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Memorial
Korean War
 Origins
1950 - 1953
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THE KOREAN WAR
The Korean War has often been referred to as the "forgotten
war" because it came on the heels of World War II and was
overshadowed by the Vietnam War. Korea like Vietnam, was part
of the Cold War to stop the advancement of Communism in Southeast
Asia. When the Communist troops of North Korea invaded the democratic
Republic of South Korea, the United States became involved through
a promise of support given to the president of South Korea.
It was feared that this tiny peninsula would be the setting
for the eruption of World War Three. When the United Nations
joined forces with the United States and the Republic of South
Korea to stop the invasion, this fear was justified. North Korea
not only had the support of the Soviet Union government, but
also the military support of China. The stage was set for a
bloody three years.
In 1945 the United Nations established the 38th parallel as
the boundary dividing North and South Korea. It was the 38th
that the North Koreans crossed to invade and unite South Korea
under a Communist government. The United States entered the
conflict under an assumption that this would be like a police
action to drive the North Koreans back across the 38th. The
two armies criss-crossed the dividing line several times. When
the Chinese feared that their own borders were threatened, they
became involved on the side of the North Koreans. The conflict
then escalated further into war.
Because the Korean War only lasted three years (1950 - 1953)
it is not thought of as significant, and often not even mentioned.
However, if one compares the statistics of the Korean War (54,246)
to those of Vietnam (58,226) which lasted over sixteen years,
by ratio the Korean War was far bloodier than Vietnam.
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