581st Radio Relay Co.
in North Korea (1950)

Korean War Maps

Marines and Chinese Forces
in Chosin Reservoir Area

The 581st Signal Radio Relay Company had two stations at the Chosin Reservoir with the Marines. My station, Jade Relay 2, was on the coast at the point indicated by the X. We fed south to Wonson and west to Koto-ri. The Army picked that spot at Jade 2 because we had a straight shot to Wonson. Our transmitters, only 50 watts and FM, normally has an outside range of 50 miles. Over water the beam tends to bend. It was difficult but successful. It took many days and many frequency changes to finally get a good signal. I remember being on that mike for days trying to establish contact at both ends of the relay. I also remember the relief when we finally did make contact. Lives depended on us making contact.