Though some insist it should be referred to as the "Korean Conflict" or a police action because the participants never officially declared "war," there are few veterans who would disagree that the fighting in Korea between 1950 and 1953 was as bitter as any war. In recent years, the Korean War has been called "The Forgotten War," because it has been overshadowed by the more vivid memories of Vietnam, Desert Storm and the fiftieth anniversary commemorations of World War II. With four million casualties, however, the war that President Truman declared a testing ground in the conflict between communism and democracy has left an indelible imprint on the history of the twentieth century.
The Korean War
The division of Korea into two parts dates from the end of World War II. Before that time, from about 1910, it had been a colony of Japan. The Korean people continually worked to regain their freedom, until their dream finally came within reach when the Allied powers of World War II pledged independence.When Japan surrendered, the Allies ordered Japanese commanders in Korea north of the 38th parallel to surrender to Russian forces, and south of the parallel to surrender to United States forces. The division was supposed to be temporary, until a national election could be held. The United Nations established a commission to oversee an election in 1948, but the Soviet Union refused to allow participation in the north. Instead, the North Korean Communist Party elected Kim Il-Sung, who had spent several years in exile in Moscow as its leader. The south elected Syngman Rhee, who had spent years in exile with the Korean provisional government in Shanghai, as speaker of the National assembly.
At the same time, the Soviet government proposed an end to foreign troops on the Korean peninsula. The United States agreed, but it was another year before it had its troops out. In withdrawing, it promised to help build up South Korea's army, but its first grant of aid was scheduled for 1950. In the meantime, troops dug in on both sides of the 38th parallel and regularly traded gunfire.
The North Korean army crossed the 38th parallel on the night of June 24-25, 1950. In the first few hours, South Korean sentries believed that it was another minor border skirmish, but they soon realized that a full-scale invasion was underway. The light arms with which they were equipped were no match for the Soviet-made tanks and artillery of the North Koreans. Within three days, the Communists captured Seoul. Within another week, the remnant of the South Korean army and the arriving United Nations troops were contained in a small area in southeast Korea around the city of Pusan.
As they grew in strength, the Allied troops along the Pusan perimeter began gaining ground, but with the luxury of being able to concentrate all of their effort against a small area, the Communists came dangerously close to forcing the Allies off the peninsula altogether. General Douglas MacArthur, (Commander in Chief of the United Nations Forces), decided to open up a second front, one that would force Kim Il-Sung to split his resources and at the same time hit the army around Pusan at its weakest point. He chose to invade at Inchon, a small city on the west coast of South Korea. The invasion was scheduled for September 15th, when the tides would be high enough to carry landing craft across the harbor's mud flats. Despite being informed of the invasion, Kim Il-Sung did not reinforce the city and it fell quickly with little loss to the Allies.
The Inchon invasion cut the already overextended supply lines of the North Korean army. Communist soldiers fled up the peninsula, pursued by United Nations forces. There was a brief hesitation at the 38th parallel before the Allies crossed it, and within a month, they had forced the North Korean army across the Yalu River into China.
Meanwhile, the Chinese under Mao Tse Tung decided to join the war. Mao believed that the Allies would not stop in Korea, but would continue across the Yalu River into Manchuria and attempt to overthrow Mainland China. With its nearly inexhaustible supply of men, Chinese troops quickly turned back many of the gains made by the Allies. By May 1951, the battle line had returned to its starting point at the 38th parallel, where the war became a standoff. From then until the signing of the armistice agreement, few gains were made by either side.
Peace talks originally began in Kaesong in April 1951, but deadlocked and broke off. They reconvened in July and dragged on for two more years as soldiers tried to annihilate each other from entrenched positions. Three issues stalled the talks. First was the position of the border between North and South Korea. The North Koreans wanted the 38th parallel restored, while the Allies insisted on the battle line. Second, the communists wanted all foreign troops out of Korea. Third, and the most difficult issue to resolve, was the repatriation of Chinese and North Koreans who did not wish to return to their countries. The combatants finally reached an agreement in July 1953. It established a demilitarized zone along the final battle line with a commission to maintain it, and allowed communist prisoners to choose to return to their original country, Taiwan, South Korea, or a neutral country. Because it did not provide for a united Korea, Syngman Rhee refused to sign the armistice, but he pledged South Korea would abide by its points.
The Korean War: A Timeline
1945
August 9th: Soviet forces invade Manchuria and oust Japanese occupation forces.
