16-368 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

US Marines of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, try to contact the temporarily cut-off Fox Company to permit the 5th and 7th Marines to withdraw from the Yudam-ni area during the Chosin Reservoir Campaign on November 27, 1950


While the battle was underway at Yudam-ni, the PVA 59th Division blocked the road between Yudam-ni and Hagaru-ri by attacking the defending Charlie and Fox Companies of the 7th Marines. The successful assault forced Charlie Company to retreat into Yudam-ni which left Fox Company trapped in Toktong Pass, a vital pass that controlled the road. On 29 November, several efforts by the 7th Marines failed to rescue Fox Company despite inflicting heavy casualties on the Chinese. Aided by artillery from Hagaru-ri and Marine Corsair fighters, Fox Company managed to hold out for five days while enduring constant attacks by the PVA 59th Division




Inspection, Fox Company, 7th Marines, near Hagaru-ri, Korea, 1950 | by Marine Corps Archives & Special Collections



Pfc. Hector Cafferata of Venice, Fla. is pictured with the Medal of Honor. He will tell you he was no hero; he was just saving his backside when he killed over 100 enemy soldiers in the battle for “Fox Hill” during the early months of the Korean War.

Colonel William E. Barber, who earned the Medal of Honor during the bitter Chosin Reservoir campaign in Korea in November and December, 1950, retired from active duty May 1, 1970. A captain at the time he won the Medal, he led his company in a desperate five-day defense of a frozen mountain pass vital to the 1st Marine Division's breakout to the sea.


Birth name
Hector Albert Cafferata Jr.

Born
November 4, 1929
New York, New York

Died
April 12, 2016 (aged 86)
Venice, Florida

Place of burial
Quantico National Cemetery

Allegiance
United States United States of America

Service/branch
United States Marine Corps

Years of service
1948–1951

Rank
Private First Class

Unit
Fox Company, 2nd Battalion 7th Marines

Battles/wars
Battle of Chosin Reservoir

Awards
Medal of Honor
Purple Heart Medal
Combat Action Ribbon


Fox Company saved the day | War Tales

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Bob Seijas]

"Last Stand of Fox Company" is a must read book for students of history.

Hector recently passed. Best guess of how many he killed that first night is over 200 based on bodies in front of his position, the amount of ammo he used, and his own recollections.