A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat - The Last Stand of Fox Company

Fantastic story about a Marine company which withstood attack after attack from the Chinese Army in Korea. They were greatly outnumbered and suffering from unimaginable cold weather yet held on to a vital passage point for the Marines and Army units to escape from the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. Very well written and almost places you on the battlefield with Fox Company; a place I would never want to be in my worst nightmares. Semper Fi Marines. You excelled at adding another brick in the wall of honor that Marines have been building for over 240 years.

Just incredible feat of arms told in very readable way. The bravery of those
"Gyrenes" takes your breath away. And the ending when the few survivors of
march into Pusan perimeter singing the Marene Corps Hymn brought tears to
my eyes. A must read for anyone interested in the Korean War

My uncle fought in Korea as a Marine and after reading the book and talking with him he confirmed the story and the conditions that they had to fight in.
The book makes great reading for those who wish to geat an idea as to what it was like to fight in Korea.

A powerful, well researched account of a Marine company's battle in the Korean War. It details how 200 men, isolated and alone in 30-below cold, held a critically vital hill against seemingly overwhelming odds. That they ultimately prevailed is a testament to the professionalism and courage of the U.S. Marines at the Chosin Reservoir.

This account is simply excellent, representing not only the facts but also conveying something of the feelings of the men who fought it. This battle deserves to be much better known outside of the Marines.

Without Fox Company's successful and incredible stand holding the pass, history might be much different and nuclear weapons might well be something used every decade or so. At the very least, the Korean War would be in our Loss column rather than our Draw column.

THIS BOOK WAS EXTREMELY EXCITING AND ACCURATE IN ALL ASPECTS. IT BROUGHT TO LIFE THE PROBLEMS FACINGS THE UNITS. NOT ONLY FROM A MILITARY POINT OF VEIW, BUT FROM A HUMAN VEIW POINT. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND THAT ALL HUMANS,BE THEY AMERICANS OR CHINESE, COULD ENDURE THE DEPRAVATIONS UNDER SUCH HARDSHIPS. THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ.

It was an especially meaningful story for me because I knew both then-Captain Barber and then-Lt.Col Davis. These two leaders of Marines saved the lives of thousands of other Marines and some soldiers of the US Army as well.

Reading this book was like reading an action novel. The author puts you right in the action that the Marines were going through. Some military history books are a slow read, but this isn't one of them. A very good book.

Very detailed, personal account of a battle that I had not know much about. After going through this account, it really makes me wonder about the fortitude of the people populating our watered-down military of today. Unfortunately, I doubt they could have coped in the same conditions that Fox Company faced.

Loved it. It takes you to the battlefield and into the action. The descriptions of the winter and the battles try to give you a perfect idea on how it was out there and how it felt. Only experiencing it yourself would provide a better idea. A very good read.

A great read about a very critical engagement. Had Fox Company fallen many more Marines would have been trapped and possibly faced annihilation or capture by the ChiComs. A military history enthusiast will enjoy the detail the author provides about troop placement and the unfolding of the battle. If you are ignorant about the Korean War and the sacrifices our soldiers and marines made, this book will provide solid insight into the hardships they were able to overcome and the overwhelming numerical advantage of the enemy.

A great story ruined by two authors who didn't know what they were writing about. The editors and proofreaders were idiots! Many, many historical errors along with absolutely stupid comments ruined what should have been a great book!

In November 1950, 246 U.S. Marines of Fox Company, outnumbered by thousands of Chinese soldiers, defended a rocky promontory overlooking the Toktong Pass during the Korean War. The pass provided the strategic withdrawal of 10,000 Marines surrounded near the Chosin Reservoir. For four days and five nights, the Chinese attacked relentlessly but the Marines held them off, often engaging in fierce hand-to-hand combat. Three-quarters of Fox company were either killed, wounded, or captured. Battle descriptions put the reader into the foxholes with the Marines. Here is an excerpt:

"Captain Barber watched them come. He assumed the advancing Chinese troops were the remnants of five companies that had been torn up by howitzer shrapnel in the woods skirting West Hill. He studied his defensive perimeter. From his vantage point looking down the hill, slightly to his left, were his heavy machine gunners and, to their left, the lowest foxholes of the First Platoon Marines, perhaps forty yards back from the road. To his right were the men from the Second Platoon who had ambushed the enemy squad from beneath their white blankets. They were now back in their holes and had again pulled their blankets over them. As usual, Jack Page's heavy machine gun was the first to let loose. He slapped the hatch shut, double-primed the gun, and squeezed off two long bursts followed by a shorter burst. He toppled the first row of Chinese, who were just stepping onto the road. Jim Holt on the other heavy gun followed Page's cue, as did the two light machine gunners on either side of the slope. Then every Marine rifle and BAR in between opened up.
It was a slaughter.
The bodies of the first two rows of attackers lay fanned out across the MSR in the same formations in which they had charged. As the third, fourth, and fifth files became entangled in the corpses, many Chinese turned and ran. But the 60-mm mortarmen lifted a brace of illumination rounds -- 220,000 candlepower of light turning night into day -- while 81-mm mortars tore into the rear of the Chinese ranks.
Those who had fled turned to charge again. They were mowed down. The few Chinese left alive tried to take shelter beneath the wall of the cut. They were showered with rolling hand grenades. Finally, at Lieutenant Campbell's radioed request, the 105-mm howitzer unit in Hagaru-ri provided the death stroke. Salvo after salvo of proximity-fused rounds burst over the South Hill behind the devastated companies, cutting off any route of escape.
Abruptly, the field fell nearly silent -- the only sound the intermittent pop of a dead Chinese soldier's ammunition exploding, the result of a small fire started in the padded cotton of his uniform by a scalding American bullet. The smell of sulfur (rotten eggs) and ozone hung heavy in the air.
It was 2:41 a.m. The battle had lasted ten minutes. One Marine, Private First Class John Senzig, had been killed. Another, grazed by a bullet, refused medical attention. The attack across the saddle never came. It was a fitting birthday present for Captain Barber, who had not mentioned to anyone that he had turned thirty-one at midnight." (pages 214-217)

How important was this battle? At the opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in 2006, coinciding with the 231st anniversary of the founding of the Marines in 1775, the museum showcased four signature battles fought by the Corps during the 20th century: The Battle of Belleau Wood in WWI, the landings at Iwo Jima in WWII, the siege at Khe Sanh in Vietnam, and the Battle of Fox Hill in North Korea. A great story of courage and sacrifice by the U.S. Marines during the Korean War.

They call the Korean War, “the forgotten war.” That term is an insult to the First Division Marines who fought so hard. Fortunately, The Last Stand of Fox Company captured their story and Bob Drury did a wonderful job of presenting it. I was intrigued with the history and historical facts they brought to life. It surprised me how ingenious the enemy was. I was impressed by how much better the enemy were adapted to the cold and how superior their equipment was. I was also impressed with how hard the Americans fought and what lengths they had to endure to survive. In some ways, this is a tragic tale and in some ways this is a testament to their courage. Overall, this is a great read and I learned a lot about this important piece of history. Bob Drury did a great job with this book.

Bought this book a couple years back from the store & never wrote a review of it till now. It resides on my military history shelf with Laurence Babits two great Rev War battle histories on Cowpens & Guilford Court House. It is the rare work that benefits from survivor accounts, solid writing, & excellent maps. It's so moving that I've read it twice & will likely re-read it again when I need inspiration, when I'm feeling down, when I lose faith in my fellow man. Few trials in war or peace can compare to what these few guys endured to keep open the only escape route for the rest of the Marine division trapped at the Chosin reservoir in the arctic conditions of mountainous northern North Korea in December 1950. Their heroic sacrifice compares to the stands of the 1st Md. Regt. at Brooklyn in Aug. 1776 & the 308th 'Lost' Bttn. of the 'New York' 77th Div. at Charlevaux in Oct. 1918. "Where does America find men like these?"
A great, exciting, powerfully moving read.

Interesting as I was one of those that survived. And here I am at age83 still in good shape. Have several books on the
Chosin Resovior, and it brings back memories. We lost many and don't see it mentioned that we came back with about 90 survivors. An interesting indication is that we received.more Purple Hearts per soldier than anytime in history.. It was a horrific struggle to stay alive in the freezing temperature without regard to the wounded. But we held until the division broke through and had the airfield to use and what was left of us could go back (although that trip was on joy "ride").

Describes the defense of a hill in Toktong Pass during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign of the Korean War during the late fall of 1950. Fox company of the Seventh Marines was attack by elements of the Chinese 59th Division. This Division was largely destroyed by the fighting around Toktong Pass. The book also describes the relief of Fox company. Fox company personnel were awarded two Medals of Honor.

The book gives a good feel of the intense cold and the effect it had on both men and weapons.

My favorite tactical military book. First listen to as a audio book then read the hard cover book. Liked the audio book, but the hard cover book is better because excellent maps.

These are some of the best maps describing a military action. The best map is on p. 65 and shows the initial locations of people and weapons. Only a few deficiencies, the biggest is there is no list of maps and the maps are distributed throughout the book. The jacket said there were 15 maps; but, I counted only 14 (could have missed one). Also some of the maps show the tree lines, but in some cases it is unclear on which side of the line the trees are located.

Also did not care for the title as Fox Company was not destroyed; although, casualties were very heavy.

Powerful book, where one more time the Marines take a stance, against all odds against a superior numbered force, and proves to the world at large that in the worst conditions, in freezing temperatures, with little provisions, in a spot never meant for the kind of fighting that took place, they managed to do the seemingly impossible, and in the process loose so many good men that never thought or desired to quit. This is the kind of account that makes me so incredible thankful and admiring for the valiant ways of these incredible warriors. The authors, both Mr. Bob Dury and Tom Claving, deliver a no hold barred story of what happened in that miserable, and trying war.
The Last Stand of Fox Company is a fine book to own, and to pass around to those who care to find out how resilient and brave a fighting force Fox Company was, and how many gave their lives for their fellow men, with no hesitation or fear, while hordes and hordes of Chinese wanted to exterminate every single one of them, they repelled and made the enemy pay for each incursion attempted. The casualties were staggering on both sides, the conditions bleak for these brave men where it was no small coincidence there were all Marines, toughest men one would be hard pressed to duplicate during their fine tradition on taking the hardest assignments, and refusing to stop fighting. Korea was hell, and probably this moment in that war history, one of the most challenging for the American Forces. There is unlimited appreciation and admiration in my heart for the Armed Forces, specially the hard fought battles like this one, where the Marines proved once again the amazing will, each and every one of them possesses, against the tremendous adversity they had to face in combat. The authors keep the story moving at a brisk pace, and deliver a book that is very hard to put down once started. 4.5 Stars!

Wow! What a book, what a story, what incredible heroism, undaunted courage and grim will against all odds. This book tells the story of 246 U.S. Marines and Naval Corpsmen (medics) who fought and died for seven days on a God-forsaken frozen and icy hilltop in North Korea in November & December, 1950. Outnumbered literally 10-1 by the unforeseen involvement of several divisions of the Chinese Army, these brave men fought in inhuman conditions and, in the words of the authors, "dispatched more than three-quarters of the enemy [they] had faced".

The authors do a very admirable job detailing not only the week-long battle on Fox Hill, but also the events leading up to that fateful week, the involvement of other units in the area, and the return of the survivors to the base camp at Hagaru-ri. The action is fast-paced and amazingly detailed. But included with the military history is a wonderful portrayal of the personal stories of many of these men - their lives before the war, as well as afterwards. These personal stories serve to make the men of Fox Company very real and very human to the reader, increasing the sense of awe and admiration for the "uncommon valor" that these "common men" displayed. As another reviewer stated, I, too, was left completely humbled by this story and these men. We as a nation should never, EVER forget the sacrifices that these men, and so many others like them, have made in our history.

