Korean War
“ My God, there's a real war going on!”
- Unknown AMerican soldier of Tf Smith, upon seeing South Korean wounded
 Stage One: Jun.25 ~ Aug.1.1950 |
 Stage Two: Aug.1 ~ Nov.25.1950 |
 Stage Three: Nov.25 ~ Apr.22.1951 |
 Stage Four: Apr.22 ~ Jul.27.1953 |
Task Force Smith
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“Of the 16 countries contributing forces, the USA provided 50% of land forces, 93% of air forces, 86% of
naval forces. The UN gave the USA unlimited authority to direct military operations. US president Truman, not
the UN, appointed General MacArthur as commander-in-chief of UN forces. MacArthur reported to the
US President and took orders from him. The war threatened to become one between the USA and China. The USA even
considered using nuclear weapons against China.”
- James Mason with Angela Leonard, Modern World History to GCSE (2001)
North Korean invasion of South Korea
“This attack has made it clear, beyond all doubt, that the international Communist movement is willing to use
armed invasion to conquer independent nations. An act of aggression such as this creates a very real danger to
the security of all free nations.
The attack upon Korea was an outright breach of the peace and a violation of the Charter of the United
Nations. By their actions in Korea, Communist leaders have demonstrated their contempt for the basic moral principles on
which the United Nations is founded. This is a direct challenge to the efforts of the free nations to build the kind of
world in which men can live in freedom and peace.”
- 33rd President of United States, Harry S. Truman
China Joins the War
“Red China is not the powerful nation seeking to dominate the world. Frankly, in the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,
this strategy would involve us in the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time, and with the
wrong enemy.”
- From testimony before the Senate Committees on Armed Services and Foreign Relations, May 15, 1951.--Military Situation in the Far East, hearings, 82d Congress, 1st session, part 2, p. 732 (1951).
