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New Challanges, New Capabilities: 1946-1962
A New Doctrine for a New Era:
Thanks to its great success in World War II, the Marine Corps seemed to have a secure future. But the spread of atomic weapons made large-scale amphibious landings, such as those at Iwo Jima, no
longer possible against a nuclear-armed foe.
So the Marines embraced a new technology, the helicopter, and created the doctrine of "vertical envelopment" -- moving Marines ashore by air. The Korean War provided Marine aviation the chance to highlight the potential of its new doctrine and its helicopters.
The Korean War:
In Korea, the Marine air-ground team reached its full combat potential for the first time. Operating from austere air fields and small escort carriers, Marine fighters, helicopters, and transports provided round-the-clock support to Marines fighting to repel the North Korean forces.
During the march to and from the Chosin Reservoir in the winter of 1950, Marine aviators served as a lifeline to thousands of Marines, soldiers, and civilians fighting their way through overwhelming numbers of Communist Chinese. At no point had the bond between Marine aviators and their fellow Marines on the ground been strong.
Transforming the Force:
Marine aviation underwent a great transformation between 1946 and 1962. The vertical envelopment doctrine led to the restructuring of the entire Marine Corps into a force that was lighter, more airmobile on the battlefield, and more dependent on air power. It discarded many fixed-wing aircraft in favor of helicopters, and such beloved propeller-driven fighters as the Corsair gave way to newer jet-powered aircraft.
"The Chosin Reservoir thing was the proudest I had ever been of Marine aviation... because those guys were just flying around the clock, everything that would start and move. And [Marine] aviation's mood and commitment to that division [1st Marine Corps Division], my God, it was total. There was nothing that would have kept them off those targets -- nothing!"
-- Lt. Gen. Leslie E. Brown, USMC |