six mile trek overland to the Toktong Pass. It was during the fighting at Turkey Hill when
Davis’s men broke off from the First Battalion that the famed “Ridge Runners” nickname would
be coined in reference to Davis’s rescue mission. To this day, it is enshrined in Marine Corps
history.
It took Davis and his Marines nearly two days to reach Fox Hill, when they arrived, they found a
frozen wasteland so covered with bodies of dead Chinese soldiers that the “Ridge Runners”
couldn’t walk without stepping on them.
On December 4
th
, Lt Col Ray Davis’s rescue mission was considered a success as they relieved
Fox Company, and at roughly 1:30 a.m., the sixty or so remaining Marines and corpsmen of Fox
Company arrived at the American occupied town of Hagaru-ri.
“The road barriers were raised and the column was allowed to pass. The ragged remains of Fox
Company, Second Battalion, Seventh Regiment parade-marched into Hagaru-ri four men abreast,
to a drill sergeant’s cadence count. Someone began humming, softly at first, the Marine Corps
Hymn. One by one, though their throats were dry and raw, the entire company picked up the
tune. Soon each man was singing. From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we will
fight our country’s battles, on the land as on the sea. First to fight for right and freedom, and to
keep our honor clean, we are proud to claim the title of United States Marines. As Fox Company
crossed the checkpoint, a Navy corpsman stationed at the gate shook his head. He turned to a
guard. “Will you look at those magnificent bastards,” he said.”
Captain William Barber survived Fox Company’s heroic stand at Toktong pass. After spending
months in the hospital, Barber returned to the United States in 1951 and in August 1952 he was
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Truman for his leadership. Barber
remained in the Marine Corps and retired a full colonel in 1970.
The Last Stand of Fox Company is considered one of the greatest, single feats in military history.
However, it came at a cost. By the time Fox Company evacuated Korea on December 11
th
, over
three quarters of the company were either dead or wounded.
As a Marine, The Last Stand of Fox Company epitomizes the warrior ethos instilled in Marines
during boot camp. Whether infantry or supply, reservists or active duty, Marines still embody the
same warrior spirit across the Corps.