UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE

MOBILIZATION FOR THE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR

KOREAN WAR
UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE

MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR

Kathryn Roe Coker

Deborah Foster-King

Jennifer Friend

Editors

Office of Army Reserve History

United States Army Reserve Command

Fort Bragg, North Carolina

2013

i
iii

CONTENTS

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv

60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee . . . . . . . . . . . xvii

The Korean War: A General Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Mobilization of the Army Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Medal of Honor for Exceptional Soldiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

A Selective Chronology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

U.S. Army Reserve Units Deployed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

U.S. Army Reserve Units Mobilized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

OFFICE OF ARMY RESERVE HISTORY

U.S. ARMY RESERVE COMMAND

The Office of Army Reserve History reports to the commanding 

general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command (USARC) and has 

been in existence since 1992. The office provides advice and 

recommendations to the USARC commanding general and 

the leadership of the Army Reserve on Department of Defense 

and Army historical policy, operations, and developments, and 

exercises overall staff responsibility for military history programs 

within the Army Reserve community. The office is comprised of 

the director, Publications Section, Field Programs, the U.S. Army 

Reserve Historical Research Collection, and the National Museum 

of the Army Reserve. One of its functions is to write the official 

history of the Army Reserve. This history not only provides a 

comprehensive account of Army Reserve activities in peace and 

war, but also serves as an important tool in the on-going training 

of officers and noncommissioned officers in the profession of 

arms. The office prepares and publishes historical monographs 

and special historical studies on topics and events of historical 

significance to the Army Reserve and the Army.

OCH PUB 4-2 

For copies contact: Office of Army Reserve History

The U.S. Army Reserve Command, (USARC)- 

4710 Knox St, Fort Bragg, NC 28310-5010

or call 910-570-8194/8180/8183

ii
iv v iv

Front Cover Artwork

Kajon-Ni, Korea, December 1952. Battery C of the 780th Field Artillery Battalion fires 

an 8-inch howitzer, helping destroy enemy artillery and automatic weapons positions at 

Kajon-Ni, Korea, near the 38th parallel. The 780th, an Army Reserve battalion, head-quartered in Roanoke, Virginia, served in Korea from April 1951 to December 1954. They 

were attached to X Corps, part of the U.S. Eighth Army. (Don Spaulding, An Army Reserve 

Historical Painting) 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

Following World War II, the Korean peninsula was divided along 

the 38th parallel, with the creation of the communist-backed 

North Korea and the anti-communist Republic of South Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Syngman Rhee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Kim II-sung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Mao Zedong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Joseph Stalin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for Allied Powers, 

and Dr. Syngman Rhee, Korea’s first president, warmly greet 

one another upon the general’s arrival at Kimpo Air Force Base at 

the invitation of President Rhee................................................. 8

Dean G. Acheson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Harry S Truman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

General Omar N. Bradley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

The New York Times announces President 

Truman’s decision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

President Truman signing a proclamation declaring a national 

emergency that initiates U.S. involvement in the Korean War. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

General Douglas MacArthur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
vi vii

An American 2.36-inch bazooka team takes aim at a North Korean 

tank during the Battle of Osan. On the right is Kenneth R. Shadrick 

who would later be reported as the first American killed in Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Lieutenant General Walton H. Walker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Troops of the U.S. 27th Infantry await North Korean attacks 

across the Naktong River from positions on the Pusan Perimeter, 

4 September 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

George C. Marshall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

General MacArthur observes the naval shelling of Inchon from 

USS Mount McKinley, 15 September 1950 with Brigadier General 

Courtney Whitney and Major General Edward M. Almond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Lieutenant General Matthew B. Ridgway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Lieutenant General James A. Van Fleet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Dwight D. Eisenhower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Bloody Ridge was captured on 5 September 1951. It cost 

2,700 American and South Korean casualties and an 

estimated 15,000 North Korean casualties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Extremely crowded POW enclosures on Koje-do reduced United 

Nations control and permitted Red POW leaders to direct riots and 

other violence by prisoners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Prisoner of War Medal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Korean representatives for peace talk at Kaesong, Korea, 1951. . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

General Mark W. Clark, Far East commander, signs the Korean 

armistice agreement on 27 July 1953, after two years of negotiation, 

during which hundreds of thousands of men were killed and 

wounded in continued hostilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Engineers of the 2nd Infantry Division construct a by-pass for heavy 

equipment to cross the Hwang-gang River in order to give support to 

the infantry, five miles on the other side of the river. Only jeeps can 

cross on the damaged bridges at left on 25 September 1950. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Frank Pace, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Men of the 378th Engineer Combat Battalion install treadways 

during the construction of a bridge across the Pukhan River on 

19 November 1951. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

A 4.2-inch mortar crew of the Heavy Mortar Company, 179th 

Regiment, 45th U.S. Infantry Division, fires on communist positions, 

west of Chorwon, Korea, 5 May 1952. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Medical Corpsmen of the 1st Battalion Aid Station, 31st Infantry 

Regiment, 7th U. S. Infantry Division, assist in helping wounded 

infantrymen of Companies D and L, 31st Regiment, following the 

fight for Hill 598 on 14 October 1952. Kumhwa, Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Wounded infantrymen of Co L, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th U.S. 

Infantry Division, light up cigarettes after receiving first aid following 

a battle for Hill 598 near Kumhwa. 14 October 1952. Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Flight nurse 2nd Lt. Pauline Kircher dresses a patient’s wound during 

the flight from Korea to Japan, May 1951. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

MASH Group in Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
viii ix

A U.S. Army nurse (right) visits her brother who was wounded in 

battle in Korea and evacuated to Tripler Army Hospital in Hawaii. . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Company F, 9th Infantry, advances in central Korea. Artillery dominated 

offensive effort, but it was the bloody infantry that captured and held 

ground. Late 1952. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Flooded bridge crossing on main supply route. The weather could make 

logistical movement difficult in Korea, but it was just as bad for the 

enemy. Spring 1953. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Lieutenant Colonel John Upshur Dennis Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Navy Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

A column of the U.S. 1st Marine Division moves through Chinese 

lines during their breakout from the Chosin Reservoir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Captain Raymond Harvey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Distinguished Service Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Silver Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Soldiers keep a sharp lookout for movement in the communist-held 

area in the background as U.N. forces bombard the vicinity with 

white phosphorous shells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Staff Sergeant Hiroshi Miyamura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

President Dwight D. Eisenhower congratulates Korean War veteran 

Army Staff Sergeant Hiroshi H. Miyamura after presenting him the 

Medal of Honor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

North Korean T-34 tank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

An American mortar crew fires on North Korean positions at 

Chochiwon, 11 July 1950. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Republic of Korea soldiers march in typical column formation toward 

the front in August, 1950, during the Pusan Perimeter battle. This is 

a standard narrow dirt Korean road raised above rice paddies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Mao Tse Tung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

United Nations’ delegates stand by a U.S. Air Force H-5 helicopter 

with General Matthew B. Ridgway, U.S. Army, commander in chief, 

United Nations Command, prior to take off for the initial Armistice 

talks meeting, 10 July 1951 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Lieutenant General William M. Hoge, commanding general, U.S. 

