Korea

            Korea has earned the distinction of being called by many authors the bloodiest campaign ever fought during the Cold War. Not officially a war at all Korea was the first conflict of its kind, it changed the policy of how America would fight its future wars.
             American involvement in the Korean conflict was reminiscent of the countries involvement in last two world wars in that it was not prepared to fight in a full-scale conflict. When President Truman declared that America and other United Nations countries would support South Korea on June 27 19501 American occupational forces stationed in Japan were the first units to be sent over. These troops were designated "Task Force Smith." Under-strength and in need of equipment they suffered hard against the first North Korean pushes to the South2. Suffering heavy casualties at every engagement, retreating American and Republic of Korea soldiers were able hold the North's armies at the Pusan Perimeter until other American troops and equipment could arrive. Following a build up of American and U.N troops in the southern regions of Korea and General MacArthur's effective landing at Inchon, the push north began. To the surprise of the allied troops there was only weak resistance by North Korean soldiers. U.N troops crossed the 38th parallel on October 7 19501 and proceeded north until they reached the Yalu River on the Boarder of China and North Korea. It was on November 24 that General MacArthur announced his "win-the-war" offensive1. American Troops positioned along the river were going to push further north and eliminate all remaining North Korean resistance, two days later on November 261 the Chinese began a surprise counter-offensive by surging across the river and overwhelming allied troops. By the first of January the Chinese and North Korean's had begun their major offensive south first capturing Seoul and then Wonju three days later1.