The Brotherhood of the Chosin Few and the Legacy of John “Moose” Creighton
By Mitch Steinberg
I first became aware of the Brotherhood of the Chosin Few shortly after enlisting in the Marine Corps. This was after the Korean “Police Action” ended in a stalemate and armistice. During our training, we studied the Korean War to extract its lessons. That’s why, when given the opportunity to meet one of the Chosin Few, I looked forward to getting the details and the “straight scoop” on the action.
That meeting happened eleven years ago when several of us stood alongside long-time SaddleBrooke resident and Marine (once a Marine, always a Marine), John “Moose” Creighton. Moose was a driving force behind the founding of SaddleBrooke Troop Support (STS) — originally called Tucson Troop Support — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to caring for and supporting military service members, veterans, and their families.
Who Are the Chosin Few?
Before exploring Moose’s role in STS, we must first understand what it means to be one of the Chosin Few.
On June 25, 1950, 100,000 Russian-trained and equipped North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) forces invaded South Korea, overwhelming Republic of Korea (ROK) forces and the few U.S. troops deployed from Japan. The U.S., drastically downsized after WWII, was ill-prepared to respond.
By September, U.S. and ROK forces retreated to the Pusan Perimeter. General Douglas MacArthur then launched a brilliant amphibious assault at Inchon, with the 1st Marine Division — including newly trained PFC Moose Creighton — spearheading the landing. On September 15, 1950, they stormed Blue Beach and secured Inchon by midnight. By September 27, Seoul was liberated.
The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir
In October 1950, MacArthur ordered a push north to the Yalu River. X Corps, including the 1st Marine Division, 7th Army Division, Britain’s 41st Royal Marines, and ROK units advanced eastward. On November 26-27, over 200,000 Chinese troops launched a surprise counter-offensive. The 1st Marine Division, including Moose’s unit, was surrounded by ten Chinese divisions.
Faced with annihilation, General O.P. Smith famously declared, “Retreat, hell! We’re just attacking in another direction.” Thus began the epic 70-mile fighting withdrawal to Hungnam Harbor in brutal sub-zero temperatures.
Despite severe conditions and overwhelming odds, the Marines fought a 360-degree battle while bringing out their wounded, their dead, and most of their equipment. Of the 15,000 Marines, 738 died, 4,000 were wounded, and nearly all suffered frostbite. The Chinese lost over 25,000 men, many to the cold. Several divisions were rendered ineffective for the remainder of the war.
Moose Creighton was wounded by shrapnel from a 120mm mortar during the breakout. Evacuated to the hospital ship White Hope, he was later flown back to the U.S., where he recovered and returned for a second tour. During the final phase of the breakout, casualties among NCOs were so high that Moose assumed command of his 13-man squad before being wounded.
The 1st Marine Division and attached Army units, notably Regimental Combat Team 31, received a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. This recognition laid the foundation for the brotherhood now known as The Chosin Few.
“Once a Marine, Always a Marine” — Moose and STS
Moose continued to live by the Marine Corps creed — a leader does not eat, sleep, or rest until those under their command are cared for. He saw the ongoing needs of returning veterans, many of whom returned to unemployment or reduced support after multiple deployments.
Shockingly, 25% of active duty personnel, Reservists, and National Guard members rely on food stamps, along with 7% of veterans. In response, Moose worked with local military commands to establish Military Food Bank distribution points across the Tucson area.
To keep these food banks stocked, he organized a coalition of community contributors, including The Golden Goose, Big Lots, The Sunny Side Café, Ascension Lutheran Church, and a $15,000 Meritorious Grant from the Safeway Foundation. With the help of a few dedicated volunteers, Moose personally collects, sorts, and delivers food to these locations.
Support the Mission
If you’d like to support this critical mission or volunteer with SaddleBrooke Troop Support, contact STS President George Bidwell at 520-818-2389 or 520-825-6994.
Learn More About the Chosin Campaign
To explore more about the history of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign:
- www.chosinreservoir.com/smithinterview.htm
- www.mcu.usmc.mil/MCRCweb/archive
- “Chesty” by Col. Jon Hoffman, Random House, 2001
- The United States Marines: A Pictorial History by Lynn Montross, Bramhall House, 1959
Semper Fi, Moose. Your legacy lives on through every family fed and every Marine remembered.