Grades 9-12 Korean War Inquiry Why Was the Korean War

KOREANWARLEGACYPROJECT

Grades9-12KoreanWarInquiry

WhyWastheKoreanWar“Forgotten”?

PhotographintheCarolM.HighsmithArchive,LibraryofCongress,Prints&PhotographsDivision.

SupportingQuestions

1. HowdidtheKoreanconflictbecomea“war”?2. WhatdomesticconcernsdistractedAmericansfromthewar?3. Didthesoldiersforget?4. HowhasUShistoryforgottentheKoreanWar?


T H I S W O R K I S L I C E N S E D U N D E R A C R E A T I V E C OMMON S A T T R I B U T I O N - N O N C OMM E R C I A L - S H A R E A L I K E 4 . 0 I N T E R N A T I O N A L L I C E N S E . 2

Grades9-12KoreanWarInquiry

WhyWastheKoreanWar“Forgotten”?C3FrameworkIndicator

D2.His.5.9-12.Analyzehowhistoricalcontextsshapedandcontinuedtoshapepeople’sperspectives.

StagingtheCompellingQuestion

InOctober1951,USNews&WorldReportreferredtotheKoreanWarasthe“ForgottenWar.”UsingtheimagebankofKoreanWarmonumentsandtheoriginalarticle,discussthefactorsthatinfluencewhetherornotahistoricaleventisconsideredmemorable.

SupportingQuestion1 SupportingQuestion2 SupportingQuestion3 SupportingQuestion4

HowdidtheKoreanconflictbecomea“war”?

WhatdomesticconcernsdistractedAmericansfromthewar?

Didthesoldiersforget?

HowhasUShistoryforgotten

theKoreanWar?

FormativePerformanceTask




CreateanannotatedtimelineofthemajoreventsthatledtotheKoreanWar.

WriteaparagraphthatdescribesthedomesticconcernsthatdistractedAmericansfromtheKoreanconflict.

Writeaclaimsupportedbyevidenceaboutwhysoldiersbelievethewarwas“forgotten.”

Writeanevidence-basedclaimorseriesofclaimsabouthowtheKoreanWarhasorhasnotbeenforgotteninUShistory.

FeaturedSources FeaturedSources FeaturedSources FeaturedSources

SourceA:KoreanWarLegacyProject’sMemoryBanktimelinematerialsSourceB:ExcerptfromTrumanradiospeechsupportingUNactioninKorea,September1,1950SourceC:ExcerptsfromSellingtheKoreanWar,StevenCaseySourceD:“MilestonesAlongtheRoadtoMobilization,”PathfinderNewsMagazine,January10,1951

SourceE:ExcerptfromTruman’spresidentialnewsconferenceaboutKorea,July13,1950

SourcesfromSQ1

SourceA:ExcerptsfromIntheShadowoftheGreatestGeneration,MelindaL.Pash

SourceB:Excerptsfrom“Truman’sOtherWar,”PaulG.Pierpaoli,Jr.

SourcesfromSQs1and2

SourceA:Transcriptoforalhistoryinterview,JohnSinghose

SourceB:Transcriptoforalhistoryinterview,JamesWarren

SourceC:Transcriptoforalhistoryinterview,KelleyEverett

Students’USHistorytextbooks

SummativePerformanceTask

ARGUMENTWhywastheKoreanWar“forgotten”?Constructanargument(e.g.,detailedoutline,poster,oressay)thatdiscussesthecompellingquestionusingspecificclaimsandrelevantevidencefromhistoricalsourceswhileacknowledgingcompetingviews.

EXTENSIONUsingclaimsfromSupportingQuestion4,proposeatextbookrevisionreflectingresearchwithintheinquiryandsoldiers’perceptionsofthewar.

TakingInformedAction

UNDERSTANDExploretheKoreanWarDigitalHistoryProject’s(KWDHP)InterviewInitiativeandidentifylocalveterangroupsorothercommunitymemberswhoareKoreanWarveterans.ASSESSDeterminethewaysinwhichstudentscancontributetoKWDHP’sinitiative.ACTCreateanoralhistoryprojecttocontributetotheKWDHarchives.


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Overview

InquiryDescription

ThisinquiryleadsstudentsthroughaninvestigationofhowtheKoreanWarcametobeknownasthe“forgottenwar.”Byinvestigatingthecompellingquestion,“WhywastheKoreanWar‘forgotten’?,”studentsinvestigatehowamajorglobaleventcouldseemtohavebeenforgottenbytheAmericanpublicand,subsequently,inhistory.Theinquiryhasstudentsconsidertheprogressionofthe“conflict”toa“war,”actionsofthoseinpowerduringHarryS.Truman’sUSpresidency,theviewsofveteransandthoseonthehomefront,andtheportrayalofKoreainUShistorytextbooks.ThisleadsstudentstoquestionsofhowtheKoreanWardifferedfrompreviousandsubsequentmilitaryengagementsintermsoftheremotethreatitposedtotheAmericanpeopleandanunderlyingColdWarsentimentthatevolvedfromanti-communismtocontainment.Teachersshouldalsohelpstudentsunderstandhowtheprocessof“forgetting”theKoreanWarreflectsgeopoliticaleventsaswellasdomesticconcerns.

TheformativeperformancetasksbuildonknowledgeandskillsthroughthecourseoftheinquiryandhelpstudentsrecognizedifferentperspectivesinordertobetterunderstandtheimpactsoftheKoreanWaronthehomefront.Studentscreateanevidence-basedargumentabouthowthewarwas“forgotten,”consideringthewaysinwhichdailylifewasaffected,theconcernsoftheUSpopulationatthetime,andreturningveterans’experiences.

ThisinquiryhighlightsthefollowingC3Dimension2Indicator:

D2.His.5.9-12.Analyzehowhistoricalcontextsshapedandcontinuetoshapepeople’sperspectives.

Itisimportanttonotethatthisinquirywillrequireprerequisiteknowledgeofhistoricaleventsandideas.Thus,teacherswillwanttoensuretheirstudentsareawareofthetotalwarmobilizationthatoccurredduringWorldWarII,thewaysinwhichWorldWarIImobilizedthepublicbyconceptualizingitasawaroffascismversusfreedom,andtheColdWartensionsthatemergedinthepost-warperiod.

NOTE:Thisinquiryisexpectedtotakefourtoseven50-minuteclassperiods.Theinquirytimeframecouldexpandifteachersthinktheirstudentsneedadditionalinstructionalexperiences(i.e.,supportingquestions,formativeperformancetasks,andfeaturedsources).Inquiriesarenotscripts,soteachersareencouragedtomodifyandadapttheminordertomeettheneedsandinterestsoftheirparticularstudents.Resourcescanalsobemodifiedasnecessarytomeetindividualizededucationprograms(IEPs)orSection504plansforstudentswithdisabilities.

StructureoftheInquiry

Inaddressingthecompellingquestion“WhywastheKoreanWar‘forgotten’?,”studentsworkthroughaseriesofsupportingquestions,formativeperformancetasks,andfeaturedsourcesinordertoconstructanargumentsupportedbyevidencewhileacknowledgingcompetingperspectives.