August 15th: Agreement divides Korea into U.S. and Soviet occupation zones along the 38th Parallel.
September 8th: U.S. occupation forces land at Inchon, South Korea
January 9th: General Douglas MacArthur's plan for a Korean Police Force approved by U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
November 14th: United Nations Resolution proposes removing troops from Korea following supervised national elections.
April 8th: U.S. troops ordered withdrawn from Korea on orders from President Harry S. Truman.
May 10th: Election of Korean Assembly with Syngman Rhee as Chairman, later President. The communist Party in North Korea led by Kim Il Sung, forms the People's Republic of North Korea.
August 15th: The U.S. Military Government turns over power to the Republic of Korea.
June 29th: Last U.S. troops withdrawn from South Korea.
January: Secretary of State Dean Acheson states that the Western defense perimeter of the United States stops short of South Korea.
June 25th: Early morning - The North Korean People's Army under General Chai Ung Jun, invades South Korea with seven assault infantry divisions, a tank brigade and two independent infantry regiments. United Nations Security Council resolution calls for an end of aggression from North Korea.
June 27th: United Nations asks member countries to aid the Republic of Korea. Republic of Korea Army abandons Seoul. President Truman announces United States intervention.
June 28th: B-26 aircraft of the 8th and 13th Bomb Squadron attacked the enemy with 12 aircraft and had the first fatalities that day. The first missions were flown against North Korean troops in the Han River area and other targets of opportunity.
June 28th to 29th: Seoul captured by North Korean Army. The Republic of Korea Army is destroyed. Explosion destroys the Han River Bridge. British Far Eastern Fleet ordered to assist South Korea.
June 30th: President Truman orders United States ground forces into Korea and authorizes the bombing of North Korea by the U.S. Air Force. United States troops notified of movement to South Korea.
July 1st: General William F. Dean is U.S. Commander in Korea. First United States troops (U.S. 24th Infantry Division) arrive.
July 3rd: South Korean forces mistakenly attacked by Australian and U.S. air forces.
July 4th to 5th: Task Force Smith under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Charles B. (Brad) Smith, moves into position north of Osan.
July 5th: United States ground troops in "Task Force Smith", fight North Koreans for the first time north of Osan. United States forces retreat with heavy casualties. The 34th Infantry Regiment moved north from Pusan. The fall of Wanju.
July 5th to August 10th: United Nations Forces fight delaying actions across South Korea.
July 7th: United Nations creates United Nations Command, under General Douglas MacArthur, who is appointed by the U.S.
July 10th: Fifth Air Force destroys large contingent of North Korean tanks and troops stalled at Pyongtaek.
July 10th to 12th: United States forces retreat down the Seoul-Taejon road.
July 13th: Lieutenant General Walton H. Walker appointed to command the ground forces in Korea.
July 13th to 16th: Assault from the North Koreans begins against the United States troops on the Kum River ending with the crossing of the Kum River and the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
July 18th: United States Cavalry lands at Pohangdong.
July 19th to 22nd: Battle for Taejon. United States troops retreat. Major General William F. Dean is captured by North Koreans. The 4th Infantry Reg., 24th Div. and 8th Army reduced to paper status and it's few remaining troops and equipment went to the 19th Infantry Reg. There were not enough men left in the 24th to make a full size Company.
July 29th: General Walton H. Walker issues order that there will be no more retreats.
August 1st to 3rd: United States 8th Army and Republic of Korea troops establish defensive position at the Naktong.
August 4th: Pusan Perimeter in southeastern Korea established by United States and Republic of Korea troops.
August 5th to 19th: Battle of the Naktong Bulge. North Koreans make three crossings of the Naktong.
August 13th: First United States counterattack collapses.
August 18th to 22nd: The battle of "the Bowling Alley" north of Tabu-dong. United States forces hold back North Korean offensive.
August 27th to September 15th: Pusan Perimeter battles, with some of the heaviest fighting of the War. United Nations troop strength exceeds that of North Korea.
August 29th: Scottish and English Allied troops enter War to create a United Nations fighting force.
September 1st to 5th: TheNorth Korean People's Army "Naktong Offensive" consisting of five main thrusts.
September 3rd: United States forces counter attack in the area of Yongsan.
September 4th: United States 5th Marines ordered by General Douglas MacArthur to Inchon.
September 7th: General Walker vows that there will be no further retreat.
