(AP) The war that began in Korea 60 years ago, on June 25, 1950, a ghastly conflict that killed millions and left the peninsula in ruins, became “The Forgotten War” in many American minds.
To a shrinking corps of aging men, however, the soldiers of Korea 1950-53, it can never be forgotten. It damaged many physically, scarred many mentally, and left men questioning their commanders’ and their nation’s wisdom.
They fought many enemies – not just the North Koreans and Chinese, but also the heat, the killing cold and the cursed hills, the thirst, hunger and filth, the incompetence and hubris of their own army, and the indifference of an American homeland still fixed on the “good” war, World War II, that had ended five years earlier.
In a wartime arc of desperation, triumph, retreat and final stalemate in Korea, no U.S. division sacrificed as much as the 2nd Infantry Division, losing more than 7,000 killed, one-fifth of total 36,516 U.S. dead. And it is the 2nd Infantry Division that still stands guard over South Korea today.
Troops of the First U.S. Cavalry Division land ashore at Pohang on the east coast of Korea during the Korean War. This is the first combat amphibious operation since World War II. The war that began in Korea 60 years ago, on June 25, 1950, a ghastly conflict that killed millions and left the peninsula in ruins, became "The Forgotten War" in many American minds. (AP Photo) #
American soldiers are carried on the backs of other GI's from Heartbreak Ridge through the rain to an aid station just behind the front lines in South Korea during the Korean War. The 2nd Division GI's, wounded in an ambush as they came off the Ridge for a two-day rest, had spent two weeks in the line during the height of the bloody battle on the east central front. (AP Photo) #
Residents from Pyongyang, North Korea, and refugees from other areas crawl perilously over shattered girders of the city's bridge, as they flee south across the Taedong River to escape the advance of Chinese Communist troops. The Chinese entered the Korean War as allies of North Korea. U.S. troops battled on the side of South Korea. Begun in June 25, 1950, the war ended on July 27, 1953, with a military demarcation line set near the 38th parallel where it started. Korea remains divided. (AP Photo/Max Desfor) #
A U.S. Marine takes cover during fight against North Koreans in Korea. The Marines were flushing out North Koreans who had been harassing them with sniper attacks and mortar fire. The war that began in Korea 60 years ago, on June 25, 1950, a ghastly conflict that killed millions and left the peninsula in ruins, became "The Forgotten War" in many American minds. (AP Photo/James Martenhoff) #
Two U.S. 2nd Infantry Division soldiers use a screw-driver and bayonet tip as they probe for mines on the road from Changnyong to the Naktong River South of Taegu, South Korea. Guerrillas hidden in the surrounding hills had planted the mines during the night, blowing up two trucks and killing several American soldiers. The war that began in Korea 60 years ago, on June 25, 1950, a ghastly conflict that killed millions and left the peninsula in ruins, became "The Forgotten War" in many American minds. (AP Photo/Jim Primgle) #
President Truman pins the Distinguished Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters on the shirt of General Douglas MacArthur during a ceremony at the airstrip on Wake Island, in this Oct. 14, 1950, file photo. In the center is John J. Muccio, United States ambassador to Korea, who was decorated with a Medal of Merit. According to a letter sent by Muccio to the State Department, U.S. soldiers would fire on refugees if they approached U.S. lines. The letter referred to a policy set down on July 25, 1950, the night before members of the 7th U.S. Cavalry began killing South Korean refugees at the village of No Gun Ri. (AP Photo) #
A packed refugee train heads south through Seoul railroad yards as South Koreans continue to flee from the capital during the Korean War on Dec. 27, 1950. More than half of the city's 1,000,000 residents have left the capital, threatened by massed Communist troops to the north, to seek safety in the southern part of the peninsula. (AP Photo) #
Weighted down with sundry items ranging from guns and trench shovels to a radio set, Sgt. Derrick Deamer, left, and Pvt. Clem Williams wear full battle gear as they chat on British sector of Korea?s Naktong River front in South Korea on Sept. 14, 1950. Both are with British forces fighting with United Nations? troops against the Chinese Communist troops. (AP Photo/GH) #
Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commander-in-chief of United Nations Forces, on the bridge of the USS McKinley on his arrival at Inchon Harbor in September, 1950. Standing left to right are: Vice Admiral Arthur D. Strubble, Commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet; Brig. Gen. E.K. Wright, Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 Far East command and Major Gen. Edward M. Almond, Commanding General, 10th corps. (AP Photo) #
A navy Skyraider plane from the carrier Prince ton piloted by Lieut. Donald Sparks of Alameda, Calif., starts a dive-bombing run on a target during a navy air attack on Kowon, 22 miles northwest of Wonsan on the Northeast coast of Korea, Oct. 20, 1950 and the main railroad line to Hamhung to the north. (AP Photo) #
Cpl. Clifford Rodgers, Muskogee, Okla., looks at bound wrist of a Korean Civilians found in deep snow on Jan. 27, 1951 near Yangji, about 15 miles northwest of Ichon on the central front. The atrocity victim, one of several found in the area, presumably had been killed by reds retreating before allied advance. (AP Photo/Max Desfor #
Republic of South Korea policemen come to the aid of an assemblyman (wearing straw hat) being attacked by supporters of President Syngman Rhee. The demonstrators, who were demanding that the assembly give into Rhee or dissolve itself, closed in on the law maker as he tried to leave the National Assembly Hall in Pusan, June 28, 1952. (AP Photo/FW) #
Fifteen low-flying communist aircraft bombed the port city of Inchon, near Seoul, June 20, 1953, the night of June 16th and set off a giant fire with a hit on a fuel dump. Leaping flames from the burning petroleum, oil and lubrication dump lighted the sky for more that 20 miles. Fifth Air Force said the damage done by the fire was undetermined so far. The firemen and soldiers help in trying to douse the immense flame billowing into the dark night sky. (AP Photo) #
A Korean waif sits in smoldering ruins of his home destroyed by fire in the Suwon area on Feb. 3, 1951 as allied troops burned dwellings which might provide shelter for red troops. Native water jars are the only possessions recognizable in ruins of other native homes in background. (AP Photo/Jim Pringle) #
A group of American GI's, part of the force which had just recaptured an allied patrol base on the western front in Korea on Sept. 18, 1951, display signs left by the fleeing Chinese, who gave up the position to 1st cavalry division troopers. Left to right are : Lieut. Albert E.Dru, Zelienople, pa; Pfc. William j. Dunsdale, West Warwick, R.I.; l/c Dan W. rivers, Franklin, Tenn.; Corp. Vernon P. Langford, Brookston, Ind.; Pfc. Paul M. George, Gilmore City, Ia.; and Lieut. Dick Walther, Pittsburgh, Pa. (AP Photo/Robert Schutz ) #
The Korean Kids at the elementary school at Tongduch'on ni, set up by GIs camped nearby in Korea on June 21, 1952, are learning baseball as well as their abc's for a well-rounded education. Sergeant Kenneth D. Henry, of Memphis, Mo., and Sergeant Jess R. Adkins, of Peru, Indiana, are giving instruction in the great American game to two of the older students of the school. (AP Photo) #
An army corporal at Panmunjom took this picture in Korea on Oct. 8, 1952 as the last jeep of the United Nations convoy departed for Munsan, after Korean truce talks at Panmunjom had been recessed indefinitely. Somebody had just put the identifying sign on the rear of the jeep. The picture has just become available on November 10, by air from Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo) #
Three American Marines, left to right are: Pfc. Clarence Hara, Alumbank, Pa.; Cpl. Jean Holland, Americus, Ga.; and Pfc. Carl Toker, Mt. Wolf, Pa., destroy their bunkers on a forward observation post on the western front preparatory to withdrawal from the demilitarized zone under terms of the armistice in Korea July 28, 1953. In background is what was once no-man's land. (AP Photo/CLH) #
Apparently calling cadence, the North Korean Communist military policeman, at right, stands to the side of the read leading to the Panmunjom military armistice site on Oct. 28, 1951, as two armed Communist military policeman march in single file. Both, American and Communist military policemen spread about the Korean neutral zone, keep their eyes open for possible violations of the U.N.-Communists sire agreements. (AP Photo) #
Half-frozen Thailand sailors wait on East Korean Beach in enemy territory as a U.S. Navy helicopter takes off with injured crewmen for rescue destroyer standing offshore on Jan. 21, 1951. The sailors had waded ashore after their corvette Prasae Ran aground on January. This is one of a series of Navy photos on the rescue. (AP Photo) #
