Resident expresses gratitude for U.S. sacrifice in Korean War
Editor’s Note: Grace Kim of Mutual 14 wrote this column in appreciation of all Korean War veterans. She will never forget their suffering and sacrifice for freedom and democracy for the Republic of Korea. Without their help, South Korea would not be the successful and prosperous country it is today.
by Grace Kim
LW contributor
On June 25, 1950, the Communist North Korean Army invaded and overtook Seoul, the capitol of South Korea, in just three days.
The army advanced forward so rapidly that it occupied almost all of South Korea in 60 days or so.
In response to the deteriorating situation in South Korea, Gen. MacArthur, the supreme commander of United Nations (U.N.) forces and a brilliant military tactician, directed a surprise attack on the Inchon Harbor on Sept. 28, 1950.
The highly successful maneuver split the North Korean Army in half. Gen. MacArthur is still loved by Korean people as their hero.
After the Inchon landing, U.N. forces advanced north up to Yalu River bordering China. However, the fighting took a sharp turn due to a swift counter attack by more than 300,000 Chinese communist soldiers who called themselves the Chinese Volunteer Army.
U.S. Marines were encircled and trapped in Chosin Reservoir mountains by the Chinese Army, and many died in the attack. It was freezing cold, and many wounded soldiers froze to death.
In response to unexpected Chinese involvement, Gen. MacArthur ordered about 200 U.S. Navy ships and Merchant marine cargo ships to assemble at the Hungnam area harbor to evacuate 100,000 U.N. Forces, 18,000 tanks and vehicles and 350,000 tons of military supplies.
Additionally, 100,000 North Korean refugees were waiting at harbor with hopes of getting aboard one of those ships to flee from communist North Korea.
Lt. Gen. Edward Almond was responsible for the huge evacuation of all military personnel, weapons and supplies but did not consider at all the possibility of having to accommodate 100,000 North Korean refugees.
Initially, he refused to take in these refugees.
Some commanding officers were against picking up the refugees, claiming that they were enemy aliens and might sabotage or plot destructive acts in the ship.
However, South Korean President Syngman Rhee, some South Korean generals and particularly Dr. Bong Hak Hyun, MD, a personal friend and advisor to Gen. Almond, urged him to allow the refugees to board the ship.
Finally at the last moment, Gen. Almond agreed to take the refugees to South Korea, who were transported safely to Koje Island.
Just prior to their departure, U.S. Navy ships destroyed weapons and equipment left in the harbor, and Navy cruisers fired heavy 8-inch guns at the approaching Chinese army.
During this evacuation, my husband, Luke, was responsible for working with the ship's captain to broadcast his announcements in the Korean language.
Luke used a loudspeaker system, so he could be heard throughout the ship whenever the captain needed to communicate with Korean soldiers and refugees.
Luke was a 20-year-old premed student at Seoul National University Medical School. Because he had good command of English language, he was recruited by the South Korean Army as an interpreter.
His task was to translate into English communication between the South Korean Army and U.N. Forces fighting in North Korea.
Therefore, he participated in the Hungnam Evacuation, which was the largest marine evacuation in the military history.
When Luke went aboard the merchant marine cargo ship, he found North Korean refugees jam-packed on the deck like sardines in a can.
They had to hold on to each other because of strong wind. Babies were born during the journey, and fortunately, there were Korean midwives who safely delivered them.
Because of this humanitarian historical evacuation, the refugees were able to settle in South Korea and enjoy new freedom.
The Korean War is not a forgotten war. We will never forget all the young soldiers’ sacrifices and their love of liberty and justice and democracy in Korea.
