The Korean War History
by Krysta CardinaleOn June 25th, 1950, North Korean forces invaded South Korea starting the Korean War. Two days later, the United Nations passed a resolution urging members to stop the North Korean aggressors. The US was one of the countries that responded along with fifteen other member nations. Korea is a relatively small country, thousands of miles away from the United States. However, what happened there was important to every American. The Korean War was started because communist forces attacked the Republic of Korea. Free nations had to be on their guard more than ever against this kind of attack. They felt it was a priority to protect their freedom and unite against communism. The cost of freedom was high, but many felt that it was necessary to protect no matter what.
The United Nations ordered bombing raids on strategic targets on North Korea. Although the UN effort was to be fought by troops and equipments from several different member nations, the United States was given command of the operation. President Truman appointed General Douglas MacArthur chief of UN forces.
General Douglas MacArthur and his troops headed for the Korean War. History states this as the first amphibious task force since World War II as it moved swiftly through the Pacific. Under a British American air umbrella, the armada arrived at South Korea and the landing crafts went in.
Despite expectations of opposition, the United States First Cavalry Division easily established a beachhead. Its first job was to guard Kohung from North Korean troops that were advancing southward down the eastern coast. Off the shores of North Korea, the allied fleet bombarded the positions. Although Russian troops were not among those invading South Korea, Truman blamed the Soviet Union for sponsoring communist North Korea.
“If the Soviet Union really wants peace, it can prove it and could have proved it on any day since last June 25th by joining the rest of the United Nations and calling upon the North Korean to lay down their arms at once.” –President Truman
There were giant recruiting rallies held throughout the country. Each branch of the armed forces encouraged all able-bodied men to join the fight against communism. Every volunteer helped in the urgent task of building up the United Nations strength in Korea.
Newly arrived recruits discovered the harsh realities of the Korean War as they worked their way to Seoul. There was no way to distinguish a friend from a foe. As tanks spearheaded the attack in house to house fighting, South Korean patrols captured areas just in case. Wounded prisoners were brought in for treatment. They were all being sent back to base. It was a tough price the marines paid for a tough job. America carried most of the weight in this United Nations war.
China Enters the Korean War
After liberating South Korea, General Douglas MacArthur ordered his forces across the 38th parallel in hopes of unifying all of Korea. Unfortunately, this move brought red China into the war. Over a million Chinese troops pushed the UN forces all the way back to the bottom of the Korean Peninsula. Trapped behind enemy lines, the battle worn marines waited for supplies to be air dropped to them before they could hope to fight their way out.
During these days, they camped out on the landing strips, exhausted though they were. The troops were famished and thirsty enough to drink of slime. At night, the men fought off all the Chinese attacks as the enemy advanced from the mountain.
The End
Eventually, the American and allied forces were able to fight their way back to the 38th parallel. On July 27, 1953, both sides agreed to an armistice. This war took a very high toll, particularly on the Koreans and the Chinese. America also paid a high price, losing over 54,000 soldiers. In all, more than one million people lost their lives in combat.
The conclusion of the war led to very little territory change. The political situation between North and South Korea ended up exactly the same as it had been the day before the war began. Korea was once again divided in half at the 38th parallel. This war was considered a strategic victory for the United Nations led by General Douglas MacArthur and the United States. The 38th parallel was established again as a demilitarized zone and it is defended even today on the north by Northern Korean troops and on the south by Southern Korean and American troops. There was never any peace treaty signed.
