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Korea divided into US and Soviet occupation zones along 38th parallel
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Truman's National Security Act creates US Department of Deffence
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After supervised elections, US military government turns over power to Republic of Korea
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North Korea invades South Korea
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Start of the Korean War
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Period: to
Korean War
This time span is when the actual war was fought. -
Truman orders air and naval support for South Korea & calls for UN intervention
With the Soviet Union absent from the Security Council, the U.S. was able to win agreement from UN to support South Korea. MacArthur appointed to command UN operations -
UN asks member countries to aid Republic of Korea - US announces intervention. North Korea attacks Seoul airfield
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US bombers attack troops in Han River area - North Korean army captures Seoul
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President Truman orders ground forces into Korea and authorizes Air Force to bomb North Korea
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Battle for Taejon ends with heavy US losses and retreat
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Pusan perimeter established in southeastern Korea
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First UN counterattack collapses
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Inchon landing of UN forces
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U.S. troops invade at Inchon
In surprise landing behind enemy lines, US forces push North Korean army back north of the 38th parallel -
UN forces cross 38th parallel - UN sanctions defeat of North Korea and attempted reunification
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Chinese Communist troops cross Yalu River into Korea
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Pyongyang falls to UN forces
North Korean capital now in UN control -
UN captures P'yongyang, the North Korean capital
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Chinese attack in force near Unsan
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Chinese divisions enter fighting
With increased opposition, UN offensive stalls and then collapses. Chinese troops push UN forces back across 38th parallel and capture Southern capital of Seoul -
MacArthur declares "There is no substitute for victory"
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Truman relieves MacArthur of command
Following several warnings about insubordination, Truman angers public (69% support MacArthur) by firing the US commander -
MacArthur addresses Congress after being away from the U.S. since 1935
In emotional speech, MacArthur declares "Old soldiers never die, they merely fade away" -
End of Korean War
Actual hostilities occurred from June 27, 1950 to July 27, 1953. However, the war period was extended to January 31, 1955 by Congress to define a period of benefit eligibility in the wake of uneasy peace negotiations after July 27, 1953.
