U.S. Marine operations in Korea 1952-1953 with special emphasis on outpost warfare, 1962: Finding Aid

Biography of Norman W. Hicks

Norman W. Hicks was born on September 22, 1925 in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from San Antonio's Thomas Jefferson High School in 1943, he joined the United States Marine Corps while also enrolling at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, where he studied until 1944. In 1958 he returned to college at the University of Maryland, graduating with a B.S. in June 1959 and an M.A. in American History in June 1962.

Highlights of Hick's Marine Corps career include his command of the Marine Detachment aboard U.S.S. Baltimore in 1955, his command of Headquarters Company of the 1st Marine Division in 1956, his duty as Operations Officer for the 1st Marine Division's Infantry Battalion in 1957, and his appointment as a historical writer in the Historical Branch at U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters from 1959 until 1962. While stationed at the Historical Branch, Hicks authored A Brief History of the United States Marine Corps in 1961. Norman W. Hicks died on August 26, 2003.

Description of Contents

U.S. Marine Operations in Korea 1952-1953 with Special Emphasis on Outpost Warfare, comprising a single volume, was completed in 1962. Written by Norman W. Hicks, USMC, in fulfillment of the requirements of a Master of Arts at University of Maryland, the thesis analyses U.S. Marine Corps involvement in the Korean War, especially the employment of man-to-man outpost warfare beginning in 1952. Hicks' thesis was completed under the direction of Professor Gordon W. Prange.

Hicks' thesis is divided into six chapters: I. Background - A War of Movement; II. About Static Warfare; III. Bunker Hill; IV. Other Outposts; V. Outpost Warfare in Retrospect; and VI. Conclusions. Chapter I offers a brief history of outpost warfare and a brief overview of the Korean War in general. Chapter II discusses the aggressively mobile campaigns of the Marine Corps during World War II as compared to the static, dug-in nature of the Korean War and its emphasis on outposts and strongholds. The chapter also discusses the "creeping" tactics of the North Koreans and Chinese and the stresses on logistics. Chapter III illustrates the monotonous nature of outpost warfare using the battle of Hill 122, Bunker Hill, as an example. Chapter IV discusses actions at other outposts and hills, including Hills 148 (Reno), 155, 190, 126, 119, and 101; Outposts Seattle, Ronson, Warsaw, Vegas, Carson, Berlin, East Berlin, Dagmar, and Elko; and a salient known as "The Hook." The chapter also discusses Air Force Operation Strangle. Chapter IV offers a recap of the evolution of outpost warfare throughout the Korean War, with a comparison to the static warfare of World War I and discussions of Chinese siege tactics, shortcomings of Marine outposts, in-depth vs inline defensive arrangements, and recommendations for improved fire plans and counterattack plans.

The thesis includes the following seven maps: Korea Showing Major Operations; 1st Marine Division on West Coast; Forward CCF Defensive Positions; 1st Marine Division Sector, July 1952; The Hook; Situations Overlay, March 1953; and Main Line of Resistance, July 1953. Diagrams and photographs in the thesis include a diagram of enemy field fortifications, a photomap of the Bunker Hill area, fifteen pages of illustrative photographs, a diagram of Outpost Reno attacks in October 1952, and the side view of a Marine trench.

Arrangement

U.S. Marine Operations in Korea 1952-1953 with Special Emphasis on Outpost Warfare comprises a single volume, and is divided into the following six chapters:

• Chapter I: Background - A War of Movement
• Chapter II: About Static Warfare
• Chapter III: Bunker Hill
• Chapter IV: Other Outposts
• Chapter V: Outpost Warfare in Retrospect
• Chapter VI: Conclusions

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

U.S. Marine Operations in Korea 1952-1953 with Special Emphasis on Outpost Warfare is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Custodial History

Originally cataloged as DS918.H48.

Provenance and Acquisition

Unknown.

Related Materials

Related Archival Material

There are no known collections of papers of Norman W. Hicks.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

U.S. Marine operations in Korea 1952-1953 with special emphasis on outpost warfare, MS 479

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in February 2019. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in February 2019.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Korean War, 1950-1953 -- United States
• United States. Marine Corps -- Guard duty
• United States. Marine Corps -- History -- Korean War, 1950-1953
• United States. Marine Corps. Marine Division, 1st

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts
• Theses