Even though 'Armistice' talks are in progress at Kaesong, the mission of the 3rd Air Rescue Squadron continues. 3rd Air Rescue Helicopter as it settles, gently to Korean soil to take on an injured soldier being carried in a stretcher by medics on July 7, 1951. In a matter of minutes this soldier will be under the professional care of a medical officer at one of the mobile army surgical hospitals at the rear. Two Korean Laborers have stacked their 'A' frames to watch the patient loaded into the helicopters capsules. More than 2300 lives have been saved by Air Rescue personnel who are serving the Far East Air Forces during the Korean War. This number represents rescues made by all the 3rd Rescue Aircraft. (AP Photo) #
First tanks and troops of the First Cavalry Division enter shell-scarred city of Chunchon after the last communist stronghold on central Korean front fell on March 21, 1951. Walking in center of road are (left to right): Maj. Gen. Charles D. Palmer, commanding the First Cavalry; and Col. Marcel G. Grombez, Portland, Ore., a regimental commander. (AP Photo/Jim Pringle #
This British Centurian tank resembles an Elephant drinking water as it rests at a crazy angle, its gun barrel sticking into a waterhole on a Korean roadside north of Seoul on June 22, 1951. Working to salvage usable parts are Lance Corp. Douglas Bone, left, of Basings, Hampshire, Eng., and Trooper Ronald Rodda, Sunderland County, Durham, Eng. (AP Photo/E.N. Johnson #
Navy Pilot Lt. Oliver Droege (upper right) of Kansas City, Mo., swims away from rapidly disintegrating wreckage of his corsair fighter plane seconds after he had crashed into the Sea of Japan during takeoff from the carrier USS Boxer on May 22, 1951. A hovering helicopter picked him up unhurt within a minute. (AP Photo) #
B-29 Superforts of War East Air Forces Bomber Command made daylight strikes early in the Korean War against Communist industrial targets. The Superfort is dropping incendiaries on a North Korean factory in Korea on June 21, 1952. In the two years of U.N. pounding of Communist targets, all strategic targets have been knock out, and the big bombers are now being until on night strikes against the enemy?s transport system. (AP Photo) #
GI's guarding an artillery outpost on Korea's west-central front on June 9, 1951 make sure the Chinese will know they are facing U.S. soldiers . Standing guard under stars and stripes waving from a carbine are, left to right: Pvt. William Jones, Havre De Grace, Md.; Pfc. Roderick Fernandez, Laurelton, New York City; and Pfc. James Garrick, Dickinson, Ala. (AP Photo/Robert Schutz ) #
Sgt. Billy Barber, San Francisco, Calif., Pfc. Billy J. Hunt, Kansas City, Mo., and Pfc. Joseph J. Doleys, Cleveland, O., left to right, all attached to the 25th infantry division, pool their efforts as they prepare some hot food during a Lull in the fighting against Chinese communist forces in Korea on Feb. 16, 1951. (AP Photo) #
Leathernecks of the U.S. 1st marine division dig in at Paddy field in the Vegas Hill sector of Korean western front on March 26, 1953. At top a marine digs a foxhole for protection against forthcoming mortar barrage while another (bottom) uses natural ground contour for protection as he surveys the battleground in front of him. (AP Photo/George Sweers ) #
American soldiers (foreground) dig in to set up a machine gun position on side of ridge overlooking a vital supply road in the central sector near Kumsong, Korea on July 20, 1953. In the background, trucks and vehicles with men and supplies prepare to move Northward in the area from which they had withdrawn during heavy Chinese attacks. (AP Photo/George Sweers) #
A knoll on the central Korea into an outdoor Barber shop in an undated photo, during a lull in the fighting for three men of the First Marine Division. 'In the chair,' Pfc. Richard J. West, Sioux City, S.D., holds a canteen shaving mud as ?Barber? Pfc. John J. Clements. Nederland, Texas, handles the neck trim. Waiting his turn, Pfc. Robert I. Green, Gales Creek, Ore., leafs through an old magazine. (AP Photo) #
Lt. Ben Eubanks (left) of Atlanta, Ga., and Lt. Stanley Hyman from New Rochelle, New York, sit at controls of a Fifth Air Force B-26 invader of the 3rd Bomb Wing, and give the ship a pre-flight check prior to taking off on a night-intruder mission over enemy territory in Korea on June 14, 1951. (AP Photo) #
Three soldiers of Company G., 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division, swap their combat boots for the new 'Mickey Mouse' thermal boots at their installation 'somewhere in Korea' Nov. 22, 1952. The new thermal boots are an improvement over shoe-pacs issued last winter to troops in the Korean fighting. From left are: Pfc. Claude J. Williams, Kansas City, Mo.; M/Sgt. Charles E. Hawkins, of Havre de Grace, Md.; and Cpl. James E. Hobbs, of Rushtown, Ohio. (AP Photo) #
