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Armistice Day

The Korean War, which began June 25, 1950, with the North Korean army’s invasion of South Korea, officially ended July 27, 1953 – a day now officially recognized as Armistice Day. The signing marked the end of the longest negotiated armistice in history: 158 meetings spread over two years and 17 days. At 10 a.m. that day, in Panmunjom, 18 official copies of the tri-language Korean Armistice Agreement were signed.

LATEST STORY

Panetta Salutes Korean War Vets at
59th Armistice Observance

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta observed the 59th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice today by reminding a gathering of Korean War veterans that America will not permit cuts to the military to again “allow us to lose our edge,” as he says happened on the eve of that conflict more than 60 years ago.


Panetta was the keynote speaker at an observance of the armistice that ended the 1950-1953 conflict, held at Arlington National Cemetery, just across the river from Washington. It was an opportunity to remember the more than 50,000 U.S. service members who lost their lives in the Korean War, and to celebrate the “sheer grit, determination, and bravery” of those who fought for a noble cause in a distant land. Story

MULTIMEDIA >>

STORIES

Winnefeld Honors War Veterans’ Service, Sacrifice

The bond between the U.S. and South Korea was built on blood and sacrifice, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff noted as he observed the 59th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice at Arlington National Cemetery. Story

War Fighter Jet Pilot Recalls Missions

He flew fighter planes his entire career, and as a wingman during the Korean War in 1952 and 1953, he flew 100 missions and extended his tour to perform 25 more. Story

Veteran Recalls Leadership Lessons Gained

The young Marine Corps second lieutenant was apprehensive at first about “making the grade” with his troops during the Korean War, but he soon won the respect of his platoon. Story

Vet Recalls Time Spent as POW

When infantryman David Mills joined the Army on his 17th birthday and was sent to fight in the Korean War as a member of the 3rd Infantry Division, his mission was to hold Outpost Harry “at all costs.” Story

Veterans Mark 60th Anniversary of Battle

More than 250 veterans gathered Nov. 10 to mark the 60th anniversary of the pivotal Jangjin “Chosin” Reservoir battle where U.S. Soldiers and Marines defeated a much larger enemy force during a strategic retreat through bitterly cold and fiercely contested mountainous terrain. Story

Related Links

60th ANNIVERSARY

Photo Essays

HISTORY

NEWS >>

VIDEOS

Former Army Nurse Cathy Drake

Former Army Nurse Cathy Drake talks about her experiences during the Korean War. Watch

Korean War Statue Dedication

U.S. and Republic of Korea unveil statue dedicated to the lives lost after Korean armistice. Watch

VIDEO PODCASTS


BATTLEGROUND

A Pentagon Channel original series featuring historic films from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

U.N. Forces Move North

June 02, 2010

Originally produced in 1951, this episode of Battleground follows the combat activities in Korea from Jan. 20 - Feb. 20, 1951. Watch

Silver Wings

February 19, 2009

This episode of Battleground highlights an historical chronology of the Korean War with emphasis on the role and infuence of Air Power. Watch

Korea Revisited

February 11, 2009

A look at the Republic of Korea showing the progress and development of the nation and its people. Watch

Wars End

February 04, 2009

The third and final film on the Korean War. Brigadier General SLA Marshall assesses the war and the effects it has had on training in todays Army. Watch

AUDIO PODCASTS

REMEMBERING THE KOREAN WAR

This series of podcasts looks back at role of the Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps at the start of the Korean War in 1950 through the end of the year. As told through the voices of those who were there and narrated by Defense Media Activity military journalists, these podcasts commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War and those who served. Each week a new podcast will be posted from a unique service perspective.