IX Corps, left, holds the lanyard which will fire the 75,000th shell to 

be fired by the corps since the start of the conflict in Korea. Brigadier 

General William N. Gillmore, commanding general, Corps Artillery, 

stands to the right of General Hoge. This day also marked the end of 

the first year of fighting in Korea, 25 June 1951. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Men of Battery B, 15th AAA Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, fire quadruple 

.50 caliber machine guns from a M-16 at Chinese communist-held 

positions, as men of the 3rd Battalion, 32nd RCT, 7th Infantry Division, 

prepare to launch an attack north of Chae-jae, Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

U.S. soldiers patrol near a Bradley armored vehicle during a joint 

military drill between South Korea and the U.S. at Paju, near the 

inter-Korean border, 8 June 2011. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

On 15 June 2010, a South Korean marine stands guard as he looks 

toward North Korea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

The 19 stainless-steel statues at the Korean War Veterans Memorial 

depict fighting men on patrol. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
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ARMY ART

1950 Withdrawal from Kato-ri, Master Sergeant Henrietta Snowden . . . . . . . . 30

Nurses at Work, John Groth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Nurse Giving Plasma, John Groth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

South of Ch’prwon, Master Sergeant Henrietta Snowden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Breakthrough at Chipyong-ni, H. Charles McBarron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

OTHER ART

Corporal Hiroshi Miyamura by George Akimoto, 1977 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Pork Chop Hill, R .T. Foster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

ARMY RESERVE HISTORICAL PAINTING

Kajon-Ni, Korea, December 1952. Battery C of the 780th Field 

Artillery Battalion fires an 8-inch howitzer, helping destroy enemy 

artillery and automatic weapons positions at Kajon-Ni, Korea near 

the 38th parallel, Don Spaulding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

FIGURES

Figure 1: Theater Lines of Command for Operations in Korea, 

23 November 1950. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Figure 2: Organization of United Nations Command Forces 

in Korea, 23 November 1950. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Figure 3: Enemy Lines of Command, 23 November 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

MAPS*

Korean Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The Battle Front, 23 November 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Inchon Landing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Eighth Army Withdrawal, 1- 23 December 1950 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

War Offensive Movements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

An armistice ended the Korean War . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Battle of the Changjin (Chosin) Reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

The Battle of Chipyong-ni, 13-14 February 1951 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Eighth Army Advance, 20 May - I July 1951 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

*The maps on pages 6, 13, 20, and 76 are from Ebb and Flow by Billy C. Mossman, U.S Army 

Center of Military History.
FOREWARD

I am honored to present the pamphlet United States Army Reserve Mobilization 

for the Korean War. The Office of Army Reserve History (OARH) produced this 

publication to support the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration 

of the 27 July 1953 armistice, which ended open hostilities. 

The Korean War mobilization acted as the harbinger of the modem Army 

Reserve as we know it today. The surprise outbreak of this first post-1945 limited 

war caught the United States armed forces unprepared to respond with the speed 

necessary to stop the communist North Korean army from overrunning most of 

South Korea, while still defending against the main Soviet threat to Europe. A 

brutal and costly conflict ensued on the peninsula resulting in the death of millions 

which menaced the entire world with a possible nuclear exchange. Consequently, 

the Organized Reserve served primarily as a manpower pool to bring the under 

strength active Army units up to full manning through involuntary recalls as 

the Department of Defense worked desperately to deploy combat power to the 

theater of war as rapidly as possible.

In order to better face future conflicts of this nature, the United States Congress 

redefined the reserve components with the passage of the Armed Forces Reserve 

Act of 1952. This milestone legislation renamed the Organized Reserve as the 

Army Reserve. It created the Ready Reserve liable for active duty during wartime 

or in a national emergency. In addition, it established a Standby Reserve and 

a Retired pool liable for active duty under a congressional declaration. Most 

important, Congress set a policy that future mobilizations should call-up reserve 

component units first before any levies on reserve manpower pools. 

The Act of 1952 serves as the foundation upon which the Army Reserve functions 

today. The lessons learned from the Korean War still guide the way ahead as 

we face the challenges of maintaining security across the globe in these times 

of uncertainty. We must also not forget those servicemen who gave their lives. 

In the Korean War, the United States suffered 33,651 battle deaths and 20,617 

non-battle deaths. This pamphlet is dedicated to those fallen comrades whose 

sacrifices some 60 years ago helped to make a freer and safer world for us today.

JEFFREY W. TALLEY 

Lieutenant General, US Army 

Chief of Army Reserve

xii xiii
PREFACE

The Korean War erupted in June 1950 as the United States’ first hot conflict of the 

Cold War era (1945-1990). It became the catalyst for full implementation of the 

Cold War policy to contain the spread of communism through the deployment of 

conventional forces and the threat of nuclear attack – deterrence. Thus, the war 

marked the beginning of a massive rejuvenation of American arms following the 

demobilization from World War II. The conflict, however, remained a limited war 

in the true sense of the concept. Fearing a Soviet invasion of Western Europe and 

believing that the mountainous Korean terrain would limit the full effect of atomic 

weapons, President Harry S Truman wished to keep the fighting conventional and 

confined to the peninsula. In fact, it became a model for limited war, an example 

of an alternative means of achieving national policy without resorting to total 

(atomic) war. 

The United States restrained the scope of operations and level of violence and 

fought for limited objectives – stopping the spread of communism down the 

Korean peninsula. That is why the war stalemated in an armistice still in effect 

today. For a limited war, however, the Korean conflict exacted a staggering human 

toll. The Chinese and North Korean casualties (to include killed, wounded and 

missing) are estimated at between 1.5 and 2 million, plus 1 million civilians. The 

United Nations Command suffered 459,360 casualties, of which approximately 

300,000 were South Korean. 

The Korean War changed the military policy of the United States for the rest of 

the century and through to the present day. The Americans rearmed, increased the 

number of United States military forces stationed overseas, fostered the continued 

growth of the military-industrial complex, and created an Army organized for rapid 

mobilization. An improved Army Reserve force emerged as an important part of 

this new heightened military readiness. In mobilizations following the Korean 

War, for the first time, the integrity of most Army Reserve units was maintained. 

