MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- Half a century of memories were brought back for many 1st Marine Division leathernecks at the Pusan Perimeter 50th anniversary, Aug. 10
Past, present and future Marines came from all over the United States to commemorate the anniversary with Marines from the 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
The ceremony included a memorial plaque dedication, rededication of the regimental colors, culminating with a capabilities exercise.
The plaque, which memorializes those Marines who fought and died in the Pusan offensive, will be displayed at the new Marine Corps Exchange in San Mateo upon completion of construction.
Various static displays were set up for the Marines of yesterday to view Marines of today. Marines dressed in Korean War era uniforms proudly displayed 'Old Glory' while the 1st Marine Division band played the National Anthem.
The grand finale of the day's festivities was the capabilities exercise, or CAPEX. The CAPEX showed how the Marine Air Ground Task Force operates today, from humanitarian assistance to peacekeeping to intense combat.
The exercise highlighted the heavy lift capability of current Marine aviation units as well as the infantry's ability to locate, close with and destroy the enemy and secure the objective.
The crowd of approximately 1,500 watched and remembered what it was like five decades ago.
In July 1950, over six thousand Marines from the 5th Marine Regiment and Marine Aircraft Group 33 combined to form the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. It was this brigade that sailed from Camp Pendleton on July 12, 1950 and arrived at Pusan on August 2, 1950.
Once arriving at Pusan, the Marines were plunged into a conflict with little time to prepare for the completely inhospitable environment.
The steep terrain of the Korean countryside and extreme summer heat made for numerous heat casualties, not to mention contact with the enemy.
"It has been necessary for troops now fighting in Korea to pull back at times, but I am stating now that no unit of this brigade will retreat except on orders higher than the 1st Marine Brigade," said Brigadier General Edward A. Craig, 1st Marine Brigade commander, at the time.
"You will never receive an order to retreat from me. All I ask is that you fight as Marines have always fought," he said.
These words along with fierce fighting from the Marines, contributed to the victory in the Pusan perimeter offensive.
After over 40 days of constant battle, there were 163 killed, 730 wounded, and nine missing in action (seven of which were later reclassified as killed after their remains were recovered). The estimated total enemy casualties was over nine thousand.