Here are some facts about the Korean War:
- The Korean War took place from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953. It was between North Korea and South Korea, with the United Nations supporting South Korea.
- The war started when North Korea, supported by China, invaded South Korea, wanting to make them a communist state. Korea had been divided into 2 different states after World War 2.
- It was the first war in which battles using jet aircraft were fought. The Korean War was also the first war in which the United Nations was involved.
- America entered the war to stop communism from spreading and to protect Japan from invasion. However, 16 countries fought on the side of South Korea and over 40 countries sent aid or weapons.
- The United States dropped over 635,000 tons of bombs during the war, more than in the Pacific during World War 2.
- Over 1,500 dogs were used by the US in the Korean War for different purposes.
- The Battle of Chosin Reservoir was one of the deadliest battles of the Korean War.
- Peace talks to end the war lasted just over 2 years before a truce was reached. However, there was never an official peace treaty, meaning the war is technically still ongoing.
- Over 5 million people died in the Korean War, including over 36,000 American troops. At least 8,000 American soldiers are still missing in action and have not been accounted for.
- 131 medals of honour were awarded during the war. Another hero was a horse named Sergeant Reckless, who carried wounded men to safety and transported ammunition.
- The Korean War is often known as the forgotten war, and is featured in few films or television shows. The popular TV show M.A.S.H. portrayed life in a hospital during the war and ran from 1972 to 1983.
