The Korean War

1
The Korean War

• The wrong war in the wrong place, at the wrong
  time, with the wrong enemy.
• Omar Bradley
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

2
Why did Truman fight?

• North Korea had launched a well planned, all-out
  attack across the 38th parallel. Soviet Union
  and China were behind the invasion.
• The Truman Doctrine had committed the U.S. to a
  policy of containment. Stop aggression and
  subjugation of the weak.
• Violation of UN resolutions to keep the peace.
• Meet the threat early on.
• He had been criticized for being soft on
  communism.

3
Communist North Korea

1. Led by Kim Il Sung
2. (Kim Jong Il son)
3. (Kim Jong-Un grandson)
4. Soviet trained and equipped
5. Backed by Communist China

4
Democratic South Korea

1. ROK led by Syngman Rhee
2. Backed by the United Nations forces, comprised
   of troops from 22 nations.
3. United States troops comprised 90
4. Douglas MacArthur Supreme
   Allied Commander

5
82 (1950). Resolution of 25 June 1950 Calls for
the immediate cessation of hostilities Calls
upon the authorities in North Korea to withdraw
forthwith their armed forces to the 38th
parallel To observe the withdrawal of North
Korean forces to the 38th parallel Calls upon
all Member States to render every assistance to
the United Nations in the execution of this
resolution and to refrain from giving assistance
to the North Korean authorities.
6
The Forgotten War
Video Part I
7
Phase I June 25 N. Korea invades S. Korea
8
Phase II UN and ROK forces driven back to Pusan
There will be no Dunkirk! MacArthur
9
Phase III MacArthur conducts the famous Inchon
landing
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Phase IV Approaching the Yalu
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Phase V China enters the war
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Phase VI Stalemate occurs along the 38th parallel
13
Police Action Photos
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Effects of the Police Action in Korea

1. A turning point in international policy.
2. The first military expression of the containment
   policy.
3. The first use of U.N. forces.
4. New policies and practices of the U.S. military.
   (ex. Police Action, integration)
5. Fear of nuclear war

60 Minutes Camp 14
15

• I'm Gonna Dig Myself A Hole Arthur 'Big Boy'
  Crudup 1951 I might dig myself a hole Move
  my baby down in the groundI might dig myself a
  hole Move my baby down in the groundYou know
  when I come out There won't be no wars
  aroundWell, I got my quiet canary, my class
  card, tooMy baby's wondering Lord now what am I
  to doMight dig myself a hole Move my baby down
  in the groundYou know when I come out There
  won't be no wars aroundI'm might-a leave my
  baby all pulled up and cryingYou know that's the
  reason why I 'm really gonna change my mindDig
  myself a hole Move my baby down in the
  groundYou know when I come out There won't be
  no wars around
• Well, they take me to the river front, cross the
  deep blue seaMy baby begin to wonder what in the
  world become of meDig myself a hole Move my
  baby down in the groundYou know when I come out
  There won't be no wars aroundWell, I ain't got
  no one to love me, all I got is goneMy baby
  leavin' me and I'm leavin' up my homeI might dig
  myself a hole Move my baby down in the
  groundYou know when I come up There won't be no
  wars around

16
Weapon Of Prayer The Louvin Brothers 1951In
that land across the sea, theres a job for you
and meThough our presence there may not be
foundWe must stay each night and day on the
battle line and prayWe must never lay our
weapons downRefrain We dont have to be a
soldier in a uniformTo be of service over
thereWhile the boys so bravely stand with the
weapons made by handLet us trust and use the
weapon of prayerMany thousand miles away
someone shed their blood todayWith a heart so
true and brave theyve goneTo a war thats yours
and mine, let us join the battle lineWith a
weapon that will save our homeRefrainWhen the
planes and tanks and guns have done all that they
can doAnd the mighty bombs have rained and
fellStill the helpful Hand above holds a weapon
made of loveAnd against Him none on Earth prevail