“I Am Not Forgotten”By Richard L. Kirk (USA C/58AFA/3DIV)

I have walked these Korean hills before, crossed these rivers

I have passed through these fields, heavy with the odor of growth

My presence is here… and elsewhereIn the pages of a letter, yellow with age

At the edge of a photograph, on a torn dance program

I am by love begottenI am not forgotten

I am here in the hearts of those who were with me

On the perimeter, at Inchon, at The Reservoir and The River

And in the hearts of those who waitedIn their thoughts I walk again

And I wait at the curb in my car on a soft summer evening

The sounds of crickets, of passing automobiles

And the muted songs of the city are nearI am a tear in the eyes of mothers, sisters,

fathers,Brothers, wives, friends, lovers

I am by love begottenI am not forgotten

I am black, white, Jewish, Gentile, red, yellow

I speak English, Korean, Chinese, Turkish, Greek, Spanish

I am known in many countries and by many people

I have heard the rush of summer seas and the fist of thunder

I have known a distant star on a cold December night

And I have known the love of a friend who would die for me

And I for himI am by love begotten

I am not forgotten

““The Forgotten The Forgotten War”War”

Korean ConflictKorean Conflict1950-19531950-1953

TV Series

:

1972 –

1983Mobile Army

Surgical Hospital

Pool of Remembrance

The SouthThe South The NorthThe NorthFormalFormal

NameName

PoliticalPolitical

LeaderLeaderSyngman

Rhee

Democratic People’s

Republic of Korea

Republic of

KoreaKim Il Sung

South Korean

Flag

North Korean

Flag

The SouthThe South The The NorthNorth

CapitalCapital

EconomEconomyy

Climate/Climate/

LandscaLandscapepe

PopulatiPopulationon

Seoul

agricultureWarm,

Typhoons -

PlainsTwo-thirds

Pyongyangindustr

yColder, less rain

–mountai

nsOne-third

Background Background InformationInformation

A. The End of WWIIA. The End of WWII• Japanese in South K. surrendered to Japanese in South K. surrendered to

U.S.* 1949- US LEAVES, 500 advisorsU.S.* 1949- US LEAVES, 500 advisors• Japanese in North K.surrendered to Japanese in North K.surrendered to

S.U.*1948-SU leaves but leaves S.U.*1948-SU leaves but leaves weaponsweapons

•Both governments claimed right to Both governments claimed right to rule entire country, minor attacks rule entire country, minor attacks across DMZ happenedacross DMZ happened

Background Background InformationInformation

B. Acheson’s StatementB. Acheson’s Statement U.S. Secretary of DefenseU.S. Secretary of Defense•““The U.S. would help if…. An attack The U.S. would help if…. An attack

was made to the east of defense line was made to the east of defense line from Alaska to Japan to the from Alaska to Japan to the Philippines. Korea and Vietnam were Philippines. Korea and Vietnam were located to thelocated to the

West- outside the perimeter.” West- outside the perimeter.”

* This was the green light that the SU * This was the green light that the SU wanted. wanted.

C. Reasons for Soviet InvolvementC. Reasons for Soviet Involvement•US believedUS believed SU pressured NK to invade*SU pressured NK to invade*•SU got involved b/c of this Acheson & ChinaSU got involved b/c of this Acheson & China

D. U.S.’s (non) interest in KoreaD. U.S.’s (non) interest in Korea• Military hated Korea- weather, people, just had Military hated Korea- weather, people, just had

gotten home from theregotten home from there• Our citizens hated it too- not ready to fight Our citizens hated it too- not ready to fight

again.again.

•Executive Privilege:Executive Privilege: ““the president does not have to disclose information to congression or the Supreme Court. Claims of executive privilege are the president does not have to disclose information to congression or the Supreme Court. Claims of executive privilege are

usually invoked to protect confidential military or diplomatic operations or the private discussions/debates of the president usually invoked to protect confidential military or diplomatic operations or the private discussions/debates of the president with close aides”with close aides”

E. The S.U. Boycotts the U.N.E. The S.U. Boycotts the U.N.• Two reasons why & impact of their decision*Two reasons why & impact of their decision*

Truman was interested though, Truman was interested though, why?why?

