This study analyzes the strategic effectiveness of special operations conducted by the Far East Command (FECOM) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Korea during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1953. Each organization’s effectiveness is determined by examining the areas of strategy, organization and operations. Special operations as defined in Joint Chiefs of Staff Publication Number 2, Unified Action Armed Forces (UNAAF) was the standard by which operations were selected for examination. The study answers four questions: 1) What were the U.N. Command strategic objectives within the Korean theater, and how did these change? , 2) How these changing strategic objectives development and coordination of special operations objectives, forces and headquarters?, 3) What did U.S. special operations in Korea accomplish strategically? 4) What conclusions can be drawn from U.S. special operations forces’ effectiveness or ineffectiveness in Korea? FECOM special operations were limited to partisan operations and psychological operations. The partisans consisted of anti-communist North Koreans organized and led by U.S. cadre beginning in January, 1951. Psychological operations were conducted continuously from July, 1950 by a separate staff element whose capabilities expanded dramatically during the course of the conflict. CIA operations within Korea consisted of intelligence gathering and special (or covert) activities controlled from headquarters in Japan. CIA operations remained autonomous of FECOM control throughout the conflict. The control issue was the source of bureaucratic conflict that inhibited operational coordination between FECOM and CIA throughout the conflict.

This essential companion provides a comprehensive study of the literature on the causes, course, and consequences of the Korean War, 1950-1953. Aimed primarily at readers with a special interest in military history and contemporary conflict studies, the authors summarize and analyze the key research issues in what for years was known as the 'Forgotten War.' The book comprises three main thematic parts, each with chapters ranging across a variety of crucial topics covering the background, conduct, clashes, and outcome of the Korean War. The first part sets the historical stage, with chapters focusing on the main participants. The second part provides details on the tactics, equipment, and logistics of the belligerents. Part III covers the course of the war, with each chapter addressing a key stage of the fighting in chronological order. The enormous increase in writings on the Korean War during the last thirty years, following the release of key primary source documents, has revived and energized the interest of scholars. This essential reference work not only provides an overview of recent research, but also assesses what impact this has had on understanding the war.

This book argues that the root of effective special operations lies in understanding the relationship between moral and material attrition - this is achieved by examining both strategic theory and real-life case studies.

First major clash with a communist army The Korean War was America's first ideological conflict and the first large-scale clash between U.S./UN forces and a Communist army. More than any other event, it signaled the beginning of Cold War mobilization for the U.S. and NATO, and even though the specter of international communism had since faded away, the animosities of The Forgotten War threaten to flare up even today. Focuses on military topics The Korean War contains articles of varying lengths on key topics that range from the origins of the conflict, ground, naval and air operations, and tactical planning to the Truman-MacArthur face-off, the POW issue, and armistice negotiations. The bulk of the Encyclopedia focuses on such military topics as the use of artillery, the pioneering concept of helicopter evacuation of wounded, new infantry tactics dictated by Communist POW riots, civil affairs, larger military units, and communications. There are also articles on civilian and military leaders, including President Eisenhower, General Ridgeway, Kim Il Sung, Chou En lai, Syngman Rhee, and others. Special features *Articles written by experts in the field *Useful to librarians, scholars, researchers and students alike *Includes 48 maps and photographs *Covers an extraordinary range of key topics *A chronology, extensive bibliography, and a subject index are included

The Korean War has often been regarded as a forgotten war, although that is certainly unfair. It was, if anything, a rather crucial war within the ambit of the Cold War, started by North Korea in 1950 and, although the bulk of the fighting was over by 1954, peace has never been concluded and the two sides still face off over the demilitarized zone. On the other side of the zone is South Korea, which has since become a very prosperous and democratic country, while North Korea has achieved relatively little. So, that war is certainly not forgotten by the Koreans. And, given the large number of deaths and casualties, it is still remembered by many in the United States and other allies, as well as China and the Soviet Union. This Historical Dictionary of the Korean War, now in its second edition, does much to jolt our memory and inform us about the war. This is done first in a lengthy chronology, tracking the war but also the path to war and what happened after. The introduction covers the war as a whole, trying to make sense of it. The dictionary section provides all of the necessary details on significant persons, places and events, battles and other engagements, military units and material, as well as the political, economic and social background. There are also maps and a list of acronyms. This is really the ideal source for information, in addition to which, it also has an extensive bibliography.

In the Forgotten War, there are many who served whose names and memories will never be forgotten. US Army Sergeant William T. Miles is one of them. From the hunting trips of his youth in the Pocono Mountains, where he learned many of the skills that would help him in wartime, to chaotic battlefields of Korea, Miles made a lasting impression on all those he knew—then he disappeared. On July 6, 1951, Miles was part of a joint US South Korean Special Forces team operating deep behind enemy lines in North Korea when the team was attacked by a large enemy force. As they tried to break contact with the enemy, Miles volunteered to stay behind and cover the retreat of his fellow team members. He was never seen or heard from again. Miles’s fate remained a mystery for decades after the end of the Korean War. Amid conflicting and erroneous reports of what happened on the day he disappeared, his family never knew the full details or circumstances of his disappearance. However, in 2017, new evidence discovered among declassified military documents and among the recollections of Korean War veterans shed new light on the story of William T. Miles and the sacrifice he made that day, providing closure to his family after sixty-six years.

This historical dictionary of the Korean War is designed to provide brief but helpful information about all aspects of the war, including units involved, the United Nations, political and military actions, significant sites and operations, and weapons use

Presenting a fascinating insider's view of U.S.A.F. special operations, this volume brings to life the critical contributions these forces have made to the exercise of air & space power. Focusing in particular on the period between the Korean War & the Indochina wars of 1950-1979, the accounts of numerous missions are profusely illustrated with photos & maps. Includes a discussion of AF operations in Europe during WWII, as well as profiles of Air Commandos who performed above & beyond the call of duty. Reflects on the need for financial & political support for restoration of the forces. Bibliography. Extensive photos & maps. Charts & tables.

Osprey Digital presents a new look at unusual and little-known events that occurred during the Korean War. A 'forgotten war' in modern history, the Korean War is rarely given much recognition or studied in detailed. In fact, it was one of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century, a deadly clash of world-views as the UN allied itself with South Korea against the massed ranks of North Korean armies backed by Communist China. In this book, Paul Edwards presents a fresh look at the Korean War, focusing on a number of unusual events that happened during the conflict. Beginning with a look at the war itself, Edwards goes onto tell the stories of the Salvation Army band that disappeared; UFO sightings; the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, Maggie Higgins, and her battle to report in Korea as an equal with her male counterparts; and an operation to rescue orphan children. It also provides a fascinating look at the propaganda materials dropped over Korea by both sides. This miscellany of the war allows readers to dip in and out of this e-book only title, a perfect e-book for the daily commute.