On Hallowed Ground: The Last Battle for Pork Chop Hill

By summer 1953, the Korean War had reached a stalemate as peace negotiations continued. The US 7th Infantry Division rebuilt defenses at Hill 255, nicknamed Pork Chop Hill, an outpost on the Main Line of Resistance. The hill had seen intense fighting in spring, and soldiers rebuilding it hoped they would not be the last to die in what was called "the Forgotten War." On the night of July 6th, during a heavy monsoon rainstorm, the Chinese 23rd Army attacked. For five days, opposing forces engaged in artillery assaults, hand-to-hand combat, and continuous attacks and counterattacks. Less than three weeks after the battle ended, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. On Hallowed Ground details this battle using previously classified documents, interviews, and letters from survivors. The account examines the strategy and tactics of the conflict and documents the soldiers and medics who fought to hold the position.