As a standard, officers and enlisted men were not stripped out of organized units 

and sent into operations as replacements. Instead, the Army attempted to mobilize 

and deploy fully trained and manned Reserve units at the outbreak of the conflict. 

Thus, the lessons learned from the Korean War set the precedent for readiness of 

all Army Reserve organizations in future call-ups.

Dr. Kathryn Roe Coker, Research Historian and Deputy Director for the Office 

of Army Reserve History (OARH), originally compiled this pamphlet with the 

assistance of Ms. Amber J. Thomas, then secretary to the office. Due to the lack of 

available primary sources, we realize the lists of reserve component units mobilized 

and deployed for the war may not be complete and invite comments, corrections, 

and additions. I hope the following information will add to your understanding 

of this significant event in the history of the American people, America’s Army, 

and America’s Army Reserve, and support the efforts of the armed forces to 

commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. I am certain the members 

of the Army Reserve will find the work interesting and a useful addition to their 

professional reference books.

LEE S. HARFORD, JR., Ph.D.

Director of History , U.S. Army Reserve

Fort Bragg, NC

June 2013

xiv xv
60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KOREAN WAR 

COMMEMORATION COMMITTEE 

The 2011 Defense Authorization Bill provided for the Department of Defense 

60th Anniversary of the Korean War Commemoration Committee. The 

committee is dedicated to thanking and honoring all of the veterans of the 

Korean War, their families, and especially those who lost loved ones in that war. 

Throughout 2013, the committee will honor the service and sacrifice of Korean 

War veterans, commemorate the key events of the war, and educate Americans of 

all ages about the historical significance of the Korean War. 

The Korean War was the first test of the United Nations’ determination to 

stand against tyranny in all its forms. Twenty-one nations joined together 

with the United States and the Republic of Korea in a extraordinary 

exhibition of solidarity to turn back blatant aggression and halt the wave 

of communism. The Armistice signed in July 1953 that is in effect today 

reminds us that we must remain vigilant against the forces of tyranny 

and oppression. 

xvi xvii
Following World War II, the Korean peninsula was divided along 

the 38th parallel with the creation of the communist-backed 

North Korea and the anti-communist Republic of South Korea.

(Photo credit: CORBIS) 

“Americans in 1950 rediscovered 

something that since Hiroshima they 

had forgotten: you may fly over a land 

forever; you may bomb it, atomize it, 

pulverize it, and wipe it clean of life–

but if you desire to defend it, protect 

it, and keep it for civilization, you must 

do this on the ground the way the 

Roman legions did, by putting young 

men into the mud.” 

T. R. Fehrenbach, This Kind of War

2 3

THE KOREAN WAR:

A GENERAL SUMMARY
4 5

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

KOREA DIVIDED

At the Potsdam Conference (July–August 1945), the Allies unilaterally decided 

to divide Korea. The Koreans were not consulted. In December 1945, a United 

States–Soviet Union Joint Commission, as agreed at the Moscow Conference 

(1945), administered Korea. The Koreans were not included in the talks. The 

commission decided the country would become independent after a five-year 

trusteeship action facilitated by each régime sharing its sponsor’s ideology. 

The Korean populace revolted. 

Syngman Rhee

The right-wing Representative Democratic Council, led 

by nationalist Syngman Rhee, opposed the Soviet–

American trusteeship of Korea, arguing that after thirtyfive years of Japanese colonial rule most Koreans opposed 

another foreign occupation. 

The United States Army Military Government in 

Korea established control by restoring to power 

the important Japanese colonial administrators 

and their Korean police collaborators. The administration decided 

to forego the five year trusteeship agreed upon in Moscow, given 

the 31 March 1948 United Nations election deadline set to achieve 

an anti-communist civil government in the U.S. Korean Zone 

of Occupation.

Kim II-sung

On 10 May 1948, South Korea held its first national general 

elections. The Soviets first opposed and then boycotted, 

insisting that the U.S. honor the trusteeship agreed to at 

the Moscow Conference. North Korea held parliamentary 

elections three months later on 25 August 1948. The 

resultant anti-communist South Korean government 

designed a national political constitution on 17 July 1948, 

and elected a president, the American-educated strongman 

Syngman Rhee on 20 July 1948. Terrorism and sabotage marred the elections. 

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) was established on 15 August 1948. In 

the Russian Korean Zone of Occupation, the Soviet Union established a 

Communist North Korean government led by Kim II-sung. President Rhee’s 

régime expelled communists and leftists from southern national politics. 

Disenfranchised, they headed for the hills, to prepare for guerrilla war against 

the U.S.-sponsored Republic of Korea government. 

Mao Zedong

As nationalists, both Syngman Rhee and Kim II-sung 

intended to reunify Korea under their own political system. 

With Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong fighting over the 

control of the Korean Peninsula, the North Koreans 

gained support from both the Soviet Union and the 

People’s Republic of China. They escalated the continual 

border skirmishes and raids and then prepared to invade. 

South Korea had limited matériel and could not match 

them. During this period, the U.S. government assumed that all communists 

(regardless of nationality) were controlled or directly influenced by Moscow. 

Joseph Stalin

In April 1950, Kim Il-sung went to Moscow and obtained 

Stalin’s support for a policy to unify Korea under his 

authority. Stalin agreed with the invasion of South Korea 

in principle, but he refused to become directly involved in 

Kim’s plans. He advised Kim to enlist Chinese support 

instead. In May 1950, Kim visited Beijing and gained Mao’s 

endorsement. At the time, Mao’s support for Kim was 

largely political. He was unaware of Kim’s precise intentions 

or the timing of Kim’s attack. Stalin created “detailed [war] 

plans” that were communicated to the North Koreans.

Under the pretense of counter-attacking a South Korean provocation raid, 

the Korean People’s Army crossed the 38th parallel behind artillery fire at 

dawn on Sunday, 25 June 1950. The Korean People’s Army said that Republic 

of Korea Army troops, under command of the régime of the “bandit traitor 

Syngman Rhee,” had crossed the border first, and that they would arrest and 

execute Rhee. Both Korean armies had harassed each other with skirmishes 

and each continually staged raids across the 38th parallel border. 
UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for Allied 

Powers, (left) and Dr. Syngman Rhee, Korea’s first president, 

warmly greet one another upon the General’s arrival at Kimpo Air 

Force Base, at the invitation of President Rhee. General and Mrs.

