Korean War veteran Pat Finn—a member of the “Chosin Few”—was recently honored by the Korean government. Korean Ambassador AhnHo-Young presented Finn and his comrades with a medal of thanks for their sacrifices.
Pat Finn, of Grand Marais and Minneapolis, continues to be humbled by the respect and appreciation of the Korean people. Finn is a member of the “Chosin Few.” He is one of the Marines who took part in what is now known to be the third largest battle in American history—the Chosin Reservoir Campaign in Korea. In April, Finn and his comrades were invited to an event in their honor at the IDS Tower in Minneapolis, hosted by Korean Ambassador AhnHo-Young.
This is the latest in a series of events held in recognition of that horrible chapter in the lives of the young U.S. Marines that faced 123,000 Chinese soldiers in brutally cold temperatures to help the Korean people in November 1950. “They are such an incredibly appreciative people,” said Finn. “Every summer they hold a picnic for us.”
Grateful Koreans have also gifted the Chosin Few with socks, in remembrance of how badly socks were needed in the frigid winter at Chosin Reservoir. “And Tootsie Rolls,” said Finn with a chuckle. “That was our code word for ammo, but it was also something we could eat, frozen or not.”
At the April event, Finn and his comrades were presented with a medal of thanks and honor from the Korean government. The heavy golden medal contains a piece of barbed wire from Korea’s demilitarized zone (DMZ).
The appreciation of the Korean people cannot erase the memories of that tragic time. Finn shared his story with the Cook County News- Herald in June 2012. His is an amazing story of survival as a member of the “Frozen Chosin.”
The weather, at 30 degrees below zero, was as much a challenge for the American troops as the attacking Chinese. Sheer numbers of the enemy overwhelmed the Americans. Finn still sadly remembers all the men who died, including his friend—and guardian angel—Eddy Reilly of Cedar Point, Iowa. Reilly was killed December 3, 1950.
Finn was wounded when he was “blown out” of a foxhole, suffering serious injuries to his back. Like all of the Chosin survivors, he also suffered from frostbite. When he arrived at the hospital, he was given a choice of where to recuperate— Guam, the Philippines or Hawaii. Finn picked Hawaii because it was as close as possible to the United States.
As he recovered, Finn followed some advice from his father and he wrote what he remembered of the Chosin battle. Of the last days of the struggle, he wrote, “Days and nights just came and went. We were all filthy and dirty and cold to the bone. Just walk and walk, then stop and wait to clear a roadblock or wipe out a sniper’s nest. The vehicles were so loaded with wounded and dead you couldn’t even sit down. I never thought a person could go on without sleep or proper food for so long. You can win just about any contest I guess when the prize is your life. That’s about what it amounted to, a contest, the human being against the enemy and nature.”
It is a contest acknowledged by grateful nations— the United States and Korean—and the latest gathering was nice, said Finn. “It was unexpected, but it was a wonderful honor,” he said.
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