The Will to Win: American Military Advisors in Korea, 1946–1953

Appendix A: Korean War Chronology

Appendix A: Korean War Chronology May 1882 Treaty of Peace, Amity, Commerce, and friendship signed at Chemulpo (inchon) between Korea and the United states. 1904–1905 Russo-Japanese War. President Theodore Roosevelt brokers Treaty of Portsmouth (september 1905); Russia agrees to Japan’s influence over Korea. 1905 Japan forces protectorate status on Korea. 1910 Japan formally annexes Korea. March 1, 1919 independence Day Movement crushed by Japanese. December 1, 1943 Cairo Declaration that “in due course Korea shall become free and independent”announced by United states, Great Britain, and China. August 14, 1945 Japan declares intent to surrender to allies. August 15 liberation Day in Korea. soviet troops begin to occupy Korea north of the 38th parallel. september 8 U.s. troops (XXiv Corps) land at inchon. December 1945 U.s., soviet, British foreign ministers announce Moscow Agreement, which provides for a five-year trusteeship in Korea. large-scale demonstrations, north and south of the 38th parallel, erupt at the news. october 1947 soviets suggest removal of all foreign occupation troops from Korea. January 24, 1948 soviet occupation commander refuses entry to the United nations Temporary Commission on Korea to supervise nationwide elections. february 1948 (north) Korean People’s Army formally activated. labor strikes and unrest in the American zone. April 3 Beginning of Cheju-do Rebellion; not fully suppressed until 1949. 280 / Appendix A May 10 Un supervised elections return representatives to the national Assembly, which drafts constitution and elects syngman Rhee first president of the republic. August 15 inauguration of the Republic of Korea. september 9 establishment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. october– yosu-sunchon Mutiny, suppressed by RoK forces; november 1948 beginning of guerrilla war in Chiri-san region. December 31 soviets announce that their forces have withdrawn from Korea. January 1949 XXiv Corps begins redeployment to Japan and hawaii . As RoK troops replace American forces along the parallel, clashes between northern and southern security forces escalate. June 29 The last U.s. combat unit leaves Korea. July 1 KMAG is the only organized American military presence remaining in Korea. June 25, 1950 Korean People’s Army invades the Republic of Korea. June 27 President harry Truman authorizes U.s. air and naval forces to support south Korea. U.n. security Council adopts U.s.-sponsored resolution to call on all member nations to assist the RoK. June 28 seoul falls to the KPA. June 30 President Truman commits U.s. ground forces to Korea. July–August formation of United nations Command with General MacArthur as commander in chief; RoK Army placed under MacArthur’s operational control; KMAG falls under eighth United states Army Korea, commanded by General Walker. August–september Battle for the Pusan Perimeter. september 15 U.s. X Corps lands at inchon. september 22 Walker’s forces break out of Pusan Perimeter. september 28 seoul liberated. october 1 RoK troops cross 38th parallel. six days later U.s. troops also march into north Korea. october 19 RoK first Division captures Pyongyang. october 27–31 Chinese intervention and the first offensive. november 24 MacArthur’s “final offensive”begins. november 25–26 Chinese second offensive begins. Korean War Chronology / 281 December 4 Pyongyang recaptured by Communists. December 23 General Walker killed in jeep accident. Gen. Matthew Ridgway appointed to succeed him on December 26. December 31 Chinese Third offensive begins. January 3–4, 1951 Un forces abandon seoul, withdraw to 37th parallel. January 15 eighth Army conducts operation WolfhoUnD, followed by operation RoUnDUP. february 11–17 Chinese fourth offensive. february 21 eighth Army counteroffensive operation KilleR begins. March 7 eighth Army operation RiPPeR begins. March 14–15 seoul recaptured by RoK and U.s. troops. March 31 Un troops regain the 38th parallel. April 22–28 Chinese fifth offensive, first phase. May 16–23 Chinese fifth offensive, second phase. June 13 eighth Army troops occupy Chorwon and Kumhwa in the iron Triangle. June 23 soviet Un representative Jacob Malik proposes cease-fire talks. June 30 Ridgway announces Un’s readiness to discuss an armistice. July 10 negotiations between UnC and Communist delegates begin at Kaesong. January 1952 Artillery and air attacks pressure the Communists; ground fighting stalemated. May 7 General Clark succeeds Ridgway as supreme commander , UnC. october 5–15 Battle for White horse Mountain. february 1953 General van fleet retires; General Taylor assumes command of eighth Army. March 5 soviet premier Josef stalin dies. March 30 Delegates resume talks at...