More than a military history of an incredible battle, this is the story of a brotherhood & compassion shared by men thrust into the most difficult and challenging of times. I highly recommend it.

The Korean War is justly termed America's "Forgotten War", but even those who haven't forgotten may not remember or may never have heard of the events chronicled in this book. If you remember the First Marine Division's dramatic breakout of Chinese encirclement in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir, you are doing better than most, but this is the story of the little battle that made the bigger battle possible: the stubborn and heroic defense of a hill overlooking a narrow pass that kept the road open for the rest of the division to use in their breakout.

Drury and Clavin have done an excellent job of putting you right there among the freezing marines of Fox Company, aided by the memories and written accounts of those who survived. It would make a Hell of a movie,...

if Hollywood made these sorts of movies anymore.

Defects? Not much that can fairly be laid to a prepublication copy: annoying typos and a lack of photos, presumably to be corrected upon publication, and more detailed maps would be nice.

This is a gripping and very moving account of a forgotten battle that should no longer be forgotten. At least the Marines didn't forget; this is one of the four signature U.S. Marine Corp battles deemed worthy of recreating in their national museum.

In the mid 90's I served in the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. During the long, brutally cold winter months, my fellow soldiers and I would often muse, with a shiver, about what it would be like to have to fight in these conditions during the Korean War in the 1950's.

The Last Stand of Fox Company gives a pretty good idea of what it would be like.

This non-fiction book is an hour-by-hour, day-by-day account of the ordeal and rescue of a Marine company sent to secure a strategic choke point near the frozen, mountainous region of the Chosin reservoir during the onslaught of Chinese forces in Northern Korea.

The 246 men of Fox Company withstood nightly assaults by thousands of Chinese army regulars and kept open an essential, narrow exit route for thousands of Marine forces, who were trying to survive an untenable situation farther north.

With colorful anecdotes from the testimony of the Marines who served, coupled with military data and existing histories, the authors have presented a stylized narrative of the events that is, (forgive the cliche) hard to put down. Rather than a dry, clinical account, The Last Stand of Fox Company is peppered with the slang, expletives and frank thoughts of the men who participated.

At one point an injured soldier finds he is hovering "ten feet above" his wounded self, and he sails even higher, viewing the battle from a slightly elevated position before he is jerked back into his body.

Later in the book, the rescue party, known as "The Ridgerunners", are marching through the snowy mountains at night, trying to locate the besieged Fox Company. Fighting off exhaustion, hunger and frostbite, three officers hunker down in a bunker to consult their antiquated maps and choose the right route. Three times in a row, they emerge from the bunker unable to remember what they JUST DECIDED, so they hunker down again.

These moments give life to what is an almost unbelievable story of heroism and survival. Probably the greatest testimony to the incredible story of valor and bloodshed comes near the end of the book. One of the officers who fought during the stand is putting in the Medal of Honor request for one of his enlisted men and he admits that on the paperwork he lessened the actual number of Chinese the man had killed because he thought people wouldn't believe it!

The book deals with violence frankly; swollen feet, horrible wounds, and hand-to-hand fighting are described in vivid detail. And the moral calculus of war is presented matter-of-factly. When it is apparent that Chinese soldiers are pretending they are dead only to hop up to take a shot at the Marines, the Marine commanding officer makes a hard decision: in certain instances, Marines must administer the coup de grace to the enemy wounded.

Staying very close to the events on "Fox Hill," the authors only occasionally bring the larger, strategic events into our view-just enough for us to understand how the situation developed from a geo-political standpoint. Macarthur and his staff are very distant figures, although their decisions have direct bearing on the fate of the characters.

Other reviewers here on the store have critiqued the maps, and I would agree. The maps could have been improved with more detail on the topography, and as the perimeter of Fox hill recedes, it would be nice to see where certain characters ended up. But once you get the general lay of the land, you can follow the events pretty well.

"The Last Stand of Fox Company" is the true story of a Marine company that held a hill overlooking a key strategic pass leading to the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. Freezing, short on rations and ammunition, and nearly buried in successive waves of Chinese soldiers, the Marines held Fox Hill for seven days, permitting their fellow Marines to evacuate an unsustainable position at Yudam-ni.

This book is the real deal. The level of detail in the narrative is simply awe-inspiring. Often we know what happened down to the minute. Individuals are followed throughout the battle and we learn of their personal fates. The Marines display courage and even a sense of humor in the face of death, but nothing is sugar-coated for us. The men on Fox Hill took heavy casualties. Many of those who did not die immediately were scarred for life. Wounds went untreated, but the men fought on, and their pain is described in detail. Frostbite was nearly as debilitating as bullet wounds, and weapons often refused to function in the bitter cold.

The book is not all blood and guts. There are some intriguing tidbits of information. We learn about General Macarthur's plan to create a nuclear "dead zone" between Korea and China by exploding thirty nuclear bombs along the Yalu River. The description of the Chinese soldiers was fascinating. Some of them fought without socks in the sub-zero weather. Occasionally, Chinese officers dressed in Gilbert and Sullivan finery wandered into rifle range where they were instantly cut down. And the Chinese buglers blew "Taps" at dawn. A series of fine maps show the shifting positions and attack vectors throughout the ordeal.

"The Last Stand of Fox Company" is one of the best war books I have ever read. Readers looking for a story of heroism against the forces of nature and overwhelming odds will not be disappointed.

This is a true story about a battle that took place during the War in Korea in 1950. A company of United States Marines - 246 men - was ordered to occupy and hold the mountainous terrain overlooking Toktong Pass in North Korea. It was a strategic location. It is a choke-point on the only highway leading to and from that country's northern border with China. When Fox Company was ordered to hold this position, the North Korean army was in full flight northward and the United Nations forces, including about 8,000 U.S. Marines, were in hot pursuit.

It was a trap about to be sprung. More than 100,000 Chinese soldiers had surreptitiously crossed the border into North Korea and were hidden in the frozen mountain terrain, ready to surround the U.N. forces and unleash a devastating surprise attack. Three Chinese battalions - approximately 3,000 men - were ordered to remove Fox Company's 246 Marines from Toktong Pass.

The battle scenes are surreal. It was bitter cold, often twenty degrees below zero and colder. The bleak terrain was unforgiving. The enemy attacked during the night and harassed the Marines during the day with sniper fire. The authors have interviewed many of the men who participated in the battle, and their backgrounds and thoughts are recorded in the story. Some of the officers and NCOs had prior combat experience in World War II but most of the Marines were typical teenagers or young men in their early 20s. Thrust into an impossible situation, they not only endured; they prevailed.

It is a fascinating story of grit and determination. There are no tactical maneuvers, no brilliant innovations, and no strokes of genius. It is a hard scrabble mano-a-mano confrontation, with every man doing his job to the best of his ability with the resources at hand.

A subplot to the battle is the effort of a group of about 300 Marines to reinforce Fox Company by traveling cross-country through enemy-held mountains, at night in a snowstorm.

On occasion there is a questionable comment such as the one about an M-1 rifle that would not operate in the "automatic" mode, whereas the M-1 is a semi-automatic (i.e., a one-shot at a time) weapon. But by and large, the descriptions of the weapons and equipment are accurate.

It is an excellent book.

To read The Last Stand of Fox Company is to understand why the U.S. Marines are considered among the world's most fearsome warriors. And it is no surprise that the USMC museum in Quantico, Virginia features an exhibit of the great stand at Toktong Pass and Fox Hill (North Korea) depicted in this book. Over the span of 4 days (5 nights) in subzero temperatures 246 Fox Company Marines of the 2d Battalion, 1st Marine Division withstand a vicious onslaught of 10,000 Communist Chinese soldiers - essentially a division. That defensive stand, believed by many military historians to be one of the greatest company-level infantry defenses in the 20th Century, offers testament to the courage and tenacity of the American fighting man.

Bob Drury and Tom Clavin (Halsey's Typhoon) do an exceptional job of integrating an historical account of the Korean War's Chosin Reservoir campaign with an hour-by-hour recounting of little Fox Company's epic struggle. By piecing together the vivid recollections of the surviving members of this unit against the backdrop of the campaign, the authors quite ably put the reader in the fox hole with a valiant BAR gunner or rifleman, or in a medical tent with a compassionate, young corpsman trying in vain to patch together a dying Marine. You can practically hear the shrill whistle and haunting call of the Chinese bugles signaling yet another attack by scores of fanatical infantry. In the authors' narrative the chaos and intensity of the Chinese assault are palpable. Young Chinese soldiers, some barely teenagers, some with bayonets fixed, and some carrying automatic weapons descend in droves on the Marines' fighting positions. It is difficult to imagine a more terrifying experience for the young Marines, many straight out of boot camp.

The sheer numbers of Communist Chinese Forces (CCF) soldiers and the ferocity of their well-coordinated attacks leave the reader wondering how General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander of U.N. Forces, and the U.S. Joint Chiefs could fail to anticipate Mao Tse-Tung's decision to enter the war. Equally as much a head scratcher: How do the members of Fox Company hold off wave after wave of well-trained, well-equipped Chinese regulars? The answer quite simply lies in the company leadership. While leadership may have been questionable at the very senior levels of U.N. Command, at the company level and lower it was superb. Captain William Edward Barber, a decorated WW II vet, is as good a combat company commander as has ever donned a Marine uniform. His cool, decisive leadership in the confusion and cacophony of pitched battle and with serious wounds of his own would ensure that Fox holds out well beyond what was believed possible.

This is what makes The Last Stand of Fox Company such a great read. Seeing how a talented officer of Barber's caliber rallies his men and makes decision after decision in the defense that systematically wear down a numerically superior, attacking Chinese force without losing more men is nothing short of spellbinding. This defense is decisive in its impact. Holding the line at Toktong Ridge not only secures the Main Supply Route (MSR) for the 1st Division Marines but also prevents incalculable losses for the 3,000 Marines deployed in the Hagaru-ri area to Fox's rear. Not until the Chinese offensive begins to sputter does Barber agree to treatment for his wounds. And even then he remains in command of his beloved Fox implicitly acknowledging that he would readily die before accepting defeat. Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions, Barber is but one example of these extraordinary men occupying Fox Hill in whom uncommon valor was a common virtue. Most amazing are the frostbitten men of all ranks with multiple grievous wounds still doing the superhuman... refusing to relinquish control of a small piece of geography and therefore access to key terrain and ultimately much of the entire Marine 1st Division.

Barber is far from the only leader to distinguish himself in the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. LTC Raymond G. Davis, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment ('Ridgerunners'), finds himself assigned the almost suicidal task of breaking through the Chinese lines to relieve Fox Company at Toktong Pass. Leading what remains of his battalion on a harrowing 14-mile foot march through impossible terrain replete with giant snow drifts and heavily reinforced Chinese fighting positions, moving only at night, and fighting during the day, Colonel Davis's intrepid Marines rescue the indefatigable Fox Company. Colonel Davis's superior leadership and unparalleled audacity result in his receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor while sparking his meteoric rise in the Corps to 4-star rank.

