Posted on Jan 6, 2026
The Korean Battle for Outpost Vegas: 1,000 Casualties, Two Medals of Honor, One Four-Legged Hero
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Two days later, Chinese artillery opened fire on the chain of combat outposts. What followed became the bloodiest fighting Marines endured on the Jamestown Line during the entire war.
Unlike most situations, the tactical situation favored the attackers. Carson sat 800 yards forward of the MLR, near two Chinese positions. Reno occupied the most exposed ground at 1,600 yards out, perched on terrain that made reinforcement nearly impossible under fire. Vegas, the highest point, stood 1,300 yards from the MLR.
Author Lee Ballenger described the problem in "The Final Crucible: Marines in Korea, 1953."
The outposts "were surrounded by higher ground held by the enemy, and each one depended on the others for flank defense," Ballenger wrote. "If one outpost fell, the others were as vulnerable as a stack of dominos in a hurricane."
Unlike most situations, the tactical situation favored the attackers. Carson sat 800 yards forward of the MLR, near two Chinese positions. Reno occupied the most exposed ground at 1,600 yards out, perched on terrain that made reinforcement nearly impossible under fire. Vegas, the highest point, stood 1,300 yards from the MLR.
Author Lee Ballenger described the problem in "The Final Crucible: Marines in Korea, 1953."
The outposts "were surrounded by higher ground held by the enemy, and each one depended on the others for flank defense," Ballenger wrote. "If one outpost fell, the others were as vulnerable as a stack of dominos in a hurricane."
The Korean Battle for Outpost Vegas: 1,000 Casualties, Two Medals of Honor, One Four-Legged Hero
Posted from military.com
Korean War
Medal of Honor
Marines
Horses and Horseback Riding
Edited 14 d ago
Posted 15 d ago
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Lt Col Charlie Brown in everyday life the humans around us cannot conceive what hell we face, when our number is called. The smile and grin and lead us around like Chihuahuas.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
SGT Mary G. well said. You have manifested as an angel to me, in your person. I had no idea I would become vexed, here. I had no idea I would be one so dizzy with anger. Then your comments popped up. I could not ignore your name. I ignored the notifications, but not yours
Hey listen. You stated you are trying not to reinjure yourself. Just an FYI Brett and Stef do speak with people over the phone, if they desire so. No pressure, at all. Just sharing resources.
Hey listen. You stated you are trying not to reinjure yourself. Just an FYI Brett and Stef do speak with people over the phone, if they desire so. No pressure, at all. Just sharing resources.
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Lt Col Charlie Brown
Bret and Stef are excellent. Stef's movement is very slow and gentle and I was able to do it less than a week after surgery. SGT Mary G.
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PO3 Phyllis Maynard
Lt Col Charlie Brown so you know about Stefani's movement. I love those Tuesday and Thursday classes.
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SSgt Robert Simonds
SGT Mary G. - The nices part of what God has for you next is the surprise. Many a time when I was dispatched to a suiside attempt I would be talking the the person and they had never been to a church and didn't know god. I would sit down and pray with them and tell them God loves them and will show them the way but first they have to talk to hims and he showes them the way it is up to them to decide which way they will go. God gives us choices tto make. But if you don't know him He can't help you. After a few hours I would call a preacher friend of mine and he would come over and take ove as I had anothr call I was dispatched on. A few days later I would contact thm and most had already acepted God as their Saivor ans would be going to Church every Sunday and I would give the a small new Bible. Made a lot of friends that way.
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