Marines remember Inchon landing, classic battle of Korean War

One of the institutional characteristics of the Marine Corps is its reverence for its history.

And so on Wednesday, the Marines remembered the 60th anniversary of the amphibious landing at Inchon, Korea, a daring assault that proved a turning point in the Korean War.

At Camp Pendleton, Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway was the featured speaker at a celebration in honor of the landing and the battle later at the Chosin Reservoir. A monument was unveiled honoring the "Chosin Few," with the words of Major Gen. Oliver P. Smith, who fought at Chosin: "Retreat Hell."

And in South Korea, a Marine officer from Twentynine Palms played the role of  Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur in a reenactment of the Inchon landing, with ships offshore and warplanes screaming overhead. 

Capt. Michael Borneo, commander of Animal Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, was decked out in the kind of hat, bomber jacket, sunglasses and corncob pipe that were MacArthur's trademarks. Other Marines, also in period costumes, played the role of MacArthur's subordinates.

About 167 Marines of the One-Seven "stormed" the beach, as 2,500 guests, Korean and U.S. military officials, and Korean War veterans watched.

--Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Marine Capt. Michael Borneo plays the role of Gen. Douglas MacArthur: Credit; Marine Corps

Comments

[Grace Crawley]

I am proud to say, my nephew Luke was one the Marines

in the re-enactment. So proud.......