Lest we forget the incomparable heroism exhibited by the Marines during the Korean Conflict, Drury and Clavin provide us a thorough and richly detailed account of the battle of Toktong Pass and Fox Hill. They bring to life a story that defies belief while making the participants seem just a bit more real... a bit more human. The only confounding part of the story: How do ordinary Americans manage to do the extraordinary? And perhaps even more difficult to grasp: How do they live to tell about it? For the answer, one need only consider the legacy of the Few, the Proud...

It is obvious from reading The Last Stand of Fox Company that those Marines on that small bump of terrain - including the KIA, the WIA, and the POWs - summoned every last bit of courage to perpetuate that proud legacy.

Breathtaking!

Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue
Wonderful book about unbounded Marine heroism. Bob Drury and Tom Clavin have done an excellent job recounting one of the most incredible combat stands in American military history in The Last Stand of Fox Company. Outnumber 10 to 1 and fighting in the dead of winter with temperatures in the -25 below zero range, Captain William Barber and his 246 Marines of Fox Company, 2/7 Marines, were called upon to hold a critical pass at the Chosin Reservoir against swarming Red Chinese soldiers. Battling extreme cold that made weapons fail, withstanding repeated attacks by heavily outnumbered communist soldiers, taking very heavy casualties, making do with critical supplies and ammunition, and fighting through daunting fatigue, the morale of Fox Company never wavered. When given an out by the commanding regimental Colonel to withdraw, although it meant doom to the trapped Marines further north, Captain Barber responded, "We Will Hold!" Those 3 words summed up the valor and heroism of the men of Fox Company.

Drury and Clavin write in a no holds barred, gripping style as they tell the story of individual Marines and how they coped in the face of sure death and destruction. The authors took great pains to tell individual Marine stories of heroism and sacrifice on that bleak and desolate wind sweep hill. They graphically pointed out time and again that the heroic stand on Fox Hill by the men of Fox Company was indeed a story where "uncommon valor was a common virtue."

Further, the book includes the additional heroism of LtCol Raymond Davis and his now famous "Ridgerunners" who came to the rescue of Fox Company by going overland in the most severe and hazardous overnight trek imaginable. Simply and utterly amazing, the Ridgerunners arrival at Fox Hill seem to insure the holding of that vital terrain so that the rest of the Marines further North could escape the attacking Chinese.

Very Highly recommended. This is a book that the reader will not be able to put down once the action starts. Yes, there were a few slight errors but overall this is a very well researched and poignantly written account of one of the most valiant and intense American battles ever fought. Not just because of the Marines involved, but because if Fox Company failed, thousands of Marines would have been captured and/or killed attempting to escape the Chosin Reservoir. This stand on Fox Hill was heroism in the extreme where failure was NOT an option. Personally, I thought the maps provided were adequate and I enjoyed the appendices at the end highlighting what happen to the involved Marines after the battle. The B&W photographs were very good and gave one a personal connection to the fighting. I would have enjoyed a table or list of all the awards given out for this action.
*Note: 3 Medals of Honor were bestowed to the men that fought here along with numerous Navy Crosses, Silver Stars, and Bronze Stars. It would have been nice to see that annotated in a separate appendix. This was a story of heroism in the extreme.

The two authors have shared with the reader what it was like on that hill in Korea in late November 1950. But can we really feel what it was like knowing your chance to live was .081%?The courage and faith these US Marines have shown is what makes The Marine Corps are ultimate “tip of the spear” combat force. We can NEVER forget them and we can NEVER forget their sacrifices to our Nation and the loses to their families.

I have been reading accounts of men in battle all my life and few have been as well written as The Last Stand of Fox Company. This book is both a history book about the events right before the full scale Chinese intervention into the Korean war as well as a history of the men who served in Fox Company, Second Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment from November 27, 1950 to December 4, 1950.

For a book like this to work for me the author needs to let me know why the particular battle occurred and why the men whom the book is about were at the battle. Once this is done the author then has to let me get to know the soldiers involved. Tactics and strategy are not enough, I want to care about those involved. I did care and could not put this book down.

While touching on the politics leading to the war and the military situation during the battle, this book primarily details the heroic defense of Fox Hill and Toktong Pass by Fox Company. The book has a number of diagrams which outline not only the battle as it took place but the positions of 40 or so members of Fox Company during the battle who are written about extensively in the book.

While the book is non-fiction the authors have done such a thorough job of letting the reader get to know a good number of the men involved in the battle as well as events that occurred to these men during the battle that I felt as if I was reading a war novel. I cared not only about how the battle was fought but also about the men who fought in the battle. I was saddened to read of the deaths of some of these brave men and was happy for those who made it through the battle.

While the book focuses on the battle the authors tell what happened to a number of the men after the battle. A few survived the battle only to die in combat literally days later. One went on to play in the Major League Baseball World Series. Three of the men who survived won Congressional Medals of Honor.

I have not read that much about the Korean War. I guess I always viewed it as the first tie after World War Two. I read about World War II. in part, because the US was victorious. I read about the Vietnam war because I wanted to understand why the war ended as it did. Korea seemed like a war which ended in pretty much the same place it started at the cost of a lot of lives.

After reading this book I am glad to admit I was wrong. The Korean War was fought by brave men and while mistakes were made in the strategy, the men involved should be honored for their service. The actions of these brave Americans stopped surprise attacks by both the North Koreans and the Chinese and let the North Koreans and Chinese know that men like those of Fox Company would not stop fighting despite being outnumbered in horrific winter weather.

My only complaint about the book is the title. When I read "Last Stand" I wondered if any Americans survived the battle . When I read last stand I think of Custer. Instead I read about a heroic defense of a pass that allowed other soldier to retreat and not get surrounded. While many in Fox Company died some sixty or so marines walked to the new American lines that were created thanks to their ability to defend Fox Hill and Toktong pass.

This is a great book. It is highly recommended.

There are entirely too few books recounting the engagements of the Korean War. At last readers are able to read of one of the most noteworthy engagements to take place during that time in _The Last Stand of Fox Company_.

Neglecting the many typos that found their way through publication, and they are minor when one really considers them (such things as a name being spelled differently in two places in the same paragraph grate the most), this book is a fantastic piece of writing. While I felt it started slowly, after getting through some of the lead-up to the days-long battle being retold, once the bullets start flying the pages do, too.

Focusing not on just one or two members of the unit, the paths and decisions and fates of a great number of the marines involved in the defense are followed. From dealing with the cold to the enemy (chinese army regulars) to the supply deficiencies, we see the brotherhood between the marines as they have to rely upon one another for survival without proper gear or sufficient food.

Repulsing wave after wave of chinese attacks, the marines are being whittled down and their defensive perimeter is shrinking due to lack of manpower. Having started with 256 marines, they lose over 2/3 of them to wounds, frostbite and death. The nearly constant sniper activity wears them down even further. As one might expect, there are accounts of grand heroism as well as recollections of unsavory deeds required in such a situation, such as using one's own dead comrades as shelter from enemy bullets.

Told as a narrative rather than bland assembly of interviews, anecdotes, and military records, this story of marines in combat is so noteworthy that it's one of four scenes depicted at the National Museum of the Marine Corps. While I had heard of it, I knew none of the details prior to this reading. I am richer for the experience. Having read a number of other military histories, I rank this one as near the top. While it does not have any of the first person narrative in many of those I have read, I don't think it lacks for any semblance of accuracy or realism. The grisly details related throughout the book convey quite well the nature of the war being fought. If for no other reason than to get a nicely detailed story of how three men won their Medals of Honor, this book is worth the price.

The Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War was one of the Marine Corps greatest achievements. 10,000 men stood up to 100,000 of the enemy and was able to damage the enemy lines so severly (almost by half) that the enemy had to retreat. The last stand of Fox Company takes place on a strategic hill in the Toktong Pass, to lose that hill would have cut the United States and its allies off from itself, the rest of the allies on the beach and the marines in the mountains. To lose Fox Hill would have sent the Marines further inward on the landscape and to almost certain death.

This is the story of the men of Fox Company, and it was compelling. Occasionally I would become so involved in this book that I would completely lose track of where I was or what time it was.

The Last Stand of Fox Company flowed very well as a narrative. In the past I have had trouble reading books of war accounts, I lack the frame of reference for a combat situation. Combat today is not like it was then either. I found the maps included in this book to really be helpful in getting my bearings for where everything was. I would have liked a small glossary for some of the jargon I was unfamiliar with, the authors did help me by placing more than one definition of the jargon throughout the book, but it would have been helpful to have it all in one place.

This book came from journals, archives and interviews of the men and their families from Fox Company. There was a bit of profanity, in case that would sway your desire to read the book, but I think given the circumstances these men were in it was entirely appropriate.

I read this book not because I am a military buff or history buff but because my Father-in-law was in Korea at the Chosin Reservoir. He doesn't talk about it much, I hoped in reading this book we could open a dialog together about his experiences, I would hate to lose him and never know. We were able to open that communication. I know now that he does still suffer from the frostbite on his trigger finger, but he says with an overwhelming sadness "that's really nothing, a reminder, really." Thank you Drury and Clavin for making a readable book on the Korean War.

I was humbled by this book, very humbled.

I have to admit, I had never heard or read about the Fox Hill battle of the Korean War. I knew that the Korean "Conflict" had extreme ebbs and flos where each side almost captured the all of other's territory. I recall that there was the danger and reality of the intervention by the Communist Chinese. I knew that the landing at Inchon was a key military gambit. I also knew that General MacArthur was recalled by President Truman in what seems to have been the most controvertial event in the conflict. I knew that the cease fire that occurred in the early 1950's has remained in effect through the present meaning that no permanent resolution has emerged to conclude the hostilities. However, other than Inchon, I was not aware of any specific engagements. For that reason, I am grateful that authors Bob Drury and Tom Clavin have done the research, conducted the interviews, and skillfully written this reconstruction of a week-long battle that deserves to be a part of our military lore.

The events of the battle of Fox Hill serve as a insight to the Korean War because it ocurred as the Communist Chinese made their initial entry into the fray. What the Chinese brought to the conflict was numbers and the threat of escalation. Their battle plan seemed to focus on using their numbers to overwhelm rather than use of strategy to overcome. The roughly 250 marines at Fox Hill faced thousands of Chinese in a frozen tundra in which frost bite was more imminent than death. The mere act of digging fox holes for cover seems like chisling stone and the authors were adept at bringing to life to miserable conditions that these marines faced.

The description, day by day, of the attacks, recoveries, and preparations give us an intimate sense of the soldiers and their heroism. The book concludes with an Epilogue and Afterward that helps us know how many of the survivors fared.

I found "The Last Stand of Fox Company" to be similar to "We were Soldiers once...and Young" and "Hell in a very Small Place" although I found the other two a little more complete. There is a talent to bringing combat to life. It includes a balance between glorifying the warrior and acknowledging the individual. It gives us a descriptive account of the battle. It also includes a perspective of the background and impact of the event. Finally, having drawn us into a level of personal concern and appreciation of the soldiers, it gives us a postscript to remind us that these are gallent heroes who now live in anonymity amongst us. "The Last Stand of Fox Company" does very well in all four of those categories.

Reconstructing a small unit action is one of the military historian's most frustrating tasks. Doing it at all is a feat; doing is well deserves high kudos. This account of how Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment held onto a key hill in the Toktong Pass, repelling attacks by five Chinese Communist battalions and thereby playing a crucial role in extricating American and British forces near the Sino-Korean border from near-certain annihilation, is extraordinary. Laying out the terrain and defensive positions with precision (the maps are exceptionally fine), describing the assaults almost minute by minute, and paying close attention to the physical hardship that aggravated the defenders' perils, it gives a vivid sense of the engagement and clear insight into why the outnumbered Marines were able to hang on until relief arrived and retreat became possible.

