For the past 50 years the Korean War has been referred to, by much of the American public, as “The Forgotten War”. But not by the thousands of service men and women who were there, and have come home, some wounded, some leaving close friends behind, and more recently, acknowledged by an act of the Congress of the United States.
In 2000 Congress authorized the Department of Defense to organize the United States’ 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee: To thank, and honor, all who served, and those who lost loved ones, in the Korean War, and to ensure that they, and their families, know “A Grateful Nation Remembers,” their service, and sacrifices, made 50 years ago, that guaranteed the security and independence of The Republic of Korea.
In 1950, the United States, The Republic of Korea and 20 other countries fought side by side, under the banner of the United Nations, in a life-and-death battle against communist North Korean and Chinese forces. The Korean War raged for three long years. Nearly 37,000 Americans lost their lives, another 100,000 were wounded, and 6,877 became prisoners of war (POW). More than 8,100 remain unaccounted for today (MIA).
U.S. Navy surface ships, submarines and air craft dominated the seas around Korea and took part in the war ashore. Carrier aircraft, battleships, cruisers and destroyers struck enemy supply lines and provided close air support to U. N. ground forces. Amphibious ships deployed Marines and Army soldiers behind enemy lines at Inchon and elsewhere on the Korean Peninsula. Transports, cargo ships and oilers delivered crucial reinforcements and supplies to the combat area. More than 265,000 Navy men and women served in the Far East Theater of Operations during the Korean War. The U.S. Navy had 493 killed in action and 286* remain unrecovered or unidentified. Seven Navy personnel received the Medal of Honor. * this number will change as remains are identified..
The Commemoration began in Washington, DC on June 25th , 2000, the 50th Anniversary of the out break of the war and is being carried out across the nation by thousands of volunteer organizations, known as Commemorating Partners, through memorial services, parades, media presentations, and various displays. The Commemoration will officially close on November 11, 2003..
When the USS LOWRY DD 770 ASSOCIATION holds its reunion in September 2002, it will also mark the 50th Anniversary of the participation of the USS LOWRY DD 770 in the Korean War in 1952..
A portion of the above information was taken from the web site http://korea50.army.mil/ and other commemorative materials, and reprinted with permission..