He wanted containment and He wanted containment and ordered air and naval support ordered air and naval support to Senator Taft said “no way”- to Senator Taft said “no way”- you need congressional you need congressional approval for war. BUT…..approval for war. BUT…..•Executive Privilege:Executive Privilege:

““the president does not have to disclose information to congression or the the president does not have to disclose information to congression or the Supreme Court. Claims of executive privilege are usually invoked to protect Supreme Court. Claims of executive privilege are usually invoked to protect confidential military or diplomatic operations or the private confidential military or diplomatic operations or the private discussions/debates of the president with close aides”discussions/debates of the president with close aides”

Truman commits troops under the auspices Truman commits troops under the auspices of the United Nations.of the United Nations.

This will set a precedent for Vietnam and This will set a precedent for Vietnam and Iraq.Iraq.

The Soviet Union boycotted the UNThe Soviet Union boycotted the UN• Two possible reasons:Two possible reasons:- Communist China was not accepted into Communist China was not accepted into

UNUN- Wanted to reveal the UN as a tool of the Wanted to reveal the UN as a tool of the

US (propaganda)US (propaganda)- * The SU is one of the 5 permanent * The SU is one of the 5 permanent

members of the Security Councilmembers of the Security Council- * They were not present when the vote * They were not present when the vote

was taken to support SK in the conflictwas taken to support SK in the conflict- * Many UN countries were contributing * Many UN countries were contributing

troops, arms or money.troops, arms or money.

The FightingThe FightingA. The North A. The North Invades the Invades the SouthSouth•NK captures NK captures

Seoul*Seoul*•Push to Pusan Push to Pusan

PeninsulaPeninsula•SK prepares an SK prepares an

offensive strategyoffensive strategy

B. MacArthur Clears the SouthB. MacArthur Clears the South•Vice-Grip/Hammer and Anvil Vice-Grip/Hammer and Anvil

strategy*strategy*•Land behind enemy at xLand behind enemy at x

Inchon and push downInchon and push down

Same time Pusan heldSame time Pusan held•SK recaptures SeoulSK recaptures Seoul•Now what?*Now what?*

Containment…Containment…… … or Roll-back?or Roll-back?

B. MacArthur Clears the SouthB. MacArthur Clears the South• Communism was contained but…Communism was contained but…

the main goal was to the main goal was to

reunite Korea.reunite Korea.

C. The South Enters the NorthC. The South Enters the North•US and SK capture PyongyangUS and SK capture Pyongyang

D. Chinese InvolvementD. Chinese Involvement

•Chinese threatened to enter if…Yalu Chinese threatened to enter if…Yalu approachedapproached

•China also asked for weapons from China also asked for weapons from SU and air support for cover.SU and air support for cover.

•Chinese began to infiltrate NK lines*Chinese began to infiltrate NK lines*

D. We didn’t believe that the D. We didn’t believe that the Chinese would really enter Chinese would really enter the war but they begin to the war but they begin to infiltrate N.Korean lines and infiltrate N.Korean lines and we start to capture them.we start to capture them.

D. In a short period, over D. In a short period, over 300,000 Chinese were 300,000 Chinese were identified.identified.

There was an increase in There was an increase in defectors too!defectors too!

US and SK were pushed back, US and SK were pushed back, Seoul lost. Return to Seoul lost. Return to containment?containment?

E. MacArthur is DemotedE. MacArthur is Demoted•Conflict with Truman over China*Conflict with Truman over China*

Here’s Why?Here’s Why?

MacArthur Gets Fired-MacArthur Gets Fired-

MacArthur MacArthur wanted to bomb wanted to bomb southern China southern China and send in and send in troops.troops.

But, China and But, China and SU had a pact to SU had a pact to back each other back each other up.up.

Truman was Truman was afraid that the afraid that the SU had the SU had the bomb and it bomb and it would begin would begin WWIII.WWIII.

He rejects He rejects MacArthur’s MacArthur’s idea.idea.

MacArthur Gets Fired-MacArthur Gets Fired-

MacArthur began MacArthur began to solicit support to solicit support for his ideas for his ideas from the mediafrom the media

Truman feared Truman feared he couldn’t trust he couldn’t trust MacArthur and MacArthur and removed him removed him from postfrom post

MacArthur MacArthur welcomed back to welcomed back to the US with open the US with open arms and gave his arms and gave his famous speechfamous speech

Gave a speech to Gave a speech to Congress:”old Congress:”old soldiers don’t die, soldiers don’t die, they fade away.”they fade away.”

