Remembering veterans of the ‘Forgotten War’

From the Berlin (Conn.) Veterans Commission:

The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953.

The war began on June 25, 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border and rebellions in South Korea.

On June 27, 1950, the United States officially entered the Korean War. The U.S. and allied countries supported the Republic of Korea (commonly called South Korea) in re- pelling an invasion from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (commonly called North Korea). North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union.

In the United States, the battles were controversial because of the large number of soldiers killed for terrain with no strategic or tactical value. According to U.S. sources, Chinese losses were far greater than our own.

The first battle was described in the work “Pork Chop Hill: The American

Fighting Man in Action, Korea, Spring 1953,” by S.L.A. Marshall, from which the film “Pork Chop Hill” was drawn.

The Battle of Pork Chop Hill was significant because it enabled the United States to prevent North Korea from harnessing the hill.

On June 6 and 7, 1952, the 279th Infantry Regiment seized the six northern hills, while the 180th Infantry ad-

Museum program

Connecticut's Summer at the Museum program enables children to receive free admission at dozens of museums across the state. The full list of participating museums is available at ctvisit.com. Summer at the Museum concludes Monday, Sept. 4.

vanced on the six southern ones.

Company I of the 180th took Pork Chop Hill after a onehour firefight and immediately fortified the position. Battles would continue throughout Korea, and at dawn on April 18, 1953, an additional U.S. rifle company (Company A, 17th Infantry) climbed Pork Chop Hill to reinforce the 2nd Battalion companies.

In Brief

Wreath-laying

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The group’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information on how to volunteer locally or sponsor a wreath, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.

Together, the three companies spent the bulk of the day clearing the trenches and bunkers of enemy combatants and securing the hilltop.

The battle ended that afternoon on Pork Chop Hill, and three months later, on July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed.

Welcome home, Korean War veterans!

Preservation CT

Preservation Connecticut is a statewide nonprofit historic preservation organization, established in 1975 by a Special Act of the Connecticut General Assembly as the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. For over four decades, Preservation Connecticut has championed the protection of community assets all over the state. For more information, visit preservationct.org.

Boxes to Boots

Berlin-based non-profit Boxes to Boots, 28 Chamberlain Highway, sends care packages to members of the U.S. military serving overseas. To learn more about the organization and its needs, visit boxestoboots.org.