Battle for Outpost Vegas

Battle for Outpost Vegas
Part of the Korean War
A U.S. Marine in a trench atop Outpost Vegas.
Date 26–30 March 1953 Location Korea, Nevada Cities Outposts, Main Line of Resistance, Western Korea Result Controversial, small Chinese territorial gains
Belligerents
United Nations  United States  South Korea  Turkey	Democratic People's Republic of Korea  People's Republic of China
Commanders and leaders
Edwin A. Pollock Lewis W. Walt	Unknown
Strength
1st Marine Division specifically: 1st Battalion 5th Marines 2nd Battalion 1st Marines 3rd Battalion 1st Marines 11th Marines (Artillery) 1st Marine Aircraft Wing U.S. Army 1st Tank Battalion  South Korea Republic of Korea Marine Corps	19th Division of the 65th PVA (three regiments forward) 120th Division of the 40th PVA under control of 46th PVA (three regiments forward).
Casualties and losses
141 killed in action 29 died of wounds 104 missing 701 wounded  South Korea 26 killed in action 5 missing 97 wounded	Estimated 1,351 killed in action 3,631 wounded 4 captured

Coordinates: 24°47′N 141°19′E / 24.783°N 141.317°E / 24.783; 141.317

 United Nations

The Battle for Outpost Vegas was a battle during the Korean War between the armed forces of the United States and China from March 26–28, 1953, four months before the end of the Korean War. Vegas was one of three outposts called the Nevada Cities north of the Main Line of Resistance (MLR), the United Nations defensive line which stretched roughly around the latitude 38th Parallel. Vegas, and the outposts it supported, Reno and Carson, were manned by elements of the 1st Marine Division. On March 26, 1953 the Chinese army launched an attack on the Nevada Cities, including Vegas, in an attempt to better the position of China and North Korea in the Panmunjon peace talks which were occurring at the time, and to gain more territory for North Korea when its borders would be solidified. The battle raged for five days until Chinese forces halted their advance after partially obtaining their objective through capturing one outpost north of the MLR on March 28. The battle for outpost Vegas and the surrounding outposts are considered the bloodiest fighting to date in western Korea during the Korean War. It is estimated that there were over 1,000 American casualties and twice that number of Chinese during the Battle for Outpost Vegas. The battle is also known for the involvement of Sergeant Reckless, a horse in a USMC recoilless rifle platoon who transported ammunition and the wounded during the U.S. defense of outpost Vegas.

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