Of particular interest to military amateurs like me are three factors that help explain why the battle developed as it did: First is the way in which broken ground and vicious weather "enlarged" the battlefield. During the first enemy assault, a third of Fox Company were unaware that their comrades were under attack; they could neither see nor hear what was happening a few dozen feet away. Second is the primitive equipment and doctrine of the Chicom attackers. Many of them were former Nationalist soldiers conscripted into the Red Army. Their commanders saw little reason not to waste their lives in frontal assaults, and were either unable or unwilling to support them with artillery or air power. Even machine guns were in short supply. Materiel advantages, amplified by superior leadership and training, gave the Marines a comparative potency all out of proportion to their numbers.

Finally, the incidents of resilience and endurance retold here go beyond astonishing. In minus 20 weather, most of Fox Company lived in unsheltered foxholes, slept only in short bursts and ate irregular, ascetic meals. Just moving from one spot to another (e. g., away from the foxhole for hygienic reasons) incurred grave risk; sharpshooting was one of the enemy's strongest proficiencies. Despite these conditions, the company did not break, and several became heroes. Two were awarded the Medal of Honor. Only one in four came through the battle alive and unwounded.

Having praised the book as it should be praised, let me add a caveat: The narrative is based to a large extent on the fifty year old recollections of Fox Company's survivors. The authors made use, too, of more nearly contemporary material - after-action reports, diaries, letters home, and the like - but most of the novel-like detail and an indeterminate portion of the plain facts draw on inherently unreliable human memory. The gap between story and truth, always present, is here of indeterminate width and shrouded in fog.

Also a little foggy is the wider context. The strategic situation is merely sketched in, though nothing essential has been omitted. Understandably, the enemy perspective is nearly absent. It will be a while before Peking's archives are open to Western military researchers.

Fox Company's captain, Bill Barber, who commanded much of the battle on improvised crutches, then from a stretcher, and was one of the Medal of Honor winners, made light of comparisons between his unit's stand and the 300 Spartans at Thermopylae. In terms of impact on world history, he was of course right. Nonetheless, the company's heroism was in the same vein. In the words that former Marine Corps commandant General Robert H. Barrow wrote to Captain Barber after the war: "I regard your performance as commander of Fox Company at Toktong Pass from 27 November to 2 December 1950 as the single most distinguished act of personal courage and extraordinary leadership I have witnessed or about which I have read." Readers of "The Last Stand of Fox Company" will see how that commendation applies to all 246 men of Captain Barber's command.

Reading The Last Stand of Fox Company reminded me of the books I used to devour as a military brat middle schooler in the late 1960s - a tough, gritty, no-nonsense true-story approach to the ugly details of war, and the men fighting in the foxholes, rocks, and snow of Korea in December 1950. Authors Drury and Clavin provide the reader, in extreme detail, with what are obviously first-hand accounts from the viewpoints of the Marine grunts of Fox Company on the ground, who, unbeknownst to them, had become surrounded by six enemy (mostly Chinese) divisions. During the long, arduous and detailed account of incredible strength and survival amidst seemingly impossible odds, and aside from the scenarios with men being killed and wounded in battle by snipers and shrapnel, certain passages provide interesting insights from the perspective of the Marines, mostly all in their late teens and early twenties themselves: "Once again the Americans were struck - and disgusted - by how young the Chinese seemed. Who the hell is sending fifteen- and sixteen-year-old kids out to fight a man's war?" (p.125). But the bulk of the book is about bloody, messy, and terrible close-up fighting, burying your friends in battle - with all the gory details left in. Even though I am no longer an adolescent reader and my tastes in books tend to go towards tamer subjects nowadays, I found the book a fascinating read that was hard to put down once started.

Bob Drury and Tom Clavin's book is a testament to what must be one of the most heroic stands in US military history. Their work in The Last Stand of Fox Company is on a standard worthy of this amazing story.

The US Marines who are the subject of this book set an example that is beyond words to describe. These older teenagers and young adults from across America endured bitter freezing cold and an onslaught of Chinese soldiers to hold a small piece of frozen earth in Northern North Korea during the Korean "Conflict." Their feats ended up saving thousands of Marines' lives. They took heavey losses and most were wounded by enemy fire or frostbite.

The authors offer an encaptivating account of the weeklong battle that includes play-by-play narratives of battles from various points of view. This is a gripping battlefield account.

They also provide interesting bios and profiles of the Marines who played a part in the battle. These profiles reveal the reasons for joining the Marines and the courage exhibited in the battle. All these men fought for each other, for America and for the cause of freedom.

This book offers insights into the leadership of the "conflict" and what contributed to the decisions both in Washington and on the ground.

This is a book to make any American proud of its soldiers past and present. It is an intriguing, page-turning read that is extremely well-written and respectful of its subject. What becomes clear through this account is the truth of Fox Company's Commanding Officer Capt. William Barber's statement of the battle: "Uncommon valor had become a common virtue."

The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat provides the little known account of the 246 Marines and corpsman that were sent into a battle that they had little chance of winning. General MacArthur ignored the signs of China's involvement in the war and the warnings of Chairman Mao and sent a small unit into battle to try to claim Toktong Pass deep in Korea. Many of these men had just the basic training, had never fired more than a few rounds and were not prepared for the brutal Korean winter. Covering a week's time this account follows several of the men of the Fox Company under the command of Captain William Barber, and their struggles to stay alive. Facing a Chinese army that out numbered them and working under unendurable conditions, these young men are facing possible defeat when Lt. Colonel Raymond Davis takes on a seemingly suicide mission to cut into the Chinese lines and lead the remaining men of Fox to safety. These warriors were from all backgrounds and levels of military. What bound them was a desire to serve and the willingness to survive at all costs. The surviving men give accounts of unbelievable heroism nod sacrifice.
Robert Drury and Tom Clavin have written a powerful account of this battle. They have used survivors' accounts and have pieced the battle together intertwining the various Marines in the company. This is a must read for anyone wanting to know more about the Korean War and anyone wanting an intimate view of the way war is waged.

This is an excellent book for military men. It probably should be read by most of them. It clearly demonstrates the reality of war in a foxhole and is not sugarcoated like most war film depictions. It draws the reader in by gyrating him/her from death/suffering, to thoughtful kindnesses shared between soldiers under fire, to stories of incredible bravery, and to vignettes of equally insane stupidity. It is also about the naivety of the young and inexperienced and about how certain leaders emerge to greatness under pressure. This book should not be read by those with a weak stomach. There is considerable gore, suffering and death illustrated within its pages. It is a page turner; I read it in a day and a half (while doing other things off and on).

Raw. Gritty. Told like a Marine would tell it. The language is common, course at times, even vulgar, but men under great duress use vulgarity to vent some of the horror and filth that they find themselves in.

I am a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant and so the technical mistakes more amused me than angered me. The authors did a pretty creditable job of conveying the feel of what is was like to hold an otherwise worthess piece of realestate against impossible odds. I'm sure the authors felt uncomfortable using the kinds of language that they did but my guess is that they felt compelled to do so.

Talking to combat veterans, especially those who have endured a living hell like Fox Hill, stains you with some of experiences that they endured. Their language is still filled with explatives because the ghosts remain even after many decades have passed. The kinds of nightmares that these men endured don't go away, they become less painful for most but some men never do learn to control flood of emotions that remain from watching friends die or seeing the face of the man you killed.
The authors had never experienced the daily life of being a Marine and I kind of prefer it that they made so many mistakes. They were never one of us, they remain outsiders, but they had the guts to tell the story as it was experienced by the grunts sitting in a frozen fighting hole. Their errors leave those who served as reminders that no amount of reading or study can emmerse you into the cult of the warrior. Only those who lived it know the whole story and to us the facts are less important than the validation that somehow it might have all been worthwhile, that it served some purpose, that others understand how much hurt you endured.

I recall walking with a veteran of the Okinawa Camapign in 1995 during the 50th year commemoration event at Sugar Loaf Hill. As we walked together along the "heights" (it's not much a hill by any standard) he pointed out the approximate location where each of the men in his platoon were either killed or wounded. At times I had to leave him to mourn alone, to let him shed his tears in solitude. After a few minutes I would rejoin him and we would walk some more. When I commented that he had certainly lost a lot of men taking the hill he responded with something like "take it, hell, we were a hundred yards BEHIND the front line waiting to move up the next morning to replace the guys who had been bleed white to take this worthless rock, morters and arty is what chewed us up so bad." At this point the tender tone in his voice had changed to one of anger and determination. At this point I knew that, for all intents and purposes, he was back in 1945. Moving up to the fighting line was future, not past. I'm sure he could smell the things he had smelled that night, he could hear the explosions and sound of rounds strking the ground all around him, he felt the dread of things to come when he and his men would advance the next morning. Combat imprints its horrors into a man and it NEVER goes away.

I recommend this book heartily, errors, gaffs, and all. If the reader can for just a brief moment experience the nightmare that was the Chosin Reservoir campaign, and appreciate the sacrifices that these Marines endured in their fight then the price of the book and the earthiness of the language will be small investments indeed.

'The Last Stand of Fox Company' is a thrilling view from the foxhole of battle that is easily as good as Hal Moore's `We Were Soldiers Once and Young'

The book tells the story of 246 Marines who, during the Chinese counteroffensive in Korean War, were charged with holding a hill overlooking the Main Service Road running from the Chosin Reservoir to the south so that the 8,000 Marines stationed around the reservoir could evacuate (or, in USMC parlance, "attack in another direction"). Surrounded by thousands of Chinese regulars, the men of Fox Company, supplied only with summer gear and little food or ammunition, withstood repeated attacks and temperatures of 30 degrees below zero. It is a story of courage in the face of hardship that makes the battle of the Alamo seem almost trivial in comparison.

Authors Drury & Clavin conducted exhaustive interviews with the surviving veterans of Fox Company and used what they learned to spin in incredible narrative. By skipping from the experiences on one solder to the next and the next they were able to give the reader a feel for the chaos of battle that the individual soldier feels while also gaining an understanding of how the battle unfolded.

My only regret is that they were unable to include the point of view of any of the Chinese soldiers who participated in the battle for Fox Hill. Even so, I highly recommend it.

This is a nice package. The events described are an epic small unit action, fought very successfully under terrible winter conditions against a capable opponent of far greater numbers, resulting in three Congressional Medals of Honor.

The book is a collection of many individual accounts woven together in temporal sequence, based on extensive research and interviews conducted in recent time of still living veterans of Fox Company, greatly aided by the long efforts of documentation of the unit's history by its own members. Accounts in this fashion can become confusing as a large cast of characters come and go briefly and repeatedly. Such confusion is greatly relieved in this work by the provision of a large number of sketch maps that allow you to keep the names straight by referencing where on the ground a man is; when you pick out a man or team of men on a map showing their names and locations it becomes easier to associate the beginning of their stories with the middle and ends as you are told in each sequence not only who is involved but also where they are.

The writing is plain and clear, not overly lurid and the authors to my eye seem to keep their details straight, especially in describing the organic weapons of an early 1950's Marine rifle company but also the wide variety of captured weapons Fox company used upon the former owners. To me this indicates the authors' seriousness to respect the men and the history they are describing.

I would rank this book as highly as, for example, James F. Christ's "Battalion of the Damned: The First Marine Paratroopers at Gavutu and Bloody Ridge" or Roy E. Appleman's "East of Choisin: Entrapment and Breakout in Korea, 1950", two of my favorite small unit accounts.

