Korean War

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The War Begins

On 25 June 1950, the North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) attacked across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into the Republic of South Korea (ROK) with seven infantry divisions totaling 150,000 men, 150 Russian built T-34 tanks, heavy artillery and combat aircraft.

South Korea was defending with eight poorly equipped divisions without tanks, heavy artillery or combat aircraft. The United States had not provided these weapons to South Korea in fear that they would attack North Korea and create an international incident among the U.S., Russia and China. On 27 June 1950, the NKPA arrived at Seoul, capital of South Korea. ROK suffered approximately 34,000 casualties in three days of fighting.

Seoul Captured

On 27 June 1950, the United States entered the war with U.S. F-80 fighter aircraft shooting down seven enemy aircraft. Three ROK divisions defending Seoul withdrew South across the Han River after heavy fighting. NKPA captured Seoul on 28 June. ROK established a defensive line South of Seoul.

On 1 July 1950, 1^st Battalion, 21^st Regiment, 24^th Infantry Division arrived in Pusan, Korea. It was designated Task Force Smith. Its’ mission: slow NKPA attack and gain time for the U.S. and United Nations forces to build a final perimeter around Pusan. On 5-6 July, NKPA with tanks broke through the 24^th Infantry Division. In the valiant fight to slow the NKPA attack, the U.S. suffered 66% casualties.

Pusan Perimeter

U.S. and 21 United Nations selected Pusan in Southern Korea as the “Final Defensive Perimeter” to stop NKPA attacks. Troops and supplies were rushed to Pusan. The U.S. 25^th Infantry Division arrived 10-18 July 1950 and was immediately committed to battle. On July 1^st, the U.S. 1^st Cavalry Division landed at Pohang and joined the battle. By 4 August 1950, the Pusan perimeter was defended by the U.S. 24^th, 25^th, 2^nd, 1^st Cavalry Divisions and the 1^st Marine Brigade. ROK forces: 1^st, 3^rd, 6^th, 8^th, and Capital Divisions. The U.S. Air Force aircraft, U.S. Navy aircraft and U.S. Naval ships struck NKPA targets. By 30 August, the U.S. had suffered approximately 5,000 casualties while defending the “Pusan Perimeter”.

Inch’on Landing

United States and United Nations forces planned a daring coordinated attack to break out of the “Pusan Perimeter”. First on 15 September 1950 to land a waterborne force at the Port of Inch’on behind the NKPA to be followed on 16 September by attacks from the “Pusan Perimeter”. At 06:33am, 15 September, the 5^th Marines, 1^st Marine Division supported by 230 UN Naval ships & fighter-bomber aircraft stormed ashore on three beaches & over the top of 12 foot walls, fighting their way through Inch’on. By nightfall, Inch’on was captured. The 7^th Infantry Division following the Marines through Inch’on seized the high ground blocking the Pusan-Seoul highway and NKPA reinforcements to Pusan. The U.S. suffered 173 casualties during the capture of Inch’on.

The Breakout

On 16 September 1950, U.S. forces attacked from the “Pusan Perimeter” on three fronts: U.S. 24^th and 1^st Cavalry Divisions toward Kunsan; U.S. 25^th and 2^nd Divisions toward Kusan; & 6 ROK Divisions toward the Taebaek Mountains. All units had to fight to reach their objectives. The 5^th Regimental Combat Team led the attack seizing Waegwan.

On 27 September, 1^st Cavalry Division seized Osan and linked up with the 7^th Division. On 29 September, 25^th Division captured Kusan, freeing 97 U.S. Prisoners of War (POW). The 2^nd Division captured Chonju on 29 September. When the 24^th Division captured Taejon on 28 September, it found 5-7 thousand South Korean civilians & 40 U.S. and 17 ROK POWs murdered. During the breakout, the U.S. suffered 884 KIA and 3,868 WIA.

To the Yalu River

On 1 October 1950, General McArthur demanded surrender of North Korea. China stated, “It would not tolerate invasion across the 38^th parallel”. However, on that date, 2 ROK Divisions crossed it. On 7 October, 1^st Cavalry Division supported by the 24^th Division crossed the 38^th parallel demilitarized zone. On 19 October, 1^st Cavalry and 2 ROK Divisions captured Pyongyang, capital of North Korea. On 20 October, 187^th Regimental Combat Team of 2,800 paratroopers jumped on Sunchon. 25^th, 2^nd and UNC Divisions raced towards the Yalu River. The 1^st Marine Division landed at Wonsan and the 7^th Division landed at Iwon attacking towards the Chinese border. The 7^th Division reached Hysansin. On 26-27 October, the Chinese Volunteer Army (CPVA) attacked U.S.-U.N. forces with 140,000 men.

Chinese Attack

40,000 Chinese People’s Volunteer Army (CPVA) soldiers attacked the ROK 6^th, 7^th, 8^th and U.S. 1^st Divisions on 27 October 1950 inflicting heavy casualties as the Divisions withdrew South. On 1 November, the CPVA 50^th & 60^th Armies attacked the 1^st Cavalry & 2^nd Divisions at Unsan inflicting 1,200 casualties. On 28 November, 200,000 CPVA crashed into 20,000 UN forces at the Chosin Reservoir. The 1^st Marine & 7^th Divisons bore the brunt of the attack as they fought their way through the bitter cold & rugged mountains to the Port City of Hungnam for evacuation by UN Naval forces. The U.S. suffered 2,500 KIA, 5,000 WIA & 3,500 cold injuries. On 1-4 January 1951, the CPVA of 500,000 men seized Seoul despite the heroic fight of UN forces against the overwhelming troops of the CPVA and NPKA.

United Nations Attacks

On 7 March 1951, UNC from a line 50 miles South of Seoul launched Operation “Ripper” to retake Seoul & move North of the 38^th parallel. The U.S. 1^st Cavalry, 2^nd, 3^rd, 7^th, 24^th, 25^th, 1^st Marines, ROK Divisions, USAF & USN aircraft and Naval ships captured Seoul on 5 March 1951. On 23 March, 2,800 paratroopers of the 187^th Regimental Combat Team dropped on Munsan-ni and linked up with the 1^st Cavalry Division. In April and May 1951, the CPVA and NKPA launched two savage counter-attacks each with 200,000 men in an attempt to recapture Seoul and stop the Northern advance of UNC forces. Both sides suffered casualties. The fighting slowed as both sides dug in along the DMZ. Estimated CPVA-NKPA casualties were 160,000.

Standoff – Peace

Peace talks began at Kaesong on 10 July 1951 & ended at Panmunjon on 27 July 1953 when the U.S., China and North Korea signed an “Armistice Agreement”.

U.S. casualties

• KIA 33,651
• WIA 101,881
• MIA 6,058
• POWs 7,246

Year 2005 – North Korean and South Korean Armies face each other at the DMZ. Approximately 40,000 U.S. troops remain in South Korea.