-Legendary Marine Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller. Colonel (later General) Puller made one of the most famous statements in Marine Corps history at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. When Col. Puller was advised that his 15,000 men, strung out between the Korean villages of Koto-ri, Yudam-ni, and Hagaru-ri, were surrounded by over 150,000 soldiers of the Chinese Eighth Route Army, Col. "Chesty" replied, "We're surrounded? That simplifies our problem. Now we can shoot in any direction and still hit the enemy."
 
 

       Walt Six was born in Sharonville, Ohio, on January 2nd, 1930, and, after what he describes as "the greatest childhood anyone could have" joined the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 by getting his (reluctant) parent's permission.  As with all Marines, it was to be a defining moment in his life.  There is a saying, more of an article of faith, in the Corps - "Once a Marine, Always a Marine."  Truer words are seldom spoken.  After Boot Camp at Parris Island, S.C., Walt studied motion picture photography at Camp Pendleton, CA., and when war broke out in Korea, he pulled the strings necessary to "get in on the action."  To say that he got his wish would be a profound understatement.

        Only now are the people of America beginning to appreciate the import of the terrible struggle waged on the Korean Peninsula five decades ago.  As time gives us more distance, the phrase "the Forgotten War" becomes less factual when applied to Korea.  This only fitting, given the revelations since the fall of the Soviet Union of Russian involvement in the conflict.
        Colonel Homer Litzenburg told his men before the trek into the desolate Northern Wastes around the Chosin Reservoir that "Gentlemen, we may very well be fighting the opening battle of the Third World War."  What would have been the reaction of the American People had the Chinese succeeded in annihilating the First Marine Division at Chosin?  Thankfully, we will never know.  And we owe that thanks to those brave men and Marines who, to paraphrase Dennis Rogers, "Set a standard of bravery against which men in all future wars will be measured."
 

        Today, after following his dreams and raising his family, Walt Six is retired and living in Eastern North Carolina with his wife Gilda.  He is an active member of the Chosin Few and, when he isn't on his John Deere or the business end of a hammer,  is working on a book about his experiences as a Combat Motion Picture Photographer in Korea  (check back to this Website for news of the book as it becomes available to us).  He would love to hear from his old comrades, especially Captain Beauparlant.  Gilda Six, an accomplished artist, created a 4' X 8' mosaic entitled "The Chosin Few" inspired by her attending the first Reunion of the Chosin Few.  This Mosaic (seen below) hangs now in the Marine Corps Museum in Parris Island, S.C.  Mr. and Mrs. Six are the parents of three sons, four cats, and a dog named Harmon.  If you want to get a message to them you may do so by contacting ajax@bbnp.com.