MacArthur made the initial trip to Korea, to view an auspicious 

occasion which spelled freedom and independence for the first 

time in over forty years. (NARA file#: 111-SC-306875. Camera 

Operator: Cook)

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ACTS

On 25 June 1950, the United Nations Security Council unanimously 

condemned the North Korean invasion of the Republic of Korea, with 

United Nations Security Council Resolution 82. The Soviet Union, a vetowielding power, had boycotted the Council meetings since January 1950, 

protesting that the Republic of China (Taiwan), not the People’s Republic of 

China, held a permanent seat in the U.N. Security Council. After debating 

the matter, the Security Council, on 27 June 1950, published Resolution 83, 

recommending member states provide military assistance to the Republic of 

Korea. 

TRUMAN’S RESPONSE

Dean G. Acheson

U.S. Secretary of State Dean G. Acheson informed 

President Harry S Truman that the North Koreans had 

invaded South Korea. Truman and Acheson discussed a 

U.S. invasion response with defense department principals 

who agreed that the United States was obligated to repel 

military aggression, comparing it with Adolf Hitler’s 

aggressions in the 1930s. The mistake of appeasement 

must not be repeated. 

Harry S Truman

In Truman’s opinion, this aggression, if left unchecked, 

would start a chain reaction that would destroy the United 

Nations and give the go ahead to further communist 

aggression elsewhere. A stand must be made in Korea, but 

how? The U.N. Security Council approved the use of 

force to help the South Koreans and the U.S. began using 

air and naval forces in the area. The administration 

refrained from committing forces on the ground because 

some advisors believed the North Koreans could be 

stopped by air and naval power alone. 

General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander for Allied Powers, (Left) and Dr. Syngman Rhee, 

Korea’s first president, warmly greet one another upon the general’s arrival at Kimpo Air Force 

Base, at the invitation of President Rhee

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

Also, it was still not clear if this was a Soviet Union plot to catch the U.S. 

unguarded or just a test of U.S. will. The decision to commit ground troops 

and to intervene eventually became possible when a communiqué was received 

on 27 June from the Soviet Union that alluded it would not move against U.S. 

forces in Korea. 

General Omar N. Bradley

Two days after the attack, President Truman announced 

that he was committing U.S. Army forces to ground 

combat in Korea. Truman said the U.S. would counter 

“unprovoked aggression” and “vigorously support the 

effort of the [UN] security council to terminate this serious 

breach of peace.” In Congress, the Joint Chiefs of Staff 

Chairman General Omar N. Bradley warned against 

appeasement. Bradley said that Korea was the place “for 

drawing the line” against communist expansion. In August 

1950, the president and the secretary of state obtained the consent of 

Congress to appropriate $12 billion to pay for the military expenses. The 

stage was ready for what would be a year of dynamic combat, two years of 

static, stalemated warfare, and an armistice resetting the 38th parallel as the 

line of demarcation. On a small scale this was a civil war; on a larger scale it 

was an eruption of the Cold War between more powerful nations. 

Chinese Premier 

Zhou Enlai

Acting on Acheson’s recommendation, Truman ordered 

General MacArthur to transfer matériel to the Army of the 

Republic of Korea while giving air cover to the evacuation 

of U.S. nationals. The president disagreed with advisors 

who recommended unilateral U.S. bombing of the North 

Korean forces and ordered the U.S. Seventh Fleet to 

protect the Republic of China (Taiwan), whose Nationalist 

Government asked to fight in Korea. The U.S. denied the 

Nationalist Chinese request for combat, lest it provoke a communist Chinese 

retaliation. Because the U.S. had sent the Seventh Fleet to neutralize the 

Taiwan Strait, Chinese premier Zhou Enlai criticized both the U.N. and U.S. 

initiatives as armed aggression on Chinese territory.

The New York Times 

announces President 

Truman’s decision.

President Truman signing 

a proclamation declaring 

a national emergency that 

initiates U

.S. involvement 

in the Korean War

. 

(DefenseImagery.mil)

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

General Douglas 

MacArthur

On 30 June, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff directed General 

of the Army Douglas MacArthur, the U.S. Commander in 

East Asia, to commit his ground, air, and naval forces 

against the North Koreans. On 7 July, the U.N. Security 

Council passed a resolution requesting that all member 

states wishing to aid South Korea make military forces and 

assistance available to the U.S. This resolution made 

Truman the executive agent for the U.N. on all matters 

affecting the war. General MacArthur became the 

commander in chief, U.N. Command. That command initially included 

combat units from seventeen nations, while five other nations provided 

primarily medical units. The U.S. and the South Koreans, however, provided 

most of the forces.

FIRST SIGNIFICANT AMERICAN ENGAGEMENT

The Battle of Osan was the first significant American engagement of the 

Korean War. It involved the 540-soldier Task Force Smith, a small forward 

element of the 24th Infantry Division. On 5 July 1950, Task Force Smith 

attacked the North Koreans at Osan, but without weapons capable of 

destroying the North Koreans’ tanks, they were unsuccessful. The result was 

180 dead, wounded, or taken prisoner. The Korean People’s Army progressed 

southwards, pushing back the American force at Pyongtaek, Chonan, and 

Chochiwon. The 24th Division was forced to retreat to Taejeon. The Korean 

People’s Army captured Taejeon. The 24th Division suffered 3,602 dead and 

wounded and 2,962 captured, including the division’s commander, Major 

General William F. Dean. 

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

An American 2.36-inch bazooka team takes aim at a North 

Korean tank during the Battle of Osan. On the right is Kenneth 

R. Shadrick who would later be reported as the first American 

killed in Korea. (U.S. Army)

LIEUTENANT GENERAL WALKER’S DELAYING ACTION

Lieutenant General 

Walton H. Walker

By August, the Korean People’s Army pushed back the 

Republic of Korea Army and the Eighth United States 

Army to the vicinity of Pusan in southeast Korea. The 

Eighth Army, under the command of Lieutenant General 

Walton H. Walker, delayed the North Koreans north and 

west of the Nakdong River, the last natural barrier 

protecting Pusan. By September, the U.N. Command 

controlled the Pusan perimeter, enclosing about 10 

percent of Korea in a line partially defined by the Nakdong 

River. Lieutenant General Walker’s Eighth Army fell back into a two-sided 

front called the Pusan Perimeter. In an effort to capture Pusan, on 5 August, 

the North Koreans began a series of attacks against the perimeter. By 12 

September, reinforcements had strengthened the allies and the North Korean 

offensive culminated.

Troops of the U.S. 27th Infantry await North Korean 

attacks across the Naktong River from positions on

the Pusan Perimeter, 4 September 1950. (U.S. Army)

In the Battle of Pusan Perimeter (August–September 1950),

the U.S. Army withstood 

Korean People’s Army attacks. 

In early September 1950, 

Republic of Korea Army and 

U.N. Command forces outnumbered the Korean People’s 

Army 180,000 to 100,000 

soldiers. The U.N. forces, once 

prepared, counterattacked and 

broke out of the Pusan Perimeter. 

