The Korean War, in which the Marine Corps fought and won some of its most
brutal battles, was not without its gallows humor. During one such conflict a
ROK (Republic of Korea) commander, whose unit was fighting along with the
Marines, called the legendary Marine, Chesty Puller, to report a major Chinese
attack in his sector.
"How many Chinese are attacking you?" asked Puller.
"Many, many Chinese!" replied the excited Korean officer.
Puller asked for another count and got the same answer" "Many, many Chinese!"
"God Dammit!" swore Puller, "Put my Marine liaison officer on the radio."
In a minute, an American voice came over the air: "Yes sir?"
"Lieutenant," growled Chesty, "exactly how many Chinese you got up there?"
"Colonel, we got a whole #### load of Chinese up here!"
"Thank God," exclaimed Puller, "at least there's someone up there who knows
how to count!"
brutal battles, was not without its gallows humor. During one such conflict a
ROK (Republic of Korea) commander, whose unit was fighting along with the
Marines, called the legendary Marine, Chesty Puller, to report a major Chinese
attack in his sector.
"How many Chinese are attacking you?" asked Puller.
"Many, many Chinese!" replied the excited Korean officer.
Puller asked for another count and got the same answer" "Many, many Chinese!"
"God Dammit!" swore Puller, "Put my Marine liaison officer on the radio."
In a minute, an American voice came over the air: "Yes sir?"
"Lieutenant," growled Chesty, "exactly how many Chinese you got up there?"
"Colonel, we got a whole #### load of Chinese up here!"
"Thank God," exclaimed Puller, "at least there's someone up there who knows
how to count!"
