The Last Stand of Fox Company: Valor and Sacrifice in the Korean War

A Marine unit’s desperate Defense at Toktong Pass reveals how Tactical Bravery can Influence Strategic Outcomes

The more I read about the Korean War, the more its deep contours and consequences come into focus, from tragic strategic and operational miscalculations to sweeping tactical disasters and hard-won successes, all set against a backdrop of oppressive summer heat and the unprecedented winter freeze of 1950. Not to be lost amidst the geopolitical maneuvering and battlefield decisions is the human dimension that runs through the violence, death, and destruction endured by both combatants and civilians. These personal stories deserve not to be forgotten.

 The Last Stand of Fox Company by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin is one book you do not want to miss. If you’re looking for a ground-level view of the perils of combat and the resolve of a unit given a no-fail mission to hold key terrain, this book tells that story in gritty, harrowing, and deeply personal terms, from the perspective of those who fought it. I highly recommend you put this on your list. It is a captivating, well-written page-turner. It is a wonder that a movie has not been made about these remarkable Marines and their incredible story.