Outside forces drove a battle of neighboring countries; the Korean War started just outside of the conclusion of the Second World War. The Vietnam War came after the Korean War’s conclusion, which resulted in what we know as the “Forgotten War” by historians and the brave men who fought. To recollect one of the toughest battles even to this day, here are the four interesting facts about the Korean War that you may not know.
First All-Jet Combat
After a lieutenant engaged the MiG, the Northwest Korean skies became the infamous “MiG Alley.” The skies overhead were battlegrounds for things like the F-80 Shooting Star and the development of the F-86 Sabre. Though the MiG-15 couldn’t win sky-battles, it broke ground to jet advancements and a new war style.
Frostbite Was the Most Prevalent Injury
The temperatures could reach a chilly -54 degrees Fahrenheit, and this led to men suffering from trench foot or frostbite, or both. The Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) was a medical revolution that aided thousands through injuries and stayed near the front to save lives.
The First Year Was the Deadliest
During the Busan Perimeter, Chosin Reservoir, and Kunu-Ri Pass battles, a quarter of the total number of Americans lost died between August and December 1950, the year the war started. In addition, 178,426 United Nations troops also died in Korea. Kenneth Shadrick, the first known American Private, died in the vicinity of Ulsan.
The War Continues On
One of the most interesting facts about the Korean War is that it never officially ended. Though the physical fighting came to a halt, the war continues today. The North ended up conceding and went on to sign an armistice. But the signatures only ended the battle, and not the war.
Jeeps in the Korean War
Shortly after the conclusion of the second world war, the military and the infamous Jeep received another call to head to Korea. Through its time in this conflict, the original Jeep the military used in WWII saw several updates and helped create the Jeep that hit the consumer market. The use of Jeeps in the Korean War proved yet again that Jeeps are durable, versatile, and ready for anything.
The men of the Korean War did not come home to parties and parades. But their memory of another tough battle lingers. The history books will recall these events as the “Forgotten War,” but for many, it is unforgettable.
