"Korean War: Myths and Misconceptions" Topic

"The narrative that General Douglas MacArthur's strategic genius won the war in the Pacific against Japan – beating overwhelming odds – remained potent after that conflict. So when President Truman directed him to lead U.S. forces to drive out the North Korean invaders, MacArthur was eager to prove it again: planning for the dramatic amphibious assault at Inchon which proved to be a stunning success.

MacArthur moved quickly from Inchon to complete the destruction of North Korean military units and unify the Korean peninsula, rejecting all intelligence indicating a significant Chinese intervention. His reckless race to the border left his command vulnerable to a massive surprise attack by Chinese "volunteers" which drove United Nations forces back below the 38th Parallel.

MacArthur's flawed strategy is one of the main lessons that Americans have taken from the Korean War. But it represents only a small part of the story. There were other serious U.S. intelligence failures in Korea – before and after autumn 1950…"
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Armand

The Korean War is one of the least known, studied, etc., wars in US history, IMO. Albeit most in the US population have very knowledge or interest in their own history. With lately the tearing down and defacing statues and monuments by most who have no real idea about what actually happened/why those statues, etc., were put there, etc., etc. I abhor these types and their way of thinking …

Regardless … Having spent 22 months there with the 2ID, '84-'85. With 2 tours on the DMZ with a Mech Bn. It is very much one of my areas of study. I have been to a number of location of the battles that took place there. Gives one a pretty good perspective on the battle, situation, terrain, etc. I've been to Chipyong-ni a number of times on FTXs, etc.

It was a forgotten war because it was mostly fought with WW2 tech.

The 1950's was a time of rapid technological changes and huge defense budgets. The rapid reequipping of US forces with new ideas. Then the uses of these weapons and tactics in Vietnam. Lead to a attitude that their was nothing to learn from the Korean War.

Also the 100th Anniversary of the ACW and vast interested in World war 2 overshadowed it.

The 1970's (25 years are so after the war) wasn't a time of great interested in the military, So it faded away until the Monument was Built in Washington D.C. in 1995.

It is very interesting conflict and has much to tell about possible future war on the Asian Coast.

Yes save for the introduction of more jet aircraft. It's tech was very much WWII. With many weapons being the same.

The big take way IMO, when we got involved in Vietnam. We were concerned of the PRC crossing into the North as they did in the ROK.

Thanks!.

Armand