This remarkable book tells the unbelievable story of a small company of Marines fighting to hold open a mountain pass in Korea. Out-numbered and out-gunned, these 246 Marines hold off 10,000 Chinese soldiers determined to overtake the Toktong Pass near the Choisin Reservoir. The story of their eight day battle is a moving account of bravery and of sacrifice.

Drury and Clavin have given the reader a riveting day-by-day picture of the efforts of this extraordinary group of soliders. The narrative is enriched by what are obviously first-hand accounts from the soldiers themselves. The horrors of the days, where the Marines must battle both the elements and the enemy, are meticulously detailed, as are the ever-mounting casualties.

This book is not an easy read by any means, but even knowing the staggering losses that would be presented, I found it hard to put down. Both the writing and the story itself draw the reader in, and make finishing this book an imperative. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in U.S. military history.

This book is one of compelling fear mirrored with a sense of belonging. You can almost feel the bone chilling cold and the numbness the men felt while fighting in Korea. Their very life was being sapped not just by the fighting but the constant drudgery, cold, miserable living conditions and the fear of the unknown.

Conditions were downright brutal and the events leading up to the week long battle and those that follow are outlined quite graphically. I would have liked more maps to accompany the text but felt that the text warranted a 5 star rating without the addition just for the clarity of thought in the way the book played out.

At 30 degrees below zero the "Last Stand of Fox Company" is certainly a detailed account that needs to be remembered and not lost to historical after battle interpretation. This work is a definite read for those interested in the Korean Conflict and unlike Mr. Haraldsson review you cannot compare this work to the TV Show M*A*S*H. The TV show was loosely based on history and made as a comedy, this book is filled with reality and true life experiences.

One of the points this book makes is that the Korean War is often overlooked altogether, particularly in comparison to its "big brother" WWII. This was certainly the case for me. Historical wars are of particular interest for me, but what I've read about Korea could fill a teaspoon. Not only was this book a fascinating primer on the subject, it is also an incredibly good tale in its own right.

The authors do a great job of interweaving the soldiers' personal stories with the overall schematics of the battle itself. In many ways, it reminded me of Stephen Ambrose's spectacular Band of Brothers. Definitely worth the read for anyone interested in warfare and particularly the conflict in Korea.

A very detailed and well-researched book about one series of battles fought in the most bitter cold that was really almost a siege. The Marines are outnumbered and through sheer courage, determination and with the help of air power defeat and outfight the Chinese who are tough fighters themselves and were not supposed to be there in the numbers they were according to the generals.

Lots of names or regular kids who became heroes in a war that is often forgotten but was truly one of America's finest moments. If you want to know why the Marines have such a great reputation for bravery this is a book to read.

This gritty narrative is compelling, and paints a vivid picture of the brutal winter campaign in the first year of the Korean War.

The author narrates the story of US Marines slogging through one of the bloodiest campaigns of the "forgotten war" but rather than rubbing our faces in the gore of the meatgrinder of the Chosin campaign, lets the horrors the soldiers survive, somehow still functioning, and his terse but vivid descriptions fill the reader's imagination with what it might have been like to be there.

Military history is hard to get right in a mass-media format. Too little depth, and it's little better than fiction, too much and it bogs down in the details. Author Drury's tale slows a little in the background anecdotes of many of the soldiers, but generally keeps to a brisk pace that drew me in and did well in conveying the the confusion and brutality of the first winter of the Korean War.

Recommended.

Terrific book about a pivotal battle of the Korean War (The Forgotten War). November, 1950, UN forces are victorious and rushing north to the Yalu River, at the border with China. MacArthur has promised the war will be over by Christmas. Yet MacArthur and his toadie (Gen Almond, leader of American forces in Korea) refused to believe that Chinese intervention on a massive scale was imminent.
The Marines knew better and were more prepared when the inevitable Chinese assualt began. The men of Fox Company were ordered (November 27, 1950) to secure a ridge (Toktong-san or Fox Hill) in an area overlooking the Toktong Pass. As described in the book, many Marines of Fox Company grumbled about this "babysitting job" But it was probably the most mportant babysitting job in history. As American forces are being routed around the Chosin Resevoir, Fox Company will hold this ridge for four days and five nights, but it is being done in sub zero weather, against hordes of Chinese forces by a group of no more than 239 Marines and Navy Corpsman.
By holding Toktong-san all this time, the men of Fox Company have allowed the embattled forces further north to fight their way out along the Toktong Pass. But what I can't emphasize enough about this book is the conditions they fought in. As I write this, the temperature outside is 20 with a wind chill of zero, barely tolerable to be outside for more than a few minutes fully dressed in winter clothing. The Marines fought in temperature and conditions WORSE then this, for four days and five nights, and all the while being continuosly attacked and harassed by Chinese forces. Three quarters of Fox Company's Marines are killed, wounded or captured and yet they held!
Today at the National Museum of the Marines Corps, four sections are devoted to what are considered "signature actions" by the Marines Corps in the 20th Century. Iwo Jima, Khe Sahn, Belleau Woods....and Fox Hill. I had never heard of Fox Hill before reading this book, and now I will never forget the actions of a brave group men after reading this book. I highly recommend that you read it too!!

During war a plot of land, no one would want to buy, can become the focal point. When this happens these plots of land take on a life of their own, becoming part of our history. In November 1950 that plot was a hill in North Korea, overlooking the road between Yudam-mi and Hagaru-ri. Whoever controls the hill controls the road vital in the extraction of the First Marine Division from Chosin Reservoir. With the road, the Marines can extract their vehicles, wounded and dead. They will come out as a unit, badly hurt but combat capable and the extraction can be considered a victory. Without the road, over 50% of the men and all of the vehicles are lost. The division will cease to exist as a fighting force and America will have suffered a major defeat. This is the story of the 246 men who by holding this hill saved a division and prevented a major defeat.
This is not a conventional military history. It is the story of a series of small unit battles and personal encounters giving the reader the feel of hearing the men tell the story. The authors acknowledge these men as being an integral part of writing this book and it shows. By coupling these stories with some military history, the book is both informative and personal. This makes the story more compelling, while bringing home the real price paid by the participants. This is a one-sided account with no coverage of the CCP. The Marines of Fox Company are the focus and never leave center stage.
The book's maps fit the story, providing the right level of orientation without unnecessary details. There is a good set of photographs taken on the hill and later, that give us faces for the names. The chapters "Afterward" and "Postscript 2008" provide an excellent look at the men after the battle and later in life. My only objection is that the list of names does not include killed, wounded and the decorations they won.
This is a timeless story of ordinary men doing extra ordinary things. Of heroics, self-sacrifice and the refusal to quit in the face of long odds. These are the stories that inspire us to be better than we are and show us that there can be a hero in each of us. The men who fought in Korea are not going to be with us much longer. In books like this, they can continue to tell their story long after they have gone to their reward.

Of the modern wars America has fought in, the Korean War has been largely forgotten by history writers. Mr. Drury and Mr. Clavin expand our knowledge of the Korean War by documenting Fox Company's fight for Fox Hill, a critical point the road to the Chosin Reservoir. The story opens by describing the strategic and general tactical situation in and around the Chosin Reservoir. Fox Company's deployment is given for the platoons, heavy weapons, and individual men mentioned in the book (there's a nice map showing this). Mr. `s Drury and Clavin divided the book into six sections, most of the focus is on the attacks and subsequent siege of Fox Company's position by the Chinese. Focus in all sections is on the individual Marines exploits as an oral accounting of the siege and relief of Fox Company. The battle sequences describe the hardships faced by the Marines (20 below 0 temps, low food, dwindling numbers of men and ammunition), their heroism (my two favorites were Privates Bonelli and McClure), and how some men were simply men. The concluding chapters cover the eventual relief of Fox Company by the Marines attacking from the Chosin Reservoir and their extraction from that area.

Rating wise this one's a solid 4 star performer. The authors get in, describe the situation nicely, and keep the story moving to its conclusion. Their accounts are crisp making for a good solid read, but failed to bring me totally in. I loved the different stories from the men who were there (I'd like to thank the veterans of Fox Company for letting Mr.'s Drury and Clavin describe your events. Your service is appreciated.), but wish the authors would have put more of their own analysis of the book. There are several maps showing the battlefield situation (either in general or specifically for Fox Hill). While providing a general awareness of the situation, they failed to capture some of the limitations of the battlefield (like why the platoons weren't better able to support each other). This is a good book describing a largely unknown situation. Btw, I really loved the Epilogue. It fully completes things.

In the years following WW 2, America's political leadership allowed the military to go to hell in terms of equipment while it continued the usual American practice of civilianizing our troops as soon as possible. Thus, when the decision to reverse the North Korean conquest of South Korea was made, the first army units sent over were under-trained and ill equipped. As is pointed out in this book, many of the Marines sent over suffered from the same deficiencies. Guys like those I saw marching out of Duluth, Minnesota, in Summer, 1950, had nothing but an easy reserve experience or the minimum of basic training. They were slaughtered when they reached Korea. This book picks up the story at the point where Army and Marine troops had reached the northernmost boundaries of Korea and were in the vicinity of the Chosen Reservoir and the Yalu River, which comprised the border between China and North Korea. When we meet the guys in Fox Company, they are entrenching a rise overlooking a main access road to Marine troops a bit further North. They did not know, their commanders did not know, the Commander of the Theater of Operations did not know, the President and the Chiefs of Staff did not know, that the Chinese had massed an army of over 100,000 men, many battle-hardened troops, on the border, and had already begun their infiltration into North Korea. Vastly outnumbered by the enemy, less experienced than the enemy, there was little reason for the Chinese to expect to waste much time overrunning the area and sweeping victoriously to the borderline with South Korea and beyond if they so desired. In the great tradition established by American military historians of World War 2, although without the opportunity they had of interviewing troops right after they had come from the scene of battle, this book shows us how one Marine unit held the line, making possible the escape of those who survived (after an incredibly bitter march to the South). As the tradition demands, this is a man by man, ground level, description of as much of the experience as could later be recalled by the survivors or culled from the literature. Quite rightfully, they continually remind us, show us in detail, the greatest enemy of all, COLD, day after day, night after night, of temperatures below even that some were exposed to in the immoderate climate of northern Minnesota. Cold that froze rifles and machine guns, froze hand grenades and mortar tubes, cold that froze exposed human flesh and could kill in due time. It was one hell of a climate for anyone to be fighting in, particular hell for most Americans, who had never faced, or learned to accommodate to, continual temperatures of 20 or 30 degrees below 0 Fahrenheit.
It is not necessary to recall all the details of their account to learn the chief lessons of actual combat, it is cruel, unforgiving, with no rules but kill or be killed; it is nasty, brutish, and, entirely ugly; and, yet, there are men ( as it was in those days) who showed their mettle, who routinely exceeded what we expect of mere mortals. Oh, yes, there is one other feature which must always be kept in mind, death and maiming are easily come by, one must live with the fact that every moment you or your buddy may be taken out.
This is a good book.
While there is little hope that the men who fought there will ever receive the credit they deserve, at least some of those now alive can find a few resources to tell them the story. This is one of them.

A very well-researched account of a pivotal battle that helped decide the results of the Chosin Reservoir campaign. To quote Admiral Nimitz, "The Last Stand of Fox Company" is another example of how for the USMC, uncommon valor is a common virtue. Definitely worth reading for those interested in Marine Corps history and the Korean War.

Heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Bob Drury and Tom Clavin for their "The Last Stand of Fox Company". These gentlemen have written among the best books on men in combat I've ever read. I hate the label "instant classic", which is usually an empty and hyperbolic compliment. It absolutely applies, however, to "Last Stand", which is exceptionally well researched and written; vivid, compelling, extremely difficult to put down, refreshingly unpretentious, and -- thank God! -- completely devoid of the nuance so beloved of the cocktail party set. The men of Fox Company were (and, indeed, are) heroes. Period. Recognizing this absolute fact, "Last Stand" was clearly a labor of love for Drury and Clavin.

Remember how in all the old war movies, the squad consisted of Murphy, Cianelli, Hernandez, Standing Bear, and Finkelstein? I found it reassuring and endearing in reading "Last Stand" how true to life was (and I guess is) that seemingly implausible pluralism. The men of Fox Company were McClure, Gonzalez, Bonelli, and Goldstein. There was even a Chew-Een Lee! Yeah, he had an easy time of it.

I can't come up with a single negative. Oh, all right, here's one: I'm not 100% sure what "take a knee" means -- "He [Lieutenant Colonel Ray Davis] had everyone take a knee as he pondered assignments for the assault" (page 267). Have them rest in a kneeling position?

Bravo, well done, and highly recommended.

Simply an amazing story of Fox Company's five day battle at Fox Hill in North Korea. Like all military history stories, you will always learn something new while reading this book. The maps could provide more details, but I normally draw my own maps as I read through the story in order to better understand the flow of battle. I found myself wondering how much more these Marines could take and how each time the company was about to become over-run, the Marines would muster the courage to continue the fight and repell the enemy. Out gunned and out numbered ten to one, these Marines proved they earned the title of the "Magnificent Bastards". This book has become part of my private library.

Having read so little about the Korean War I was an "open book" to learn more about this conflict. The Last Stand Of Fox Company reveals what most every Marine knows: While the U.S. may not have won the Korean War we won one of the greatest battles in history at tremendous cost saving even more lives in the process.

Outmanned by over 10 to 1 the brave fierce men of Fox Company fought the Chinese for a week to secure the evacuation of countless U.S. lives in what may be the worst environment the U.S. ever waged war in. With temperatures going 30-below zero almost every night Fox Company managed to foil Chinese plans to trap all northern U.S. troops in a battle that claimed about 80% causualties on our side. A truly remarkable testament to the American Soldier under the most hopeless circumstances. A must read for any history, warbuff, or simply, a great story of historical significance well told. Highly recommended

I have heard it said that our conflict in Korea is a "Forgotten War". Books like this are essential to keep that from happening.

This audio book is for adults - a gritty telling of marines in combat - parents use your brain cells - violence and foul language are front and center, so you may want to consider little ears that may be listening.

Drury and Clavin put you right in the middle of the stress, cold, fatigue, frustration, bravery, anger, fear, black humor, and heroism that charge combat with primal energy.

Michael Prichard's voice is a really good fit for this story. He has that no-nonsense leathery tone - sort of reminds me of a darker gravely version of Paul Harvey.

If you want a deeper appreciation of the kind of sacrifices American warriors make, and get a sense of the courage that beats in the heart of Marines - buy this one.

The subject is well worth covering, as a book-length treatment of the battle for Fox Hill was long overdue. The authors have done their research -- no easy feat after 50 years of neglect of the Korean War -- including interviewing a number of the surviving members of the battle (U.S., not Chinese). They put together their research in a broad account that tracks the battle from Fox Company's taking positions on the Hill, through the end of the battle, their journey back to their own lines, and then jumping forward to a reunion of survivors. Along the way the reader is introduced to a number of the Marines involved, complete with background, personality traits, and perspectives of the battle.

It is perhaps this last feature of the book that merited it three stars. There can be no doubt that covering an extended battle like this is a challenge. Here, the authors are only partly successful. The read feels disjointed and lacks a more overarching perspective. This is likely the result of the authors' choice to tell the stories of many of Fox Company's members throughout the battle. Unfortunately, this come at the expense of telling the overall story of the battle itself. There are, again IMO, simply too many different characters to track through one battle. The authors continually have to remind you that "this is the guy who joined the Marines to avoid prison" or "this is the guy with some cold weather experience."

I was tempted to give the book four stars because I admire the research and commitment to telling the stories it does tell, but cannot separate my broader reaction to the flow of the story from the author's laudable efforts.

No way could I put this book down. Unless you were there, I couldn't imagine what Fox Company went through. I'm not a brave person. I severed my country in a different time and place, but, these soldiers are my real hero's. No matter how the facts of this battle were documented, I couldn't imagine me being in there shoes. Great Read, Great Book. I salute all those vet's that fought that war (conflict).

What is it about accounts of soldiers who fight face to face with their enemies that makes for such an amazing story? Not to take away anything from those who fight from ships, planes or artillery redoubts, but their is something primordially exciting about accounts where men are fighting to the death just feet away from one another. Drury and Clavin's writing style is perfect for this story as well. Like a soldier's after action report, the language is crisp, clear and to the point; but without being boring. The action speaks for itself and doesn't need to be adulterated with literary pyrotechnics. Why hasn't anyone made this book into a movie? It's an Oscar magnet.

Reminded me alot of "We were Soldiers". Very well told war story on the relatively small unit level

My copy was from the Vine program and had quite a few typo's but I was assuming that would be fixed in regular editions. If not, that might irritate some of the more ticky readers

I notice alot of comments here on the maps, and to be honest that's not one of my major concerns when I read a book if I'm at all familiar with the area, so I can't really comment one way or the other on them. If that's a major point for you then I can't help you there, but some others have strong opinions one way or the other apparently

But as far as story telling and content, you can't get much better than this in a true war book. I would reccomend it to anyone with an interest in this genre

The last stand was a great, great effort. At times, the co-authors provide us with chilling details, such as chunks of palm flesh freezing to a grenade handled with a gloveless, bare hand.

Or, the two Chinese officers parading openly down the road, mesmerizing GIs momentarily.

But, at same time, a lot of details are missing, as other three-star reviewers note.

1. More maps. In a book like this with the chapters written on a day-by-day basus, we should get a daily map, or, better yet, two - one for before and one for after each day's main Chinese assault.

2. Post-battle casualties. We're told the below-zero cold helped keep many wounded from bleeding to death. But, once they got inside a warm building at the end of the withdrawal, did some bleed out after all, unable to be medically attended in time?

Ditto on frostbite. We're given a few graphic descriptions of what happened during battle, but afterward? How many people did lose digits, if not part of limbs?

And, a post-1950 sidebar on how well the Marines (and the Army) address, or how poorly, did they address the need for clothes and armaments that would work better in cold like this?

3.What DID happen to the Chinese POWs Fox captured? It's hard managing prisoners in a breakout.

4. And, of course, this wasn't Fox's "Last Stand." How long did it take for Fox to fully refit, etc?

Even when I was reading the book, I cannot imagine what those Marines on Fox hill went through during the siege.
It is about courage under severe fire and extreme cold while fighting against a determined enemy, helbent on destroying both them and the 1st Marine division.
What those Marines did on that hill, helped the Marine regiment further up north pulling out of the trap set by the Chinese.

BreathTaking ...this Book is a must read for all Schoolchildren...in a 100 years they will read this story and realise this is what the U.S is about FORGET 300 SPARTANS this was 246 MARINES against 10,000 CHINESE who eventually QUIT and went back North of the YALU River...Amazing stories of incredible heroism ....this makes me so PROUD to be a former Brit who Become an AMERICAN CITIZEN.. British by Birth ,AMERICAN by the GRACE OF GOD.

This is an amazing book that tells the story of Fox Company, a group of Marines who in the Korean War held the hill although totally surrounded by Chinese and in extreme cold weather conditions. What makes this book so good, besides the story itself, is the writing. It made me feel like I know these guys and that I was right there with them. It was hard to put this book down. It is amazing how they fought and survived. I salute you, Fox Company, and to Mr. Drury and Mr. Clavin, super job! Thank you for this book. It's a must read for everybody!

The beginning of the book is filled with a bit too much of the all American hero when introducing the soldiers. But once the scene is set, the boys are on the hill, it's a fascinating story from the Marine's side of the battle for Fox Hill. Judging from the causality list, the attacking Chinese clearly needed a better attack plan. From a true grit perspective the Marines who held this hill did so with all of the honor of being a marine. And in doing so, sacrificed most of their squad to save the lives of over eight thousand marines up the road who needed it to evacuate.

The story is good but not quite as good as "With the Old Breed" which sets the standard for warfare narratives. If you enjoy armchair battle books, you'll like this one.

I'm actually circling back to read "The Last Stand" a second time. The first time was for pure enjoyment, and it certainly did not disappoint. The second time is because I am now working on my own non-fiction book on a battle and rescue from the Vietnam war and I wanted to study several really good books to "see how it is done." "Last Stand" is even better the 2nd time around and now that I am looking at it from the perspective of how to structure a really good book it makes me admire the writing even more. Tremendous job...

This is a gripping, well-chronicled story of U.S. Marines in one of the Korean War's most vicious encounters. Heroism abounds as the Marines battle horrendous numbers of Chinese Communists and bone-chilling cold weather in what became a decisive victory against long odds. As a former Marine, I found this book enlightening and informational about an important moment in the esteemed history of the Corps.

A terrific read. I highly recommend it.

Gerald Gillis
Award-winning author of Shall Never See So Much

I just finished "The Last Stand of Fox Company" and was blown away by the book. Thanks to Bob Drury and Tom Clavin for writing a great book that preserves and adds documentation on the heroic stand of the officers and men of Fox Company USMC in the face of hoards of Red Chinese Army attacks on their position 11/27/1950 through 12/05/1950. He also documents the next days the survivors went through until evacuated for wound care or reassignment to fight with other companies. Grit and courage were demonstrated by our Marines in Korea in winter 1950. This book helps us remember and learn from it.

A story of one of the darkest days in American military history when U.S. Marines withstood frigid weather and overwhelming Chinese forces. Their efforts turned a clear defeat into one of the most heroic stands in military history. The authors did a good job in acquiring the stories of the Marines who defended Fox Hill. Unfortunately the narrative is one-sided as none of the Chinese soldiers involved in the battle were interviewed. Despite that the book reads well and the story itself is so compelling that the reader can't help but be drawn into this story. The writing is in the form of battlefield slang and makes no effort to sugar-coat the coarse language used by the Marines. Some will enjoy this informality, but others may find it distracting. I would also recommend "Frozen Chosen" which is broader in scope than just Fox Hill.

Excellent read. It shows how well the Corps fights. Several of the Marines in Fox Company did not complete Boot Camp. They held together by the seasoned veterans of the brutal Pacific Campaign and the intangible spirit of the United States Marine Corps. They still fought in a superb fashion. I recommend it to anyone interested in the Chosin Resovior. Mao send these Chinese Divisions to destroy the 1st Marine Division. Didn't work out too well.
Semper Fidelis.

This is a great book about the forgotten war that my father and my late uncle, "James E. Pulliam," fought in. It illustrates some of the violent, bloody, battles that U.S Marines fought with Chinese, and North Korean comunists. This three year battle cost the lives or over 53,000 American fighting men! This book is a must read. It shows the results of not finishing the job which is evident with the North Korean threat today!

First of all, I should say that I would give the book a more positive rating if there were not so many positive reviews already, greatly reducing the chance of anyone reading this one. But if you have read some of the negative reviews, you already know that a common complaint is that the authors should have had their work checked for factual errors one last time before submitting it for publication. Although those errors are, as far as I know, very few & rather minor (Garland vs Garand, Master Gunnery Sergeant vs Gunnery Master Sergeant), there is no denying that they are real; and that they are at least an annoying distraction.

