The label, "forgotten" is often used for the Korean War (1950-1953). It is not some kind of sad lament, as if to say someone had "done us wrong". There are a few reasons why it may have been forgotten. Let me explain.
It was June 25, 1950 when the Korean War started. It had only been five years after WWII had ended. This war would have to be fought by the younger brothers and cousins of the "Greatest Generation" of WWII. They had watched their older family members go off to war. Their first wounds were from having lost relatives in that war. That experience prepared them for also having to go to war - and much sooner than anyone expected.
When WWII ended, it was the beginning of a joyful time of life. The returning heroes were busy going to school (GI Bill), getting married and rearing the next generation (today's "baby boomers"). People were getting used to a whole new wonderful USA. There was now meat for sale in the market - no more rationing! You could buy sugar, toothpaste and tires again. The first new 1946 car was made by Nash, although it would be delivered with wooden bumpers (still not enough chromium available). Levittown houses were available and cheap. Peace had finally arrived and life in America was good.
Many things were happening, though. The end of WWII had left nations and cities partitioned by Britain, the US and Russia. Germany had two sections, Korea had two sections and even Berlin was sectioned off. These remained divided populations, with Communism on one side of hastily drawn lines and free people on the other.
In June 1950, the North Korean Communists attacked their free neighbors to the south. The United Nations prescribed that sixteen other nations join with the United States forces to drive the attacking army out of South Korea. It was the first action ever taken by the newly formed United Nations.
They, and President Truman wanted no part of another war, so they referred to it as a "police action". It was at that point when the Korean War started becoming "forgotten". Americans must have thought, "Oh, OK, it's not a war, so not to worry".
Led by Gen. MacArthur, the North Korean army met defeat quickly, but then things began to change very dramatically. China entered the war helping their Communist friends in North Korea. The Chinese Army attacked our forces and the war got a little more complicated. President Truman, Gen. MacArthur and the United Nations struggled over what to do. Gen. MacArthur could not agree to take his orders from the United Nations. He thought that the United States should proceed to defeat China. His plan had allowed us to capture the power station at the Chosin Reservoir that supplied electricity to all of southern Manchuria.
While Washington and the United Nations were dealing with this situation, our forces stood down and waited for their decision. During this period of delay, the Chinese Army used the opportunity to completely surround our forces at the reservoir.
When the U.N. finally made their decision, it was that our troops should leave Korea. Considering that Gen. MacArthur’s entire 10th Corps was surrounded, it became a major battle to fight their way out of the trap and out of Korea. They made it out of the mountains and the "police action", ended in a cease fire. President Truman then fired Gen MacArthur, ending an illustrious career.
The Korean War may have been "forgotten", but the veterans of that war have not. They are fewer now, most are in their eighties. They know that it was a war all right - the one they fought when they were kids 63 years ago this month.