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StagingtheCompellingQuestion

ThecompellingquestioncouldbestagedbyintroducingstudentstotheKoreanWarbeinglabeledasa“forgottenwar”byUSNews&WorldReportinOctober1951,aswellasbyguidedviewingoftheimagebankofKoreanWarmonumentsthatusetheword“forgotten.”Studentscandiscussthepolitical,social,and/orculturalfactorsthatinfluencetheextenttowhichahistoricaleventbecomesmoreorlessmemorable,aswellasconsideringthepopulationsmostlikelytorememberit.Thediscussionshouldincludeconsiderationofhistoricaleventsthathaveoccurredinthestudents’livesthatarememorabletothemandwhatfactorshavecausedthemtobeso.Additionally,studentscandiscusscurrenteventsandtheextenttowhichtheybelievetheseeventswillorwillnotbememorable.Thisstagingcouldleadintoadiscussionofstudents’currentknowledgeoftheKoreanWar.

SupportingQuestion1

Thefirstsupportingquestion,“HowdidtheKoreanconflictbecomea‘war’?,”asksstudentstoconsidertheprogressionoftheKoreanconflicttoawar,andhowthiscomparedtomobilizationduringWorldWarII.ThisformativeperformancetaskasksstudentstocreateanannotatedtimelineofthemajoreventsthatledtotheKoreanWar.Teachersshouldconsiderhowmobilizationaffectspublicperception,includinghowitmayfosterpublicsupportforthewareffort.FeaturedSourceAistheKoreanWarLegacy’sMemoryBanktimelinematerialsofUSinvolvementinKorea.FeaturedSourceBisaradioaddressbyUSPresidentHarryS.TrumancallingontheAmericanpeopletosupportaresolutionbytheUnitedNationstoretaliateagainsttheNorthKoreanforcesinordertoremovethemfromSeoul;thissourceprovidesstudentswithinformationonhowtheUnitedStatesworkedwithsupranationalforcestomobilizeforwar.InFeaturedSourceC,SellingtheKoreanWar,authorStevenCaseydescribestheactionsoftheTrumanadministrationtominimizepublicfearstopreventtheall-outwarculturethatexistedinWorldWarII.FeaturedSourceDisanewspaperarticlefromtheperiod,whichpresentsmilestoneeventsinthemobilizationofthehomefrontfortheKoreanWaraswellaschangestodomesticlife.FeaturedSourceEisatranscriptofPresidentTruman’spressconferenceontheKorean“emergency.”

SupportingQuestion2

Thesecondsupportingquestionis“WhatdomesticconcernsdistractedAmericansfromthewar?”Toanswerthisquestion,studentsconsiderthemostimportantdomesticAmericanissuesduringtheKoreanWarera.TheformativeperformancetaskhasstudentswriteasummarythatdescribesdomesticconcernsthatdistractedAmericansfromthewar.BuildingonSupportingQuestion1,studentsshouldconsidertheextenttowhichmobilizationforthewardidordidnotmakeKoreaasocietalfocusinlightofthesedistractions.InthecaseoftheKoreanWar,therelackedaclearconceptofwhatthreatacivilwarinKoreaposedtotheUnitedStates.ThiscontrastedsharplywithWorldWarII,whichhadamoreclearlydefinedenemy(i.e.,fascism,militarism).Inadditiontotheresourcesfromtheprevioussupportingquestion,thetwofeaturedsourceshereprovidestudentswithadditionalmaterialsthatallowthemtoconsiderwhytheKoreanWarwasjustanothernewsstory,ratherthanthemostpressingnationalconcern.FeaturedSourceAisanexcerptfromMelindaPash’sIntheShadowoftheGreatestGeneration.PashdescribestheverydifferenthomefrontmentalitiesduringWorldWarIIandtheKoreanWar,includingtheimpactofthe1950sconsumerculture.FeaturedSourceBforthisquestionisexcerptsfromTruman'sOtherWar:TheBattlefortheAmericanHomefront,1950-1953,byPaulG.Pierpaoli.PierpaolipresentstheUnitedStatesasbeinginanew“ColdWarclimate”inwhichtheKoreanWarplayedapart,butwasnotthecenterpiece;healsoarguesthattheKoreanWarbecameapartofthelarger,permanentmobilizationoftheColdWar,therebylesseningitsindividualsignificancetomanyAmericans.Additionally,teachersmaysupplementthisquestionwithsourcesrelatedtootherdomesticissues(e.g.,McCarthyismandconsumerculture).


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SupportingQuestion3

Thethirdsupportingquestion,“Didthesoldiersforget?,”asksstudentstoconsiderthewayssoldiersreflectontheirwartimeexperiences.Studentswillwriteaclaimsupportedbyevidenceaboutwhysoldiersbelievethewarwas“forgotten.”Inadditiontothepreviousfeaturedsources,thesourcesforthistaskwillshowtheperspectivesofthreeKoreanWarveterans.TheseareinterviewtranscriptsfromtheKoreanWarDigitalHistoryProject(KWDHP).Thoughthreeinterviewtranscriptsareincludedhere,teachersareencouragedtohavestudentsexploreotherinterviewstoaddtothissupportingquestion.

SupportingQuestion4

Inthefourthsupportingquestion,“HowhasUShistoryforgottentheKoreanWar?,”studentswillevaluatetheirUSHistorytextbookstoconsidertheextenttowhichtheydiscussKoreaorwhetheritiseclipsedbycoverageofothertopics(e.g.,WorldWarII,thelargerColdWar,theVietnamWar,and/orothertopicsfromSupportingQuestion2).Theformativeperformancetaskasksstudentstowriteanevidence-basedclaimorseriesofclaimsabouthowtheKoreanWarhasorhasnotbeenforgotteninUShistory.Forthistask,studentsshouldusetheirowntextbooks,butteachersmaywishtosupplementthiswithotheravailabletextstoprovideamoreinclusiveassessment.

SummativePerformanceTask

Atthispointintheinquiry,studentshaveexaminedthewaysinwhichtheUnitedStatesmobilizedfortheKoreanWar,theextenttowhichthishadanimpactonthehomefront,howveteransviewthewar,andUSHistorytextbookdepictions.Studentsshouldbeexpectedtodemonstratethebreadthoftheirunderstandingandtheirabilitytouseevidencefrommultiplesourcestosupporttheirclaims.Inthistask,studentsconstructanevidence-basedargumentusingmultiplesourcestoanswerthecompellingquestion“WhywastheKoreanWar‘forgotten’?”Itisimportanttonotethatstudents’argumentscouldtakeavarietyofforms,includingadetailedoutline,poster,oressay.

Students’argumentswillvary,butcouldincludeanyofthefollowing:

• TheKoreanWarwas“forgotten”becauseitstartedasapoliceactionandslowlyprogressedtoaconflict.• TheKoreanWarwas“forgotten”becauseAmericanswerefocusedonotherdomesticissuesfacingthe

country(e.g.,consumerismandtheeconomy).• TheKoreanWarwas“forgotten”becauseveteranscamehometoadifferentsocialclimatethansoldiers

returningfromWorldWarII,leavingmanytoremainrelativelysilentabouttheirwartimeexperiences.• TheKoreanWarwas“forgotten”becauseitisofteneclipsedintextbooksbyWorldWarII,theVietnam

War,thelargerColdWar,andotherdomesticconcerns.

