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KOREA

On Sunday, June 25th, 1950, North Korean infantry divisions led by Russian T-34 tanks exploded across the 38th Parallel taking the lightly armed Republic of Korea troops by surprise. It quickly became apparent that the limited resistance could be pushed out of the Pusan Perimeter into the ocean. The United States after WWII had sent most of its military equipment to the junk yard and found itself not only light on equipment but also troops. General Douglas McArthur took command. The U.S. faced communist forces backed up by China and Russia. The U. S. desperately rushed troops and equipment to Korea and soon were holding their own. Gen. MacArthur wanted to drive to the Yalu, but President Truman expressed his concern it could intimidate the Chinese and Russians. The final blow came when thousands of Chinese troops poured across the border. MacArthur considered using the Bomb. Truman informed him that we did not want to start WWIII, and relieved him of his command. Like an old soldier he just faded away. The war ended where it started, proving nothing.

From June 25, 1950, to July 27, 1953, 36,913 Americans died.

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