At the close of World War II, the victorious Allied Powers did not know what to do with the Korean Peninsula. Korea had been a Japanese colony since the late nineteenth century, so westerners thought the country incapable of self-rule.
The Korean people, however, were eager to re-establish an independent nation of Korea.
Russia moved in to North Korea to "maintain order," while the United States took control of South Korea. Soon, the North Korean leader, Kim Il-sung, decided to seize South Korea as well, and establish a united communist nation.
In June of 1950, North Korea launched an attack across the 38th Parallel, touching off the Korean War.
- Two concerned Korean children stand in front of a tank in Haeng-ju, KoreaKorean brother and sister stand near a defunct tank, Haeng-ju, Korea. June 9, 1951.
- U.S. plane drops napalm on ammunition depot, North Korean village of Masen-niNapalm drop on ammo dump at Masen-ni, North Korea. July 11, 1951.
- Serene setting of peace talks; Kaesong, truce talks siteKaesong, site of Korean War peace talks, summer of 1951.
- North Korean officers at the Kaesong Peace TalksOfficers leaving the Kaesong Peace Talks, July - August of 1951.
- Paratroopers queue up at the door before jumping, Korean WarParatroopers wait to jump, Korea, September of 1951.
- UN paratrooper dropParatroopers drop during training mission, October 19, 1951.
- WASP pilot Elizabeth Gardener during the Korean WarFemale pilot Elizabeth Gardener, Korean War.
- Mechanics struggle to repair a B-26 bomber during a snowstormHeavy snow and wind hinders B-26 repairs, Korean War, 1952.
- Korean War bomb damage to the Chosin Power PlantNorth Korea's Chosen Hydroelectric Station after bomb damage, July 11, 1952.
- A group of gunners from the 17th Bomb Wing gets ready to go, Korean War17th Bomb Wing gunners, ready to fly. September, 1952.
- Preparing to exchange sick and wounded POWs at PanmunjonSetting up the sick and wounded POW exchange, April 10, 1953.
- UN paratroopers get ready to deployParatroopers prep for deployment, Korean War, July 2, 1953.
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