These haunting Korean War pictures lay bare this devastating conflict about which so many Americans know so little.
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1 of 31A Korean girl walks past an M-26 Tank.U.S. Navy 2 of 31A soldier comforts his fellow infantryman. In the background a corpsman fills out casualty tags.Wikimedia Commons 3 of 31U.S. Marines engaged in street fighting during the liberation of Seoul, circa late September 1950.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 31A girl sits alone on the streets of Inchon following an offensive attack against North Korean forces in the city.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 31A soldier fires an M-20 75 mm recoilless rifle.Wikimedia Commons 6 of 31Korean civilians fleeing from the North Korean forces, killed when caught in the line of fire during night attack by guerrilla forces near Yongsan. August 25, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 7 of 31U.S. Marines watch explosions of bombs dropped during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. December 1950.Wikimedia Commons 8 of 31Pfc. Thomas Conlon awaits medical treatment after crossing the Naktong River. U.S. Army 9 of 31South Korean servicemen dump spent shell casings.Wikimedia Commons 10 of 31Some estimates state that as many as 2.5 million civilians died during the war.Department of Defense 11 of 31About ten percent of Korea’s pre-war population was killed during the war. Wikimedia Commons 12 of 31U.S. forces target rail cars south of Wonsan. 1950.Wikimedia Commons 13 of 31Wounded North Koreans await medical attention. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 14 of 31Ethiopian soldiers serving as part of the UN forces. 1953.Wikimedia Commons 15 of 31General Douglas MacArthur (seated) observes the shelling of Incheon from the USS Mount McKinley. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 16 of 31Refugees flee south in mid-1950.Wikimedia Commons 17 of 31A wrecked plane sits in a railroad cart at Kimpo. 1953.Wikimedia Commons 18 of 31Small-scale skirmishes had taken place on the 38th parallel before, but North Korea’s large-scale surprise attack truly set the war into motion. U.S. Army/Department of Defense 19 of 31Korean communists are captured on a fishing boat off the coast. Wikimedia Commons 20 of 31A young Marine prays for safety just moments before U.S. troops launch an offensive attack.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 31During a UN operation, men and equipment are parachuted down toward troops on the ground. Wikimedia Commons 22 of 31Marines honor their fallen comrades at the division’s cemetery in Hamhung. Department of Defense 23 of 31An Australian soldier greets Korean children after their village is cleared of North Korean soldiers.Wikimedia Commons 24 of 31This Chinese soldier died during an attack on Hill 0151. Nearly 600,000 Chinese soldiers died during the war.Wikimedia Commons 25 of 31Captured in August 1950, this image shows South Korean civilians retreating as the soldiers press onward. Bettmann/Corbis/Getty Images 26 of 31Bombs explode in Wonsan.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 31These two boys were serving in the North Korean army before they were captured by U.S. forces. U.S. Army 28 of 31The United States provided 90 percent of the troops who were sent to aid South Korea. National Archives 29 of 31Portraits of Joseph Stalin and North Korean leader Kim II-sung can be seen near where UN troops are under fire. Department of Defense 30 of 31U.S. soldiers in position near the Chongchon River.Department of Defense 31 of 31Like this gallery?Share it:
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30 Heartbreaking Photos From The Korean War View Gallery
On June 25, 1950, nearly 75,000 North Korean soldiers from the People’s Army crossed the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea. The attack not only marked the start of the Korean War, but it was also the first full-blown military action of the Cold War — meaning that the United States had to get involved. In July 1950, U.S. troops entered the conflict in order to defend South Korea from North Korea and, in turn, from communism.