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

 INCHON LANDING 

George C. Marshall

Meanwhile, General MacArthur was planning a 

counteroffensive. His target was Inchon, a port on the 

west coast of Korea behind the North Korean line. By the 

15 September attack date, the amphibious assault force 

faced few Korean People’s Army defenders at Inchon. 

After the Inchon landing, the 1st Cavalry Division began 

its northward advance from the Pusan Perimeter. Task 

Force Lynch managed the Pusan Perimeter breakout to 

join the 7th Infantry Division at Osan. The X Corps defeated the Korean 

People’s Army defenders around Seoul and threatened to trap the main 

Korean People’s Army force in Southern Korea. On 25 September, South 

Korean forces recaptured Seoul. 

On 27 September, General MacArthur received a top secret National Security 

Council memorandum from Truman, reminding him that operations north 

of the 38th parallel were authorized only if at the time of such operation there 

was no entry into North Korea by major Soviet or Chinese communist forces, 

no announcements of intended entry, nor a threat to counter our operations 

militarily. On 29 September, General MacArthur restored the government 

of the Republic of Korea under Syngman Rhee. On 30 September, Secretary 

of Defense George C. Marshall sent a message to General MacArthur: “We 

want you to feel unhampered, tactically and strategically, to proceed north 

of the 38th parallel.” General MacArthur believed it necessary to extend the 

Korean War into China to destroy depots supplying the North Korean war 

effort. Truman disagreed and ordered caution at the Sino-Korean border. 

By 1 October 1950, the North Koreans had been pushed out of South Korea. 

The U.N. forces were positioned south of the 38th parallel. On 7 October, 

the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the unification 

of Korea and authorized General MacArthur to send his forces into North 

Korea. That meant crossing the 38th parallel. Only South Koreans were to 

operate along the international border with China in an effort to limit the 

war and prevent intervention from the Chinese and Soviets.

On 19 October, the North Korean capital of Pyongyang fell. The allied 

troops swarmed north almost unopposed. They pushed the North Koreans 

to an area just south of the Yalu River. By the end of October, it seemed that 

North Korea would fall soon. 
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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

General MacArthur observes the naval shelling of Inchon from USS Mount McKinley, 

15 September 1950, with Brigadier General Courtney Whitney (left) and Major General 

Edward M. Almond (right). (Nutter, U.S. Army)

CHINESE INTERVENTION 

Those hopes were dashed when the communist Chinese mounted a 

counterattack on 25 October. General MacArthur hoped the attack was a 

limited one, but by 2 November the intelligence gathered showed otherwise. 

The Chinese definitely had intervened. Notification of the U.N. Security 

Council followed. 

On 24 November, General MacArthur launched his “home-by-Christmas” 

offensive. Some U.N. forces did reach the Yalu, but the Chinese forces 

struck hard and quick with their second phase offensive. By 30 November, 

the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, 13th Army Group, pushed the U.S. 

Eighth Army from northwest Korea. The Eighth Army retreated from the 

north faster than it had counter-invaded and in mid-December crossed 

the 38th parallel border. By 11 December, the U.S. X Corps crippled the 

People’s Volunteer Army, 9th Army Group, and established a defensive 

perimeter at the port city of Hungnam. The X Corps was forced to evacuate 

by 24 December in order to reinforce the exhausted U.S. Eighth Army to 

the south. On 16 December 1950, Truman declared a national emergency 

with Presidential Proclamation No. 2914, which remained in force until 14 

September 1978. 

SECOND FALL OF SEOUL

Lieutenant General

Matthew B.

Ridgway

On 26 December 1950, Lieutenant General Matthew B. 

Ridgway assumed command of the U.S. Eighth Army. 

The People’s Volunteer Army and the Korean People’s 

Army launched the third phase offensive on New Year’s 

Eve of 1950. The People’s Volunteer Army and the Korean 

People’s Army conquered Seoul for the second time on 4 

January 1951. On 7 January 1951, allied forces began to 

forge north again and opened an offensive line. 

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

From January to March, Lieutenant General Ridgway’s troops pushed on 

until they crossed yet again the 38th parallel. Then, in early April the U.N. 

advance slowed down. Units bolstered themselves for the anticipated enemy 

counteroffensive. 

In mid-February, the People’s Volunteer Army counterattacked with the 

fourth phase offensive, achieving victory at Hoengseong. But, the IX Corps 

soon countered the offensive at Chipyong-ni in the center. 

MACARTHUR RELIEVED OF COMMAND

The defeat in North Korea at the hands of the Chinese made the U.N. 

reassess its goals. General MacArthur insisted that this was a new kind of 

war. He needed more forces and a broader playing hand to counter against 

the Chinese, especially to conduct air operations in the area of Manchuria. 

MacArthur had crossed the 38th parallel in the mistaken belief that the 

Chinese would not enter the war, leading to major allied losses. He believed 

that whether or not to use nuclear weapons should be his own decision, not 

the president’s. MacArthur threatened to destroy China unless it surrendered. 

While MacArthur felt total victory was the only honorable outcome, Truman 

was more pessimistic about his chances once involved in a land war in Asia 

and thought a truce and orderly withdrawal from Korea could be a valid 

solution. In short, MacArthur was at odds with Truman 

and U.N. leaders who wanted a lesser commitment and, 

indeed, a cease fire. In February 1951, the U.N. General 

Assembly voted to label Communist China as an aggressor 

and voted economic sanctions. The U.N.’s new war aim 

was to contain the communists along the 38th parallel 

and to negotiate an end to the war. General MacArthur 

openly disagreed by appealing directly to the public and 

to Congress. On 11 April 1951, Truman relieved him of 

command. Lieutenant General Ridgway took his place. 

Lieutenant General James A. Van Fleet then assumed 

command of the Eighth Army.

Lieutenant General 

James A. Van Fleet

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

FIFTH PHASE OFFENSIVE

Further attacks slowly exhausted the People’s Volunteer Army and the 

Korean People’s Army. The Chinese counterattacked in April 1951 with the 

fifth phase offensive. On 22 April, Lieutenant General Van Fleet’s Eighth 

Army moved north while some 450,000 Chinese opened a general offensive. 

Lieutenant General Van Fleet was forced to retreat below the 38th parallel, 

just five miles north of Seoul. On 10 May, the Chinese kicked off yet another 

offensive. The offensive was stopped at the “No-name Line” north of Seoul. 

On 15 May 1951, the Chinese began the second impulse of the Spring 

Offensive and attacked the Republic of Korea Army and the U.S. X Corps 

in the east at the Soyang River. After initial success, they were halted by 20 

May. At month’s end, the U.S. Eighth Army counterattacked and regained 

“Line Kansas,” just north of the 38th parallel. The U.N.’s “Line Kansas” halt 

and subsequent offensive action stand-down began the stalemate that lasted 

until the armistice of 1953.

