Museum Audio Tour 13: Modern Flight Gallery: Korean War Introduction

DAYTON, OHIO, UNITED STATES

12.31.1969

Audio by NMUSAF PA 

National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

As you enter the Modern Flight Gallery, you will notice a distinct separation in the hangar. On the right-hand side is the Korean War exhibit, and on the left, the Southeast Asia War exhibit. The gallery is displayed a little different than the previous galleries you have visited. These exhibits are not listed chronologically, but tell a specific story in its entirety. Part of the Modern Flight Gallery reflects the emergence of the modern Air Force as the service experienced significant changes in roles, tactics and technologies beginning with the Korean War. When World War II ended, the United States accepted the surrender of the Japanese in Korea south of the 38th parallel, while the Soviet Union accepted the Japanese surrender north of that line. Although the western Allies intended that Korea become an independent democracy, the Soviet Union had other plans. In 1947 the United States put the problem of Korean independence before the United Nations. When the UN ordered free elections throughout the country, the Soviet Union refused to allow them in the north. Free elections in the southern half of Korea in May of 1948 established the Republic of Korea. The Soviets created a rival communist government in the north, the "People's Democratic Republic of Korea." With governments established in both halves of Korea, the Soviets announced their intention to leave the country and challenged the United States to do the same. After training a small national force for internal security in South Korea, the United States departed, leaving only a few military advisors. In the north, the Soviets oversaw the creation of the well-trained and equipped North Korean People's Army with Soviet tanks, heavy artillery and aircraft. After assuring the military superiority of North Korea, the Soviets left in 1949. Less than a year later, border skirmishes between north and south exploded into all-out war with the North Korean invasion of South Korea on June 25, 1950. The United States was committed to defending South Korea against communist aggression. Although the United States had no official treaty obligating it to South Korea, President Harry Truman ordered U.S. forces in the Far East into action on June 27, and three days later authorized air attacks in North Korea. He also began to mobilize reserves for the coming battles. The Korean crisis was also the first major test for the five-year-old United Nations. On June 25, 1950, the United Nations Security Council met to address the crisis. The Soviet Union, boycotting the UN because the international body did not recognize communist rule in China, did not attend. On June 27, the US proposed the UN intervene in Korea with armed force. With the Soviets absent and unable to veto the measure, the resolution passed. In addition to South Korea and the U.S., fifteen other member nations sent military forces to stop the communist attack.

• Date Taken: 12.31.1969
• Date Posted: 09.02.2015 12:13
• Category: Newscasts
• Audio ID: 41909
• Filename: 1509/DOD_102704066.mp3
• Length: 00:03:29
• Album: Museum Audio Tour
• Track #: 13
• Location: DAYTON, OHIO, US