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1 of 31A Korean girl walks past an M-26 Tank.U.S. Navy 2 of 31A soldier comforts his fellow infantryman. In the background a corpsman fills out casualty tags.Wikimedia Commons 3 of 31U.S. Marines engaged in street fighting during the liberation of Seoul, circa late September 1950.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 31A girl sits alone on the streets of Inchon following an offensive attack against North Korean forces in the city.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 31A soldier fires an M-20 75 mm recoilless rifle.Wikimedia Commons 6 of 31Korean civilians fleeing from the North Korean forces, killed when caught in the line of fire during night attack by guerrilla forces near Yongsan. August 25, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 7 of 31U.S. Marines watch explosions of bombs dropped during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. December 1950.Wikimedia Commons 8 of 31Pfc. Thomas Conlon awaits medical treatment after crossing the Naktong River. U.S. Army 9 of 31South Korean servicemen dump spent shell casings.Wikimedia Commons 10 of 31Some estimates state that as many as 2.5 million civilians died during the war.Department of Defense 11 of 31About ten percent of Korea’s pre-war population was killed during the war. Wikimedia Commons 12 of 31U.S. forces target rail cars south of Wonsan. 1950.Wikimedia Commons 13 of 31Wounded North Koreans await medical attention. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 14 of 31Ethiopian soldiers serving as part of the UN forces. 1953.Wikimedia Commons 15 of 31General Douglas MacArthur (seated) observes the shelling of Incheon from the USS Mount McKinley. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 16 of 31Refugees flee south in mid-1950.Wikimedia Commons 17 of 31A wrecked plane sits in a railroad cart at Kimpo. 1953.Wikimedia Commons 18 of 31Small-scale skirmishes had taken place on the 38th parallel before, but North Korea’s large-scale surprise attack truly set the war into motion. U.S. Army/Department of Defense 19 of 31Korean communists are captured on a fishing boat off the coast. Wikimedia Commons 20 of 31A young Marine prays for safety just moments before U.S. troops launch an offensive attack.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 31During a UN operation, men and equipment are parachuted down toward troops on the ground. Wikimedia Commons 22 of 31Marines honor their fallen comrades at the division’s cemetery in Hamhung. Department of Defense 23 of 31An Australian soldier greets Korean children after their village is cleared of North Korean soldiers.Wikimedia Commons 24 of 31This Chinese soldier died during an attack on Hill 0151. Nearly 600,000 Chinese soldiers died during the war.Wikimedia Commons 25 of 31Captured in August 1950, this image shows South Korean civilians retreating as the soldiers press onward. Bettmann/Corbis/Getty Images 26 of 31Bombs explode in Wonsan.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 31These two boys were serving in the North Korean army before they were captured by U.S. forces. U.S. Army 28 of 31The United States provided 90 percent of the troops who were sent to aid South Korea. National Archives 29 of 31Portraits of Joseph Stalin and North Korean leader Kim II-sung can be seen near where UN troops are under fire. Department of Defense 30 of 31U.S. soldiers in position near the Chongchon River.Department of Defense 31 of 31Like this gallery?Share it:
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And if you liked this post, be sure to check out these popular posts:
Did The U.S. Slaughter 35,000 Civilians During One Korean War Massacre — Or Is It North Korean Propaganda?
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1 of 31A Korean girl walks past an M-26 Tank.U.S. Navy 2 of 31A soldier comforts his fellow infantryman. In the background a corpsman fills out casualty tags.Wikimedia Commons 3 of 31U.S. Marines engaged in street fighting during the liberation of Seoul, circa late September 1950.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 31A girl sits alone on the streets of Inchon following an offensive attack against North Korean forces in the city.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 31A soldier fires an M-20 75 mm recoilless rifle.Wikimedia Commons 6 of 31Korean civilians fleeing from the North Korean forces, killed when caught in the line of fire during night attack by guerrilla forces near Yongsan. August 25, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 7 of 31U.S. Marines watch explosions of bombs dropped during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. December 1950.Wikimedia Commons 8 of 31Pfc. Thomas Conlon awaits medical treatment after crossing the Naktong River. U.S. Army 9 of 31South Korean servicemen dump spent shell casings.Wikimedia Commons 10 of 31Some estimates state that as many as 2.5 million civilians died during the war.Department of Defense 11 of 31About ten percent of Korea’s pre-war population was killed during the war. Wikimedia Commons 12 of 31U.S. forces target rail cars south of Wonsan. 1950.Wikimedia Commons 13 of 31Wounded North Koreans await medical attention. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 14 of 31Ethiopian soldiers serving as part of the UN forces. 1953.Wikimedia Commons 15 of 31General Douglas MacArthur (seated) observes the shelling of Incheon from the USS Mount McKinley. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 16 of 31Refugees flee south in mid-1950.Wikimedia Commons 17 of 31A wrecked plane sits in a railroad cart at Kimpo. 1953.Wikimedia Commons 18 of 31Small-scale skirmishes had taken place on the 38th parallel before, but North Korea’s large-scale surprise attack truly set the war into motion. U.S. Army/Department of Defense 19 of 31Korean communists are captured on a fishing boat off the coast. Wikimedia Commons 20 of 31A young Marine prays for safety just moments before U.S. troops launch an offensive attack.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 31During a UN operation, men and equipment are parachuted down toward troops on the ground. Wikimedia Commons 22 of 31Marines honor their fallen comrades at the division’s cemetery in Hamhung. Department of Defense 23 of 31An Australian soldier greets Korean children after their village is cleared of North Korean soldiers.Wikimedia Commons 24 of 31This Chinese soldier died during an attack on Hill 0151. Nearly 600,000 Chinese soldiers died during the war.Wikimedia Commons 25 of 31Captured in August 1950, this image shows South Korean civilians retreating as the soldiers press onward. Bettmann/Corbis/Getty Images 26 of 31Bombs explode in Wonsan.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 31These two boys were serving in the North Korean army before they were captured by U.S. forces. U.S. Army 28 of 31The United States provided 90 percent of the troops who were sent to aid South Korea. National Archives 29 of 31Portraits of Joseph Stalin and North Korean leader Kim II-sung can be seen near where UN troops are under fire. Department of Defense 30 of 31U.S. soldiers in position near the Chongchon River.Department of Defense 31 of 31Like this gallery?Share it:
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Did The U.S. Slaughter 35,000 Civilians During One Korean War Massacre — Or Is It North Korean Propaganda?