StudentscouldextendtheseargumentsbyusingtheirclaimsfromSupportingQuestion4toproposeatextbookrevision.Thisshouldreflecttheirresearchwithintheinquiryandsoldiers’perceptionsofthewar.

StudentshavetheopportunitytoTakeInformedActionbydrawingontheirunderstandingsofthevalueindifferentmediumstopreservehistoricalevents,particularlyoralhistories.Tounderstand,studentscanexploretheKoreanWarDigitalHistoryProject’sInterviewInitiativeandidentifylocalveterangroupsorothercommunitymembersthatareKoreanWarveterans.Toassesstheissue,studentsdeterminethewaysinwhichtheycancontributetotheinitiative.Toact,studentscontributetotheoralhistoryprojectfortheKWDHParchives.


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StagingtheCompellingQuestionFeaturedSource Unknownauthor,newspaperarticle,“Korea:The‘Forgotten’War,”USNews&WorldReport,

October5,1951,p.21(excerpt)

FaroffinKorea,2,200Americanmenwerekilledorbadlyshotuplastweekinawarthatseemedallbutforgottenathome.WarthatwassupposedtoendinadealwithCommunistsinsteadisgrowinginintensity.Groundbattles,fortheareainvolved,areasintenseasthoseofanywar.Airbattles,againstfliersofunknownnationality,areapproachinginsizesomeofthoseofWorldWarII.Casualtieshaveincreasedfromanannualrateof50,000tomorethan100,000.That’stheequivalentof1boyinevery10comingofmilitaryagenow.Athome,meanwhile,thebigheadlinesconcernagrowingshortageofbeef,graftscandalsinthegovernment,strikesasusual,prospectsofanew-carscarcity.Korea,halfforgotten,isrecedinginthemindsofmanytothestatusofanexperimentalwar,onebeingfoughtbackandforthforthepurposeoftestingmen,weapons,materialsandmethods,onacontinuingbasis.


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StagingtheCompellingQuestionFeaturedSource Imagebank:KoreanWarmemorials

Fayetteville,NorthCarolina

Image:CumberlandCountyKoreanWarMemorial,Fayetteville,NC,courtesyofDanielN.JourdanAccessedfromhttps://cdn.lib.unc.edu/commemorative-landscapes/media/monument/475_full.jpgAuburn,NewYork

Image:WikimediaCommons,BeyondMyKenAccessedfromhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Korean_War_memorial_Auburn.jpg


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Greenville,SouthCarolina

Image:KoreanWarVeteransAssociationInc.,FoothillsChapterofSC#301Accessedfromhttp://www.koreanvets301.com/Olympia,Washington

Image:WashingtonStateDepartmentEnterpriseServicesAccessedfromhttp://www.des.wa.gov/sites/default/files/public/images/Facilities/MemorialsArtwork/KoreanWar02.jpg


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SupportingQuestion1FeaturedSource SourceA:KoreanWarLegacy,“MemoryBank,”timeline.

Accessedfromhttp://koreanwarlegacy.org/chapters/

UsedwithpermissionfromtheKoreanWarLegacyProject


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SupportingQuestion1FeaturedSource SourceB:HarryS.Truman,transcriptfromradiospeechaboutthesupportforUNactionin

Korea,September1,1950

Accessedfromhttps://www.trumanlibrary.org/

UsedwithpermissionfromtheTrumanLibrary


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SupportingQuestion1FeaturedSource SourceC:StevenCasey,book,SellingtheKoreanWar:Propaganda,Politics,andPublicOpinionin

theUnitedStates,1950-1953,2008(excerpts)

FearfulthatthisnewColdWarcrisismightescalateintoafarbiggerconflictwiththeSovietUnion,thepresidentandhissenioradviserssoughttokeepthehomefrontcool.Theymadefewpublicstatements.Andwhattheydidsaywascarefullyrestrained.(p.19)

“Don'tmakeitalarmist”becamesomethingofamotiffor[PresidentTruman’s]earlyinformationcampaign.Asoneshrewdobserver[USNews&WorldReport]notedatthetime,“therealideawastofixinthepubliceyeapictureofthegovernmentinacalmmood…tokeepKoreainitsplace:apint-sizedincident,notafull-scalewar.[…]OfficialWashingtonwasdoingeverythingitcouldtokeepafirmlineagainstthecommunists,andkeepthehomefrontcoolatthesametime.”(p.20)

Butallofasudden,onequestion[atapressconference,June29,1950]broughtatypicallyquick-fireresponse.“Mr.President,everybodyisaskinginthiscountry,“Arewe,orarewenot,atwar?”“Wearenotatwar,”Trumanemphaticallydeclared,astatementheallowedreporterstoquotedirectly.Anxioustogetsomethingmoresubstantial,anotherjournalistthenpromptedTrumanwithatrickthatperiodicallyworkedathispressconferences:heputwordsintothepresident'smouth.Woulditbecorrect“tocallthisapoliceactionundertheUN?,”heinquired.“Yes,”Trumanreplied,“thatisexactlywhatitamountsto.”(p.28)

Asnewsofbattlefielddefeatshithome,theadministrationtriedtochannelthepublicdebateonhowAmericaoughttomobilizeinthisnew,moredangerousphaseoftheColdWar.TheinstinctofTrumanandhissenioradviserswastoremaincautious:theywerestillkeentostopthedomesticmoodfromoverheating,lestthisresultinoverpoweringdemandstoescalatetheColdWar,perhapsevenbylaunchingapreventivestrikeagainsttheSovietUnion.(p.67)

Untilnow,domesticpressureshadalsoseemedtostandinthewayofalargedefensebuildup.BeforeKorea,Congresshadclearlybeeninastingymood,andithadescapednoone'snoticebackinJanuarywhenTruman'sStateoftheUnionaddresshadbeennoisilyinterruptedfrombothsidesoftheaisleassoonasheproposedthat“federalexpendituresbeheldtothelowestlevels.”Nor,moregenerally,didthemassofAmericansseemwillingtoembracethesacrificesnecessaryforasustainedmobilization.Duringthespring,evenchampionsofNSC-68[acritical,top-secretmemorandumaboutnationalsecurity,writtenbytheUSgovernmentin1950]hadbeenpessimisticabouttheprospectofpersuadingamajorityofthepublictosupporttheirrearmamentideas,convincedthatthepopularmoodwasbasicallyvolatile,withmanyAmericansalltoowillingtolapseperiodicallyintoastateofapathyandcomplacency.“IfearthattheUSpublicwouldrapidlytireofsuchaneffort,”EdwardBarrett[AssistantSecretaryofStateforPublicAffairs]hadgloomilynotedinApril.(p.68)

Thepresident'scall[FiresideChat,July19,1950]forlimitedeconomiccontrolswasalsofarlessradicalthansomeofficialsseemedtowant.(p.70)