THE STALEMATE 

For the next two years, each side dug into the Korean hills and carried on 

a strange and often violent war over outposts between their lines. Largescale bombing of North Korea continued. Protracted armistice negotiations 

began on 10 July 1951 at Kaesong. The main battles of the stalemate included 

the Battle of Bloody Ridge (18 August – 15 September 1951), the Battle 

of Heartbreak Ridge (13 September – 15 October 1951), the Battle of Old 

Baldy (26 June – 4 August 1952), the Battle of White Horse (6 – 15 October 

1952), the Battle of Triangle Hill (14 October – 25 November 1952), the 

Battle of Hill Eerie (21 March – 21 June 1952), the sieges of Outpost Harry 

(10 – 18 June 1953), the Battle of the Hook (28 – 9 May 1953), and the Battle 

of Pork Chop Hill (23 March – 16 July 1953).

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

PEACE TALKS

On 10 July 1951, negotiations finally began at Kaesong. 

The on again, off again armistice negotiations continued 

for two years, first at Kaesong (southern North Korea), 

then relocated at Panmunjom (bordering the Koreas). At 

first, they disagreed over a line of demarcation to be drawn 

between the opposing armies. Then they deadlocked early 

in 1952 over the exchange of prisoners. The U.N. insisted 

on the principle of voluntary repatriation, by which 

prisoners who did not wish to return to communism 

would not be forced to do so. 

In October 1952, the negotiations collapsed. Peace negotiations were 

resumed in the spring of 1953. By then, political conditions favoring a truce 

had resulted from two events, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s election as president 

and the death of Russia’s dictator, Joseph Stalin.

In April 1953, an exchange of sick and wounded prisoners was achieved. 

The communists then agreed to voluntary repatriation under supervision 

of a commission of neutral nations. Prisoners refusing repatriation were 

to be placed in custody of this commission. Representatives of their home 

countries were to be permitted to try to talk them into returning. Prisoners 

not persuaded to return were to be released to a neutral country unless a later 

political conference decided otherwise.

ARMISTICE 

In June 1953, agreement was reached for a demilitarized zone two and a half 

miles wide to separate the opposing forces in accord with the then-existing 

battle line. It was also agreed that neither side would increase its military 

strength during the armistice. A neutral-nations supervisory commission was 

authorized to investigate violations behind the lines of each side.

Dwight D. 

Eisenhower

25

Bloody Ridge was captured on 5 September 1951. It cost 

2,700 American and South Korean casualties and an

estimated 15,000 North Korean casualties. (U.S. Army 

photo)

Extremely crowded POW enclosures on Koje-do reduced 

United Nations control and permitted Red POW leaders to direct riots and other violence by prisoners. (U.S.

Army photo)
26 27

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

On 26 July, the two sides agreed on an agenda comprised of four major points: 

(1) setting a demarcation line and demilitarized zone; (2) supervision of the 

truce; (3) arrangements for prisoners of war; and (4) recommendations to 

the governments involved in the war. With the United Nations’ acceptance 

of India’s proposed Korean War armistice, the Korean People’s Army, the 

People’s Volunteer Army, and the U.N. Command ceased fire with the battle 

line approximately at the 38th parallel. Upon agreeing to the armistice, 

the belligerents established the Korean Demilitarized Zone. The United 

Nations Command, supported by the United States, the North Korean 

People’s Army, and the Chinese People’s Volunteers, signed the Armistice 

Agreement on 27 July 1953 to end the fighting. The armistice also called 

upon the governments of South Korea, North Korea, China, and the United 

States to participate in continued peace talks. The war is considered to have 

ended at this point, even though there was no peace treaty. The exchange of 

prisoners took place from August to September, 1953. The U.N. Command 

released 70,159 North Koreans and 5,640 Chinese. The communists released 

12,760 prisoners. Among them were 7,850 South Koreans, 3,597 Americans, 

945 Britons, and 228 Turks.

Korean representatives for peace talk at Kaesong, Korea, 1951.

After congressional authorization, President Ronald Reagan signed into 

law on 8 November 1985 the Prisoner of War Medal.

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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR THE KOREAN WAR • A GENERAL SUMMARY

General Mark W. Clark, Far East commander, signs the Korean armistice agreement 

on 27 July 1953, after two years of negotiation, during which hundreds of thousands of men were killed and wounded in continued hostilities. (U.S. Navy photo)

29
30 31

1950 Withdrawal from Kat’o-Ri, Master Sergeant Henrietta Snowden. 

(Courtesy of the Army Art Collection, U.S. Army Center of Military History)

MOBILIZATION 

OF THE ARMY RESERVE
32 33

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

READINESS

When the North Koreans crossed the 38th parallel into South Korea on 

25 June 1950, the U.S. Army, along with the other armed services, found 

itself ill prepared to resist. Readiness was at a low level. When the war 

erupted, many combat and service support units stood at one-quarter or 

less of their enlisted strength. The most crucial problems were manpower 

and mobilization. All the plans at the beginning of this war were for all-out 

war, not limited war as the Korean War was to become. Regulations setting 

forth the sequence to be followed on mobilization were not adequate for a 

rapid mobilization. Consequently, the entire mobilization process had to be 

improvised. According to contemporary thinking, the limited mobilization 

had to be directed both at providing and equipping the essential forces for 

fighting a limited war in Korea and at placing the United States in a position 

to meet communist threats on a world-wide basis.

World War II had ended in 1945 and the Cold War had begun. America’s 

Army had been subjected to demobilization and budget cuts. As of 30 June 

1950, the U.S. Army had an authorized strength of over 610,000, but an 

actual strength of approximately 594,000. There were more than 111,000 

troops in the Far East. The actual strength of combat troops of the Eighth 

Army, consisting of four American divisions in Japan, was less than 50 percent 

of the normal authorization.

In mid-1950, the active Army’s force structure consisted of ten divisions, 

four training divisions, and supporting troops. Because of the budgetary 

constraints of the post World War II era, most divisions were under strength, 

especially those in the Far East. In fact, only the 82d Airborne Division 

was at full strength in personnel and equipment. The other divisions were 

manned at 65 percent to 75 percent of their authorized strength. The nondivisional units were incapable of supporting the divisions in combat. World 

War II vintage equipment predominated. Civilians provided much of the 

service support. Mobilization stocks consisted of World War II items and 

were fashioned to support a war in Europe. The stocks were below planned 

levels, unbalanced, and poorly maintained. The Army had closed many of its 

logistical installations. 

