<P> Oliver Prince Smith ( October 26 , 1893 -- December 25 , 1977 ) was a highly decorated combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War . He is most noted for commanding the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir , where he said `` Retreat , hell ! We 're not retreating , we 're just advancing in a different direction . '' He retired at the rank of four - star general , being advanced in rank for having been specially commended for heroism in combat . </P>
<P> Oliver Prince Smith ( October 26 , 1893 -- December 25 , 1977 ) was a highly decorated combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War . He is most noted for commanding the 1st Marine Division during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir , where he said `` Retreat , hell ! We 're not retreating , we 're just advancing in a different direction . '' He retired at the rank of four - star general , being advanced in rank for having been specially commended for heroism in combat . </P>
who said we are not retreating we 're advancing in another direction
who said we are not retreating we 're advancing in another direction
Oliver Prince Smith
Oliver Prince Smith