In the internet age of social media, we imagine a struggle as being without our phones or computers. We think hard and we imagine not being able to use Google to write a paper. We call it first world problems, a spin-off from our less fortunate counterparts in places like Nigeria or Ecuador.

For the majority of Millennials, they’ve never known a world without internet or Netflix. At 16 years old, they think hard is going to class every day or deciding to play varsity or junior varsity football. In a country run by social media, there is little dedication to duty or loyalty to community. It’s every person for himself, every family or individual fighting for fame, dreaming of the day when…they no longer have to work.

We live in a time when Donald Trump being elected president is considered more offensive than 9/11. A time when believing something difference makes you racist, or trying to uphold the law makes you anti-American.

But let me tell you about a different time, a time before the world wide web. A time when television was just coming of age, a time when the steel and railroad monopolies started to lose their grasp on the American way of life. A time when the fate of the world was decided by a handful of men.

It was September 1^st, 1939 when Adolf Hitler invaded Poland. An action that brought on immediate declarations of war from France and Great Britain – but the small and unorganized allied forces failed to slow down the vengeful onslaught of Nazi Germany. For two years the United States watched, patiently arguing, debating whether or not we had an obligated role in saving Europe from Hitler’s murderous regime.

Finally, after an unprecedented attack at Pearl Harbor by Japan, American leadership made the determination that it was time for the world to feel the roar of American revenge.

Four years later, the war of the world was ended, leaving an estimated 50 million dead between civilians and military personnel.

It was on the heels of the fall of Nazi Germany that a new enemy reared its head. A small country, ripe with hatred from military occupation birthed an evil so dangerous and potent that military force was inevitable – Korea.

Ruled by Japan from 1910 to the end of World War 2, Korea north was liberated by Soviet Russia, while Korea south was liberated by United States forces.

Backed by the powerful communist forces of China and Russia, the North Korean government of Kim II-sung invaded South Korea, and in 1950, just 5 years after the end of the Second World War, the United States found itself once again being called upon.

Why is all of this back story important you might ask? Because while you might be sitting on your ass complaining about how bad of cell phone service you get at work, or how long it takes for your oven to preheat, or how you just “don’t feel like” going to do something, there was another time in our history, a time when American citizens weren’t afforded many choices.

From 1940 to 1973, the United States utilized the Selective Service System in order to draft civilians into the military. You see, it wasn’t until after 1973 that the American fighting force became all volunteer. But back in those days, when serving wasn’t a choice, it became a responsibility – a duty, a requirement.

And so, in 1950 American Soldiers and Marines under the command of General Douglas McArthur descended onto North Korea with little knowledge of what they were fighting for or who they were fighting.

It was this God-forsaken frozen land that claimed the lives of an estimated 54,000 U.S. Troops, and while the number of dead might not seem very high, it was the manner in which they passed that sheds light onto the horrors of war.

The berserk manner of fighting displayed by the Koreans and Chinese closely resembled that of the Japanese during the war in the pacific. For the few World War 2 veterans that agreed to fight in Korea, the biggest shock was the frozen temperatures. But for nearly half of the 1^st Marine Division, fighting an enemy so barbaric that they would apply tourniquets to their arms and legs BEFORE battle came as a total shock.

The Hell that Froze Them

While Cutler’s last stand is widely known as one of the bloodiest military blunders of all time, rarely does anyone consider the arrogance and pompousness displayed by Douglas McArthur in his command of the Korean War.

Convinced that American forces would only face the North Korean Army, McArthur severely underestimated the North Korean capabilities as well as the role that China would play in the war.

What did this mean for American forces on the ground? Fighting in temperatures that dipped into the negative teens, ill-equipped with limited cold weather gear, explosives that couldn’t detonate in the frigid environment, and rifles not made to withstand the ice and cold.

At that time, the 1st Marine Division, decimated by the war in the pacific, was made up of about half reserve Marines and half active duty Marines. Nowadays, a traditional infantry reservist receives 13 weeks of boot camp training, followed by a 60 day infantry school and continuous monthly drills at their reserve unit. For reserve Marines in 1950, their commitment meant “72 drills”, which translates to 36 days of training at their reserve unit. They didn’t even have to go to boot camp.

But there they were, some volunteered, some voluntold, some veterans, others runaways. And while they entered that frozen hell for different reasons, they only survived because of one – their ability to come together as one force, united by one common goal, one flag and one country.

Veterans of World War 2 and Korea didn’t enjoy the luxury of Google. They didn’t have bullet proof vests or modern equipment. Instead, they had mental fortitude, developed and hardened from having been raised by the Great Depression generation.

Fortunately however, things change. During the time of the great world wars our country remained segregated, divided by hate and racism that was fueled by tradition and ignorance. It was a time in our history when reform was needed, when change was required.

Now, our troops have better gear and better weapons, our nation is no longer segregated by racism. Our civilians rely on Google for information. We use social media to keep in touch. We’re sheltered, protected, cared for.

So why? Why write 1000+ words on a war you care nothing about? A war that clearly accomplished nothing in its attempt to stop communism?

Perspective.

As I continue my study of American history, I leave you with an excerpt from the book titled, The Last Stand of Fox Company. 

“Garza spent the next four hours holding his friend’s chopped and sliced legs and buttocks together to prevent him from bleeding out. Now, as dawn broke, two Marines appeared. Together they managed to deliver Belmarez to the med tents alive.

“Hell you think you were doing out there in the middle of a firefight?” one of them asked Garza. 

“He’s my friend,” Garza said. In fact, Belmarez was the only man who knew that Garza had lied about his age on his enlistment form. Garza, the human tourniquet, had just turned sixteen.”