Heartbreaking Photos Taken Inside Of Manzanar, One Of America’s WWII-Era Japanese Internment Camps
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1 of 31A Korean girl walks past an M-26 Tank.U.S. Navy 2 of 31A soldier comforts his fellow infantryman. In the background a corpsman fills out casualty tags.Wikimedia Commons 3 of 31U.S. Marines engaged in street fighting during the liberation of Seoul, circa late September 1950.Wikimedia Commons 4 of 31A girl sits alone on the streets of Inchon following an offensive attack against North Korean forces in the city.Wikimedia Commons 5 of 31A soldier fires an M-20 75 mm recoilless rifle.Wikimedia Commons 6 of 31Korean civilians fleeing from the North Korean forces, killed when caught in the line of fire during night attack by guerrilla forces near Yongsan. August 25, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 7 of 31U.S. Marines watch explosions of bombs dropped during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. December 1950.Wikimedia Commons 8 of 31Pfc. Thomas Conlon awaits medical treatment after crossing the Naktong River. U.S. Army 9 of 31South Korean servicemen dump spent shell casings.Wikimedia Commons 10 of 31Some estimates state that as many as 2.5 million civilians died during the war.Department of Defense 11 of 31About ten percent of Korea’s pre-war population was killed during the war. Wikimedia Commons 12 of 31U.S. forces target rail cars south of Wonsan. 1950.Wikimedia Commons 13 of 31Wounded North Koreans await medical attention. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 14 of 31Ethiopian soldiers serving as part of the UN forces. 1953.Wikimedia Commons 15 of 31General Douglas MacArthur (seated) observes the shelling of Incheon from the USS Mount McKinley. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons 16 of 31Refugees flee south in mid-1950.Wikimedia Commons 17 of 31A wrecked plane sits in a railroad cart at Kimpo. 1953.Wikimedia Commons 18 of 31Small-scale skirmishes had taken place on the 38th parallel before, but North Korea’s large-scale surprise attack truly set the war into motion. U.S. Army/Department of Defense 19 of 31Korean communists are captured on a fishing boat off the coast. Wikimedia Commons 20 of 31A young Marine prays for safety just moments before U.S. troops launch an offensive attack.Wikimedia Commons 21 of 31During a UN operation, men and equipment are parachuted down toward troops on the ground. Wikimedia Commons 22 of 31Marines honor their fallen comrades at the division’s cemetery in Hamhung. Department of Defense 23 of 31An Australian soldier greets Korean children after their village is cleared of North Korean soldiers.Wikimedia Commons 24 of 31This Chinese soldier died during an attack on Hill 0151. Nearly 600,000 Chinese soldiers died during the war.Wikimedia Commons 25 of 31Captured in August 1950, this image shows South Korean civilians retreating as the soldiers press onward. Bettmann/Corbis/Getty Images 26 of 31Bombs explode in Wonsan.Wikimedia Commons 27 of 31These two boys were serving in the North Korean army before they were captured by U.S. forces. U.S. Army 28 of 31The United States provided 90 percent of the troops who were sent to aid South Korea. National Archives 29 of 31Portraits of Joseph Stalin and North Korean leader Kim II-sung can be seen near where UN troops are under fire. Department of Defense 30 of 31U.S. soldiers in position near the Chongchon River.Department of Defense 31 of 31Like this gallery?Share it:
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1 of 31A Korean girl walks past an M-26 Tank.U.S. Navy
2 of 31A soldier comforts his fellow infantryman. In the background a corpsman fills out casualty tags.Wikimedia Commons
3 of 31U.S. Marines engaged in street fighting during the liberation of Seoul, circa late September 1950.Wikimedia Commons
4 of 31A girl sits alone on the streets of Inchon following an offensive attack against North Korean forces in the city.Wikimedia Commons
5 of 31A soldier fires an M-20 75 mm recoilless rifle.Wikimedia Commons
6 of 31Korean civilians fleeing from the North Korean forces, killed when caught in the line of fire during night attack by guerrilla forces near Yongsan. August 25, 1950.Wikimedia Commons
7 of 31U.S. Marines watch explosions of bombs dropped during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. December 1950.Wikimedia Commons
