce another as a sequel covering the final stages of the Korean War is admirable. For a first-time author, this initial book is a major achievement. It is rich in coverage and attention to chronological and geographical detail. No other comparable written work is available to the researcher on the "forgotten part of the forgotten war" -- Korea 1952-1953. Ballenger gives the Marines earned respect with his recognition of the tactical role played by the First Division of the Corps in defending the Imjin River line in the last 2 years of the war. As an amateur military historian and former Marine, I salute Lee Ballenger and his efforts. His book will have a prominent place in my personal library. It belongs in many others.

....This Marine author has zeroed in on the final two [2] years of the Korean WAR Victory, why Victory??...it was just that, ask any combat Marine who fought and survived that WAR. Most all Americans thought the WAR was over after the 1st Marine Division's heroic/fighting withdrawl from the Chosin Reservoir sector, far from it...the WAR raged on for almost two [2] years later; in fact, Marine casualties far exceeded what happenned up on the Reservoir, our Marine blood flowed/gushed just as red, I kid you naught...this is the beauty of Sgt Lee Ballenger's two [2] revealing volumes, which Ballenger shines light on 1952 and 1953 on what the hell was going on the Western Front 40-50 miles north of Seoul until an uneasy truce was signed on 27Jul53...this is indeed a tome to fill in the gaps for eternal miltary history...the author researched every one of his chapters through the US Marine Command Diaries so diligently collated; in addition, the writer brings you into each combat situation as if you were a recent replacement...his penchant for this attribute is unique compared to alot of historical books on Korea, men of the pen, who were not directly involved; conversely, Lee was a Marine combat tanker with much Recon stealth and ability. Another attraction is his military acumen to cover Marine Tank Bn sorties which took place every single day or nite, if so required...it's a wonderful read of bad and good times in mortal/close combat or in the mischievious Reserve Areas when Asiatic Marine types act up due to the stressors of too much combat...I love this book as if it was mine...thank you, Sgt Ballenger for shedding more light on this other Korean WAR, it was Harry-[S]-Truman's WAR which he was totally incapable of stopping...it's rarified air being a survivor to Bon Voyage out of Korea..who am I??...I invite you to read Chapter 3..[thank you]......Sgt Lee Ballenger-USMC..."Well Done, Marine"......SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

The war in Korea was the first war fought with the spectre of nuclear weapons hanging over the belligerents. It began with a lightning strike when the forces of North Korea attacked the south and was followed by landings at Inchon that turned the tide and the U. N. forces moved rapidly northward and nearly occupied the entire peninsula. The forces of the People's Republic of China then entered the war and drove the U. N. forces southward. After these initial large movements, the war settled down to one of grinding attrition roughly along the original line of demarcation. This account of the war covers the latter years after it had settled into a miniature version of World War I, where each side was dug in and the action was reduced to small scale raids and probes of the other sides positions.
The coverage is specifically of the 1st Marine Division that was dug in on the Jamestown line in western Korea. Trained to be aggressive attackers, the marines had to adapt to the situation of positional warfare where the goal is to inflict casualties on the enemy and hold their position rather than gain territory.
Since the fighting was reduced to small-scale actions, the personal tales generally recount actions by squads and platoons over a small piece of land that repeatedly changed hands. The fighting is very personal and brutal, while air and artillery power was used, in most cases it was very close quarter fighting where the soldiers on both sides saw their enemy and watched him die. Chinese soldiers are depicted as a tough and tenacious foe, willing to take mass casualties in order to kill U. S. marines.
The Korean War is often called "The Forgotten War" and relegated to a historical footnote. Some of this is due to the fact that it was by necessity a war with limited purpose, namely to return to the status quo of a country split at the original line of demarcation. With no clear winner, loser or national humiliation at the end, it is also largely misunderstood. Yet, it was not lacking in death or courage and these stories are told by the soldiers on the United Nations side that killed and were killed.

Very well written and researched by some one who was there. I will rewrite this review over weekend when I have more time. Great book.