The 1st Cavalry Division was leading the American attack toward P'yongyang. The North Korean Army was falling apart and many American soldiers were planning to eat Thanksgiving chow back in japan. The 7th Cavalry had advanced to Hokkyo-ri and was the American unit closest to P'yongyang. It was to hold up and allow the 5th Cavalry to conduct a passage of lines and then continue on to the enemy capital. On the march since 0500, Lt. col. Clifford and his 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry arrived at Hokkyo-ri and established hasty fighting positions just as the 7th repelled a North Korean counterattack.