8 of 31Pfc. Thomas Conlon awaits medical treatment after crossing the Naktong River. U.S. Army
9 of 31South Korean servicemen dump spent shell casings.Wikimedia Commons
10 of 31Some estimates state that as many as 2.5 million civilians died during the war.Department of Defense
11 of 31About ten percent of Korea’s pre-war population was killed during the war. Wikimedia Commons
12 of 31U.S. forces target rail cars south of Wonsan. 1950.Wikimedia Commons
13 of 31Wounded North Koreans await medical attention. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons
14 of 31Ethiopian soldiers serving as part of the UN forces. 1953.Wikimedia Commons
15 of 31General Douglas MacArthur (seated) observes the shelling of Incheon from the USS Mount McKinley. September 15, 1950.Wikimedia Commons
16 of 31Refugees flee south in mid-1950.Wikimedia Commons
17 of 31A wrecked plane sits in a railroad cart at Kimpo. 1953.Wikimedia Commons
18 of 31Small-scale skirmishes had taken place on the 38th parallel before, but North Korea’s large-scale surprise attack truly set the war into motion. U.S. Army/Department of Defense
19 of 31Korean communists are captured on a fishing boat off the coast. Wikimedia Commons
20 of 31A young Marine prays for safety just moments before U.S. troops launch an offensive attack.Wikimedia Commons
21 of 31During a UN operation, men and equipment are parachuted down toward troops on the ground. Wikimedia Commons
22 of 31Marines honor their fallen comrades at the division’s cemetery in Hamhung. Department of Defense
23 of 31An Australian soldier greets Korean children after their village is cleared of North Korean soldiers.Wikimedia Commons
24 of 31This Chinese soldier died during an attack on Hill 0151. Nearly 600,000 Chinese soldiers died during the war.Wikimedia Commons
25 of 31Captured in August 1950, this image shows South Korean civilians retreating as the soldiers press onward. Bettmann/Corbis/Getty Images
26 of 31Bombs explode in Wonsan.Wikimedia Commons
27 of 31These two boys were serving in the North Korean army before they were captured by U.S. forces. U.S. Army
28 of 31The United States provided 90 percent of the troops who were sent to aid South Korea. National Archives
29 of 31Portraits of Joseph Stalin and North Korean leader Kim II-sung can be seen near where UN troops are under fire. Department of Defense
30 of 31U.S. soldiers in position near the Chongchon River.Department of Defense
31 of 31Like this gallery?Share it:
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30 Heartbreaking Photos From The Korean War View Gallery
30 Heartbreaking Photos From The Korean War View Gallery
30 Heartbreaking Photos From The Korean War View Gallery
30 Heartbreaking Photos From The Korean War View Gallery
30 Heartbreaking Photos From The Korean War
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The first months of fighting took place during one of the country’s hottest summers, making the land a brutal battlefield for both sides. At the direction of President Truman, what started as a defensive mission eventually turned into an offensive attack against the North.
Nevertheless, the fighting ended three years after it had started with a military stalemate with the North’s invasion repelled and a demilitarized zone established between the newly sovereign states of North and South Korea.
Both sides agreed to an armistice after long negotiations. However, a peace treaty was never signed, so technically the nations are still at war.
The Korean War indeed had no victor. Some estimates state that as many as approximately 3.5 million lives were lost on all sides. North and South Korea remain bitter enemies. They have maintained a ceasefire, punctuated occasionally by border skirmishes and political threats. South Korea remains an ally of the United States to this day, and North Korea still stands in furious opposition to the U.S.
In the U.S., Unlike the Vietnam War, the Korean War received relatively little attention from the media at the time. But today, the moving photographs above help paint a picture of the atrocities faced by those involved in the conflict on all sides.
Next after seeing these Korean War photos, see our gallery of photos of life inside North Korea. Then, for more modern views of the conflict, see how modern North Korean propaganda portrays the United States.
