Initial American Engagements

The initial engagements by coalition forces proved to be disastrous. Before long, the onrushing fanaticism of the enemy forced them to continually retreat as determined and brutal North Korean fighters drove the U.S. and coalition forces to the southern tip of the Korean peninsular. However, a massive ground counterattack, including heavy bombardment by U.S. B-29’s and a risky amphibious landing far behind enemy lines turned the tide. With their supply lines cut off from the bombardment and their armies nearly surrounded by the troops of the amphibious landing, North Korean forces had little choice but to retreat back across the 38th parallel with the coalition pushing them deeper through the North toward the Chinese border.

China Intervenes

Fearful that invading American forces were threatening the security of their homeland, in November 1950, China entered the war hoping to create a buffer zone to prevent any incursion into their country via the Yalu River. With troops numbering in the hundreds of thousands, the Chinese army swarmed into North Korea. Unable to withstand the onslaught and facing the distinct possibility of surrender and defeat, the U.S. forces retreated to a nearby coastal port where some 200 shiploads of American and coalition troops and supplies were evacuated to a safer haven farther south. The advance of the Chinese army, however, was limited. Since all their supplies and ammunition had to be transported from China by foot or bicycle, it was impossible for them to extend their supply line if they followed the American forces southward.

Stalemate

With this information, the coalition, now reenergized for a counterattack, renewed their drive against the Chinese and North Korean armies. At this point in the war, even the use of atomic bombs was seriously considered. By May 1951, the steadily advancing coalition troops were again on the offensive and had pushed northward back across the 38th parallel. At this point, the American and coalition forces halted and a quasi-stalemate resulted between the two adversaries.

Armistice Signed

In July of that year, negotiations between the warring factions began and after 158 meetings, an Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953. Since the main battle lines were located at the 38th parallel, where they originally started, a buffer zone or a so-called demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established on each side of this line. The North Koreans would defend the northern side, while the South Koreans, along with U.N. and U.S. troops, would defend the southern side.

Monetary Costs

For the United States, the cost for her involvement in the Korean War was an estimated $67 Billion (1953 dollars) or $535 billion (2008 dollars).

Human Costs

33,600 American lives lost in this conflict.

Present Day

To this very day, the two and a half mile wide, 155 miles long DMZ remains exactly as it was in 1953 with American troops still helping to prevent incursions by the North Koreans across the DMZ. In fact, between 1953 and 1999, over 50 American servicemen have been killed from various skirmishes along this border. Since the two sides never actually agreed to a peace treaty, North and South Korea are still technically at war.