OO RHA and Rum

Nights were more than cold in Korea, especially in the windy, wet, snowy months of winter. During 1954-55 the United Nations forces and the Republic of Korean army were lined up along the Injim River, which generally marked the Demilitarized Zone. On the more western edge of this DMZ were the 3/5 Marines (3rd battalion, 5th regiment, 1st Marine Division). On the right, one of many ROK (Republic of Korea) divisions. Between them was the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade, with the 2nd Battalion Black Watch out in front, part of the 1st Commonwealth Division

[The Canadian involvement, as with some of the other Commonwealth contingents, was not

considered “an engagement in combat”, rather was a “police action”.  Hence no campaign ribbons issued, although the United Nations did.  Many years later the Canadian government did issue a Korea Medal.]

  

Along the Injim River troops patrolled nightly in the dark and bitter cold along the DMZ. Patrols were usually only a dozen men patrolling a small, specific section on the Allied side of the DMZ. A normal routine was to meet up, at a proscribed time and place, with another patrol at the ends of the route. And so men from the Marine’s 3/5 would make contact with their neighbors from the 2nd BW.

Patrols, generally, were not exactly popular assignments. But one particular patrol, at  

least for the Marines, was popular, perhaps even coveted. Hey, if I have to go out on a    cold, rainy and snowy night, with the wind cutting through me, this is the patrol I want to be on. This was the patrol that made contact with the Canadians.

Why so different this patrol?

Rum.

Now all US troops in Korea were absolutely dry. No beer, no liquor; Coke, Pepsi, or root beer didn't really cut it.

However, the Canadians were different. Before heading out for the night, the patrol commander, usually a sergeant or lieutenant, would draw a ration of rum from the battalion quartermaster-sergeant, two-ounces of SRD ("standard rum diluted") for each man. Often the QMS would add some more, "just in case needed." Midway through the night's patrol, to give that extra stimulus for the return home, the rum issued out by the patrol commander to each soldier gave that added warmth, sense of comfort, to help carry one back for that last leg on the trail.

So if you were a Marine on a contact patrol meeting up with the Canadians, you knew that you were in for a treat - - a shot of straight rum!

Further more, the men and sergeants and officers of the 3/5 became good friends and  

comrades with the Canadian Black Watch, welcomed in the highlander's men's wet canteen (beer, usually Molson's)*, and sergeants' mess and officers' mess (full bars and cheap drinks - - think diplomatic priced non-taxed drinks). Reciprocity saw lots of Canadian jocks sporting USMC gear and Marines taking home some highland kit. There was one instance when a young Canadian officer traded a case of single-malt scotch ($9 a bottle) with a senior Marine Corps officer for a jeep, which he drove as his own private vehicle for almost three months before being stopped by a MP.    

Beyond this the Canadians had high regard for the Marines. Of all the US forces, the Marines with their navy background shared much the same professional approaches and traditions and values as the Canadians. The two spoke much the same language (but perhaps with differing accents).

There were duty exchanges between officers of the 3/5 and the 2nd BW. And two highland officers went as observers to a Marine landing exercise on Korea's east coastline.

Tomorrow, Thursday, November 10th, the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 241st birthday. So, congratulations to a fine body of men (and now women), and may you continue your great legacy, Semper fidelis, Semper fi

And to you all, a roaring OO RAH!

* Canadian Senator Hartland Molson, owner of the brewery of the same name, was colonel-in-chief of the Black Watch regiment. Every month a shipment of beer was shipped to the Black Watch by the brewery.