General Matthew Ridgway's determined troops, fresh from their bloody victory at Chosin Reservoir, stormed back into Seoul, liberating the South Korean capital from North Korean occupation for the second time. The grueling, snow-covered march had been worth it – the city, once a symbol of resistance against communist forces, was finally back in friendly hands. As UN troops claimed the city, they also reclaimed a crucial piece of South Korea's territorial pride, dealing a significant blow to the North's morale and paving the way for a possible negotiated peace.