WEBVTT

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(intense music)

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- [Narrator] This day in Army
history, June 25th, 1950.

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The Korean War began
as North Korean forces

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crossed the 38th Parallel
with a massive invasion

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into South Korea.

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They launched their main effort

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toward the capital city of
Seoul, capturing it on June 28th.

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The North Koreans established bridge heads

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along the Hanh River, and
continued their advance south.

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In withdrawing, the South Korean forces

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suffered such serious
losses, that their attempts

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to regroup and retain
order were almost futile.

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Divisions from the U.S. Army's
Occupation Forces in Japan,

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such as the 24th and
25th Infantry Divisions,

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and the First Cavalry
Division, would deploy

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within two weeks to defend
the Republic of Korea.

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Ultimately, 21 countries
would form the United Nations

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Command, under American leadership,

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to push back the North
Koreans, and defend South Korea

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for the duration of the three year war.

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For more information about Army history,

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go to history.army.mil.