[June 26, 2025] I missed publishing this article yesterday, which was the 75th Anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War: June 25, 1950. On that date, the Communist North Korean forces attacked across the border, starting a hot war that developed into an international bloody affair.
I had the honor of serving with the South Korean Army from 2011 until my retirement in 2014.
Lost in history, or at least pigeonholed, is that this was the first war of Communist forces against Western democratic nations.
The North Korean opening salvo was both a total tactical and strategic surprise, which is exactly what an attacking force needs to gain an advantage over its enemy. Despite North Korea preparing for this war and thus having superior trained, led, and motivated troops, the war was eventually fought to a stalemate. This occurred due, in large part, to the intervention by NATO and the United States.
This was a time of Communist expansionism worldwide. The Republic of Korea (South Korea) and its allies have our respect for turning back the forces of Communism. The leadership of South Korea made the right choice to fight to be free from the yoke of Communism. A simple economic and political comparison between the two nations tells us something important. And that is Communism is a failed political system.
South Korean forces suffered early and were forced southward into a small area known as the Pusan perimeter. From that small piece of land, the United Nations provided its first real test as an international organization. The United States provided the majority of UN troops, equipment, and supplies for the war and supported South Korea as a close ally.
The war would see the intervention of China on the side of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and eventually attrition warfare that claimed the lives of many military and civilians. The Soviet Union provided strategic planning and war material for both the North Korean and Chinese forces.
Visiting South Korea today, we can see the benefits of their vibrant economy. In North Korea, we can see what Communism is when taken to its logical conclusion. North Korea is a hermit society where people live hand to mouth daily, barely scratching out an existence. The elite of that society live well, but the majority live in what is described as abject poverty.
Note, sometimes the war is written as “6-25,” or “yoog-ee-o” in Hangul. South Koreans often call the Korean War “6-25,” because the war started, June 25, 1950.
————
Some very good websites on the Korean War:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War
- http://www.history.com/topics/korean-war
- http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/battleswars1900s/tp/The-Korean-War.htm
- http://www.army.mil/koreanwar/
————
Please read my books:
My granddaddy served in the Korean War with the Maines. He was proud of that to the day he died. I’m proud of him. I only wish he could have gone back to South Korea to see how that nation has succeeded.
Never ever forget. Period.
This is what we should never forget…..
“The North Korean opening salvo was both a total tactical and strategic surprise, which is exactly what an attacking force needs to gain an advantage over its enemy. Despite North Korea preparing for this war and thus having superior trained, led, and motivated troops, the war was eventually fought to a stalemate. This occurred due, in large part, to the intervention by NATO and the United States.” — Gen. Doug Satterfield.
Never ever forget.
🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Exactly . . . . This is what the free world decided to do. This is what Pres. Trump did with bunker busting bombs just a few days ago in Iran. Better a quick strike. ✈️
A great nation that suffered under Japanese occupation and the invasion of NK. I served in SK in the mid eighties with FROKA and Combat Support Coordination Team One. A proud race of people and excellent soldiers. Honored to have served with them.
REMEMBER THOSE FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM OF THE ROK PEOPLES
Sweeney, yes, let us never forget. At the time, the world was tired of war, having just finishing a world war only five years before. That is why the Communists knew they could take advantage of the West’s weakness (the will and mood of their citizens). Great article recognizing this important anniversary of the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War. And now, after all this time, we can visually see the end result of freedom in South Korea (one of the most prosperous nations on earth) and slaved, communist North Korea (extremely poor and suppressed). The choice is obvious to all.
Except Democrats who will think it’s our fault that North Korea is a dictatorship and dirt poor.
Sir, you are to be thanked for not forgetting the “Forgotten War.”
This is one war that should be studied closely since many historians think that the struggle between Western Christian values and culture versus Communist/Islamic culture is the major dividing lines of the past century and will continue to clash. Maybe we will continue to split this alliance of necessity between Communism and Islam which have always been closely allied against a common enemy, the West. Clash of Civilizations??? Perhaps.
🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷🇰🇷
A great ally, indeed!!!!!!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Sir, thank you for your service to our nation and for also serving alongside our GREAT ALLY South Korea. If only more Americans had served and served over seas with some of our allies, then I think we would be a greater nation because they would see that we are trustworthy, with the exception when we have a Democrat as President (then all bets are off). Remember that Democrats only support America’s enemies.
This is the responsibility of a free people. 🇺🇸🇰🇷🇺🇸🇰🇷🇺🇸🇰🇷