A U.S.Soldier keeps a wary watch for enemy targets as he hugs a ridge on Korea's east-central front on Jan. 26, 1951 during a fire fight with Communist guerrillas. Smoke rises from hillside in background which is under marines? mortar fire. Riflemen manning ridges looking north during firefight with guerillas south of Chisondong. (AP Photo/James Martenhoff) #
A bearded North Korean, with an American cigarette between gnarled fingers, talks with gestures to a U.S. Marine patrol on April 28, 1951 which flushed him out of the hills in North Korea while advancing ahead of tanks. He seems eager to tell his captors all he knows about the Chinese Communists who were unleashing their spring offensive. (AP Photo) #
These leathernecks 'model' the Chareaux that will be de Rigeur in the Easter Parade in Korea, March 21, 1952. Members of the first marine division and their varying types of headgear. From left to right are: M/Sgt. Spencer D. Gartz, San Diego, Calif., in summer field cap; M/Sgt. Clayton Barrow, Lovell, Md. In pile liner winter cap; S/Sgt. Allan Retasky, Waukegan, Ill., in Korean fur cap; Sgt. John Sorobarczyk, Stockdale, Texas, in helmet; and W/O Frank Renfrow, camp Lejeune, S.C., in old-time campaign hat. (AP Photo/Fred Waters) #
Lt. J.J. Schneider, of 2535 Depts St., St. Louis, sits on wing of fighter plane with Capt. J.B. Hannon, right, 7337 Douglas St., Omaha, Nebr., at an airfield in Korea on Jan. 15, 1951. Between them is 'Admiration Dog,' mascot of their wing, who flies with the airmen. Lt. Schneider has completed 100 missions in Korea since on June 27. Two days after outbreak of the war. He will soon return to the U.S. and plans to wed Miss Betty Rosholm, who was 'Miss Omaha of 1950'. Capt. Hannon was shot down in World War 2 over Germany, and also was shot down over Korea but escaped capture. (AP Photo/JJim Pringle #
Five American GI's with the U.N. forces in Wonju-Chongju sector of Korean fighting prepare a mortar for action on Jan. 20, 1951. Near the mortar on ground are Pfc. John S. Hagen, of Delavin, Wis., left, and Cpl. James E. Helvey, of Detroit, Mich. Passing the ammunition to Hagen is Cpl. Frank G. Bickel, standing right, of Pittsburgh, Pa., watching are Pvt. James J. Cowell ,left, of Chicago, Ill., and Sgt. Henry Sprenger, second from left, of Fergus Falls, Minn. (AP Photo/MD) #
GI's use entrenching tools as they dig in Korean hilltop North of Seoul, South Korean capital on Jan. 8, 1951. A burning village in background sends up smoke pillar. From left are: Pfc. Walter Madjarac, Cleveland, Ohio; Pvt. Norman Wolak, Chicago, and Cpl. Chet Collett, of Troy, Ohio. (AP Photo/ENH) #
Card game on the forward hatch on Sept. 15, 1951. From Left to right, around circle are Sgt. Gerald C. Jurs, Hamlin, New York; Cpl. Joseph M. Ferro, Bartlesville, Okla; Cpl. Cedric Smith, Brookhaven, Miss; Sgt. James N. Howell, Pecos, Texas and Cpl. Gordon W. Mehlenbacher of Hunt, New York, Sept. 15, 1951. #
PFC Hurbert ' Murdoch, of 360 East 151st St. Bronx, New York, assistant to Chaplain Antonellis, does his part in helping the wounded as he holds plasma bottle (standing left) on Sept. 25, 1952 at "Kelly Hill" Korean. Kneeling, holding tape is Lt. Fouchs and at right (wearing helmet) is Chaplain Antonellis. (AP Photo) #
Pfc. Frank S. Rymer, of Minneapolis, Minn., who was wounded on 1st Marine Division patrol duty by an exploding nine only 15 minutes before armistice cease-fire in Korea, is treated at a forward aid station on August 3, 1953. At left is Hospital Corpsman Earl J. Jones, of Heflin, Ala. (AP Photo/Waters) #
Air Force Cpl. Joseph P. Lany (right) of 639 main St. Torrington, Conn., scrubs Coo Jany Soo, 14-year-old Korean war orphan, in Korea on March 26, 1952 as a Korean helper does likewise with Soo's older brother, Sun, who has been blind since birth. This is part of the program of the Fifth Air Force's 839th Engineer Aviation Battalion to alleviate some of the suffering and misery caused by the Korean War. Korean orphans are rounded up from impromptu homes and are given medical treatment, warm clothing and a good meal. The battalion then arranges for their transportation to an orphanage sponsored by the U.N. for unfortunate waifs. Soo's parents were killed by the Reds more than a year ago as they attempted to cross the lines and gain refuge with UN forces. (AP Photo) #
A painting depicting Christ, The Prince of Peace, consoling a battle-weary Marine, provides an appropriate background in the Korean tent, Dec. 15, 1952 where Lt. Karl Ernst leads First Division leathernecks in prayer. The painting was executed by one of the marine in the outfit. Lt. Ernst, a Protestant navy chaplain, is from McLean, Texas. (AP Photo/FW) #
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