"The Evacuation at Hungnam, North Korea"
November- December 1950

   December 1950 was not the best month in American military history but the U. S. Army Military Police performed what could be called a miracle. They directed and controlled the largest amphibious evacuation in American history.

    The United Nation forces had repulsed the invading North Korean forces and pushed them back north to the Yalu River by early November 1950. To prevent an international incident from drawing the Communist Chinese into the conflict, UN forces were pulled back south to defensive positions across the peninsula. On the west side was the VIII Army and the X Army occupied the eastern half.

   On 25 November 1950, Chinese armies attacked UN forces in various locations and a general offensive began. In the Korean winter, the UN troops were forced to begin a retreat to escape total defeat by the overwhelming forces of the Chinese. In sub-zero weather the troops of the X Army began withdrawing toward the east coast across the snow covered hills. The MPs of the 3rd and 7th Infantry divisions fought and controlled traffic eastward. Meanwhile, Army MPs of the 772nd MP Battalion, stationed in Hungnam sent members of the 58th and 59th companies out to secure roads, fight North Korean guerrillas and assist UN troops in reaching safety at the port city. 

   By the first of December most UN troops had reached Hungnam. As the large armies of the Chinese neared the coast, the UN command ordered a complete evacuation. It was left to the men of the 772nd MP Battalion, with the 58th, 59th and 88th MP companies, X Corps Provisional MP Company, 3rd MP Company and the 7th MP Company to supervise this massive evacuation.

   The operation, which resembled an amphibious invasion in reverse, began on 19 December with shuttle craft and LST’s transporting cargo, vehicles and personnel from the docks to awaiting ships.

The Military Police supervised the loading of 17,500 vehicles, including those that were disabled or damaged during the fighting.

Along with the enormous number of vehicles, approximately 350,000 tons of cargo was also loaded and moved away from the port, eventually south to the port of Pusan.

Along with the vehicles and cargo, the Army Military Police managed to control and load 91,000 Korean refugees, who wished to be relocated to South Korea.

 At the same time the MPs of the 58th, 59th, 88th and X Corps companies also supervised the loading of 105,000 United Nations troops. The first to leave the port for ships were the survivors of the 1st Marine Division, who had been attached at the Chosin Resevoir and walked, while fighting and freezing, to the port of safety. Following the evacuation of the 1st Marine Division came the Korean troops, followed by the soldiers of the 7th Infantry Division on 21 December. The next day, 22 December, a snow storm struck the port area slowing the evacuation, but within the next three days the MPs completed the evacuation of cargo, refugees and the 3rd Infantry Division.

   Once all personnel, supplies and equipment were clear of the port, and the Military Police had boarded ships, the harbor and much of the city were destroyed. Pre-set explosive charges were detonated and the harbor was blown up, leaving little for the approaching Chinese troops.

December 2004, This Month in MP History, MP Corps Regimental Museum Website, Fort Leonard Wood, MO.