Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
For many years in the early 20th century, the people of Southeast Asia struggled for independence from France. The U.S. gave France military assistance in fighting insurgents. After the French defeat in 1954, Indochina was divided into North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. A demilitarized zone formed the border between North and South Vietnam. North Vietnam, under Ho Chi Minh,......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
Peace negotiations began on July 10, 1951, in Kaesong, a city near the 38th parallel and now part of North Korea. For two years, negotiations stalled over the prisoner of war issue. Talks were deadlocked and troops faced a stalemate on the ground, but air power still gave the UN effective leverage. Air attacks made continuing the war too costly for the communists, and they signed an armistice......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
The majority of the 235 airmen captured during the Korean War were held in solitary confinement for a large part of their captivity. Prisoners suffered from bitter cold and inadequate food, clothing and medical care. Airmen, especially pilots, were considered potential sources of intelligence and were subjected to frequent psychological and physical torture. Debate over how to return prisoners......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
Four USAF pilots received the nation's highest combat decoration, the Medal of Honor, during the Korean War. All four acted above and beyond the call of duty, sacrificing their lives in battle. The recipients were Major Louis Joseph Sebille, Captain John Springer Walmsley Jr., Lieutenant Colonel George Andrew Davis Jr. and Major Charles Joseph Loring Jr....
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
Medical evacuation at the beginning of the Korean War was based on ground and sea transport. Upon his arrival in August 1950, Brig. Gen. William H. Tunner directed his staff to study the possibility of air transport as a standard procedure for moving wounded and sick troops. The technique became known as aeromedical evacuation. By October 1950, Combat Cargo transports began returning injured......
Courtesy Audio | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
The U.S. Air Force’s air rescue mission came into its own during the Korean War. Crews of amphibious aircraft performed spectacular rescues from North Korean rivers and off the coast, and Air Force air rescue units used helicopters to reach downed Airmen on land deep in enemy territory. Rescue crews flying modified B-29 and B-17 bombers also dropped lifeboats to Airmen downed in the ocean,......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
One important top secret mission inserted Korean agents and guerillas into North Korea under the code-name OPERATION AVIARY. “Special Air Mission” aircrews dropped hundreds into North Korea by parachute from C-46s, C-47s and B-26s. Others were inserted by C-119s, B-29s, UH-19 helicopters, SA-16 amphibians, or Air Force crash boats. These special missions demanded exceptional skill. To......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
When the Chinese began to support North Korea, the Air Force used both tactical fighters and strategic bombers for close air support, attacking vulnerable communist troops in the open, and helping to slow the enemy drive. After the front stabilized in 1951, close air support was less effective against the dug-in communists. Even so, when they left their trenches to attack, close air support......
