...FILIPINOS AND THE KOREAN WAR June marks the anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War--one chapter in Asian history that has left the two Koreas devastated...too devastated that they remain divided and are still technically at war against each other. A lot of people--young and old--died and perished. But more saddening than this is the fact that caught at present in between these two fighting nations are families and people physically separated. They seem not so distant apart, but they just can't be together as a consequence of that miserable war. These and more are what the Korean War has done to the Koreans. But, it's not only them that suffered...We did too and some still are haunted by this war. They are your lolos, the Korean War Filipino veterans who fought in a battle that was not actually theirs, yet valiantly did so along with other countries that heeded to the call of the United Nations for help from the international community. They lighten up when they talk about how they bravely fought in that war but also reflected in their eyes the very core of their tired souls. Sometimes, they stop in the middle of their stories, and in their eyes is sadness- the kind pulled out of a painful memory. I guess as they try to celebrate their significant contribution that shaped one nation's history, a part of them tries to keep within them the dark side of a war that wounded them...the kind of wound that not even time could heal. There are only few of them left and soon...
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...Victoria Pompei Acts of terror during the Korea War Many visit the Washington Mall without ever having seen the Korea War memorial, which is indicative of how misunderstood the Korea War is, hence its other name : The Forgotten War. Overshadowed by the Lincoln monument just a few feet away, this memorial commemorates the American men who served during the war that took place between 1950 and 1953. Nineteen stainless steals statues stand in a triangle form, surrounded by bushes and on their right a wall representing the 38th parallel. These statues evoke feelings of sorrow and anguish unlike any other monuments on the Mall, but what it fails to do is recall the lives lost due to acts of terror committed by US troops during that time....
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...another potential war to demanding diplomacy in all foreign affairs. This was demonstrated by the United States’ growing efforts in ending the arms race peacefully, John F. Kennedy’s successful attempts at diplomacy with European countries, and the negative mentality of some active soldiers in the Korean War. The Arms Race between the United States and the Soviet Union started with the first nuclear bombings of the cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This escalated to a period of time where international tensions were at an all time high, this era now referred to as the Cold War. During the early...
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...The Korean War The Korean war, to many americans known as “The forgotten war” because the United States made no significant territorial or political gains during the war. Despite the fact that tens of thousands of Americans died, the war both began and ended with the Korean Peninsula divided at the 38th parallel. Nevertheless, the Korean War helped define the Cold War, established a precedent for keeping peripheral wars limited, and boosted defense spending that contributed to the postwar economic boom in the United States. Despite the loss of life, the Korean War faded from national memory, perhaps because the three-year conflict ended without any territorial or political gains. Although General Douglas MacArthur captured nearly the entire Korean Peninsula after his brilliant Inchon landing, his tactical miscalculation at the Yalu River brought China into the war and forced United Nations troops back down to the 38th parallel, where they had started. Both sides became entrenched there, each preventing the other from making any headway. As a result, neither side could claim victory when cease-fire negotiations began in 1953. The 38th parallel remained one of the “hottest” Cold War borders in the world, almost as if the war had never really ended. The Korean War was an important conflict, however, because it set the tone for the entire Cold War. In expanding the draft and sending more than 3 million U.S. troops to Korea, Truman demonstrated to the USSR his...
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...Close Air Support in the Korean War Although the concept of CAS was not new at the time the Korean War began in 1950, it evolved considerably during the conflict. There were distinct differences in the way it was implemented between the different branches of service. The newly formed US Air Force initially struggled to shift from its primary missions of air superiority and reconnaissance to the mission of CAS, a mission for which it was not equipped or trained to execute. The Marines and Navy were able to effectively adapt their lessons learned in the Pacific Theater of World War II, however, they initially struggled integrate into joint operations with the USAF. The Korean conflict also saw the widespread use of aircraft specifically designed...
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...first thing that comes to mind when you think of South Korea? Most likely it will probably be the Korean War or maybe even the 1988 Olympics. You may even, some day, be stationed there. I personally experienced the country first hand through a tour between 1988 and 1989. Korea is one of our major theaters of operation so it is very important for us to understand a little about their culture and where they came from to prepare for any future missions or tours in their arena. In order to introduce us to this fascinating country we will initially talk about their rich history. We will then cover a little about the people and their culture and finally, we will discuss their economy. Now that we have a vector, let’s start by discussing South Korean history. 2. Many historical events following World War II have culminated to shape the South Korea that you and I know today. The country came into being immediately following World War II, as a result of a 1945 agreement which made the 38th parallel the boundary between them and neighboring North Korea. The new republic was proclaimed on Aug. 15 and was recognized as the legal government of Korea by the United Nations (UN) on Dec. 12, 1948. On June 25, 1950, North Korean Communist forces launched a massive surprise attack on South Korea, quickly overrunning Seoul, the capital city. According to Blair Clay in his book, “ The Forgotten War”, U.S. armed intervention was ordered on June 27 by President Harry S. Truman, and on the same...