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[Truman]doubtlessrecalledthedeephostilitytowardwageandpriceregulationduringWorldWarII,whentheOfficeofPriceAdministrationhadbecome“atargetforallthefrustrationsanddisappointmentsofpeopleunaccustomedtoregimentationandcontrol,”nottomentionthe1946midtermelections,whenRepublicanshadsuccessfullycampaignedonaplatformtoswiftlyterminatewartimecontrols.Unwillingtoreturntosuchanunpopularpathinthecurrentlimitedemergency,Trumanconcurredwithhispoliticalandeconomicadvisers,likeAverellHarrimanandLeonKeyserling,who“wereprofoundlyconvincedthatthecountryandCongresswerenotyetreadyforanall-outmobilizationbill.”Consequently,allthatappearedintheadministration'sdefenseproductionmeasurewerepowerstoallowthepresidenttoallocateresourcesandfacilitiesforthebuildup,tocontrolconsumercreditandcommodityspeculation,andtoprovideloanstosmallbusinessestohelpthemparticipateintheproductionofmilitaryhardware.”Thattheadministration'smobilizationplanwasdistinctlylimitedwouldnaturallybecomeafocalpointforallthepublicexplanationsduringthecomingweeks.Thepresidentwouldnotaskforsweepingpowers“untilhethinkstheyareessentialandthatCongresswouldgrantthem,”Dr.JohnSteelman,assistanttothepresident,toldoneTimereporterinabackgroundbriefing.“Thatwouldn'tbeuntilweareinarealemergencyandIwouldn'tsaythatweareinsuchanemergencynow.”“Wearenot,atthistime,callingforanall-outmobilization,”Symingtonexplained.(p.70)

InsidetheWhiteHouse,meanwhile,Trumanremainedanxioustoavoidanyactionthatmightengenderorexacerbatea“warpsychosis”amongtheAmericanpublic.(p.72)

[AssistantSecretaryofStateforPublicAffairs]Barrettstressedthat:“themobilizationforwhichhe[thepresident]isaskingisforthepurposeofreplacingthewastageinKoreaandgenerallyimprovingthedefenseoftheUnitedStates.Itdoesnotconstitutefullwarmobilization.Hethereforefeelsthatinthepassageciteditwouldbedesirablenottorelatethemeasuresnowbeingtakentotheexpectationofgeneralwar.”(p.72)


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SupportingQuestion1FeaturedSource SourceD:“MilestonesAlongtheRoadtoMobilization,”PathfinderNewsMagazine,January10,

1951

Accessedfrom:http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/article-summary/korean-war-mobilization#.WC9NQuErI1gArticleprovidedcourtesyofOldMagazineArticles.com


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SupportingQuestion1FeaturedSource SourceE:HarryS.Truman,PresidentialNewsConference(excerpt),his231st,inwhichthe

presidentaddressesastanding-room-onlycrowdtoanswerquestionsabouttheKorean“emergency,”IndianTreatyRoom(Room474)intheExecutiveOfficeBuilding,Washington,DC,July13,1950

THEPRESIDENT.Ihavenoparticularannouncementstomake,butIwilltrytoanswerquestionssofarasIcan.Q. Mr.President,isthereanythingyoucouldtellusaboutplansforanypartialindustrialmobilization—Voices:Can'thear—can'thear.THEPRESIDENT.Hewantedtoknowiftherewereanyplansaboutindustrialmobilization.Allthethingsthatrelatetotheemergencyareunderconsideration,andatthepropertimethenecessarystepswillbetakeniftheyarenecessary.Iwanttosaydirectlythattheyareunderconsideration.Q. Well,specifically,Mr.President,SenatorThomasyesterdaysaidthatheexpectsthattherewillbearequestforabillionadditional[dollars]formilitaryexpendituresinaweekorso—?THEPRESIDENT.SincethefigureshavenotbeenassembledandpresentedtothePresidentoftheUnitedStates,wecan'tgiveanydefinitefigure.Q. Mr.President,mayIjustgiveyouonemore[question]?THEPRESIDENT.Sure,fireaway.Q. Mayweexpect,though,thattherewillbearequestforadditionalmilitaryexpendituresinthenextweekorso?THEPRESIDENT.Itisunderconsideration.Q. Mr.President,sir,doyoustillcallthisa“policeaction”?THEPRESIDENT.Yes,itisstillapoliceaction.Q. Mr.President,arewepreparedtoresistaggressioneverywhereintheworld,asinKorea?THEPRESIDENT.Wewillhavetomeetthesituationsastheydevelop.Ican'tanswerthatquestion.[…]THEPRESIDENT.Didyouhaveaquestion?Q. Yes,sir,thankyou.Canyousayanythingaboutmobilizationplans,sir,notindustrial/manpower?THEPRESIDENT.Allthosethingsareunderconsideration,andIcan'tmakeanystatementsonthematthepresenttime.Youwillbekeptinformedofalltheproceduresastheycomeabout.Q. Mr.President,areyouplanninganyreporttoCongress,ortothepeople,ontheKoreansituation?THEPRESIDENT.Thatisunderconsideration,too.Nodecisionhasbeenreached.


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Q. Mr.President,wouldyougiveusanevaluationnowofthefightingsofarinKorea,fromyourpointofview?THEPRESIDENT.No.IamnotinchargeofthemilitaryinKorea,andthereportismadeeverydaybyGeneralMacArthur,andheistheonetoevaluatethesituation.Irelyonhisevaluation.Q. Well,Mr.President,canyoucommentingeneralontheoutlookinKorea?Lastweekyousaidyouwerehopeful—THEPRESIDENT.Ifeelthesameway.Mypositionhasnotchangedonthatatall.Q. Areyouanythingmorethanhopeful,sir?WhatImeanis—THEPRESIDENT.Whatdoyoumeanbythat?Q. Itdoesrequireclarification.Weallgetqueriesfromourhomeoffices—THEPRESIDENT.Sure.Q. —onthecommuniqués.WhatreassurancecanwegivetheAmericanpeoplethatwearenotgettingthetarlickedoutofus?THEPRESIDENT.Wearegoingto—Q. Can'thear,sir.THEPRESIDENT.Letmetellyousomething—Q. Wecan'thear.THEPRESIDENT.HewantedtoknowwhatassurancewecouldgivetheAmericanpeoplethatwearen'tgettingthetarlickedoutofus.Ithasneverhappenedtous.Itwon'thappenthistime.Q. Inthatconnection,Mr.President,doyoufeelcertainthatwewillbeabletoretainafootholdinKorea?THEPRESIDENT.WewillbeabletoretainafootholdinKoreaasfarnorthasthe38thparallel.Q. Mr.President,doesthatmeanthatwedon'tintendtocarryourpoliceactionnorthofthe38thparallel?THEPRESIDENT.Iwillmakethatdecisionwhenitbecomesnecessarytodoit.Q. Thankyou.Q. Mr.President,anynewsontheMexicanloan?THEPRESIDENT.No.ThereisonethingIwouldlikeverymuchtoimpressonyou,ifyouwillbearwithmeaboutaminute.Thereisnoprospectofanyfoodshortageinthiscountryatanytime.Wehaveinprospectoneofthelargestcorncropswehaveeverhad,andhadabillionbushelscarriedover.Wehaveanormalcottoncropinprospect,andthereare3millionbalesinstorageinthehandsoftheCommodityCreditCorporation.Weexpectaslargeawheatcropaswehadlastyear,andanticipateaslargeaonenextyear,andtherearesome700millionbushelsofwheatinthecarryover.Sothereisnothingtoworryabout,sofarasfoodandthingsofthatsortareconcerned.Iwishyouwouldmakethatperfectlyplaintoyoursubscribers.Q. Mr.President,wetalkedto[SecretaryofAgricultureCharlesF.]Brannanthismorningaboutthat,andhesaiditwouldbeareasonabledeductionthatrisingpriceswouldbeduetoprofiteering.Doyouagreewiththat?


