Participation of Coalition Forces in the Korean War
Abstract
This paper explores the participation of United Nations coalition forces in the Korean War. This was the first time in history that armed forces from around the world fought together under the auspices of an international organization. It is essential that the operational commander be aware of the unique characteristics of this war: a prolonged war like Korea--rather than a 100-hour war like Desert Storm--might be the paradigm for future coalition conflicts. Key aspects of ground, naval, and air operations in Korea are summarized, along with the major contributions of our coalition partners. Issues that affected the employment of these forces are discussed as well. Overall, the coalition forces made a positive contribution on the battlefield. However, their employment was affected by political considerations, special logistics requirements, differences in language and culture, and various tactical issues. These problems posed a challenge for the commander, but their cumulative effect on operations was minimized through U.S. command of the war effort, the preponderance of U.S. forces in Korea, and the firm commitment of our coalition partners. Korean War, United Nations, Coalition
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA279370
Entities
People
- Wayne Danzik
Organizations
- Naval War College