September 15th: Inchon landings (code named Chromite). United States, British, Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and Netherlands forces land.
September 16th to 18th: United Nations forces begin break out of the Pusan Perimeter and North Korean troops begin retreat northward.
September 19th to October 1st: United Nations troops pursue the North Koreans northwards towards the 38th Parallel.
September 19th to 29th: Attack and capture of Seoul by United Nations troops.
September 29th: United Nations Commander General MacArthur and South Korean President Syngman Rhee enter Seoul.
September 21st to 22nd: North Korean troops abandon Yongdungpo.
September 27th: MacArthur gains permission to cross the 38th Parallel into North Korea.
October 1st: United Nations troops cross 38th Parallel.
October 9th: Invasion of North Korea begins with the United Nations forces crossing the 38th Parallel. The United Nations sanctions the defeat North Korea and the attempted reunification of the country.
October 13th and 14th: Red Chinese People's Liberation Army (Chinese Communist Forces) regular troops enter Korea by crossing the Yalu River.
October 15th: Meeting between President Harry Truman and General Douglas MacArthur on Wake Island.
October 19th: Pyongyang, the North Korean capital is captured.
October 25th: First contact by United Nations forces with the Chinese Communist Forces.
October 26th: X Corps troops land at Wonsan on the east coast.
October 29th: Republic of Korea troops suffer heavy casualties and loss of men due to desertion in the face of Chinese Communist opposition.
November 1st: Chinese Communist Forces attack in force in the area near Unsan. General Chinese Communist offense through massive troop attacks.
November 5th: General MacArthur orders bombing of the Korean end of the Yalu Bridges as well as all factories, lines of communication, cities and villages between the United Nations lines and the Yalu River.
November 21st: United States 17th Regiment advances to the Yalu River.
November 24th: MacArthur's final "Home by Christmas" offensive begins.
November 25th: Chinese Communist Forces strike at the 8th Army along Chongchon River in the west.
November 26th to December 1st: United States 2nd and 25th Divisions are defeated along the Chongchon River in the west and they retreat.
November 27th to December 11th: Chinese Communist Forces strike the 1st Marine Division and the 7th Army Division near the Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir in the east. X Corps fights back toward port of Hungnam in the east (the breakout). U.S. Marines retreat from Koto-ri and from Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir.
November 30th: President Truman in a press conference threatens use of Atomic Bomb against Red Chinese Forces.
December 4th to 8th: President Truman meets with British Prime Minister Attlee after which Britian abandons its position that Taiwan should be returned to Red China.
December 11th: The last of the United Nations Forces reach the assembly area in the Hamhung - Hunganm area. United Nations Fleet begins evacuating troops, equipment and supplies.
December 14th: United Nations cease fire resolution.
December 23rd: General Walton H. Walker is killed when his jeep was struck by a truck. General Matthew B. Ridgway takes command of Eighth Army.
December 24th: X Corps sails from Hungnam harbor. North Korea is evacuated.
December 30th: U.S. Air Force planes near Yalu River encounter Red Chinese MiG-15 jet fighters.
January 3rd: Red Chinese Forces and North Korean Forces begin New Year's Offensive. General Ridgeway orders the evacuation of Seoul.
January 4th: Seoul captured by the Chinese Communist Forces.
January 14th: United Nations Forces establish lines along the 37th parallel in South Korea.
January 25th: United Nations Forces reassume offensive.
February 1st: United Nations resolution votes to end Korean conflict and Red China was labeled an "Aggressor."
February 11th to 12th: Communist Chinese Forces counteroffensive begins north of Hoengsong.
February 14th: Communist Chinese Forces stopped at Chipyong-ni by the 23rd RCT and French Battalion.
February 18th to March 17th: General Ridgeway orders an offensive, code-named "Killer".
March 1st: The United Nations lines reaches between the 37th and 38th Parallels. The United Nations is involved in multiple attacks and withdrawals.
March 7th: United Nations troops launch operation "Ripper." The 8th Army re-crosses Han River.
March 18th: Seoul is retaken.
April 11th: General MacArthur recalled is. General Ridgway is given command of the FECOM.
April 15th: General James Van Fleet is given command of the 8th Army to replace General Ridgeway.
April 19th: General Douglas MacArthur appears before Congress in hearings concerning his removal.
April 22nd: Communist Chinese Forces begin their Spring Offensive.
April 30th: Communist Chinese Forces and North Korean Forces withdraw for re-supply and replacements.