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THEPRESIDENT.Ido.ThestatementIjustmadeyouwouldshowthatthatistrue.IdiscussedthematterwithSecretaryBrannanthismorning,too.[Laughter]Q. Hedeniedit.Q. Wouldyouliketocommentonthehoarding,Mr.President?THEPRESIDENT.Ibegyourpardon?Q. Therearereportsofhoardingoffoodandvariousothercommodities.Wouldyouliketomakeastatement?THEPRESIDENT.Ithinkitisveryfoolishtostartanythingofthatkindnow.Thereisnonecessityforitwhatever,asIamtryingtomakeperfectlyplaintoyou.Q. Mr.President,wouldyourremarksapplyalsotoconsumergoods,likeautomobilesandother—THEPRESIDENT.Ican'tcommentonanyofthosethings,becauseIamonlytalkingofthethingsthatIknowdefinitelyabout.Q. Mr.President,thereisareportfromGenevafromtheInternationalRedCross,Ithink,thattheyhavesentamantoNorthKoreatoseethattheyrecognizetherulesofwarfare—?THEPRESIDENT.Ihaven'thadanysuchreport,butIamsurethatGeneral[GeorgeC.]Marshall[presidentoftheInternationalRedCross]willseethatthatisdone.Q. Thankyou,sir.Q. Mr.President,youwereaskedearlieraboutconsiderationofeithergoingbeforetheCongressorthepeopleontheKoreansituation.Didyoumeanthattosaythatyouwereconsideringboth,oroneortheother?THEPRESIDENT.Yes,both.Q. Thankyou,sir.THEPRESIDENT.IamconsideringeverythinginconnectionwiththissituationwhichIthinkwillbehelpfulinkeepingtheAmericanpeopleandtheCongressinformedonwhatgoeson.Q. Mr.President,arewedoinganythingtourgetheparticipationofgroundtroopsofothernationsin—THEPRESIDENT.ThatquestionwasansweredbySecretaryAchesonyesterday.Ifyouwillreadhisreportatthepressconference,youwillgetyouranswer.Q. Mr.President,doyouplantoaskforanincreaseintaxes?THEPRESIDENT.Ihavenotaxplans.ThestatementoftheSecretaryofAgriculturecoveredallthatIcansayaboutthematteratthistime.Q. Treasury,Mr.President.THEPRESIDENT.ImeanSecretaryoftheTreasury,yes.IwasthinkingaboutBrannan.Q. Canyousayanythingaboutcontingentreportsthatyoumightcallupreserveofficersandspecialists,ormobilizetheNationalGuard?


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THEPRESIDENT.Allthosethingsareunderconsideration.Ifitisnecessary,announcementswillbemadeinplentyoftimesothatyouwillallknowaboutit.Q. Mr.President,onthebasisofwhatyousaidaboutfoodaminuteago,youmeanthatthereisnocontemplationofrationingbeingnecessaryinfood?THEPRESIDENT.Notatall.Q. Mr.President,inviewofthepresentsituation,isthereanythingtospeedupthemachineryoftheNorthAtlanticPactbeingurgedalsoontheotherpartners?THEPRESIDENT.ThatisamatteronwhichIcan'tcommentatthistime.ProvidedcourtesyofTheAmericanPresidencyProject.JohnWoolleyandGerhardPeters.UniversityofCalifornia,SantaBarbara.Accessedfromhttps://www.trumanlibrary.org/publicpapers/index.php?pid=820&st=&st1UsedwithpermissionfromtheTrumanLibrary


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SupportingQuestion2FeaturedSource SourceA:MelindaL.Pash,book,IntheShadowoftheGreatestGeneration:TheAmericansWho

FoughttheKoreanWar,2012(excerpts)

UnliketheirolderbrothersandcousinswhoservedinWorldWarIIandreturnedtoticker-tapeparadesandwelcomingbands,KoreanWarveteransreturnedquicklytoacountrythatintheirabsencescarcelymissedthem.ThoughAmericansinitiallyralliedtothewardrumwhenPresidentHarryS.TrumancalledonthenationtodefendSouthKoreafromcommunistaggression,thelackofmeaningfulhome-frontparticipationintheformofrationingorotherpersonalsacrificesoonmadeKoreaonlyaminordistractionfortheAmericanpublic.AssoldiersstillgreentobattleclungtothePusanPerimeter,asmarinesfoughttheirwayoutofChosinReservoirwithfrozenfeetandstaggeringcasualties,andasGIstriedtoholdthelineinabloodystalematehalfaworldaway,Americansathomewentonwiththeirbusinessasusual,concentratingonmakingthemostoftheprosperouspost-WorldWarIIeconomy.Fearingwartimeshortages,theysnappedupfurnitureandtelevisions,refrigeratorsandcars.InFordsandLincolnsandChevrolets,thewardroverightoutofthemindsofmanyAmericansandintothemiddleandbackpagesofnewspapers.Returningveteranscouldonlywonderattheworldthatseeminglyhadforgottenthem,surprisedthat“therewasnoevidencethatthecivilianpopulationoftheUSAevenknew(orcared)thatthoseofusgettingofftheshiphadseendesperatecombat”[quotingRobertHenderson,KoreanWarVeteranSurvey,9,CenterfortheStudyoftheKoreanWar,GracelandUniversity,Independence,Missouri].(p.1)Perhapsunderstandably,averageAmericansfoundthemselvestoobusytopayattentiontotheconflictragingthousandsofmilesawayinKoreaortothesoldierstricklinghome,butmoviemakers,novelists,andevenhistoriansprovednobetteratacknowledgingthesacrificesmadebythoseAmericanservicemenandwomen.Throughoutthewarandintheyearsfollowing,Hollywoodproducedanumberofwarmovies,butmostofthemlookedbacktothe“goodwar,”WorldWarII,forinspiration.(p.2)Ten-andeleven-year-oldkidswhentheJapanesebombedPearlHarbor,[theKoreanWargeneration]sawAmericansjointogethertobackthewareffort,evenifthatmeantmakinggravesacrifices.SixteenmillionAmericanmensteppedintomilitaryuniformsreadytodotheirdutyandlaydowntheirlivesindefenseofthecountryandthevaluesforwhichitstood.Thoseonthehomefrontdidtheirpart,too.Wholetownsturnedouttosaygoodbyetotheirnativesonsbeingshippedofftowar.OrdinaryAmericans,evenyoungones,grewVictoryGardens,savedscrapmetalandpaper,boughtwarstampsandwarbonds,harvestedmilkweedpodforparachutemaking,andpatrioticallyralliedbehindtheirgovernment.[…]Whenaskedtoconserve[forWorldWarII],Americansacceptedsevererationingofgasoline,meat,butter,sugar,andflour,andtheycontinuedtosupportthewar.Forhundredsofthousandsofkids,themessagemusthavebeenclear;inatimeofwarAmericancitizensrallytogether,sharingthesacrificesandkeepingthetrustwiththosewhomtheycalledtoserve.(p.10)Asthe[Korean]wardraggedon,however,publicinterestandsupportwaned.[…]Thebuyingfrenzythathadcharacterized1950,whenpeoplestillworriedthatwarwoulddirectlyaffecttheirabilitytopurchasesugar,shortening,ortelevisions,haddrawntoaclose,leavingAmericansfreetoconcentrateonthingsotherthanthewareffort.Headlinesconcerningstrikes,domesticevents,andevenUFOs,ratherthanwarnews,monopolizedthefrontpagesofmostnewspapers.(p.30)


