The Korean War: The Forgotten War

The Korean War also referred to as the “Forgotten War,” set an unforeseen reconstruction into the Air Defense Artillery branch of the modern Army. This bloody war was an important event in the world or the Air Defense Artillery branch. The contingency missions of today’s Army were solidified during the Korean War and it helped cement the Air Defense Artillery motto of “First to Fire.” There were many important events that occurred for ADA during this war. From the first air defense unit arriving to the key battles that took place, this conflict provided significant advancements for air defense in the U.S. military. The Korean War commonly referred to by many as “The Forgotten War,” should never be forgotten by Air Defense Artillery, as
it established the blueprint and foundation for the branch.

The North Korean Army crossed the 38th Parallel on June 25, 1950 in attempts to retake and reunite the divided South Korean nation. Thousands of North Korean soldiers rushed the borders of South Korea to impose communism on the once united land. The United Nations condemned the unprovoked aggression and the United States responded within hours of the initial contact. President Harry S. Truman ordered U.S. troops into action in defense of South Korea. The Army Reorganization Act of 1950, established immediately after initial contact, consolidated the Coast Artillery and Field Artillery branches into the Artillery Arm with plain crossed cannons as the Arm’s insignia (25th Infantry Division Association, 2016). The insignia is still implemented in today’s Army. This was a significant event for the Air Defense Artillery branch because it marked the first time in United States history that the Army assigned an antiaircraft automatic weapons battalion into the division artillery of the infantry, airborne, and armored divisions (25th Infantry Division Association, 2016). One of the most influential air defense artillery units activated was Detachment X-Ray of the 507th Antiaircraft Artillery. Even though Detachment X-Ray was a small force, they opened first fire causing the Korean War to begin. The Americans had taken first blood as well, which ultimately resulted in the motto “First to Fire!

With the North Korean military quickly approaching South Korean territories, the United States did not want a repeat of WWI & WWII to occur.
The purpose of belonging to the United Nations was to assist and support included countries that have requested or needed support. A strategic location in South Korea that needed to be secured was Suwon Airfield. The 507th AAA Battalion, stationed in Japan, was ordered to “establish air defense (Korea 1950, 1996).” The battle for Suwon Airfield set the stage for remaining battles fought in the Korean War. Antiaircraft artillery battalions evolved into “air defense” entities. According to Koker (1990), “The stated mission of antiaircraft artillery in 1950 was (1) to attack, destroy or nullify all forms of enemy aircraft and guided missiles and (2) to provide close support for infantry (armored) units.” Upon arrival to Suwon Airfield, fighting positions were quickly emplaced (Korea 1950, 1996). “Four M-55 quadruple .50-caliber machine guns" were used by the 507th AAA Detachment to defend Suwon Airfield (Korea 1950, 1996). Assistance was given to the AAA Detachment by the South Koreans, despite language barriers (Korea 1950, 1996). The practice of nations overcoming complex obstacles to work together proved to be effective more than a century ago during WWI, forty-six years ago during the Korean War, and even today’s current global operations. Unknown aircraft were quickly approaching the airfield. The air defenders could not
tell the difference between the North Korean fighters and the friendly F-51 Mustangs (Korea 1950, 1996). Without adequate equipment available, the decision to fire had to wait until a positive enemy identification was determined; or when the enemy aircraft actually began to engage targets (Korea 1950, 1996). As the saying goes, “history has a tendency to repeat itself,” the rules of engagement fifty years ago are mirror regulations that are set in place in current global operations. Strafing and bombing of the airfield quickly summoned air defenders to engage the enemy aircraft. Due to variables such as lack of experience, lack of doctrine, and the lack of advanced technology, the defense put forth by the AAA Detachment was not 100% effective. The enemy aircraft made several passes at the Suwon Airfield. In the end, the air defense detachment were able to down two of the four enemy aircraft. In the ensuing days, the Suwon Airfield received two more waves of enemy aircraft (Korea 1950, 1996). After the smoke cleared, Air Defense Artillery proved to be a critical during the beginning stages of the Korean War. This was the first battle, however, it would not be the last that that air defense would promote and earn the motto of “First to Fire.” The Air Defense Artillery strategy conducted by the AAA Detachment assisted throughout the Korean War, from the First air victory of the war on June 27, 1950.
Several battles occurred during the Korean War. The battles that resulted positively for the U.S. was due to the capabilities of the Air Artillery (AA) capabilities. The following are the names of quite a few battles in which Air defense Artillery achieved successful outcomes. They are: Battle of Osan on July 5, 1950, Battle of Chipyong-ni from February 13-15, 1951, Battle of the Punchbowl from February 13-15, 1951, Battle of Bloody Ridge from February 13-15, 1951, Battle of Heartbreak Ridge from February 13-15, 1951, and T-bone Hill on December 25, 1952 (Mchabu, Timeline 2016). The many of advantages Air Defense Artillery held afforded many detachments the ability to conduct operations such as: Operation Wolfhound, Thunderbolt, Ripper, Tomahawk, Rugged, Dauntless, Summit, and Commando (Mchabu, Timeline 2016). The contributions made by Air Artillery to lay its mark and did not end here. Although there were many other battles, and operations. The listed battles and operations were all had ended in American favor. On August 29, 1952, AA contributed to the Korean War's largest air raid in which carrier planes and FEAF all launched an assault bombing on Pyongyang. Through the continuous, relentless battles, assaults, and airstrikes. Until July 26th 1953, in which the final ground attack in the Berlin
Complex in Boulder City. The attack that included the final air-kill of the war, on July 27, 1953 when an F-86 pilot shot down an enemy transport close to the Manchurian border. On that very day of the final air-kill, the three countries United States, China, and North Korea enter into an armistice. The remaining fact, is that the Korean War never officially ended. As of this very day, the Republic of South Korea and Democratic People Republic of North Korea have never entered into a peace treaty of any kind. “In the dawn’s early light. Through the dark of the night. The Air Defense Artillery stands first for liberty” (Fort Sill Blue Book, 2010). The Korean War helped constitute the lyrics of the ADA March. This vicious war not only established ADA as its own separate branch in the United States Army but also secured a sense of pride and respect that was never present during past time. Through countless times in our nation’s history, Air Defense Artillery has always been the first prepared to deploy in a moment’s notice. Air Defense Artillery has answered our nations and the world’s call for action. The blood, sweat, and tears all shed in the United States air defense history instills a sense of honor, pride, self-confidence in soldiers who have had or are currently privileged to serve in the Army’s ADA. Through every soldier, every battle, and every war the Air Defense has proven itself time and time again as one of the most important branches in the United States military. How can such an important event in history be labeled as the “Forgotten War?” “First to fire” is more than a motto. It is the pure essence that inspires the very core of the air defense artillery branch.