GENERAL RESERVE

General of the Army and Commander in Chief, Far East Command, 

General Douglas MacArthur, faced an emergency need for combat forces 

in Korea. Because of President Truman’s commitment of ground forces to 

Korea, General MacArthur almost immediately asked for more units and for 

replacement personnel to fill his under strength units and to replace battle 

casualties. As his demands for troops increased, it soon became apparent to 

many that the active Army alone was not prepared to meet the challenge.

Initial reliance was on the General Reserve, that portion of the U.S. Army, 

normally located in the continental United States, whose primary mission is 

to be trained, equipped, and maintained in a state of readiness for immediate 

deployment to overseas theaters of operation in an offensive or defensive 

role. The General Reserve is distinct from the Army Reserve. 

To provide a rapid supply of men for the Far East Command, the Army placed 

levies on individuals and units in zone of interior commands. Consequently, 

the General Reserve gave up half of its combat units (infantry, tank, and 

artillery) and half of its support units to General MacArthur. Some charged 

that the readiness of the General Reserve suffered at the hand of expediency. 

It soon became clear that meeting the North Korean offensive would deplete 

the General Reserve.

Another negative effect of these actions seems to have been a serious 

reduction in the number of active Army soldiers available to train reservists 

and inductees. Congressional budgetary limitations held the General Reserve 

to a grievous under strength. It had no means of immediate augmentation for 

an emergency. It was, as one historian described, a “woeful situation.” 
34 35

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

BUILDING MANPOWER 

The Army built its manpower through four primary methods: 

(1) increased recruiting for the Active Army and 

extension of existing terms of enlistment by 12 months; 

(2) use of Selective Service, which Congress extended for one year;

(3) ordering individuals and units of the Organized Reserve Corps 

into federal service; 

(4) ordering National Guard units into federal service.

The last two sources of manpower were for terms of twenty-one months, 

later extended to twenty-four months. 

Engineers of the 2nd Infantry Division construct a by-pass for heavy equipment to cross the 

Hwang-gang River in order to give support to the infantry, five miles on the other side of the river.

Only jeeps can cross on the damaged bridges at left on 25 September 1950. (Department of 

Defense photo)

THE ORGANIZED RESERVE CORPS

Frank Pace, Jr.

Realizing the desperate need for manpower, President 

Truman turned to the reserve component. As Secretary of 

the Army Frank Pace, Jr. put it, we turned to “our 

sole immediate source of manpower–that is, to the 

members of the Organized Reserve Corps and the 

National Guard.” 

ORGANIZED RESERVE CORPS: ROLES/MISSIONS 

Although several plans were considered between 1945 and 1950 to reorganize 

the Organized Reserve Corps and the National Guard, by 1950 the general 

structure and missions resembled those that had existed before World War 

II.

The Selective Service Act of 1948 controlled entrance into the reserve 

components. The act stipulated that men between nineteen and twenty-six 

who either volunteered for the active Army or were inducted for twenty-one 

months should serve, subsequently, in a reserve component for five years but 

without any obligations concerning active duty for training or attendance at 

drills. This five year obligation could be lowered to three by enlisting for that 

number of years in an Organized Reserve Corps or a National Guard unit. 

An individual could eliminate the five year obligation entirely by extending 

active service for one more year. Young enlistees had other options. 

Other legislation strengthened the Organized Reserve Corps by allowing 

pay for inactive duty training and increased the attractiveness of the 

Corps and the National Guard by allowing reserve soldiers to qualify for 

retired pay.
36 37

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

ASSIGNED STRENGTHS, ORGANIZED RESERVE CORPS

30 JUNE 1950

Category Officers Enlisted Total

Active Reserve 69,789 114,226 184,015

Volunteer 

Reserve 147,646 176,956 324,602

Inactive 

Reserve 71,933 19,867 91,800

Total 289,368 311,049 600,417

TRAINING

The active Reserve units were authorized various numbers of paid drills per 

year plus fifteen days of annual active duty for training. Some units, however, 

were authorized as little as twelve drills per year. Lack of funds, equipment, 

and facilities curbed training of these units and men, which all affected 

combat readiness. Training of the Volunteer Reserve consisted exclusively of 

correspondence courses and, if the budget allowed, fifteen days of active duty 

for training, annually. The Inactive Reserve had no training obligations. The 

main strength of all elements of the Army Reserve was the wartime training 

and experience of most of its members. Still, a number of reserve soldiers 

lacked training in critical military occupational specialties.

CALL-UP

On 30 June 1950, Congress authorized President Truman to call-up 

Volunteer and Inactive Reserve soldiers for use as replacements and fillers 

for the active Army. The president needed Congressional authorization since 

he had not yet declared a national emergency. There were five recalls of 

officers and three recalls of enlisted personnel. The involuntary recalls came 

in answer to the poor response to a voluntary recall. 

The Joint Chiefs of Staff agreed with the call-up, stating that military 

requirements “cannot be fully met in time by merely strengthening units 

already in existence or by filling them with untrained men through the 

Selective Service process or recruitment. Also, it has developed that the 

requirements for units and personnel cannot be met on the basis of voluntary 

return of Reserves to active duty for which approval presently exists.”

CREEPING MOBILIZATION

This limited mobilization of manpower has been referred to by some as 

“creeping mobilization.” The mid-July 1950 authorized strength of the 

Army was 834,000. It provided for an additional division and twenty-four 

anti-aircraft battalions over pre-Korean force levels. Other adjustments 

followed. On 3 August 1950, Congress removed the existing limitations on 

the size of the armed forces. The secretary of defense set future levels. On 17 

April 1951, after the Chinese Communist intervention in November 1950, 

the authorized strength rose to 1,552,000. It was after the Chinese entered 

the war that President Truman declared a national emergency.
38 39

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

Men of the 378th Engineer Combat Battalion install treadways during the 

construction of a bridge across the Pukhan River on 19 November 1951. (Veterans 

Armed Forces Network Image Gallery)

A 4.2-inch mortar crew of the Heavy Mortar Company, 179th Regiment, 45th U.S.

Infantry Division, fires on Communist positions, west of Chorwon, Korea, 5 May 

1952. (Signal Corps Photo #10-296-1/FEC-52-13339 (Kassal))

38

RESERVE UNITS/PERSONNEL

The major units of the Active Reserve were not called to active duty. The 

Army considered them as part of a final reserve in the event of contingencies 

in other areas of the world, especially Europe. But, individuals were called 

from these units. In some cases, this led to a reduction in unit integrity. 

Distinct from many of the individual reservists, units often were absolutely 

unready for deployment. The main reason was the failure in peacetime to 

man these units at effective Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE). 

For example, soon after mobilization, the strength of two National Guard 

units, the 40th and 45th Infantry Divisions, similar to many other reserve 

component units, was 50 percent or less of the TOE. 