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Asidefromalackofpoliticalrecognition,thetroopsinKoreahadotherreasonstofeellikethehomefronthadabandonedandforgottenthem.EverydayAmericanslaiddowntheirlivesinservicetocountryontheKoreanPeninsula,butbackintheStatespeopleseemedcompletelydisinterestedinthewar.Front-pageheadlinesadvertised“agrowingshortageofbeef,graftscandalsintheGovernment,strikesasusual,[and]prospectsofanew-carscarcity.”Thewarjustdidnotseemallthatnewsworthyaftertheearlymonthsandespeciallyonceitstalemated.AseditorialcartoonistBillMauldinnotedoftheKoreanWarinfantryman,“Hefightsabattleinwhichhisbestfriendsgetkilledandifanaccountoftheactiongetsprintedatallinhishometownpaper,itappearsonpage17underaLuxad.”And,morethannotpayingattentiontothewar,peopleonthehomefrontactuallycompromisedtheabilityofmenandwomentocarryouttheirdutiesinKorea—atleastfromtheperspectiveofthoseinthewarzone.StrikesandtheattentionpaidthemnotonlydistractedAmericansbutdeprivedmeninthefieldofthesuppliestheyneeded.Shortagesathomemeanttherationingofthingslikeammunitionandequipmentinthewarzone.OfonestrikeafrustratedGIintheaterwrote,“Wefeltitverydefinitelyintheshortageofsuppliesandespeciallyofequipmentforseveraldays.Itwokemeuptohowcloselyconnectedallthefrontswebattleonare.Youbegintowonderiftheoldcountryrealizesthere’sawargoingonoverhere.”Similarly,returningfromKorea,anotherservicemanasserted,“StrikesathomemaketheGIfeel…thatpeoplearesopreoccupiedwiththeirownself-intereststhattheyseemtohaveforgottenthatwearefightingawar.TheshortagesduetotheshippingstrikeinNewYorklastautumncouldbefeltinKoreawithintwoweeks.”(pp.125-126)


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SupportingQuestion2FeaturedSource SourceB:PaulG.Pierpaoli,Jr.,magazinearticle,“Truman’sOtherWar:TheBattleforthe

AmericanHomefront,1950-53,”OAHMagazineofHistory14(3),pp.15-19,2000(excerpt)

Priorto25June1950,PresidentHarryS.TrumanhadnonotionoffightingamajorlandwarinAsiaor,forthatmatter,engagingthenationinavastandexorbitantColdWarrearmamentprogram.InhisJanuary1949inauguraladdress,thepresident—alwaysaratherstaunchfiscalconservative—hadpromisedtobalancethebudget,decreasethenationaldebt,keepinflationatbay,andimplementhisFairDealprogram,anambitioussocialwelfareplanthatsoughttoaddressanarrayofproblemsfrompublichousingandhealthcaretocivilrights.Toaccomplishthis,Trumancasthislotwiththosewhosoughttokeepnationalsecurityanddefensespendingtoabareminimum.HealsosoughttoprovideAmerica’sallieswithprotectionfromtheperceivedRussianthreatbyusingthestrengthoftheUSeconomyasabulwarkagainstCommunism.Thus,initiativessuchastheMarshallPlan,theInternationalMonetaryFund,andtheGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTrade(GATT)wouldemphasizeeconomic—ratherthanmilitary--containmentoftheSovietUnion.


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SupportingQuestion3FeaturedSource SourceA:JohnSinghose,transcriptoforalinterviewforKoreanWarDigitalHistoryProject

(excerpt)

Interviewer:WhenyouleftKorea,whatdidyouthinkaboutthefutureofKorea?DidyouhaveanyideahowKoreawoulddevelop?Didyouhaveanythoughtaboutit?JohnSinghose:No,Ihadnoideawhatitwasgoingtobelike.It’sunbelievablereally.I’veseenalotofpictures,I’vetalkedtoalotofthesefolksthathavebeenoverthereandvisited,butIknowonething,thattheKoreanpeoplewereveryindustrious,good,honest,hardworkers.Interviewer:Howdidyouknow?JS:Theyworkedwithus.Wehadworkerswithus,too.Interviewer:TherewereworkersotherthanKimbuKanandKimJ.Ku?JS:Oh,goshyes—wehadliketwodozenworkersthere;[theywere]verydependable.Interviewer:Whatwereyouthinkingaboutyoubeingthere?Imean,youdidn’tknowwhereKoreawas—notmuch,right?JS:No.Interviewer:And,whenyouleftKorea,youdidn’tthinkaboutthefutureofKorea?Youdidn’thaveanyidea?Now,you’rebackinyourhomeandlookingatallofthosethingshappeninginKorea,whatdoyouthinkaboutthewholething?JS:Ithinkit’sagreatthingthey’vedone.They’reagreatindustrialpower,andI’vetalkedwithalotoffolksfromKoreasincethen,andI’mreallyimpressedwiththem.I’mimpressedwiththecountry.I’mimpressedwiththepeople.Interviewer:Whydoyouthinkwewereabletopullthisoff?JS:Well,IknowtheyhadhelpfromtheUnitedStatesandGreatBritain,andothercountriesthere.WehadpeoplefromTurkeythere,Ethiopia,Canada.TheCanadianswereveryhelpful,also,workingwiththeKoreans.Interviewer:ButdespitesuchaclearlysuccessfuloutcomeoutoftheKoreanWar,whydoyouthinktheKoreanWarhasbeenregardedasforgotten?JS:Well,alotofpeopleseemtohaveforgottenit,butalotofushaven’tforgottenit.Interviewer:Why[not]?JS:Well,whenI’mvisitingwithRay,alotoftimeswewoulddiscusswhatwedidoverthere.Interviewer:Whatdidyoudothere?JS:Iwasaconstructionforeman,butIranabulldozerforagoodpartofthetime.Ididdemolitionwork,too.Interviewer:Nowlookingbackallthoseyears,whatdoyouthinkyoudidforKorea?JS:Wetrainedalotoftheirpeople,foronething.IhadalwayshopedtomakecontactwiththisKimJ.KuandIhadhisaddressthere[inKorea]andoneofthefellowsfromtheKoreanEmbassywasgoingtoseeifhecouldlookhimup,butIneverheardanythingback.Interviewer:Whatwasthemostdifficultthing?WastheresomethingyoureallyhatedwhileyouwereinKorea?JS:Theextremeweather,probably,butwehadclothingandwhatever.Weweregood.Theweatherwasprobablytheworst,butweworkedwithotherunits,theMarineCorpsandtheTurkishpeople.Ididn’tworkwiththeEthiopians,butRaydid.Ithoughtitwaskindofgood.IworkedwithCanadians,too.Itwasgoodtoworkwiththoseotherpeople—agoodlearningexperience.Interviewer:WhatdoyouwanttosaytotheKoreanpeoplenow?Isthereanymessagethatyouwanttoconvey?JS:Iwouldliketocongratulatethemonthegreatjobtheydidrebuildingthecountry,[and]theroadnetworkstheyputin.Theroadsweputinweremoreorlessjusttrails.ButIthinktheyhavedoneagreatjobthere.Iwouldbethefirsttotellthemthat.ItoldalotofthefolksfromtheKoreanEmbassythat;wemetwithfromtimetotime.Interviewer:Soyoudon’tregretyourservicethere?JS:Ohno,notatall.Ilearnedalot.UsedwithpermissionfromtheKoreanWarLegacyProject


