The Graybeards - Korean War Veterans Association

United Nations forces manning the main line of resistance (MLR) in
Korea: there was to be “no celebration firing related in any way to
the advent of the armistice.” The armistice agreement was signed
the next day, Monday, July 27, 1953, at 10:01 a.m., but the fighting
and dying did not end until 10:00 p.m. that night. Each company on
line was authorized to fire a single white star cluster to signal the
ceasefire.
At 2200 hours, thousands of flares illuminated the sky along the
155-mile front, stretching from the Yellow Sea to the Sea of Japan.
That day — after 3 years, I month and 2 days — the Korean War
officially ended in Washington.
The United Nations had not scored a decisive victory but at least
it showed its determination to hold the line against invaders anywhere.
It was a costly war. In the first year alone, 1,250,000 soldiers
and civilians were killed on both sides. After three years of
combat, 54,246 Americans were killed, 103,284 wounded, and
8,177 are still missing and unaccounted for nearly 45 years later.
The Korean War cost over 20 billion dollars — more than all of
World War I. The war that began as a police action in which the
objective was not victory but to stop aggression, 54,246 Americans
died in uniform. (For comparison: 58,153 Americans lost their lives
in the Vietnam War.) The total of United Nations casualties in the
Korean War was 189,967, while the Republic of Korea lost a total of
1,037,000 — both military and non-military.
The Korean War quickly faded from the minds of the American
people and today remains a hazy event at best. Only 40% of the
public is old enough to remember it; less than a fifth of the total U.S.
veteran population are from the Korean era. Traditionally, we have
attracted little attention. Furthermore, the war in Korea was not even
officially dignified by that term until 1958. Even today, the terms
“conflict” and “police action” are sometimes used.
The cause of the conflict was never in doubt. On June 25, 1950,
at 4:00 a.m. (Korea time), 135,000 North Korea troops, spearheaded
by 200 Russian-built tanks and planes, stormed across the 38th
parallel in a general invasion, crushing South Korean defenses.
Nearly a third of the attacking troops were hardened combat veterans
of the Chinese Army, while America and its South Korean protege
were totally unprepared for war in East Asia.
Regular forces were supplemented by reservists called to active
duty. In fact, 20% of the Korean War servicemen had served in
WWII. These “retreads” proved invaluable among the inexperienced
ranks, since by the end of 1952, almost two-thirds of Army troops
in Korea were draftees.
The terrain of the Korean peninsula was one of mountains,
ridges, and valleys -baked by the sun in summer, with endless foulsmelling
rice paddies. In winter, temperatures fell to 40 degrees
below zero.
Fighting in Korea was fierce from the outset. Radio commentator
Walter Winchell said, “if you have a son overseas, write to him. If
you have a son in the 2nd Division, pray for him.” That unit — the
“Indianhead” Division — had a combat fatality rate which accounted
for over 25% of the total Army battle deaths in Korea. The
Marines — particularly the 1st Marine Division -suffered terrific
casualties.
Although the Army accounted for over 80% of total U.S. battlefield
deaths, the Air Force and Navy suffered a heavy toll in providing
support. We lost more than 2,000 planes but took an immense
number of enemy lives. Of the Navy’s ships, 82 were hit — five
were sunk, including four minesweepers.
After the initial collapse of our line at the 38th parallel and the fall
back to the Pusan perimeter, General MacArthur’s brilliant amphibious
landing at Inchon occurred. Seoul was quickly taken by X Corps
and General Walker’s 8th Army broke out of Pusan. Tenth Corps
then went again by ship around the peninsula, this time to the northeast
coast of North Korea. 8th Army took over Seoul and continued
to the northwest, taking the capitol city of North Korea —
Pyongyang. Meanwhile, X Corps was overrun by the entry of
Chinese hordes into the war. What followed was Chosin Reservoir,
the Iron Triangle, and the heavy casualties suffered in the total evacuation
of X Corps from the Hungnam area. General retreat to the
38th parallel took place and negotiations commenced at
Panmunjom. There were 22 more long months of warfare before the
ceasefire was signed. The final two years of the war were ones of
static, frozen trench warfare — mostly a night-patrol war. Now the
names that stand out are Heartbreak Ridge, the Punchbowl, Old
Baldy, Porkchop Hill. Artillery duels played a large part in the fighting,
more artillery being fired in Korea than in all of World War II.
Before the armistice was concluded, 1.5 million Americans had
served in Korea.
When the war inconclusively ended in only a truce still in effect,
there were no celebrations. No heroes’ welcome for returnees of the
Korean War. The American people did not quite know how to regard
a war they had not won, although 131 Medals of Honor were awarded
for heroism in Korea.
Hopefully now, after 45 years, America can come to grips with
the war’s outcome.
And as we celebrate today the second anniversary of the dedication
of this magnificent memorial, we reassure our fellow citizens
that Illinois has not forgotten the sacrifices of its sons and daughters.
Over 200,000 of us from Illinois served in Korea and 1,744 of
our comrades gave the last full measure of devotion.
We remember and we have not forgotten. May God continue to
bless both this memorial and the United States of America.
(Thank you Judge Mills for a most moving address. I am sorry I
have not printed this sooner. Just maybe after seeing the stories
in the newspapers today this may be perfect timing.)
Korean War Veterans
Read how those involved, and those at home, recorded their experience...
The Hermit Kingdom:
Poems of the Korean War
Paul M. Edwards, Editor
$11.50 including postage
Ordering address:
PO Box 456
Independence, MO 64051
Proceeds of sales go to the Center for the Study of the Korean War.
January/February, 2000 Page 15