51 years after Korean War, Long receives Bronze Star

By Rose Hooper

Proudly flying the Stars and Stripes at his Cullowhee home, 69-year-old David Long recently received a Bronze Star for his "extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme danger" during the Korean War. Fifty-one years worth of red tape after the fact, Long was presented the medal during a prestigious ceremony last month. See related story in this weeks printed edition, page 1C. - Herald photo by Rose Hooper

As football coach at Sylva High School, Barnwell didn't think David Long was hacking it as quarterback. So the coach switched the 11th-grader to halfback.

"I had transferred from Cullowhee just so I could play football, and here the coach didn't think I was tough enough to be quarterback," said Long. "Being a hot-tempered youth, I thought I'd show Barnwell what tough was, so I joined the Marines."

The year was 1948 and Long was just 16, so he lied about his age to the recruiter.

"The recruiting officer told me I'd have to get my parents' permission and signature, and I told him no problem... that they were right out in the car," he recalled. "Well, that was just a lie. We were poor folks from East La Porte and never even owned a car. So I went into the men's room and forged both their signatures."

That began a distinguished career in the U.S. Marine Corps, one that was honored with a Bronze Star Dec. 14 during ceremonies at Parris Island, S.C.

"It only came 51-years-worth of red tape after the fact," said Long, who lives in Cullowhee part-time and Collierville, Tenn., the rest of the time.

Former Pfc. Long received the prestigious medal for his actions during the Korean War when he was a member of G Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division under Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Long was cited for his "bravery, heroic achievement, outstanding courage and daring initiative" during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir.

Long remembers that cold, dark Dec. 6 in 1950 when he and a fellow Marine went ahead in a TD 14 bulldozer to clear burning and damaged ammunition trucks off the road so his division could proceed toward Koto-ri. Long repeatedly exposed himself to enemy small arms, machine gun and mortar fire at extremely close range to provide cover for his companion.

"The Chinese came down on us with a vengeance. I protected him with my carbine, and I guess I killed several of them," said Long, who said at that point he would have been glad to be back in Sylva playing halfback - or any position - for Coach Barnwell. "I felt so alone, so far away from home."

Early the next morning on another mission - this time by himself - Long's job was to use his bulldozer to tow a giant 155 mm Howitzer the rest of the way into Koto-ri. On this dangerous, 10-mile mission, at least six times he came under heavy attack by the Chinese, forcing him to halt and fight the enemy with his carbine and a couple of Thompson submachine guns.

At times the enemy came within 40 yards of Long, who was convinced by then that he was on a suicide mission.

The young Marine was hit in the leg and lost consciousness. Meanwhile, his hands and feet froze in the 30-below-zero temperatures before he was finally rescued by a demolition team.

"They couldn't believe I was still alive. The bulldozer was riddled with bullet holes. But you know what saved me?" Long said. "God was with me all the way... it was like he put an invisible shield around me."

During ceremonies last December at Parris Island, the secretary of the Navy commended Long for his "extraordinary heroism in the face of extreme danger."

Long's commanding officers recommended him for two Silver Stars, but his records were destroyed by fire. He had previously received a Bronze Star in 1957, and this new award, presented to him 51 years later and in peacetime, also came in the form of a Bronze Star.

The Battle of the Chosin Reservoir has been referred to as one of the most "horrific" actions in modern military history. The fraternity of Marines who survived the grueling mission call themselves "The Chosin Few" and continue to hold reunions.

Long, who graduated from Western Carolina University and runs his own bakery supply company, always attends. The next reunion he may just ask his former football coach to attend with him.

"I want Barnwell to see what a tough bunch of guys we still are," he said. "I saw him at a restaurant not too long ago, and my wife, Lee, said to him, 'So you are the reason David joined the Marines?'

"Barnwell didn't skip a beat. He put his hand on Lee's and told her, 'He's a better man for it,'" said Long.

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