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 Japan sets up its 17th Forces to counterattack the possible landing by U.S. forces on Che-Ju Island, Korea or on the southern part of the peninsula. Meanwhile, the Japanese forces then stationed in the northern half of the peninsula are placed under the command of the Japanese Kwang Tung forces to withstand a possible attack by Soviet forces.
The United States and Soviet Union had agreed earlier to have Japanese forces in the southern half of Korea, below the 38th parallel, surrender to the United States, and those north of the 38th parallel surrender to the Soviet Union. They also had agreed to democratically held elections to create a new Korean government. The United States honors the agreement, but the Soviet Union instead installs Kim Il-Sung as leader in the north. Educated in the Soviet Union, Kim is a staunch Communist. The temporary dividing line north of Seoul becomes more or less permanent, and by 1949, both the Soviets and the United States have withdrawn the bulk of their forces from the peninsula.
 North Korea launches an all-out, pre-dawn attack. Kim Il-Sung's avowed goal is to unify the peninsula under Communist rule. The invaders breach the 38th parallel and roll back the lightly armed Republic of Korea army constabulary forces toward Seoul.
Two days later, the United Nations Security Council resolves to rescue South Korea from the invaders. The council names the United States as executive agent to implement the resolution and direct UN military operations in Korea. President Truman orders Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commander in chief of the Far East Command, to provider all necessary assistance. MacArthur commits air and naval forces. The United Nations appeals to all member countries to contribute to the military effort.
 Advance elements of the U.S. 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, form Task Force Smith. The unit is airlifted from occupation duties in Japan to Korea, a few miles north of Osan.
 MacArthur establishes General Headquarters, United Nations Command, in Tokyo. UNC forces fight delaying actions as Republic of Korea and U.S. forces withdraw down the peninsula. Outnumbered and outgunned, they trade space for time as they wait for pledged assistance from other UN member-countries. The British arrive Aug. 29, and troop units from other UN members follow in rapid succession.
 More than 302,000 U.S. troops are based in South Korea when an armistice is signed at Panmunjom, ending the fighting and calling for a political settlement of the war. Troops on both sides pull back 2,000 meters from the last line of military contact to insure peace, watch the Demilitarized Zone and guard against further hostilities. More than 33,600 Americans have died in the conflict. Thousands more are listed as Missing in Action.
 Republic of Korea and the United States sign a mutual security agreement that commits both nations to assist each other in case of outside attack.
 Team Spirit, a major field training exercise involves nearly 200,000 ROK and U.S. participants. Scenarios for the annual exercise coincide with the perceived threat from North Korea. U.S. forces include all Korea-based units and units deployed to Korea from other Pacific and stateside bases. Team Spirit was last held in 1993.
While Team Spirit field-tested ROK-U.S. military capabilities, Ulchi Focus Lens looked at readiness from the command post perspective. Still held annually, Ulchi Focus Lens trains Combined Forces Command personnel and major component, subordinate and augmenting staffs using wargaming computer simulations and support infrastructures.
 The Combined Forces Command is established, providing for a ROK-U.S. coordinated response to any act of aggression against South Korea.
 The United States repatriates the remains of five Americans listed as Missing in Action from the Korean War. Recovering remains from North Korea is part of a balancing act between U.S. and North Korean officials at several different levels. The United States routinely deals with North Korea during peace talks at Panmunjom, and different agencies have contributed food to North Koreans starving during a nationwide famine.
 DoD will observe the 50th anniversary of the Korean War. Each year during a four-year commemorative period, U.S. Forces Korea will participate in major events that highlight U.S. involvement in the war. Korean War veterans from all the participating United Nations will also be honored and remembered.
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