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SupportingQuestion3FeaturedSource SourceB:JamesWarren,transcriptoforalinterviewforKoreanWarDigitalHistoryProject

(excerpt)

Interviewer:Whatweresomeofthemostdifficult,dangerous,rewarding,andhappiestmemoriesthatyourecallfromyourstay?

JamesWarren:Meetingmywifewasprobablythebest—youknow,meetingalotofgoodpeople,meetingmybestfriend.Beingabletoexperience[Korea].IhadbeentoJapanwiththemilitaryandIwasinKorea,andIfoundKoreatobebetterthanJapaninthepeoplesense.TheKoreanpeopleseemedtobemorefriendlythantheJapanesepeople.Youcantalktothemmore,andtheJapanesewerestuckupcomparedtotheKoreanpeople.Stufflikethat.Itwaseasytotalktothem,[theywere]easytogetalongwithandalwayshelpfulandfriendly,andIenjoyedthat.OneofthethingsIdidasaphotographer[happenedwhen]wehadaChangeofCommandceremony,thecommanderoftheSecondInfantryDivisionatthetimewasGeneralJeffreySmith,andhewasgettingreadytobereassignedbacktotheStates.TheyhadassignedanewgeneralcomingfromtheStatestotakeovertheSecondInfantryDivision,sowhattheywantedmetodoasaphotographerwastogotoeverycampintheSecondInfantryDivisionandphotographsomethingsignificanttothatcamp.Forexample,ifIwenttothiscampoverhereanditwasprimarilycomposedofinfantrypeople,thenIwouldtakesome[picturesof]thingsthatwouldsymbolizeinfantry.IfIwenttoanothercampfilledwithartillerysoldiers,thenIwouldtakepicturesthatpertainedtofieldartillery.AndIdidthatforalltheSecondInfantryDivisionsandgoinguptotheDMVandphotographingthings.ThepurposeofthatwastobriefthenewgeneraloncehearrivedinKoreabydebriefing—showinghimdifferentplacesthatweregoingtobeunderhiscommand.

Interviewer:WhatwastheimpactofyoubeingstationedinKorea,anddiditimpactyourlifeatallafteryoureturnedhome—besidesthefactthatyoumetyourwife?

JW:Thatwasprobablythebiggestimpactofall.

Interviewer:IsthereanythingthatyoulearnedorthatyoutookwithyoufromKorea,orfrom[theexperienceof]beingsurroundedbytheKoreanpeople?

JW:I’msureIprobablywasimpactedinmorewaysthanIcouldthinkofatthetime,butwhatIreallyappreciateabouttheKoreanpeopleeventodayistheirclosenessandtheirvalues—like,allKoreansarefriendstoeachother,thatIhaveexperienced,andweneedtohavemoreofthatinallpeople.Especiallyinmyraceofpeople,weneedtohavemoreofthatfamily[or]friendfeel,likeinrelationships.SoIlearnedthatfrommeetingpeopleandworkingwithKoreanpeoplewhileIwasstationedinKorea.

Interviewer:HaveyoubeenbacktoKorea?

JW:Iwasstationedtheretwice,andhavenotbeenback.Mywifewentbackmanytimes,butIdidnotgowithheroranythinglikethatandshecommunicatedwithfamilybytelephone.ImetsomeofthefamilywhileIwasstationedthere,butIhaven’tbeenback.Thatwasprobablyoneofthethingsthatweweregoingtolookatdoingif[mywife]gotbetter,health-wise.

Interviewer:In2013wewitnessedthesixtiethanniversaryofthearmistice,whichwassignedbyChina,NorthKorea,andtheUNonJuly7,1953.Thereisnowarinmodernhistorythathaslastedsixtyyearsafteranofficialceasefire.Whatdoyouthinkwehavetodotoputaclosureonit?

JW:Youknow,Idon’tknow.TocloseityouhavetoputthecountrybacktogetherandnothaveaNorthandSouth—just[aunified]Korea.Idon’tknowhowyoucouldachievethat.NorthKoreaisnotgoingtosay,“Hereyougo!,”andtheyarenotgoingtonegotiate,soIdon’tknow.Idon’tknowwhatyoucoulddo.IwishIcouldanswerthatquestion.

Interviewer:Wouldyousupportsomekindofmovementtopetitionfortheendofwarofficially?Ormaybereplacethearmisticewithapeacetreaty?

JW:Thatisahardone.Because,ifyouhaveNorthandSouthagreeingtothings—“youdoyourthing,andI’lldomything”—thatprobablywouldworkout,butyoucannottrustNorthKorea.MyunderstandingistheNorthwantstobeunifiedsoifSouthKoreawassatisfiedandsaid,“Justgivemeapeacetreaty;wewillletthem[inNorthKorea]livetheirlifeandwe[inSouthKorea]willliveourlife,”theNorthwouldnotgoforwardwiththat.Theywouldallbeinstigatingdoingthings.SoIwouldsay,“So,letthearmisticecontinueuntilsuchtimeasthecountrycanbeunified,”andintheendyouwillhavepeace.


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Interviewer:DoyouthinkitisimportantforyoungergenerationstounderstandwhattheKoreanWarwas,andthatitisstillgoingontoday,unofficially?

