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May 20, 2008

The Korean War - The Forgotten War 1950-1953

The Korean War is often called the forgotten war of the 20th century. With two world wars and the very controversial Vietnam War in the 20th century, many forget the Korean War. It started as a conflict between Communist and non-Communist forces in Korea, the war ran from June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953. The Korean War was one of the first episodes of the Cold War. The war featured some of the most intense fighting ever experienced by American soldiers -- and some of the worst conditions. Following North Korean invading South Korea, the United Nations condemned the invasion as an act of aggression, and demanded the withdrawal of North Korean troops from the South. President Truman authorized the use of American land, sea, and air forces in Korea and appointed Gen. Douglas MacArthur supreme commander.

The North Korean capital of Pyongyang was captured and the UN forces made a daring landing at Incheon (Inchon) on the west coast. After months of heavy fighting, the center of the conflict was returned to the 38th parallel. The Communists and the North Koreans recapturing Seoul, the South Korean capital. MacArthur persisted in publicly criticizing U.S. policy Truman, on the recommendation of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, removed him from command on Apr. 10, 1951. Gen. Van Fleet was denied permission to go on the offensive and end the "meat grinder" war. Negotiations broke down four different times, but after much difficulty and nuclear threats by Eisenhower, an armistice agreement was signed on July 27, 1953. Although an armistice was signed between the United Nations, the US, China and North Korea, South Korea refused to sign, leaving the two Koreas separate to this day.

The Korean War ended with 8,177 missing in action United States military members.

A couple interesting facts on the Korean War:
1. One of the first jets, the F-86 Sabre, was used during the Korean War.

2. The Peace Talks lasted 2 years and 17 days

3. MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals) began being used during the Korean War. The MASH units saved thousands of lives. Once a soldier got to a MASH unit he had a 97% chance of survival.

4. Unknown Soldier of the Korean Conflict, interred May 30, 1958.

5. According to one quartermaster: each soldier pinned an extra pair of socks inside his shirt

6. The men on the front lines were able to return to camp to get clean clothes and bath once a week.

7. Frontline troops had two hot meals per day, sometimes three. Ice cream that was made by the division Quartermaster was on the menu at least once a week and twice a week during the summer.

8. The Vietnam Memorial was built before the Korean War Veterans Memorial, in fact the Korean War Memorial wasn't started until the Vietnam Memorial was completed.

Statue Details Height: 7' 3" to 7' 6" Weight: 1,000 pounds Material: roughened stainless steel

Wall Details Length: 164 feet Width: 8 inches Weight: 100 tons Material: Polished granite

The Korean War Veterans Memorial

The Korean War Veterans Memorial is meant to ensure that Americans will never forget the war that has been dubbed, "The Forgotten War." The memorial pays tribute to the American soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the conflict from 1950 to 1953. It is located in the National Mall in Washington, DC. The idea to create the memorial originated upon the conclusion of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial.

The commission then held a contest to pick the best design. A representation created by the architectural form of Cooper-Lechy won the contest. In 1993, the groundbreaking for the monument took place. The original design of the memorial was to have 38 statues to represent the 38th Parallel. Later the amount was cut in half. On the 42nd anniversary of the armistice, July 25, 1997, President Clinton and President Kim Young Sam of the Republic of South Korea dedicated the memorial to the veterans of the Korean War.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial consists of 19 soldiers, a platoon, of stainless steel soldiers in the "Field of Service"while facing an American flag. All four branches of the military (army, navy, Marine Corps, and air force) are depicted by the statues. To the left of the soldiers extends a black granite wall. Over two thousand photographs sandblasted into the wall honor the supporting services who provided supply, medical, spiritual, and fire support to the frontline units.

The United Nations Wall on the opposite side lists the countries that provided troops, medical support, or supplies to help South Korea. All these elements point toward the Pool of Remembrance, which honors all soldiers who were killed, wounded or missing in action. An inscription is carved above the pool which aptly summarizes the meaning that the monument seeks to convey: "Our nation honors her sons and daughters who answered the call to defend a country they never knew and a people they never met." Engraved on a nearby wall are the total casualties of both the United States and the United Nations' forces along with the words "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE". The memorial was dedicated in 1995 to 1.5 million American men and women who served in the Korean War.