July 27, 2023, marks the 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice ending Korean War hostilities. The era ran from June 25, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1955; Congress extended the period due to the uneasy peace negotiations after the armistice was signed in 1953. Unlike many other wars, the Korean War fostered many names. It is often called the “Forgotten War,” or a “police action.” Sandwiched between World War II and the Vietnam War, it is often overlooked.
During the Korean War nearly 5 million people perished. More than half of the casualties were civilians, about 10 percent of the population. This rate of casualties was higher than World War II and the Vietnam War.
• 6.8 million American men and women served from June 27, 1950, to Jan. 31, 1955.
• 54,200 Americans died in service during the hostilities that ended on July 27, 1953. Of these, 33,700 were battle deaths.
• There were 7,140 POWs during the war. Of these, 4,418 were returned to the United States, 2,701 died and 21 refused repatriations.
• There have been 131 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor among Korean War veterans.
Post 178 thanks its twenty-nine Korean War era veterans and all those who served during it.