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...Korean War Korean War The Korean War (25 June 1950 - armistice signed 27 July 1953[1] ) was a military conflict between the Republic of Korea, supported by the United Nations, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China (PRC), with military material aid from the Soviet Union. The war was a result of the physical division of Korea by an agreement of the victorious Allies at the conclusion of the Pacific War at the end of World War II. The Korean peninsula was ruled by Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II. Following the surrender of Japan in 1945, American administrators divided the peninsula along the 38th Parallel, with United States troops occupying the southern part and Soviet troops occupying the northern part.[2] The failure to hold free elections throughout the Korean Peninsula in 1948 deepened the division between the two sides, and the North established a Communist government. The 38th Parallel increasingly became a political border between the two Koreas. Although reunification negotiations continued in the months preceding the war, tension intensified. Cross-border skirmishes and raids at the 38th Parallel persisted. The situation escalated into open warfare when North Korean forces invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950.[3] It was the first significant armed conflict of the Cold War.[4] The United Nations, particularly the United States, came to the aid of South Korea in repelling the invasion. A...
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...to soldiers and people who reside in war-torn areas. As dangerous and debilitating these physical injuries may be, they are not the only type of damage that war can cause to people. The pain and suffering that soldiers experience from the psychological scarring that they receive from the horrors of combat is just as or in some cases, more harmful than the bodily damage that people endure during times of war. The mental pain and stress from the harrowing ordeals that one encounters have a profound effect on the human psyche. Many nations have experienced conflicts and wars that have caused countless deaths and injuries to people of all walks of life. However, the physical wounds aren’t the only ones that occur. The psychological damages are just as harmful to a person’s wellbeing. I am from South Korea, which remains divided from its northern counterpart due to the Korean War. The horrors of fighting that pitted brother against brother and had Koreans harming each other was truly a sad sight to behold. My grandfather escaped the North before the war and personally fought in the Korean War after he graduated from the South Korean military academy. My grandfather survived the Korean War and to this day, he refuses to discuss about what he experienced. He said the harrowing details of what he witnessed is too graphic and disturbing for anyone to hear. It was quite evident that the suffering that he feels from the horrific events of the war was severely affecting him negatively...
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...The American Experience Since 1945 The Korean War Brandy Shaw HIS/135 2/7/2016 Mary Barcroft On June 30, 1950, American troops went to South Korea to help fight the communist of North Korea. General Douglas MacArthur, selected for commander of the American UN operations, wanted to create a unified and independent Korea. North Korea had already invaded much of South Korea and the capital of Seoul. At first, the American troops were able to push North Korea back beyond the 38th parallel and victory seemed evident. Victory was far from evident because in December of 1950, China forces intervened, and regained most of South Korea. The immediate and long-term effects that this war has had, and continues to have are plenty. The fact that a resolution was never agreed upon and that negotiations went on for two years can be nerve racking. This was definitely what they call “The Forgotten War”. There are both good and bad immediate effects that the war held. One of the good effects that it had immediately was the significant rise in the economy in America. One of the reasons why the economy was so good is that consumption was large for fear of what would happen in the future. WWII had just ended and the Korean War was not near as devastating as WWII had been on the economy. Price and wage controls were put in place at that time, which was helpful to the American consumers during the war. A negative effect that this war caused was the death of over 34000 American lives...
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...Korean Peace – The Impending Danger Wars have rarely been the solution to prejudices in the history of mankind. Yet wars have always been fought ruthlessly to quench the human desire of domination and power. The obsession to enforce one’s own ideology, and the need to prevail and survive have led to countless major military conflicts in the human history. Wars shape the future of human existence whatever their outcome. The Korean War, a war with many names, was one of the most brutal wars in the recent history impacting the lives of people globally and killing millions. An analysis of the war assists not only to understand the sequence of events but also helps in understanding its impact on the present world politics and future of human...
