One of the Chosin Few

Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Kristin Simon photo Cpl. Ronald Burbridge's 1942 WWII Ford Jeep

Corporal Ronald Burbridge, 1st Marine Division, 2nd Regiment, 1st Battalion, Company B, was present for the Stars and Stripes Remembers WWII and Korea event on October 18. Burbridge owns a 1942 Ford Jeep and was part of a convoy of 20 old military vehicles making their way through the Ozarks. Burbridge was invited to appear at the event in Bloomfield and stopped to tell his story.

Burbridge served in the 2nd Rifle Platoon commanded by 1st Lt. Chew Een Lee. Lt. Lee was the first Marine Corps officer of Chinese descent. Lee earned a Silver Star as well as a Navy Cross for his service.

"I give my life credit to him," says Burbridge of Lee.

Kristin Simon photo Burbridge allows a young visitor to wear his helmet and hold a disarmed grenade.

Burbridge describes how Lee used cunning strategy to save the lives of his men.

"We came across an encampment of 40 Chinese soldiers. Lt. Lee spoke Chinese fluently. He spoke with the encampment and convinced them that we were Chinese, too. The Chinese let us through. We got into position and then Lt. Lee told them who we were. They were furious!" Burbridge recalls with a smile.

Burbridge survived the Chosin Resevoir Campaign, which was a brutal 17 day battle in freezing weather during which 30,000 UN troops were encircled by 67,000 Chinese soldiers. Casualties were great, but the UN troops were able to break free while crippling the Chinese forces. Not counting North Korean casualties, 10,495 troops were killed during the campaign, of which 4,385 were from the US Marines, 3,163 were from the US Army, 2,812 were from South Koreans attached to American formations and 78 were from the British Royal Marines. The 1st Marine Division also reported 7,338 non-battle casualties due to the bitterly cold weather conditions.

Kristin Simon photo Burbridge treasures his memories of Lt. Chew Een Lee, to whom Burbridge credits his life.

Burbridge's daughter was born while he was serving in Korea. Burbridge has a photograph of himself and four buddies on the day he received his daughter's birth notice.

"This man, this man, and this man were killed shortly after this photograph was taken," he says while pointing at the photo.

Chew Een Lee retired from the USMC as a Major and was laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery earlier this year. Burbridge, who now resides in Russell, Kansas, was present for the ceremony.

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