On June 25, 2024, we mark the 74th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, a pivotal and often overlooked conflict that shaped the course of the 20th century and had lasting implications for global geopolitics. CVB honors the bravery and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought in this war, reflecting on its historical significance and the enduring legacy it left behind.
The Outbreak of the Korean War
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces, backed by the Soviet Union and China, launched a surprise invasion across the 38th parallel into South Korea. This aggressive move aimed to unify the Korean Peninsula under communist rule. The invasion caught South Korea and its Western allies off guard, prompting a swift response from the United Nations, led primarily by the United States.
The Roots of the Conflict
The origins of the Korean War can be traced back to the end of World War II, when Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation. The peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union occupying the North and the United States occupying the South. This division was intended to be temporary, but as Cold War tensions escalated, it solidified into a permanent boundary between two ideologically opposed regimes: the communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the capitalist Republic of Korea (South Korea).
The Course of the War
The initial North Korean assault was overwhelming, pushing South Korean and UN forces to the brink of defeat. However, a daring amphibious landing at Incheon, orchestrated by General Douglas MacArthur in September 1950, turned the tide of the war. This maneuver allowed UN forces to recapture Seoul and push the North Koreans back across the 38th parallel.
The conflict then took a dramatic turn as UN forces advanced into North Korea, nearing the Chinese border. In response, China entered the war, sending hundreds of thousands of troops to support North Korea. The war settled into a bloody stalemate, characterized by brutal battles and heavy casualties on both sides.
The Human Cost
The Korean War was devastating, with significant loss of life and widespread destruction. Approximately 1.2 million soldiers and an estimated 2.5 million civilians lost their lives. The war also resulted in millions of refugees and widespread suffering among the Korean population. The fierce fighting and harsh conditions left an indelible mark on all who served and lived through the conflict.
The Armistice and Legacy
After three years of intense fighting, an armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, effectively ending the hostilities but not formally concluding the war. The Korean Peninsula remains divided along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a heavily fortified border that symbolizes the ongoing tensions between North and South Korea.
The Korean War had significant geopolitical implications, solidifying the divide between East and West during the Cold War. It also set a precedent for US involvement in Asia and established the framework for future American foreign policy in the region.
Honoring the Veterans
As we remember the start of the Korean War, CVB pays tribute to the veterans who served with honor and bravery. Their sacrifices ensured the survival of South Korea and contributed to the preservation of freedom and democracy in the region. We owe a debt of gratitude to these heroes, whose courage and dedication in the face of adversity exemplify the highest values of military service.
The Importance of Remembrance
The Korean War is often referred to as the “Forgotten War” due to its overshadowing by World War II and the Vietnam War. However, it is crucial to remember and honor the conflict and its participants. By acknowledging the Korean War’s impact and the sacrifices made, we ensure that future generations understand its significance and the lessons it imparts.
Conclusion
On this 74th anniversary of the Korean War’s outbreak, CVB solemnly remembers the conflict and honors the bravery of those who fought. The war’s legacy continues to shape the geopolitical landscape and serves as a poignant reminder of the costs of conflict and the enduring value of freedom and democracy.
Let us take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by the soldiers and civilians during the Korean War. As we commemorate this important date, may we reaffirm our commitment to peace, understanding, and the continued pursuit of a better world for all.
Honoring Our Fallen: A Memorial Day Message from Hal and Ted Barker of the Korean War Project
https://ctvetsbulletin.org/2024/05/27/honoring-our-fallen-a-memorial-day-message-from-hal-and-ted-barker-of-the-korean-war-project/
June 25th, 2024  New York Times June 28th, 1950, US responds to Invasion The War Begins: June 25th, 1950This tribute includes a special recognition for the families and friends of those men and women who rushed to the aid of South Korea. Until July 27th 1953, there was a continual flow of men and materiel to support the war effort. The uneasy truce that followed also required a substantial commitment of manpower and equipment. Medical staff of many nations provided urgent care for the injured. Those facilities reached far and wide across the globe. Many of those injured required medical care for extended periods of time. Even today, thousands of those men and women are still under care of medical providers. The civilian population was turned upside down with the events of the fighting. The death, suffering, and destruction of lives, homes, and the economy of the region was witnessed by those who served in the war zone. Many of those men and women stepped forward to render a variety of humanitarian assistance to those in need. Hal traveled to Korea in 1989 to pay tribute to the men who helped him understand the job our own father performed in Korea as a US Marine helicopter pilot (VMO-6) (HMR-161). Hal returned with 2nd Infantry Division veterans in 1994. While there, Hals’ camera recorded both urban and rural communities.The vibrancy of the people and their economic rise is evident in those photographs. Hals’ two trips are symbolic of many thousands of pilgrims who have revisited Korea. Among our visitors are a younger generation who served after the truce. In fact, a large amount of our email correspondence and web visitors are those men and women who served in Korea from 1954 through today. Thousands of you have received email, letters or calls from students, news reporters, and governmental agencies from your interaction on this website since its inception in February, 1995. We thank all of you who have helped each other. Never Forget  2.) This sticker was first suggested by Ron Logan in 2000 Ron hails from San Diego and came up with the idea for shirts, posters, and caps in late 2000. A limited number of posters, caps, and shirts were produced but the sticker resonated with all those who followed us on the internet and by our emailed newsletters.The stickers created very interesting personal stories when people all across the US would be stopped and asked about the sticker. We have accumulated hundreds of those stories over the years. It should not come as a surprise that most of the encounters involved US Veterans and Koreans or Korean Americans. 