The Korean War Major Rascon

Cont. The UN was in it’s infancy There was constant small-scale fighting at the 38th Parallel No one thought that the war was actually beginning when it did. January 1950 – Sec. of State Dean Acheson states that the Western Defense perimeter stops short of South Korea

The Invasion Begins June 25 – Early morning – N. Korean begins invasion of S. Korea. NK hopes to force reunification as one Communist nation The UN calls for an end to N. Korean Aggression June 27 – UN calls an emergency meeting of the security council and asks members to aid S. Korea June 28th-29th – Seoul is captured June 30 – Pres Truman orders ground forces into Korea and authorizes the bombing of N. Korea

Chinese Involvement Chairman Mao Tse Tung is watching American forces closely He has 500,000 troops waiting in Manchuria for the arrival of American Forces As the NKPA is pushed back across the 38th parallel, Washington gives MacArthur permission to cross the parallel Stop at any sign of Russian or Chinese intervention DO NOT cross or even fire in the direction of the Yalu River

Meeting at Wake Pres. Truman is getting nervous and summons MacArthur to Wake Island For a Face-to-Face. MacArthur is upset that he is interrupted and has to leave during his campaign.

Wake Cont. Truman Concerned about the possibility of Chinese intervention MacArthur’s arrogance abounds MacArthur claims that the war will be over by Thanksgiving and the men will be home by Christmas

China Attacks Oct 15, 1950 – Mao sends in 1st wave of troops Despite what he is hearing, MacArthur believes that it is nothing more than a handful of Chinese volunteers, not Army regulars “In order to hook a big fish, you must let the fish taste your bait.” – Chairman Mao Tse Tung MacArthur orders his men north

Further Devastation All UN forces now south of the 38th Parallel American forces now faced with total and humiliating defeat Once again in this war the tables are turned MacArthur wants to use as many as 50 atomic bombs against the Chinese US supporters against the idea Nov

Peace? June 25th, 1951 – News circulates of Chinese offer for peace talks It is 2 yrs before Armistice During which 12,000 more Americans lose their lives Main bone of contention = POW’s March 1953 – Stalin dies Op Little Switch Op Big Switch (Aug)

W or L? Ended almost as it began territorially But our involvement was to remove the N. Koreans from S. Korea did that Almost really two different conflicts complicated to name a winner

Conclusion > 5 million people die in Korea from 50 - 53 America – 54,000 KIA Chinese – 148,000 KIA Remainder – N & S Korean troops and civilians Main Lesson Learned – If you go to war, go to win. Vietnam will serve to reinforce that point