I’ve been reading a bit lately about the Korean War. Not only has this been a gap in my own history knowledge, but I would wager my next paycheck that I’m not the only one who lacks any real understanding of this war. World War II and Vietnam get all the attention, but Korea has long been overlooked, hence the moniker The Forgotten War. Hard to imagine a war in which nearly 50,000 Americans were killed could be forgotten. It was the first major armed conflict of the Cold War involving the United States and a Soviet proxy and the first test of UN solidarity in the face of a major world conflagration. It was called a “police action” at the time, but to the men on the ground it was a war in every sense of the word. Up to this point about the only knowledge I had on the subject was that there was in fact a war between North and South Korea and there must have been some renegade doctors working the field hospitals sewing stitches by day, and busting them at night with hilarious hijinx and wacky nurse-chasing antics. I got that from M.A.S.H. Like I said, I’m just beginning to look into this subject and as I do I plan on imparting the knowledge gained onto you, the faithful reader or meandering netizen. Until then–notice I’m not giving myself a deadline–lets test your knowledge with a Korean War pop quiz. Put your answers in the comments. After a few have answered I’ll give the answers. Ready, go (and no Googling or Wiking)!
1. Who was President when the Korean War broke out?
2. What decade did the war take place in, and what years specifically?
3. Who was the commanding General for the United Nations forces at the outset of the war?
4. What eventually happened to him?
5. What other Asian country became involved in the war?
Extra-Credit-Really-Hard-Bonus Question: Where did the UN forces make a daring amphibious landing that the Supreme Commander gave a 1-in-5000 chance for success?
[...] Tense Update Posted on October 25, 2007 by Ando A new post on Past Tense. I’m going to try to start a new series on the Korean War (notice I said trying). Come [...]
it is not forgotten by we little few that fought those days from the 5 July 1950 to 20 July 1950.With out the proper equipment old worn out equipment from WW2 nothing to stop those soviet made T34 tanks and very little money for training from the US Goverment.Unit that were at 55% to 65% of the man power that was required in each unit.Then the war came and they sent us men that had were not trained in the unit that they sent to fight in. It was a mess for those first months 40 yards
Mr. Bolt,
thank you for the comment, and more importantly thank you so much for your service. I think its unfortunate and sad that those of you who served in that war have been over looked by much of the public for these last 50 plus years. Hopefully in my own small way I can bring more awareness to the sacrifices made by you and men like you who served through this humble blog.
Through even the little study I’ve done so far, I’ve learned that those first few weeks were particularly terrible. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must have been like.
I appreciate your time taken to leave me a comment and I would love to hear from you again and to hear more of what you have to say about the war. Thank you again for your service.
Ando, please feel free to click onto my website that I created as a tribute to my uncle. Here you will read about a Korean War F-86 Sabre pilot who paid the ultimate sacrifice. On the links page there is another website that I created that honors my uncle’s squadron. I just recently finished a book on his life as well, which should have lots of photos. Right now it’s at the publisher. I hope more people like yourself will show an interest in a war that only those who fought in it care to remember.
1. Truman
2. Took place from 1950-53, although it is technically still going on as only an armistice was declared
3. Douglas MacArthur
4. He was inept and arrogant in commanding the war and was ultimately replaced. He returned home to the U.S. from Tokyo, Japan. Some people may argue against this, but his insistence that the Chinese were not involved, despite contrary evidence, probably cost allied forces a complete victory
5. China sent in a full division, well trained, well clothed, and numerous.
No idea on the extra credit.
Alright! Someone took the quiz. Let’s grade it.
#1 – Correct.
#2 – Correct with bonus points. The war is still technically going on since no treaty has ever been signed.
#3 – Correct.
#4 – Mostly correct. However, MacArthur was well aware of Chinese involvement and in fact spoke publically about wanting to blockade Chinese ports and bomb China’s interior, which was contrary to US, er, I mean UN policy. He continually defied President Truman and his policies in the press which eventually led to his dismissal.
#5 – Correct
Extra Credit – The daring amphibious landing was made at Inchon and turned the tide of the early reversals. The quesion is, was the operation a stroke of military genius or tremendous luck? 5000 to one odds are tough to beat.
1. Harry S. Truman
2. 1950’s – beginning
3.Douglas Macarthur
4. He was fired by Truman for publicly criticizing Truman’s ideas about invading China.
5. China
6. Macarthur invaded at Inchon by sea and forced the North Koreans over the 38th parallel.
I fell that not many people ever remember wars unless they effect their family or country, it doesn’t seem to matter how many died, if its half way across the world, they don’t want to know. Even parts of ww2 people aren’t interested in. like how many people (ordinary people) know that Australia was bombed in the second world war. It wasn’t bombed as much as Berlin or other German cities but it was still attacked. How many people know about the fighting it Burma, all my friends don’t even know there was battles in the pacific in ww2!
sam aged 13
I feel that not many people ever remember wars unless they effect their family or country, it doesn’t seem to matter how many died, if its half way across the world, they don’t want to know. Even parts of ww2 people aren’t interested in. like how many people (ordinary people) know that Australia was bombed in the second world war. It wasn’t bombed as much as Berlin or other German cities but it was still attacked. How many people know about the fighting it Burma, all my friends don’t even know there was battles in the pacific in ww2!
sam aged 13
IM A KOREAN
Truman
1950 – 1954
McCarther
Relieved of duty by Pres. Truman
China
Inchon
1. Harry Truman
2. War took place in the 1950’s, U.S. involvement from 1951-1953
3. Douglas MacArthur
4. Relieved of duty due to disagreements with Truman over conduct of the war (he wanted to take it to China & use the atomic bomb if necessary).
5. China after the initial UN push to the Yalu River.
Extra-Credit-Really-Hard-Bonus Question: Port of Inchon
I am in a similar boat to the author of this blog. The Korean War has recently interested me greatly and I regret not knowing more about it. It is remarkable to see the extreme political and financial differences on the Korean peninsula even to this day.
I am excited to learn more about the Korean culture as I plan to move to Seoul in a few weeks:)
Keep the curiosity alive!
I’m going to start with: I am only in the 8th grade, and I am doing an exit project on this. I want to see how much I’ve gotten correct, and how much I’ve managed to learn and remember from my research.
1. Harry Truman
2. Between 1950 and 1953, even though the conflict was never truley resolved and the two countries continue to disagree politically today.
3. Douglas MacArthur
4.Truman had him replaced, because he was critizing Truman’s military desicions (i.e. not allowing use of atomic bombs)
5. China
Extra-Credit-Really-Hard-Bonus Question: Inchon
Ando, I have the answer to your extra-credit question. The UN troops landed at Inchon in September of 1950. That is, most likely, where the USS Inchon got its name!
Incidentally, Truman had MacArthur relieved of duty because MacArthur’s mouth alone may have started WWIII! And China’s involvement resulted in one of the worst defeats the US has ever suffered – all because we didn’t take Mao seriously, thinking he was just Stalin’s puppet! It’s no surprise that the US has a tendency to get a little big for its britches.