NAVY – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughan McMillian sets the stage for what is to come in the months that follow June 1950. Listen

AIR FORCE – Air Force Master Sgt. Shawn Sprayberry tells us about the U.S. Air Force’s role in the first days of the Korean War from the North Korean attack on Kimpo Air Field and destruction of an Air Force Douglas C-54 Skymaster to the first aerial victory by Air Force 1st Lt. William G. Hudson. Listen

ARMY – Army Sgt. Deyane Moses takes us back to 1948, 2 years before the start of the Korean War, to hear from Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Listen

MARINE CORPS – U.S. Marine Cpl. Sydney Purschwitz introduces us to a Korean War veteran who recounts his journey from Camp Pendleton, Calif., to war and explains the role of the U.S. Marines in those early days in June 1950. Listen

NAVY – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughan McMillian talks with the head of the Archives Branch for Naval History and Heritage Command, Curtis Utz, about the Navy's use of limited resources in successful sea and air attacks against North Korea in July 1950. Listen

AIR FORCE – Air Force Master Sgt. Shawn Sprayberry introduces us to retired Republic of Korea Army General Paik Sun-yup who discusses the importance of air power during the Korean War. Listen

ARMY – Defense Media Activity's Jini Ryan brings us history of the 2nd Infantry Division during the summer of 1950. Listen

MARINE CORPS – U.S. Marine Cpl. Sydney Purschwitz introduces us to Korean War veteran John Kennedy who describes how he ended up in the Marine Corps at the start of the Korean War. Listen

NAVY – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughan McMillian takes us back to August 1950 and the Navy's role during the Korean War. We also hear about a recently laid to rest Korean War Sailor who was missing until South Korean authorities discovered his remains in 2008. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in July of this year. Listen

AIR FORCE – Air Force Tech Sgt. Steve German takes us to August of 1950 and describes that actions of the U.S. Air Force conducting night raids south of the 38th parallel. Listen

ARMY – Defense Media Activity's Jini Ryan introduces us to Medal of Honor recipient Ronald E. Rosser who shares some of his memories of the Korean War. Listen

MARINE CORPS – U.S. Marine Cpl. Sydney Purschwitz introduces us to Korean War veteran Clark Henry who describes, “the toughest and bravest Marine” he ever met. Listen

NAVY – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughan McMillian takes us back to September 1950 and the Navy's role during the Korean War. He introduces us to Lt. j.g. Byron Bartholomew who shares his memories of that time. Listen

AIR FORCE – Airman 1st Class Alina Richard takes us to September of 1950 and describes the actions of the U.S. Air Force in that month of the Korean War. Listen

ARMY – Defense Media Activity's Army Sgt. Deyane Moses takes us to the Battle of Naktong Bulge for the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War. Listen

MARINE CORPS – U.S. Marine Cpl. Sydney Purschwitz takes us back to September 1950 and the U.S. Marine Corps surprise amphibious assault on Inchon. Listen

NAVY – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughan McMillian takes us back to October 1950 and the Navy's role during the Korean War. We hear about a collision of ships from a Korean War veteran. Listen

AIR FORCE – Airman 1st Class Alina Richard takes us to October of 1950 and describes the actions of the U.S. Air Force in that month of the Korean War. Listen

ARMY – Jini Ryan takes a look at the troops of the 8240th, also known as the Partisan Infantry for the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War. Listen

MARINE CORPS – U.S. Marine Cpl. Sydney Purschwitz takes us back to October 1950 and the beginning of the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. Listen

NAVY – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughan McMillian takes us back to November 1950 and the Navys role during the Korean War. Listen

AIR FORCE – U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Shawn Sprayberry takes us to November of 1950 and describes the actions of the U.S. Air Force in that month of the Korean War. Listen

ARMY – Army Sgt. Deyane Moses shares a special podcast commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War. Listen

MARINE CORPS – U.S. Marine Cpl. Sydney Purschwitz takes us back to November 1950 and the Chosin Reservoir Campaign. Listen

NAVY – Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Vaughan McMillian takes us back to the intense month of December 1950 and the Navy's role during the Korean War. Listen

AIR FORCE – U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Shawn Sprayberry takes us to December of 1950 and the actions of the U.S. Air Force air dropping 1500 tons of equipment and supplies and evacuating injured Marines from the Chosin Reservoir. Listen

ARMY – Defense Media Activity's Jacques Bannamon shares a special podcast commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War. Listen

MARINE CORPS – U.S. Marine Cpl. Sydney Purschwitz takes us back to December 1950 and shares a poem inspired by the Marines who served. Listen