14th Annual Korean War Ruck March

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kathryn Stilwell
  • 436th Airlift Wing
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Security Forces Squadron hosted the 14th Annual Korean War Ruck March Feb. 23, 2013, at the Air Mobility Command Museum. Service members and civilians gathered at Dover Air Force Base, Del., to commemorate those who partook in the Korean War's Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.

The march honors the "Chosin Few", or the troops who fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which took place Nov. 27 to Dec. 13, 1950, during the Korean War.

Approximately 20,000 soldiers and Marines consisting of Army Lt. Gen Edward Almond's X Corps took on more than 120,000 Chinese troops in the historic battle. The X Corps suffered approximately 15,000 casualties, but inflicted more than 40,000 casualties to the attacking force. Both sides endured harsh winter weather that claimed thousands of lives from frostbite and other cold-related injuries.

Teams of four, and those competing individually, carried 30-pound ruck sacks as they embarked on a 6.2 mile march which wove its way from the AMC Museum starting point, around the perimeter of the base and to its heart along Atlantic Avenue.

"We participate in this ruck march not for ourselves, but for the men that fought at the Battle of Chosin Resevoir. The proceeds go to the Korean War memorial in Washington D.C.," said Staff Sgt. John Schuman, Raven Team Leader with the 436th Security Forces Squadron.

The march lasted approximately an hour with a team from the 436th Aerial Port Squadron taking first place for the third year in a row with a time of 1 hour, 6 minutes, 15 seconds.

"It means a lot [to win the ruck march]. It's a good show for everybody. This team, minus one, because someone was deployed, has taken first three years in a row," said Master Sgt. Paul Schuster, cargo processing section chief with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron.

The winning team included Master Sgt. Paul Schuster, Staff Sgt. Dustin Trevino, Senior Airman Ethan Jensen and Senior Airman Marcus Lopez.

Trevino also scored the fastest personal time at 56 minutes, 54 seconds.

Those rucking it faced various challenges, including rain the day of the event, but Schuster said sticking together was the most demanding.

"The rain actually kept us cool. It kept the sweat down. The challenging part is just sticking together as a team," said Schuster. "Every year there's always somebody in better shape and someone who struggles, but you bring it together. Everybody sticks together. It's a great memorial ceremony," said Schuster. "There are a lot of ceremonies on base, but few of them mean the same as this one."