Mission Command Analysis

MISSION COMMAND ANALYSIS:

COL PAUL FREEMAN DURING THE BATTLE OF CHIPYONG-NI

Mission command is the group of tasks united by a common purpose that commanders use to accomplish mission objectives. Moreover, mission command and the commander’s role in planning and operations process focuses on six core tenets: understanding, visualizing, describing while directing, leading, and assessing. In this paper I will be conducting an evaluation of Colonel Paul L. Freeman, commander of the 23rd Regimental Combat Team during the Battle of Chipyong-ni, by focusing on his role/application of mission command through the commander’s tasks and its outcome on the battle.

This battle of Chipyong-ni involved the 23rd regimental Combat Team led by Colonel Freeman and the Chinese Communist Force. The town of Chipyong-ni had a key road junction that blocked the ease of movement from east to west for the Chinese and General Ridgway did not want to give up this key terrain, so he ordered Colonel Freeman to defend and hold the area. Prior to the engagement, Colonel Freeman requested to withdraw from the town because of the fact that he was going to be greatly outnumbered, but the request was denied by General Ridgeway. Colonel Freeman set up a tight perimeter defense by evenly distributing manpower and logistical needs around the perimeter. On the evening of February 13, 1951, the Chinese began to attack Chipyong-ni and surrounded the 23rd RCT and cut them off from friendly forces. For two nights and three days the 23rd RCT repelled Chinese assaults and successfully

deterred the Chinese attack and eventually were reinforced by the 5th Cavalry Regiment on February 15, 1951. This defense was successful because of the leadership involved and signaled a change for U.S battlefield tactics in Korea. In the following paragraphs I will be focusing on the following commander’s tasks: understand, visualize, direct, lead, and assess and how Colonel Freeman applied these commander’s tasks to...