The Korean War began 25 June 1950 when the North Korean Army crossed the
38th parallel, invading the south to unite the peninsula under a Communist regime.
The United States and the Soviet Union, then Cold War enemies, entered the
conflict. As Congress never declared war, it is also called the Korean
Conflict. U.N. forces drove the North Koreans back beyond the 38th
parallel by October 1950 and continued to advance in anticipation of uniting
Korea under the southern regime. Fearing an invasion, China mobilized 270,000
troops forcing the U.N. south of the 38th parallel. By the ceasefire of 27 July
1953, the lines were essentially back at the 38th parallel.
The U.S. had as many as 480,000 troops in the theatre and incurred some 36,000
dead and 92,000 wounded. Brunswick County casualties included PFC George W. Archer
Jr. (1929-15 Sep 1950), PVT Thomas M. Harper (1931-9 Apr 1952), PFC Vernon James
Onion (1930-25 Dec 1950), SFC Edward C. Woodruff (1920-30 Nov 1950), and PFC Robert J.
Simmons Jr. (1929-18 Oct 1951).
