Celebrating National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
On July 27th, the Texas Veterans Land Board celebrates the end of fighting between North Korea, China, and United Nations forces for National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. Unlike most wars, which end with the finality of a treaty, the Korean War is still technically ongoing, having finished only with a cease-fire, or armistice.
That is one reason this part of the world is still so dangerous, and the DMZ, or “demilitarized zone”, still exists between North and South.
The Korean War began June 25, 1950, with the invasion of South Korea by the North Korean Army. That army pushed deeply into South Korean territory, almost reaching the ocean. United States President Harry S. Truman requested troops from the United Nations to stop this aggression, and because the Soviet Union was boycotting the UN at the time and could not use its veto power in the Security Council, those troops were ordered to Korea to defend the South.
Mostly formed by United States soldiers, and commanded by famous WWII General Douglas MacArthur, the combined UN forces drove the North Koreans back to the 38th parallel and beyond. MacArthur took them close to the Chinese border, where he requested to use nuclear weapons and President Truman declined. MacArthur then attempted to go over the head of his Commander-in-Chief by making an appeal straight to Congress and was fired for his insubordination.
On July 27, 1953, a cease-fire was declared, and the fighting ended. The border between North and South Korea was established at the 38th parallel, almost exactly where the border was established before the war. A DMZ was set up between the two countries, and soldiers still guard both sides to this day, since the war was never officially ended.
Tragically, in those three years of fighting, over 50,000 troops lost their lives and over 100,000 men were wounded. Also tragically, the Veterans from this war were not treated the same as the Veterans who had returned from WWII, who were lauded and applauded. The Korean War Veterans felt forgotten, and indeed, the Korean War itself is often called “The Forgotten War” in books about the era. Americans weren’t sure how to cope with a war they didn’t win outright and decisively, as they had against the Germans and the Japanese. Unfortunately, this would only be a slippery slope to the national malaise felt at the culmination of the Vietnam War.
Regardless of the official status, American soldiers who served in this war served proudly and honorably, and the Veterans Land Board is truly proud of their service. On this anniversary of the Korean Armistice, thank you for always obeying the call to serve, and putting country above self. Thank you to all our Korean War Veterans.
If you are a Veteran, thank you for your service. Click Here to Sign Up to stay informed on your benefits with the Texas Veterans Land Board.
