Overshadowed by conflict: Why the Korean War still struggles for recognition and remembrance

EXPLORING KOREA: Stories from Milwaukee to the DMZ and across a divided Peninsula. This special series explores historical sites and cultural traditions from across the Korean Peninsula, building a bridge back to the search for identity in Milwaukee. From the occupation of Korea at the end of World War II, to Korean War veterans in Milwaukee, veterans from Milwaukee who served in later years at the DMZ, adopted South Korean children who grew up in Milwaukee, different waves of the South Korean diaspora who moved to Milwaukee to raise their families, and even a defector from North Korea, their stories share generations of Korean and American experiences. https://mkeind.com/koreanstories

While the United States has remained committed to the security of South Korea for decades, most Americans only know that the battles fought there were part of a “Forgotten War.” In recent years, efforts in places like Milwaukee have been made to honor Korean War veterans and ensure that their service and sacrifices are remembered.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, and ended with an Armistice on July 27, 1953. That agreement was merely a cessation of hostilities, and technically a state of war still exists between North and South Korea. Despite the significant impact and the high cost in terms of human lives and geopolitical consequences, it is hard to believe that such a terrible conflict is best known for being “forgotten.”

But the nomenclature stems from several factors that contributed to its relative obscurity in the collective memory of both the United States and the global community. The Korean War did not receive the same level of attention or commemoration as other major conflicts like World War II or the Vietnam War.

The reasons for this neglect involved many social and media-driven dynamics. One of the primary reasons the Korean War is considered “forgotten” lies in its historical context. The war erupted just five years after the end of World War II, a conflict that had dramatically reshaped global politics and economies.

The Second World War left a profound and lasting impact on the world, and the subsequent Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union quickly took center stage in international relations. The Korean War, in many ways, was perceived as a subsidiary conflict within the broader Cold War framework.

It was a proxy war, with the United States and its allies supporting South Korea against the North Korean forces, who were backed by China and the Soviet Union. The positioning as a subsidiary front in the Cold War led to less emphasis and coverage compared to more direct confrontations between the superpowers.

Media coverage during the Korean War also played a significant role in its relative obscurity. Unlike World War II, which saw extensive and continuous coverage that kept the public engaged and informed, the Korean War did not receive the same level of media attention. The war was often described as a “police action” rather than a full-scale war, which may have contributed to a perception that it was less worthy of attention.

Additionally, the advent of television had not yet fully transformed news dissemination, meaning that the war did not have the constant presence in people’s living rooms that the Vietnam War later did. The lack of dramatic and widely publicized battles or clear victories further diminished its profile.

The social and political dynamics within the United States during and after the Korean War also contributed to its “forgotten” status. The war ended in a stalemate, with a ceasefire rather than a clear victory or defeat. And for all the fighting over three years, the end result brought no adjustments to political control or territory.

In 1950, the two countries were divided at the 38th Parallel. In 1953, after opposing forces had pushed far south and then far north, with Seoul changing hands four times, the countries remained divided as they had been since 1945 at the 38th Parallel.

In hindsight, the United States and its allies might have secured a decisive victory in the Korean War if they had exercised restraint after capturing Pyongyang in October 1950. At that moment, the North Korean forces were on the brink of collapse, and the war seemed poised for a swift conclusion. The opportunity was ripe for a negotiated peace that could have ended the conflict on terms favorable to the U.S. and its United Nations partners.

But the decision to press forward toward the Yalu River, bordering China, proved to be a fateful miscalculation. The aggressive advance was perceived by Beijing as an existential threat, prompting China to intervene with overwhelming force. The entrance of hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops into the war transformed what could have been a quick victory into a grinding and costly stalemate.

Had the U.S. halted its advance after the capture of Pyongyang, it could have negotiated a settlement that might have led to a unified Korea under South Korean leadership or, at the very least, a peace agreement more advantageous to the South and its allies. The U.S. could have consolidated its gains and effectively contained North Korean Communism, preventing the war from dragging on and stabilizing the region without further escalation.

By refraining from advancing to the Yalu River, the U.S. might have also avoided provoking China into the conflict. That would have spared the U.N. forces the prolonged and bloody stalemate that characterized the latter years of the war.

That outcome contrasted sharply with the decisive victory of World War II and the eventual, albeit contentious, conclusion of the Vietnam War. The Korean War’s ambiguous end led to a lack of closure and, consequently, a muted reception in the public consciousness.

The immediate post-Korean War period also saw the United States embroiled in domestic issues, including the Red Scare and McCarthyism. The fear of Communism and the resulting political purges dominated headlines and public discourse, overshadowing the events in Korea.

Veterans returning from Korea did not receive the same level of recognition or celebration as their World War II counterparts, contributing to a sense of neglect and obscurity surrounding their sacrifices and experiences.

One notable effort in Milwaukee, to correct for the history of indifference, was the establishment of the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center. Serving as a focal point for remembering all veterans, it features an Honor Roll that lists the names of Milwaukee County residents who died in service, including those who perished during the Korean War.

In addition to the War Memorial Center, Milwaukee has also hosted various events and ceremonies specifically dedicated to Korean War veterans, acknowledging their sacrifices and offering overdue tributes. Such events have coincided with significant anniversaries of the war, such as the 60th and 70th anniversaries of the Armistice.

During the ceremonies, Milwaukee veterans are recognized, and their stories from the Korean War are shared with the public. The events have helped to promote more awareness, understanding, and appreciation of their service.

The involvement of local veteran organizations, along with the participation of the Korean-American community, has helped to preserve the legacy of the Korean War. The role of the news media in raising public awareness about the Korean War has also evolved in recent years, but mostly in response to the passing of elderly veterans who are all now in their 90s.

Educational initiatives have also played a crucial role in ensuring that the Korean War is not forgotten. Schools in Milwaukee have incorporated lessons about the Korean War into their history curricula, teaching students in modern times about the long-ago conflict and its significance.

Guest speakers, including veterans and historians, have been invited to share their knowledge and experiences, providing students with firsthand accounts of the war. The educational initiatives help to preserve the memory of the Korean War and pass on its lessons to future generations.

While no amount of effort will ever erase the description of the “Forgotten War” from history books, Milwaukee is an example of a place where various communities have tried to rectify the Korean War’s historical neglect.