3.) Post Truce Korea (DMZ Era) Major Vandon E. Jenerette, US Army wrote this article in May of 1988 Subject: Korea DMZ Part 1 Military Review Published by US Army Command and General Staff College Volume LXVIII – May 1988 – No 5 pp 32-43 Major Jenerette allowed us to publish his article on the website in 1996. It became the header for our DMZ Veterans Center which quickly became popular.Well over 60% of our correspondents on the website and by email served after July 27, 1953. Everyone is welcome to be part of our extended “family”. We have routinely posted information of value for this grouping since our first newsletters. See this link: DMZ Veterans Center 1953 to present. 4.) Book Update: Korean War Project Remembrance 1950-1953We would like to thank everyone who has purchased our self-published book on all US Korean War Deaths. The Memorial Day newsletter notice of the last 40 books resulted in a near sell-out. Note: there may be 8 books left to order due to uncompleted orders. Inquiries may be directed to Ted Barker by email or phone. See contact information at the very bottom of this page.Membership: Link to Membership | Donor page 5.) Donor / Member Update: Consider supporting the mission of the Korean War Project by donations in the form of Membership/Sponsorship. Our Pledge Drive is an ongoing process. We are recruiting from those who have not participated, so if you can, jump on in, it will be appreciated.The site is free for all to use and those who participate help to ensure that we remain online whether the donation is $15.00 membership or more.For those persons or groups who cannot participate, we certainly understand. Our overall donor base has declined as former donors pass on or are no longer able to assist. Donations/Memberships are tax deductible if you use long forms for tax deductions. IRS reports. Our EIN: 75-2695041 501(c) (3) Everyone may still continue to communicate with us by direct email, phone, or letter.The following link will allow you to see those who became the first financial contributors in 1997-98. Click through to check out the list. First Contributors To The Korean War Project  Photo courtesy of Jan Curran, daughter of Navy Lt. Charles Garrison, VF-884 Fighter Squadron and his wife, Enid, 1943.The second contributor was Jan Curran who had first contacted us in 1996 while trying to reach Larry Jolidon who authored “Last Seen Alive” The Search for Missing POWs from the Korean War. Jan’s father is still among those missing and not fully accounted for from the war. 6.) POW/MISSING ACCOUNTING: This week, DPAA through CBS news announced nine US service personnel who have had final identification with pending repatriation to families in the US. The news article also featured nine WWII POW’s who were also identified. Hal posted updates on each of the men on our website and sister Facebook page. This is the first time we have seen such a large number of identifications published, at one time.Excerpt: “The nine soldiers who died in the Korean War were killed in battles around the peninsula. Sgt. Clayton M. Pierce, Corporal William Colby, and Sgt. Charles E. Beaty were reported missing in action after their units were attacked by enemy forces near the Chosin Reservoir in North Korea. Pierce and Colby were both in the same regiment.””Corporal Jesse L. Mitchell and Sgt. John P. Ryhter both went missing when their units engaged in what the DPAA called “intensive combat actions” during the Battle of Ch’ongch’on River in 1950. Mitchell reportedly died while a prisoner of war. Ryhter was not recorded as killed during the battle, but there was also “never any evidence that he was a prisoner of war,” the DPAA said. The U.S. Army listed a presumptive finding of his death in 1956, but he was not accounted for until now. “”The circumstances for the deaths of the remaining four soldiers were also unclear. Corporal Edward J. Smith was accounted for after being reported missing in action in August 1950 near Changnyong, South Korea. Sgt. 1st Class Israel Ramos went missing in action near Yongsan, South Korea in August 1950, but the DPAA said his body could not be recovered and his remains were determined to be nonrecoverable in 1956. Pfc. Charles A. Vorel Jr. was reported missing in action in July 1950, near the Kum River in South Korea, and was also declared non-recoverable in 1956. Army Sgt. Kester B. Hardman was reported missing after operations in April 1951. After the war ended in 1953, North Korean forces said Hardman had died while a captive in a prisoner of war camp, but his remains were not identified during or immediately after the war, the DPAA said.””The DPAA did not say how the nine men were accounted for or how the remains of the soldiers, some listed as non-recoverable, were studied.” 7.) Subscribe/UnsubscribeSubscribing and Unsubscribing to our email delivered content has been hit or miss in the past. Everyone that will receive this email has consented in the past to getting copies of our email. If we have missed any message from you to leave our list or pause delivery, this new delivery system will make sure there is no further contact for group email. Regular email, phone, or letters will always be available.To subscribe: Subscribe to our newsletters – hereTo unsubscribe, see bottom of page for link “unsubscribe”If you have questions, let us know immediately. 8.) Contact Hal or Ted  Best regards, Hal Barker, Director hbarker@kwp.org 214-320-0342 Ted Barker, Administrator tbarker@kwp.org 214-320-0342 |
CONNECTICUT VETERANS BULLETIN 