MacArthur Gets Fired-MacArthur Gets Fired-

Matthew Matthew Ridgeway took Ridgeway took his placehis place

US regained SK US regained SK land up to about land up to about the 38the 38thth parallel parallel again (including again (including Seoul)Seoul)

IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 10, 1951

ORDER TO GENERAL MACARTHUR FROM THE PRESIDENT

I deeply regret that it becomes my duty as President and Commander in Chief of the United States military forces to replace you as Supreme Commander, Allied Powers; Commander in Chief, United Nations Command; Commander in Chief, Far East; and Commanding General, U.S. Army, Far East.

You will turn over your commands, effective at once, to Lt. Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway. You are authorized to have issued such orders as are necessary to complete desired travel to such place as you select.

My reasons for your replacement will be made public concurrently with the delivery to you of the foregoing order, and are contained in the next following message.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 10, 1951

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

With deep regret I have concluded that General of the Army Douglas MacArthur is unable to give his wholehearted support to the policies of the United States Government and of the United Nations in matters pertaining to his official duties. In view of the specific responsibilities imposed upon me by the Constitution of the United States and the added responsibility which has been entrusted to me by the United Nations, I have decided that I must make a change of command in the Far East. I have, therefore, relieved General MacArthur of his commands and have designated Lt. Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway as his successor.

Full and vigorous debate on matters of national policy is a vital element in the constitutional system of our free democracy. It is fundamental., however, that military commanders must be governed by the policies and directives issued to them in the manner provided by our laws and Constitution. In time of crisis, this consideration is particularly compelling.

General MacArthur's place in history as one of our greatest commanders is fully established. The nation owes him a debt of gratitude for the distinguished and exceptional service which he has rendered his country in posts of great responsibility. For that reason I repeat my regret at the necessity for the action I feel compelled to take in his case.

The AftermathThe AftermathA. Cease-fire TermsA. Cease-fire Terms

•Talks held at PanmunjomTalks held at Panmunjom•Armistice, but no treaty 1953Armistice, but no treaty 1953

Established cease-fire lineEstablished cease-fire lineDeveloped demilitarized zone*Developed demilitarized zone*Set terms to release POWs*Set terms to release POWs*

The AftermathThe AftermathA.A. Cease-fire TermsCease-fire Terms

DMZ- buffer zone four miles wideDMZ- buffer zone four miles wide

1990s over one million troops there1990s over one million troops there• Set terms to release POWsSet terms to release POWs• Released at KaesongReleased at Kaesong• 50000 Chinese and NK did not 50000 Chinese and NK did not

want to return to their countrieswant to return to their countries• Placed in neutral condition for 3 Placed in neutral condition for 3

monthsmonths

The AftermathThe Aftermath-Nk and China demanded their -Nk and China demanded their

POWs; Rhee simply let them go POWs; Rhee simply let them go (escape)(escape)

US decided that Rhee could not be US decided that Rhee could not be trusted and made plans to trusted and made plans to overthrow him which didn’t overthrow him which didn’t happen.happen.

NK mistreated POWs – Mr. NK mistreated POWs – Mr. Milantoni’s storyMilantoni’s story

B. 2 Final Communist OffensivesB. 2 Final Communist Offensives•U.S. response… we damaged irrigation U.S. response… we damaged irrigation

dams for NK hence water interrupted.dams for NK hence water interrupted.

C. StatisticsC. Statistics•U.S. = 54,000 dead; 100,000 woundedU.S. = 54,000 dead; 100,000 wounded

$15 billion$15 billion•Korea = 14 million dead; 2/3 civiliansKorea = 14 million dead; 2/3 civilians•China = 390,000 deadChina = 390,000 dead•Japan = supplied materials for both Japan = supplied materials for both

sides; post WWII economic sides; post WWII economic boostboost

•““Korea was Japan’s Marshall Plan”Korea was Japan’s Marshall Plan”

D. Present DayD. Present Day•Demilitarized zone between N & SDemilitarized zone between N & S•U.S. involvementU.S. involvement•1991 and 2000 Olympics 1991 and 2000 Olympics • North Korean and Chinese borderNorth Korean and Chinese border•North Korea and nuclear weaponsNorth Korea and nuclear weapons