May 10th: Communist Chinese Forces and North Korean Forces begin May offensive operation designated "The Second Chinese Communist Forces Spring Offensive," also known as the "Battle of Soyang" or the "May Massacre".
May 20th: U.S. forces halt Communist Chinese Forces and North Korean Forces Soyang Offensive.
May 23rd to June 1st: United Nations Forces drive north.
June 13th: United Nations Forces dig in on the 38th parallel.
June 23rd: Soviet Delegate Jacob Malik proposes truce in United Nations.
July 10th: Truce talks begin at Kaesong.
August 1st to October 31st: United Nations Forces launch limited attacks to consolidate lines. United Nations Forces involved in Bloody Ridge.
August 23rd: Communists break off talks charging U.S. violations of neutrality.
September 5th to 23rd: Battle for "Heartbreak Ridge".
October 25th: Peace talks resume at Panmunjom.
November 27th: Truce talks resume at Panmunjom and a cease-fire line is agreed upon at the line of contact.
November 1951 to April 1952: There is a stalemate along the 38th Parallel. Peace discussions at Panmunjom continue.
December 18th: Exchange of "Prisoners Of War" lists between United Nations and Communist forces
January 2nd: United Nations gives proposal on "Prisoners Of War" exchange.
January 3rd: "Prisoners Of War" proposal rejected by the Chinese and North Koreans.
February 18th: Riots begin in Koje-do Prison.
March 13th: Second major clash at Koje-do Prison.
April 2nd: Screening of United Nations POW's begins in part to determine which prisoners wish to be repatriated.
May 7th: General Dodd captured by communist POW's at Koje-do resulting in a "trial" and a letter from Brigadier General Charles F. Colson.
May 12th to June 12th: General Colson replaced by Brigadier General Haydon L. Boatner as Koje-do Camp Commandant. General Mark W. Clark replaces General Ridgway at FECOM. General Boatner quells disturbances on Koje-do.
May 27th: South Korean President Syngman Rhee declares martial law in the Pusan area.
June 23rd: General Clark orders bombing of power plants in North Korea.
June to October: There is stalemate along battlefront while truce talks are deadlocked on POW exchange issue. Hill battles rage on Baldy, Whitehorse, and elsewhere.
October 8th to November 18th: Truce talks recessed at Panmunjom. General Clark authorizes Operation Showdown.
December 3rd: The United Nations passes the Indian Resolution concerning the repatriation of POW's. Red China and North Korea reject the Indian Resolution.
December 5th to 8th: President-elect Eisenhower comes to Korea to fulfill campaign promise. There is intensification of United Nations psychological warfare.
December to January 1953: There is a continuation of the stalemate,and more hill battles.
February 11th: General Maxwell D. Taylor replaces General James A.VanFleet at 8th Army.
March 5th: With the death of Joseph Stalin, the new Soviet Premier Georgi Malenkov speaks of peaceful co-existence.
March 28th: North Korean premier Kim Il Sung and Chinese commander in chief Peng Teh-huai agree to the POW exchange proposed by General Clark.
March 30th: Chinese Foreign Minister Chou En-lai indicates that the Red Chinese will accept the Indian Resolution of December 1952. Truce talks resume at Panmunjom.
End of March to April 18th: Battles of "Old Baldy", "Eerie" and "Pork Chop Hill".
April 20th to 26th: The exchange of sick and wounded POW at Panmunjom known as "Little Switch".
April 23rd: Meetings between the Communists and United Nations Representatives results in a resumption of discussions at Panmunjom.
April 26th: Full sessions resume at Panmunjom.
May 3rd: Completion of the exchange of sick and wounded POW.
June 14th: Communist offensive pushes Republic of Korea troops back towards the south.
June 18th: South Koreans release approximately 27,000 North Korean POW who refused to be repatriated. Communists break off truce negotiations.
June 25th: Robertson begins "Little Truce Talks" with Rhee to secure Republic of Korea's acceptance of armistice; Chinese Communist Forces launch massive attacks against Republic of Korea Divisions.
July 10th: Communists return to negotiations after United Nations assurances that the Republic of Korea would abide by the terms of the cease fire.
July 27th: Cease-fire is signed by Lieutenant General Nam Il and Lieutenant General William K. Harrison at 10:00 am at Panmunjom about 12 hours later the fighting ends.
September 4th: Processing of POWs for repatriation begins at "Freedom Village", Panmunjom.
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