The Savior: General Oliver Prince Smith

This 245-page book is one of those works of historical fiction where it is difficult to discern what is factual history and what is fiction. For all that I could tell, it appears to be a factual account of the fighting at the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea during the winter of 1950. I assume that there were some parts of the story – maybe the conversations of the principals or maybe their thoughts – that could not be documented by the historical records, and so the authors called it a novel rather than a history. Either way, it is an outstanding story about an outstanding U.S. Marine, General Oliver P. Smith.O.P. Smith was placed in command of the 1st Marine Division shortly before the Inchon landing which swung the tide of battle against the North Koreans. The First Marines were a part of the newly formed Tenth Corps (X Corps), which was under the command of General Edward Almond, who also served as General MacArthur’s chief of staff. Almond ordered the X Corps to proceed immediately north to the Yalu River, the boundary between North Korea and China. O.P. suspects that they are being lured into a trap, particularly when elements of the Chinese army attack the lead units of X Corps.Despite Almond’s direct orders to proceed north as quickly as possible, Smith keeps the three regiments of the First Marines as close to each other as possible, thereby maximizing the firepower of the division. As the first two Marine regiments move up the west side of the Chosin Reservoir, an army regimental combat team races up the east side of the reservoir as ordered by Almond. The weather is subzero when the Chinese attack. The army unit is destroyed. The Marine units fight off the Chinese attacks.The book describes in detail the plans made by O.P. Smith for the movement of his three regiments, and the precautions taken for their combat supplies. Critical among the logistical planning are the airfields at division headquarters and the on-site building of a critical bridge on the way out of Chosin.There are other books on the Chosin Reservoir fighting that are more colorful and exciting, but this one is the best I have seen when it comes to a practical explanation of exactly what happened. Also, there are several maps that help you understand the troop movements, and a very helpful diagram that illustrates the engineering solution to the last bridge repair.It is a very good book.

I have been looking for a book that would talk about General Smith and his dealings with Almond and MacArthur. This book is it, it is a must-read for any student of history and I think it should be a must read for Recruits going through Parris Island and San Diego to be come Marines. This book is not written like a normal historical fact book, but more like a fictionalized account of the difficulties that Gen. Smith had with MacArthur's yes man: General Ned Almond. It is a very easy read and does not make one feel overwhelmed with fact after fact.No matter what anyone says, General Almond NEVER should have been placed in command of X Corps. He was a lousy commander and so was MacArthur. If they would have paid attention to General Smith and his Intelligence Officers then the Chosin Campaign never would have happened the way that it did or at all.This book tells the thought process that General Smith had and the types of staff officers, officers and enlisted men that General Smith had serving below him. If it was not for these great men, the 1st Marine Division would have been annihilated deep in the Taebaek Mountain Range.If you find this book interesting then I would suggest reading "For Country and Corps" by Gail B. Shisler, Major General O.P. Smith's granddaughter. It is another superb book on a Marines General!

These Marines pulled off a readable novel, based on the facts of the times. Very similar to my novel, "A Marine Called Gabe." My hat's off to a well researched novel. I had just finished an article on General Smith for the Marine Corps Gazette wherein many of the facts revealed in this novel were shown to be well placed. A very readable novel. Thanks Marines.Ralph Stoney Bates, Sr.

Ragland is not a polished author, but the story is incredible and I think everyone should read it. Very few know of this part of our history and of this amazing General.

This was a very meaningful, super interesting read to me since one of my Grandfathers is a Veteran of the Korean War and my other Grandfather is a Navy Veteran that just started his duty at the very end of the Korean War. Well written dialogue, maps to follow along with the action and the historical detail make this a great book to learn and appreciate the sacrifice of the Veterans who fought not only then, but before and after those brave souls.

Great story of a greatly under appreciated marine. Saved the 1st Marine Division. Semper Fi.

Great Korean War historical story of the valor and courage of the first Marine Division and its commander in the battle for the Chosin Resevoir.

I'm an old Marine and joined the Corps in '56, too late for Korea but my sergeants and officers were veterans of Korea. The Chosin vets were our heroes. This is a good read about the guy who saved the 1st Marine Division during that awful battle.