|
|
Overview
The
Korean War has been called the "Forgotten War," historically
overshadowed by World
War II and Vietnam,
though it figures prominently in the development of events. The
Korean War was one of the first episodes of the Cold War and involved
many of the great personalities of the era: Truman,
MacArthur,
Mao, and Stalin.
The Korean War began in the early hours of June 25, 1950, when North
Korean troops crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea.
The war featured some of the most intense fighting ever experienced
by American soldiers -- and some of the worst conditions. Nearly
37,000 American servicemen lost their lives in three years, the
majority of losses concentrated in the first year. This is a significantly
higher figure per year than the 58,000 American casualties spread
over ten years in Vietnam.
There were both severe trials and staggering accomplishments during
the war: the humiliating retreat of inexperienced U.S. soldiers
in the opening days of the war; the brilliant Inchon landings masterminded
by MacArthur; the grittiness exhibited in Chosin by the 1st Marine
Division surrounded by a vast Chinese force; and the savage hill
fighting during the last years of the conflict.
Although
an armistice was signed in 1953 between the United Nations, the
US, China and North Korea, South Korea refused to sign, leaving
the two Koreas separate to this day.
|