I realize that the book was not intended to be a biography of any particular individual, but to that list of errors I would add that on pg. 22 (& the index), Captain Barber's name was William EARL (not William Edward), and that his father's name was George (Woodrow was an elder brother). Also, Dehart was a rural farming community near the LICKING River (which flows into the Ohio perhaps a hundred miles downstream). And while the family was no doubt affected by the Depression, it was urban laborers who hardest hit, while farmers such as the Barbers were largely self-sufficient both before & after those hard times. Finally, although the fact that he had risen through the ranks to become an officer technically made him a "mustang," As the authors also note, he had two years of college under his belt before dropping out to join the Marines (which no doubt influenced his being accepted into officer candidate school).

In short, it is true that the book contains some inexcusable errors. (Given the authors' claim to having interviewed family members, one must wonder how they managed to get so many details wrong). However, when taken for what it is - a collection of disparate, disjointed personal recollections which are no doubt not entirely accurate in every case... I think it is fair to say that the authors did an outstanding job in researching their subject and in piecing together all of those recollections into a coherent story. It does not convey as accurate or complete a picture of some aspects of the larger battle as other works out there. But at the very least, it is an invaluable addition to the history of the war which makes all of those personal recollections & insight available to a wide audience. Hopefully, a future edition will correct some of those errors.

What a book! An outstanding story of an often overlooked period in our history. The writing style feels like a novel. What these men went through seems almost unbelieveable even more so considering this happened just 50 years ago. Everyone should read this book and give thanks to those Korean War vets and our soldiers in the Middle East today. One wonders if our younger generation has any idea what these men did and the conditions they had to endure. This was real sacrifice and done without whining. Too many people today feel entitled to all sort of benefits because they believe themselves victims of some sort of injustice. Read this story and remember these men and the sacrifices they made, much like our soldiers overseas today. Thank you, Rob

This book was one of my favorites on the subject of the Korean war. This was a special group of Marines that survived and gave as good as they got in an extreme and unforgiving environment. Its a testament to the Marines and the American soldier. If you enjoy American military history then this is something you are going to want to read.

In November 1950, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur had made a mistake that the rawest second looie wouldn't have made. Ignoring intelligence reports, he had sent a small army, unequipped and untrained for a winter campaign, far beyond his logistics services. His best formation, the 1st Marine Division, had been advanced into trackless mountains, with only a single, easily cut road linking them to their supply port. Now it was surrounded and outnumbered 10 to one at the Chosin Reservoir.
MacArthur, a corrupt glory hound, was the only American general ever to maneuver -- lead would be the wrong word -- his troops into a March of Death. He had already done it twice. Only 246 Marines and Navy corpsmen (and one Korean translator) from Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment stood between the Chinese army and a third MacArthur March of Death.
Fox was told to defend Toktong Pass, the only point through which the advanced regiments of the 1st Marines could retreat. MacArthur, who was by this time no longer sane, if he ever had been, and his equally incompetent corps commander, Edward Almond -- MacArthur attracted fools like cowpies attract flies -- were not thinking about retreat. They were ordering X Corps to continue to attack toward China.
Over the next six days, the men of Fox achieved one of the greatest feats of arms in the history of American warfare.
They were not a highly-trained, experienced outfit like the Marines who landed on Guadalcanal or Iwo Jima. A great many were teenagers, many were reservists who had never even gone to boot camp. Some were replacements for men killed and wounded in a battle with the Chinese -- who MacArthur insisted were not there -- at Sudong a few days earlier. Most of the other men didn't even know their names yet, and the infantrymen of Fox were unfamiliar with most of their officers.
They were short of food, ammunition, warm clothing, radios, vehicles and every other sort of equipment.
The only things they had going for them were air and artillery support and the fact that they were United States Marines.
Bob Drury and Tom Clavin present the setup in 60 rather dull pages. "The Last Stand of Fox Company" improves once the attack of the 59th Chinese Division opens, and the authors recount, tersely, the experiences of the men.
Never, except perhaps on New Georgia, have Marines fought in worse climatic conditions. Fox Hill, an exposed slope the size of a couple of football fields, was overlooked by rocky ridges from which Chinese snipers operated by day, although they dared not attack because of the Marine Corsairs and Australian Air Force Mustangs. At night, when most of the fighting took place, the temperatures dropped as low as minus 40.
At this level, war consists of a series of individual decisions, accidents and mistakes. Each man in Fox had his own idea of how he would prepare and react. Their individual characters come through vibrantly in this account.
In every long battle, there are mysterious, inexplicable events, and there were plenty of those on Fox Hill. The strangest, perhaps, was the appearance, on the third day of fighting, of two Chinese officers in formal, parade ground capes walking unconcernedly up the road. The Marines were so surprised they held their fire for a moment. Then the firing key on the heavy machine gun -- the water-cooled model that had frozen uselessly on the night of the first assault -- was depressed, and the Chinese were slaughtered.
Nobody, probably not even the Chinese, knows how many others in the 59th died, but the total was in the thousands.
Irritatingly, Drury and Clavin never give a total of Fox's casualties either. By the time they were relieved by a larger unit, now legendary in Marine memories as the Ridgerunners, only about 60 men were still fighting, and almost all of them were wounded and/or frostbitten. Perhaps the exact proportion between the dead and the wounded among the other 190 does not really matter.
"The Last Stand of Fox Company" is not for the squeamish or those of tender scruples. The Fox Marines, like those who had fought the Japanese a few years earlier, quickly learned that the Chinese wounded would lie among the hundreds of corpses and rise up with a grenade to take one Marine with them. Even unwounded Chinese pretended to be wounded in order to get close to a Marine.
Fox shot the Chinese wounded. But those Chinese who surrendered -- apparently largely conscripted former Nationalist soldiers -- were treated according to the Geneva Convention: something that never happened to Marine prisoners in Korea.
Irritatingly, Drury and Clavin never explain how the men of Fox, stretched thin and thinner to cover a shrinking perimeter, managed these prisoners.
As a unit action history, "The Last Stand of Fox Company" has a number of deficiencies like this, and the maps are inadequate.
It's a wonderful story nevertheless, one that ought to be part of the historical consciousness of every American, as much as Valley Forge, Bastogne and other famous last stands.
It ought especially to be required reading in Norfolk, Virginia. If it were, the townspeople there would tear down their ridiculous and offensive MacArthur Memorial.

Drury and Clavin have given us an accurate and revealing account of a momentous stand during the oft-forgotten Korean War by a rifle company of U.S. Marines - Fox Company, 2/7. They rely heavily upon the historical accounts and personal stories of the men who were there to place the reader on that God-forsaken hill in the most extreme circumstances. A real and deserving tribute to the courage and bravery of those Marines.

If you liked this book, you will also like "Colder than Hell" by Lt. Joe Owen also of the 7th Marines. This book is much more detailed. It gives you an hour by hour account of the events on Fox Hill. Other reviewers have criticized the maps, but I was able to follow the firefights and defensive maneuvers OK. There is little doubt that without the heroic stand by Fox Company and the rescue of Lt Col Ray Davis' 2/7 the 1st Mar Div would have been routed.

In this,day and age ,when the thoughts of duty and country are far from the minds of our young men ,I stand in awe of the courage and devotion these men exhibited.
They are truly the greatest generation.

The authors performed a fantastic job of describing the logistics of Fox Hill and how it changed hour to hour and day to day. I have great appreciation of the situation as a Korea Marine, Semper Fi!!

If you are looking for a great military history story look no further. This book is well written and tells a harrowing tale of a units desperate mission. The authors of this book have done a great service to the sacrifice and courage of the members of Fox Company. A must for anyone interested in the history of the Korean War.

I found this book very gripping. I read it in 2 days, I couldnt put it down. What Fox 2/7 did was nothing short of a miricale. The stories of these brave men was told in such a way that it was made very real to the reader and surreal to the survivors. The world called this battle a conflict, not a war... well I beg to differ. My Dad was in this war. His name is Dick Bonelli and hearing the untold stories of what he and his commrads went through is horrifying and humbling. I was never told about what happened to my Dad back then, he never spoke of it. It does make me appreciate having him around all the more. I cant imagine what it was like for my father or any other soldier who has been through scenerios like the ones in this book but I do come away having a deeper respect and love for him and all the ones like him...past, present and future. Daddy I love you and am very proud of you and its an honor to be your daughter.

This is one of the most incredible descriptions of a battle. Nothing Hollywood or glamorous. Just normal people under horrible circumstances finding courage. Their story is very well told in a compelling and enjoyable read. No reservations recommending this book.

My uncle warren mcclure was a father husband grandfather great grandfather an the best an bravest man an uncle I ever knew an after I read this book I cryed an thanked god for giving me an blessing me with the bravest an most warm hearted uncle this world will ever...see an have...miss u uncle warren .... simplifie uncle....robert

A well-written combat story takes on a life of its own. TLSoFC is such a work - impressive in its obvious intention of communicating detail without boring the reader to tears. However, writing about History is tough for writers - especially those who understand that the reader wants fact as well as the emotion.

MOST readers will get what they expect out of the modern vein of historical recollection - gritty drama, backstory; yeah, TLSoFC is a movie waiting to happen.

Soldiers - individual and collectively - are portrayed with personality and objective regard considering three of the players were awarded the Medal of Honor for their time on Fox Hill. These three men alone could have warranted the book to themselves. But, the writers let us meet so many others and in such a way that emotionally, the whole lot of them seem to be deserving of the MoH.

Because of TLSoFC, I am looking forward to learning more about the Korean War - gratitude towards the authors for this!

But. If you're a historian or interested in any part of American combat aviation during the 20th Century, be prepared to be stopped by some so-obvious errors that you'll be tempted to cast doubt on the rest.

For one, the authors refer to P-51 Mustangs as equipped with "cannon." Nope. They're "machine guns." Cannon on fighters were a different weapon characterized by explosive heads. The P-51s flown by the Aussies did not have cannon but .50cal machine guns. This may be wonky until the reader realizes that to history buffs and especially wingnuts (airplane nuts), the difference is pretty basic.

Secondly, the authors describe "camouflaged" and "green" Marine Corsairs. Nope. They were dark blue. And SO dark blue, they're unmistakably so. To imagine a ground-bound Marine thinking that their winged brethren flew Green airplanes is also a stretch considering how utterly prevalent the dark blue was in Marine fighter aviation at the time. Either the men the authors interviewed where collectively clueless or the writers were sloppy and didn't think, "Hmmm. Let's look up VMF-312 and see what their planes looked like."

That's the problem with historical works - it's not Fiction but Fact interpreted by fallibility. One or two teeny errors can set the whole book off, especially for wonks.

Regardless, thank you to the authors for telling this important story. But do correct the mentioned errors on the next reprint. :)

This story of one small unit of Marines during the Korean War is a terrific read, detailing the heroism of one group of men with their backs against the wall. With relentless Chinese attacks this unit was nearly overrun on multiple occasions. With resolve and determination these Marines fought off the Chinese and survived.

This short history is well worth the read.

The story of Fox Company and the Kroean War is a compelling one. I found the subject of the book extremely interesting. That being said, the book is not that well written. It bounces around and at times it is difficult to follow the story line.

