1950 - 1953
While conventional
strategies were the norm in World War II, the conflict on the Korean
peninsula would see a few changes. This conflict was primarily a civil
war, with the newly formed United Nations taking an active role for the
first time to stop the conflict.
The Korean War
started on June 25, 1950 as communist North Korean units pushed deep
into South Korea. The United States condemned this action, and sent
forces from Japan into Korea without Congresses approval. President
Harry S. Truman appointed General of the Army Douglas MacArthur as the
commander for the newly formed UN Command.
UN Forces were able
to stop the North Korean military in the southeast center of the
peninsula, then began to advance north after the amphibious landing at
Inchon. The UN Forces pushed back the North Koreans, until China became
involved in the conflict. Chinese and North Korean forces drove back the
UN, where the war turned into a stalemate. The communist forces suffered
two major defeats between 1951 and 1953, the first battle on Heartbreak
Ridge and the latter on Pork Chop Hill, with fighting taking place in
the Iron Triangle and Punch Bowl regions just north of the 38th
Parallel. Often called the "Forgotten War,"
this conflict also included a campaign at the Chosin Reservoir, out of which came heroic warriors such as the
"Frozen Chosen,"
or more appropriately "The
Chosin Few."
On July 27, 1953 an
armistice was signed resulting in a cessation of hostilities and POW
exchanges. However, this armistice never actually satisfied the
belligerents, and UN Forces have been in place on the 38th Parallel ever
since. With the peninsula divided, both sides began the long process of
rebuilding their nations and burying their dead.
Just as in World
War II, many changes to the way America fought happened under fire.
Close Air Support started to be refined, the Helicopter was introduced
to the battlefield, US ties with NATO became stronger and segregation of
US forces gave a glimpse of problems ahead for the military and this
nation. The war also brought to light some of the differences between
military commanders and civilian officials. During the Korean War,
General MacArthur was relieved of command by President Truman, with
General Matthew Ridgeway as his replacement.
The Korean War
took the lives of 36,914
Americans. One of those fallen heroes lies under the plaza at the Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier. He represents those who fought and lived and
those who fought and died. He lies there, under the watchful eye of the
always present Sentinel, so that we will never forget their sacrifice.