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...total war where all of a country’s resources should be utilized in waging war since the enemy would surely do the same. Following WWII Americans were used to the idea of large armies, clear objectives, and decisive victories; however these ideas would be reconsidered in the years following WWII leading up to the Korean War. During the Korean War the idea of total war became less popular and ideas which were more in line with Sun Tzu’s idea of a limited war became the policy of the Truman administration. There are many possible reasons why Truman chose to conduct a limited war in Korea. One possible reason for Truman’s policy might have been “China’s entry into the Korean War in November put an abrupt end to any immediate hopes of trying to separate Moscow and Peking.” (Strategies of Containment, P-116) In 1950 American forces were not prepared to engage in a total war with China and the Soviet Union and Truman and MacArthur both realized these deficiencies within the U.S. military. The scope of my argument in this essay will not be about what type of war, limited or total, is best because there are certain instances where a limited war is desired and there are times when total war is required. I will however address the period between December 1950 and March 1951 where I feel that Truman’s choice to wage a limited war was better than MacArthur’s belief that the U.S. either engage in a total war with the communists or withdraw from Korea and prepare for total war with...
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...Silent Generation 1925-1942 The silent generation was an adaptive generation. Parents were immigrants and the generation was shaped by World War II and the Korean War. Some of the characteristics of the silent generation are: Valued hard work and thriftiness, more traditional, hard work, conformity, consistency, and uniformity. Valued systems over individual enterprise. Baby Boomer Generation 1943-1960 This generation was an idealist generation. Parents had secure jobs and were optimistic about their future. World views were shaped by the Korean War. Some of the characteristics of the baby boomer generation are: Have the buy now pay later mentality, rebellious, moved away from extended families, identify with their jobs, and are driven and dedicated. Generation X 1961-1981 Generation X was a reactive type generation. Parents were not family centered, they worked a lot and many were divorced. World views were shaped by the Iran Hostage Situation. Some characteristics of Generation X were: they were ironic and cynical, define themselves by their parents, do not belong to any group, they were comfortable with technology. The Silent Generation: The children who grew up in this generation had to work very hard but they were very quiet. One practice used here was “children are to be seen not heard.” During the Great Depression many families were forced to live on the streets, because there was not enough jobs or money to live. During the period of the “Dust Bowl” several...
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...World War, the global balance of power steered with the rise of communism and nations determined to fight against it. When these two sides gradually received spotlight of international politics until the end of Cold War, the United States, the key player of anti-communism, began to propel, its unofficial, the so-called ‘World Police’ obligation, as their main foreign policy makings. Even now, the U.S., as the leading super power of the global arena, influences to the whole with what it believes is right for the sake of humanity and the nation itself. Its belief eventually may have salvaged many from the tyranny of communism or unjust dictatorships. However, at times, it did only harm than good to keep the society on the right track. But these were lessons learned after several trials of failures of various spectrums of the United State’s policies. Now, history tells the future generations of young American politicians through the mirrors of past events such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. These mirrors foretell what outcomes one would face if he finds himself stumbled onto the wrong course of intervention. One will also discover military supremacy is not all to influence a certain entity. Despite the evident proof of the past, there are politicians that are misled to believe what are not worth believing anymore. Mitt Romney, a Republican politician, is one of the many who may need to acknowledge this as examples can be pointed out just by referencing the past two wars of different...
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...provided its citizens with films that portrayed these desired masculine qualities to give them hope of recuperation. Two of these films, Friend and Joint Security Area, depicted brave and loyal men and the filial relationships that they formed with each other to inspire a nation that had forgotten that it had these values. In 1997, the Korean financial system collapsed and its stock market plunged (Paquet, 61). As a result, South Korea faced bankruptcy and had to depend on the International Monetary Fund to bail its economy out. The humiliation of having to rely on the IMF left the nation vulnerable and desperate for a way to recover its pride. As a result, the people of South Korea welcomed jop’ok, or gangster, style movies that redefined and exercised manhood (Shin, 118). Friend, the archetype of a jop’ok style movie, featured four male friends who embodied the masculine virtues Korea was seeking in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Similarly, Joint Security Area also featured four courageous male friends, but the movie wasn’t part of the jop’ok cycle. Its characters were soldiers and personified bravery, loyalty, and courage in the face of adversity. Both movies were received so strongly by the Korean movie-going public because they served as reminders of the hegemonic masculine virtues that Korea needed to remember it had as a nation to recover from the humiliation and embarrassment of bankruptcy. Friend, as a part of the jop’ok cycle, epitomized “hypermasculine ethics [that sought]...
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...The Korean War: A Brief Overview Brett Cassell Chamberlain College of Nursing The Korean War: A Brief Overview The Korean War is often thought of as “The Forgotten War”, this is the common reference to the war because it was sandwiched between two very large, long-lasting wars. The Korean War is very significant because it was the first time that the animosities between Communist Russia and Democratic United States Surfaced. Both North and South Korea were puppet regimes of their respective partners, so this would be the first time blood would be drawn in the cold war. After World War Two Korea was essentially up for grabs by the superpowers of the time. The two forces in 1945 were working together to rid the peninsula of the Japanese....
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