There are times when I felt as if the story was left unfinished. The comments about a prisoner of war, Robert C Mussman come to mind when he is mentioned as having been used by the Chinese Communists as a propaganda tool to get the Marines to surrender. Nothing else is mentioned about this man and what happened to him. I did an Internet search and was able to find out that he was a POW. I was even able to find a picture of him on eBay. Unfortunately I was not able to find out if he was truely the man in the woods that day as described in the book.

I agree with another reviewers comments regardig the italicized 'thoughts' of the Marines. For the most part they did not benefit the story at all.

The Last Stand of Fox Company is a compelling story and I have to admit I did not know much about the Korean War before reading it. In my opinion though a little bit better organization of the book would have made it an easier read.

Outstanding chilling account of Marine Company in its finest hour during the Korean Conflict. What these patriots endured is almost beyond belief. It provides the reader with the feeling of actually participating in the ordeal. A must read for all military history buffs.

This is a must read for every American and every soldier preparing for a combat tour - a real tribute to the Marine Corps and Korean Veterans - make copies of the various maps to keep in front of you while reading - hats off to the authors for piecing the many first-hand stories and facts regarding this heroic battle. Unfortunately, too many Americans collecting checks and looking for ways to receive than to give care less about sacrificing for the greater good to preserve our unique freedoms and culture.

One of the best books about the Korean War I have ever read. Wonderful history. An outstanding effort to explain what it was like, why it was necessary and how terrible Chosen really was. Buy it. Read it. Share it with your kids. What heros are really like.

I'm the historian for the 1st Marine Division Association. Part of my duty is to review books about the Division as they come out. This is one of the best books I have every had the priviledge to review.

The Chosin Campaign was one of the great defining moments in Marine Corps history. Defining in that it proved just how tough Marines are, when faced with virtually insurmountable odds. True, this was a "retreat," but more than that, it was a battle more of survival itself. This book brings this struggle to life. It is masterfully told, bringing all harrowing details to life for the reader. This is one of those to remain on the bookshelf forever (except when reading).

I thoroughly enjoyed Drury and Clavin's book on THE LAST STAND OF FOX COMPANY. The book states that there were 246 Marines at Fox Hill. A listing at the end of the book gives the names of 239. I am attempting to contact the authors in order to give them additional information about a Marine who was at Fox Hill (2nd Platoon) but who does not appear in the Marine Corps "official" list of men assigned to the company. Also, I have highly probable information on the identity of the two Marines whose facial-view pictures appear on the front cover of the book. Both men are still living today. I would like to share this information with the authors. If you know how I might contact Drury or Clavin, please contact me. ---Glenn

I began to read about the Korean War and the Chosin Reservoir campaign in 10th grade. My chemistry teacher was a marine vet from the Korean War and he fought in the Chosin Reservoir battle and his reluctence to talk about it spurred me to read on it.

I have read a number of books on the Chosin and it is because of that I feel that this latest book unfortunately does not reveal anything new. To me, this book is like "Flyboys" in that it is well written and a good book for people that do not know much about the Korean War. Flyboys to me was the same for WWII in the Pacific.

The Last Stand of Fox Company is easy to read, well written, and tells a very important story of some very very brave men. I bet most people do not know the US fought China in the Korean War. Had I known nothing about the Korean War and the Chosin Battle I probably would have liked this book more. In 10th grade I would have loved it back when I really wanted to know about this battle.

I would have liked to see more info on the Chinese side of the Battle.

The story is important and if you don't know it you will like this book.

I hope people who do not know about how Brave the Marines were in the battle read this book

My mother got me hooked on reading war books many years ago. This is the first book that I have read about the Korean War. I was enthralled. I couldnt hardly put the book down. The book is a very easy read. The stories are heartwarming and heart breaking all at the same time. The imagery is clear and vivid. I appreciate all of the time and effort that the author put into this recollection of events. It was amazing!

This remarkable event in a rather obscure war seems as though it is happening now as the reader is caught up in it page after page. I kept returning in my mind to the phrase, "the few, the proud, the Marines". Never before have I appreciated the service of these great warriors. Thanks to the exellent writing of Drury and Clavin, we lived and died, sacrificed and survived, with these almost forgotten young men.

I very much enjoyed reading this book. Being a veteran, I've always been interested on reading about our brave men, and women who we depend on
too defend our great country.
I would have also liked the names of the 2006 reunion attendees posted with their picture, so I could put a name with a face..

Without any visual references to put these detailed battle accounts into perspective, its simply the same account over and over again with different names.

I've no idea why the publisher didn't include the maps with the CD packaging. If you get the CD you should somehow track down the maps from the books. There really aren't any suitable maps available on the internet.

This is one of the best small unit combat books I've read. It goes into great detail with many individuals being interviewed.
The combat described is taking place in probably the most brutal environment imaginable--the depth of the Korean winter when temps dipped to 30 below zero at night. It was probably the most admired and respected Marine Corps action in history.
Great book!

Overall the book was really great. My dad fought in the Korean war and it helped me connect with the reality of how hard these men fought in this war and the challenges they faced. I found it repetitive at times, but it was a great read.

Given the little (compared to WWII) written well about front line experiences in Korea, I eagerly awaited this book. Sad to say it was a disappointment. while the content passes muster, the writing is amateurish and at times I had to double check if this book was written for a child or teen reader? I wish the author well, and thank him for his heroic service and if you must have a first line combat book, pick it up.

The account of this action is one of the best descriptions of a little known event that the reader can encounter. It tells not only the military circumstance faced by the Marines but also puts a personal perspective by telling the story of the individual men that fought it out against all odds. I found this book to be a superbly told story.

Dealing with communism Marine Style. Not making this a big budget film is like deliberately tossing your winning power ball ticket.

Semper Fi, 7th Marines.

\\// Live long and end communism.

The statement made by Captain William Barber, "we will hold, sir." describes one of the most courageous stands in military history. Fox company survived 5 nights of attacks by Communist Chinese Forces which outnumbered them 10 to 1, preserving the only exit for 8,000 surrounded Marines.

An easy to read story of a young group of Marines in an impossible situation. This story shows what a legacy is passed down from one generation of Marines to the next. The maps help me uderstand the circumstances and I could practically feel the chill.

This is a very good description of how the marines held a vital mountain pass in far north Korea while outnumbered 40 to 1, in temperature of minus 30 degrees. I know,I was there.

Watson Crumbie

The Last Stand of Fox Company: A True Story of U.S. Marines in Combat(Hardcover) by Robert Drury and Tom Clavin tells the story of one company that found itself in a very strategic position with no way to retreat or advance. Because the position overlooked the single line of escape for the rest of the Marine division, the Chinese Army threw everything it had at dislodging these young Marines.

Good:

One feels as if they are there in the biting cold. The hardships theseyoung Marines face are horrific, but it is possible to feel empathy. At times, the recitation of cold, hunger, and pain become overwhelming but for the most part, the reader can see these Marines as individuals.

This is an inspiring story. I often wonder where America gets folks like the ones described in this book. Freedom is powerful, in part,because it allows individuals to choose to be selfless.

This is a small battle in a limited war. It is good that Mr Drury and Mr Clavin have documented it so that it isn't lost to history. One can only hope the Marines add this book to their required reading list or that it gets made into a movie to ensure this story lives on.

Bad:

However, Mr Drury and Mr Clavin did not make an adequate argument about the strategic significance about this battle. The poor maps don't help,but one gets the impression that this battle is a lot less like Thermopylae and more like King's Mountain with the folks on the mountain getting rescued at the very end.

Additionally, I would have liked to know more about some of the keyplayers. A small annex with a bio of some of the individuals mentionedin the story would have been helpful. However, perhaps this was leftout intentionally due to space constraints.

Overall, a good story and a good book.

While the subject of this book, Fox 2/7's defense of an isolated hill in North Korea during the horrendous Chosin Reservoir campaign is worthwhile, there are way too many errors and distracting hyperbole for my taste. The feat-of-arms at Fox Hill will stand out in the USMC history books as long as there is a Marine Corps. "The Last Stand of Fox Company," however, doesn't add much to the story.

The prose of this book seems, possibly, directed at a military/soldier/Marine enlisted man readership. Profanity is incorporated throughout the book, foul language that the authors use to describe events...NOT the quoted words of the participants. The effect is to give the work an amateurish flavor, more like a story told by young men who want to be seen as tough or cool than serious historians. I'm no prude but I don't think writers need to utilize profanity when their protagonists use enough of their own. The technique smacks of pandering to a select audience.

Italics are used to record the Marines' thoughts - or are they the superimposed impressions of the writers? It's not clear. For example, on pages 117-118 a dead Marine with a chest wound is described: So he wasn't snoring after all. The poor guy had been breathing through his sucking chest wound. On page 170 a Marine's thoughts: What the hell they doing back there in the middle of the perimeter? All of these italics are very distracting. Did the participants really say and/or think these things or did Drury and Clavin insert them for dramatic effect? It's confusing and irritating.

A more important problem with the story is the abundance of factual errors. The big (main) picture seems to be straight (I'm no Korean War historian) but the incorrect details drove me nuts. The Marine enlisted rank is master gunnery sergeant, not "gunnery master sergeant" (used on at least two occasions). Corsairs are described as "camouflaged" (I could accept this to a degree) and like "green hawks." I think the authors were thinking of US Army fighter planes in WWII. Corsairs in both wars were blue. On page 309, Lt. Elmo Peterson is described as having been awarded the Navy Cross. An Internet search turns up no such award for this Marine officer. I could be wrong but I don't believe Lt. Peterson was a recipient of this high award for valor. A minor detail (but no less irksome to anyone wanting a correct account) is Sgt John Henry's description as having served in the Army Air Force as a gunner in the Pacific Theater in WWII. A quick look at his photo in the book reveals a ribbon with two campaign stars for the European - not Asiatic/Pacific Theater.

There are many more incorrect details that escape me at the moment but I think I've made my point. I wanted to learn more about the post-war lives of the men involved. Too many biographies are sketchy, as if they were glossed over thanks to a failure to pursue the full story. The rank, Private First Class, could be abbreviated to PFC after the first or second listing. This may be an exaggeration but it seemed like the book would be four or five pages shorter if all the full spellings of "Private First Class" were reduced to three letters. Marine battalions are sometimes listed as "Rifle Battalions." I never heard that one before.

Overall, though the individual actions of two dozen or so Marines are recounted, I didn't get a sense of the intensity of the repeated Chinese assaults on Fox Hill. The feeling is that the survivors were interviewed, a basic history was cobbled together and a quick story was written and published. Martin Russ's "Breakout" does a much better job of relating the freezing, hellish conditions at Chosin in late 1950.

I'm only 100 pages into the book and the errors are maddening. Would it have been that hard to have someone with Marine experience pull a sanity check on this? For example, the head of the Marine Corps is the "Commandant" not a "commandant general." Whatever that is. And the Marines say "Ooo-rah!" Not "hoo-yah." It's "Master Gunnery Sargeant" not "Gunnery Master Sargeant."
In "Seven Days in May," Kirk Douglas played a Marine Colonel. There's not a Marine alive who didn't notice that when Kirk took off his blouse, he was wearing a Navy belt.
Unfortunate distractions from what could have been a whopping good war story.

I am usually able to read through a book in less than a day. Anything regarding the military and conflicts is almost a sure fire fast read for me. That being said, it was hard for me to get into "The Last Stand." I did not feel a connection to the book.

An absolute piece of fiction. Did you know that these guys were carrying M1 Garland rifles? Did you know that these authors can tell you exactly how each company member dies or is captured, even down to the last buttstroke?

What a colossal waste of my money.