Korea Memorial

"The Forgotten War"

(1998) When North Korean Forces invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, little was known of this distant land. It was known that Korea had been separated into two political regions by the 38th Parallel as a result of an agreement between the USSR and the United States at the close of World War II.

In order to defend the sovereignty of South Korea, President Truman authorized the use of United States Forces from Japan. When it was determined that this fledgling force of United States Forces could not deter the North Korean Army, this "Police Action" or "Sour Little War" escalated when the United Nations passed a resolution condemning North Korean aggression and authorized that United Nations Forces be sent to defend South Korea.

Over a three year period, until a truce was signed on July 27, 1953, military personnel from 22 United Nations countries were involved in the Korean War. This troop involvement ranged from nine infantry divisions from the United States to one platoon of troops from Belgium to medical units from India to Denmark. Veterans of the Korean War will always remember the major battles of the Pusan Perimeter, Inchon, Seoul, The Chosin Reservoir, Heartbreak Ridge, and Old Baldy. Casualties of the United States alone were 52,246 killed, 103,284 wounded, and 8,171 missing in action.

At this time, after 40 years, a truce yet prevails along the 38th Parallel in Korea. American and South Korean Forces still face the forces of North Korea across the truce line. The truce continues to hold.