JW:Yes.ThisismyunderstandingoftheKoreanWarVeteransAssociation’smission.TheKoreanWariscalledthe“ForgottenWar.”ItisthemissionoftheKoreanWarVeteransAssociationtonotletthepeopleforgetthat.Manypeoplediedandsacrificed,soyoujustcan’tforgetthat.TheKorean[War]soldiersaredyingoutnow,sowhenthey’regone,thememoryofwhattheydidwillbegone.Sowhatthey[attheKWVA]havedoneisincorporatepeoplelikemewhoservedinKoreabutwhodidn’tserveintheKoreanWarsowecankeeptheirstoryalive,sothatitwon’tbeforgotten.Theydothingstotrytokeepinthepubliceyesothatitisnotaforgottenwar,andshouldneverbeaforgottenwar.TheydothingslikeaprogramcalledTellAmerica,wheretheygointoschoolsandtheytell[students]abouttheKoreanWarandthethingstheydidintheKoreanWar.Thehavereceivedalotofgreatresponsefromthat.Sotheymust,it’shistoricalandallhistorymustberepeated,sopeoplewon’tforgetitandrepeatit.

Interviewer:WhydoyouthinktheKoreanWarisknownastheForgottenWar?

JW:Ireallydon’tknow.Firstofall,wecameoutofWWIIandpeopleweretiredandwarweary,andnottoolongafterthatweenteredtheKoreanWar,andbecauseitwasn’tsomucha“win”situationbut[insteadadivisionofthecountryinto]NorthandSouth,it’seasytobeplacedunderWWIandWWII.Themainreasonit’sforgottenisthattheyneverreallycalleditawar.Itwaskindoflikeapoliceaction.Weuse“policeaction”andstuff,andifyouviewthephraseovertimeandsayit’sapoliceactionandit’sactuallynotawar,well,peoplearegoingtorememberawarbutnotapoliceaction.Andpeopleforgetthatwhentheytalkaboutwarsometimes,sothat’swhyIthinkit’sforgotten.Butbybeingintheassociation,Iknowthoseguyswhowereintheairdoingthings,ontheshipdoingthings,andonthegrounddoingthings,andI’veheardtheirstories.Imean,it’sastoryworthretelling.

Interviewer:Earlier,youmentionedsomethingaboutthelegacyofKoreanWarveterans.Whatdoyouthinkthatlegacyis?

JW:Thatthepeoplewhofoughtanddied,andthepeoplewhosacrificed,wouldnotbeforgotten.Ithinkthat’sthelegacy.

Interviewer:[Why]doyouthinktheKoreanWarVeteransdigitalmemorialthatwearedoinghere,interviewingveterans,isimportant?

JW:It’sveryimportantbecauseitservestoremindusofthewarthatwedon’twanttobeforgotten.Itisatributetothosewhomadetheultimatesacrifice.Andtothosewhofoughtandlived,it’satributetothosewhosupportedthat.Itisnotalwaystheguyonthegroundortheguyflyingintheair,it’sallthesupportfortheguyswhoaredoingit.ItisatributetoallofthosewhohadanythingtodowiththeKoreanWar.Letmejustsaythisaboutthe[South]Koreanpeople:theyaretrulythankfulforwhattheKoreanWarveteransdidtomaketheircountryafreecountryandthewayitis.Theyexpressitallthetime.Theyexpressithereinchurch,becausetheyhonorthoseveteranshereeveryyear.WehavebeentoactivitiesinDallas[Texas]wheretheyreiteratedhowmuchtheyappreciatewhattheKoreanWarveteranshavedonefortheircountry,whatitistodayandstuff.Whenyouhearthosepeoplesaythat,youknowtheyaresayingitfromtheheart.

Interviewer:Isthereanythingelsethatyouwouldliketoshare,maybememoriesormessagesorsomethingtodowithyouroccupationthatyouwouldliketohavepreserved?

JW:ThemostimportantiswhenIre-enlistedinthemilitary,Iwasayoungmanwhohadnoideawhathewantedtodowithhimself.IwascontemplatingwhetherornotIshouldgotocollege,orshouldIjustgetmyselfaregularjob.Ihadnoway,andmyfriendssuggestedthemilitary.SoIenlistedinthemilitaryjusttofindmyself.Afterbeinginthemilitary,thatmightbewhatyouwanttodo,orgetaneducation,butitinstillspatriotisminyou.Thefactthatyouwanttoserveyourcountryandtheresultofthatwillingnessisthatyoumayendupinawaroryoumayendupdead.IwouldliketothinkIamatruepatriotbecauseofthetimeIspentinthemilitary.Youdon’thavetobeinthemilitarytobeapatriot,butitmademypatriotismgreater.Alltheotherveteransshouldbethankingus.

UsedwithpermissionfromtheKoreanWarLegacyProject


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SupportingQuestion3FeaturedSource SourceC:KelleyEverett,transcriptoforalinterviewforKoreanWarDigitalHistoryProject

(excerpt)

Interviewer:So,youhadnopriorknowledge,really,ofwhathadhappenedbetween1950and1953[inKorea]?

KelleyEverett:Iknewthattherewasawar,but…goahead.

Interviewer:WhenorhowdidyoulearnmoreabouttheKoreanWar?

KE:Mainlythroughhistory,TV—thingsofthatnature.

Interviewer:Didtheyteachyouaboutitinschool,whenyouweregrowingupandbeforeyourenlistment?Weretheyteachingitinschoolsyet?

KE:Well,theyweren’tteachingit,theyweremoreteachingWorldWarIandWorldWarIIbackthen.TheKoreanWarwasarecentevent,ithappenedinthe‘50sandIwasinschool.IthinkIwasinlikethefirstgradeinthe‘50s.

Interviewer:Doyouhaveanymessagesforyoungergenerations?Doyoufeelit’simportantforyoungergenerationstoknowthesacrificesandcontributionsmadeinKorea[duringthewar]?

KE:Ithinkthatthereweresacrificesofmanysoldierswhoaretraumatizedandstillsufferingtodayfromthatwar,andfromalltheotherwarsbefore[theKoreanWar].

Interviewer:Doyouthinkit’simportantandnecessaryforustopreservetheinterviewsoftheseveteransandtheirlegacy?

KE:Veryimportant.Yes,Ido.

Interviewer:Andwhydoyouthink,inyouropinion,theKoreanWarisknownastheforgottenwar?

KE:Well,itwasafterthebigone:WorldWarII,andalotofsoldiersthatcameoutofKoreanevergotthebenefitsorthejusttreatmentthattheyshould’vegottenfrombeingwhattheycalledatthattime“battleshocked”or“battlefatigued.”Ithinkthemilitaryenvironmentisagreatenvironment,agreatexperience,andIwouldthinkthateveryAmericanshould[…]experienceit.Butitisatraumaticexperiencewhenyouhavetogoplacesandexperiencedifferentcultures.

Interviewer:Isthereanythingelse,anyotherstoriesormemories,messagesthatyouhadduringyourstayoranythingelseyouwouldliketosharetopreserveyourlegacy?

KE:IthinkKoreaisagreatplace.Idon’tregretonemomentofmytimeinKorea.IgainedalotofinsightthatIwouldneverhavereceivedhadInotexperiencedthat.UsedwithpermissionfromtheKoreanWarLegacyProject

Documents

Grades 9-12 Korean War Inquiry Why Was the Korean War