The Korean War in Gettysburg National Cemetery

Comer Levi Altland, a Gettysburg native, served as a 2nd Lt. in the 7th US Cavalry in Korea. He was killed in action in November 1951.

National Park Service

In July 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's administration brought about an armistice in the Korean War. President Eisenhower believed strongly in ending the fighting in Korea after his visit to the front lines there in December 1952.

This armistice was not an easy undertaking. Eisenhower pursued it, despite the difficulties involved, because he witnessed first hand the carnage of war in Europe during World War II, and again during his visit to Korea in December 1952. He pushed for the armistice in order to save lives, and bring as many American servicemembers home as he could.

Gettysburg National Cemetery is a testament to why President Eisenhower pursued an armistice in Korea. There are over a dozen Korean War casualties who were brought to Gettysburg for their final burial. Their stories remind us, in the words of President Eisenhower, that "war is the saddest of all human activities."

This webpage contains the stories of Gettysburg's Korean War casualties.