Major Chew-Een Lee, USMC (Ret.) and his role as a 1Lt in the breakout
from Chosin.Fullbore.
His Navy Cross citation:
For extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of a Machine-Gun Platoon of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea, on 2 and 3 November 1950. Immediately taking countermeasures when a numerically superior enemy force fiercely attacked his platoon and overran its left flank during the defense of strategic terrain commanding approaches to the main supply route south of Sudong, first Lieutenant Lee boldly exposed himself to intense hostile automatic weapons, grenade and sniper small-arms fire to carry out a personal reconnaissance, well in advance of his own lines, in order to redeploy the machine-gun posts within the defensive perimeter. Momentarily forced back by extremely heavy opposition, he quickly reorganized his unit and, instructing his men to cover his approach, bravely moved up an enemy held slope in a deliberate attempt to draw fire and thereby disclose hostile troop positions. Despite serious wounds sustained as he pushed forward, First Lieutenant Lee charged directly into the face of the enemy fire and, by his dauntless fighting spirit and resourcefulness, served to inspire other members of his platoon to heroic efforts in pressing a determined counterattack and driving the hostile forces from the sector. His outstanding courage, brilliant leadership and unswerving devotion to duty were contributing factors in the success achieved by his company and reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Lee and the United States Naval Service.
12 comments:
Every time that I read about what happened at Chosin I'm filled with awe for the men who fought there. God bless Lt. Lee and all of them for their courage and determination in that terrible fight.
I bet he had lots of "fun" with his name resembling that of Zhou En-lai...
This is Leadership with capital L!
Reference last week's edition re John Finn (MOH) - pictures of his funeral are now available at the San Diego Union Tribune.
See here: http://www.signonsandiego.com/photos/galleries/2010/jun/03/oldest-medal-honor-recipient-john-finns-funeral/
The right stuff. Wonder why he did not advance past major?
Lt. Lee was quite a character, a real hard ass even by Marine standards. I think eventually he'll be up there with Puller, Basilone, Diamond, etc., in Marine Corps legend. In Martin Russ' book, <span>Breakout</span>, Lt. Lee is one of the primary participants followed through the entire fight. Well worth reading.
Ken, thanks for the tip. That would probably be a good gift for one of the men in my family.
Where do we find such men?
And we managed to find them without a Diversity Directorate.
Nothing wrong with retiring as a Major...
Concur, Ken,
Russ's two books, the first being The Last Parallel, are superb works about Korea.
And 1stLt Lee is featured in Breakout. Definitely worth the read.
they usually volunteer themselves...
Major Lee should still receive the Medal Of Honor for his heroism and unadulterated bravery with the "Frozen Chosin". I truly hope he receives it while he is still alive. My dad, now deceased, was an infantry Army Sergeant in Korea. He told me the story about Major Lee years ago and I saw the Smithsonian documentary about him last night. I'm proud of all our military, and Major Lee is certainly a true inspiration.
Post a Comment