Readiness was further hampered by shortages of qualified personnel in 

critical military occupational specialty positions, therefore, preventing the 

divisions from having a full cadre when inducted. This delayed combat 

readiness because of the time needed to train cadre personnel and to receive 

and assimilate untrained fillers assigned directly from the reception stations. 

Both of these two particular divisions, like many other Reserve Component 

units, lost a major portion of their assigned pre-mobilization strength, since 

men who were eligible for discharge upon mobilization had been carried 

on the rolls in peacetime. Between August 1950 and September 1951, over 

500 miscellaneous units of the Active Reserve, which totaled some 5,370 

officers and 28,850 enlisted men, received orders to active duty to round out 

active Army divisions. Insufficient funds and low recruiting rates hampered 

the organization of all Organized Reserve units at full strength, which would 

have required 146,000 officers and 956,000 enlisted men. In the several recalls 

during this period, the Army acquired 168,470 soldiers (43,106 officers and 

125,364 enlisted men) from the Volunteer and Inactive Reserve. 
40 41

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

PERSONNEL ISSUES

Personnel records were not always current, leading to several problems such 

as recalling inactive reserve soldiers before volunteer reserve soldiers and 

discharging many reserve soldiers soon after induction. What resulted was 

an extensive program to complete and update the records.

Other problems often stemmed from the Army’s unclear and inconsistent 

policies concerning reserve soldiers reporting for service. First given twentyone days between notification and reporting date, that time sometimes 

dwindled to less than a week. The Army recalled many based on World 

War II military skills for which a requirement no longer existed. The Army 

recalled others based on military occupational specialty requirements that 

could have been satisfied with available men and minor on-the-job training. 

The lack of standardization in mobilization procedures, at least for awhile, 

further aggravated matters. 

The Army did not have a strong understanding of the status of its reserve 

soldiers. Since February 1947, there had been no requirement for reserve 

soldiers to have physical examinations. As a result, it was unknown in 1950 

how many of those called-up could qualify physically for service. 

According to one source, 10 percent of all Army Reserve soldiers were 

physically unfit to serve. Many more reserve soldiers than expected had to 

be called in order to fill quotas, which created administrative delays. Other 

delays came from the changed economic status of some, which meant active 

duty would result in inordinate economic hardship. Some 10 percent were 

ineligible to serve for other reasons. 

By October 1950, the Army was addressing these and other procedural 

problems in an effort to improve the activation process for recalled units 

and individuals. Revised regulations standardized induction and movement 

orders and improved methods of coordination between echelons. 

Medical Corpsmen of the 1st Battalion Aid Station, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th 

U. S. Infantry Division, assist in helping wounded infantrymen of Companies 

D and L, 31st Regiment, following the fight for Hill 598 on 14 October 1952.

Kumhwa, Korea. (Signal Corps photo #1-4885-4/FEC-52-30954 (Sylvester))

Wounded infantrymen of Co L, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th U.S. Infantry 

Division, light up cigarettes after receiving first aid following a battle for Hill 

598 near Kumhwa. 14 October 1952. Korea. (Signal Corps photo #1-4885-3/

FEC-52-30953 (Sylvester))

41
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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

REPLACEMENTS 

In mid-August 1950, General MacArthur requested that reserve soldiers 

be transferred immediately from the United States to his command as 

replacements. The Office of the Chief of Army Field Forces agreed but 

wanted the recalled reserve soldiers first to receive three weeks of refresher 

training. In actuality, processing time often cut into training time.

MANPOWER STRENGTH: 1951 

According to one study, by the end of May 1951 almost 202,000 members of 

the Army Reserve were on active duty. These soldiers were part of the Army’s 

over 1,500,000, as of 30 June 1951. By June 1951, eighteen divisions and the 

necessary supporting units had been formed. Eight of them were in Korea. 

After this date, there was little net accretion to Army strength. Personnel 

mobilization, however, continued as a result of the need to release soldiers 

whose terms had expired and to replace them with new trainees. In 1952, 

the total number of divisions rose to twenty with the addition of two more 

National Guard divisions.

MILITARY TRAINING AND SERVICE ACT

In an effort to strengthen manpower, Congress passed the universal Military 

Training and Service Act of 1951. It extended selective service until 1955, 

lowered the draft age from nineteen to eighteen, and increased the period of 

service to twenty-four months. It also provided a means of replenishing the 

depleted Organized Reserve Corps. 

The act imposed an obligation on men completing their term of service to 

continue in the Organized Reserve Corps for six more years. Meanwhile, 

it made necessary the release of many of the inactive and volunteer reserve 

soldiers previously called to active duty by stipulating that any who had served 

in World War II should be released on the completion of seventeen months 

of service. As a result, there was a significant turnover of Army personnel 

during the last two years of the war. Enlisted strength in June 1951 had 

been 45 percent regulars, 40 percent selectees, and 15 percent Reserve and 

National Guard. By June 1953, it was 41 percent active Army, 57.5 percent 

selectees, and 1.5 percent Reserve and National Guard.

TOTAL NUMBER

The total number of Organized Reserve Corps members who served in Korea 

has not been determined. However, some 240,500 Organized Reserve Corps 

members were called to active duty. According to one source, 40 percent 

of the organized reserve’s strength mobilized. Over seventy units went to 

Korea. More than 400 units were called to active duty. 

WOMEN IN THE ARMY RESERVE

When the Korean War began in June 1950, women in the armed services 

numbered 22,000. About 7,000 of these women were healthcare professionals. 

The others served in line assignments in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC); 

Women in the Air Force (WAF); Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency 

Service, or Navy Women’s Reserve (WAVES); and Women Marines. Although 

Congress had passed the Women’s Armed Forces Integration Act in 1948, 

giving women increased prospects for military careers, the Department of 

Defense’s efforts to recruit more women during the Korean War met with 

limited success and were discontinued in 1952. Individually, the WAC, 

WAVES, WAF and Women Marines each increased their strength during the 

war. However, the overall number of enlisted women in the services during 

the Korean War declined as a net percentage of Armed Forces personnel.
44 45

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

Flight nurse 2nd Lt. Pauline Kircher dresses a patient’s wound during the flight from Korea to Japan, 

May 1951. (U.S. Air Force photo)

There had been no women in 

the Organized Reserve prior to 

World War II. After the war, 

there was no legal authority for 

them to join the Organized 

Reserve. This changed in 1947 

when Congress authorized 

members of the Army Nurse 

Corps and Women’s Medical 

Specialist Corps to serve in the 

Organized Reserve. The 

Women’s Armed Forces 

Integration Act of 1948 authorized Women’s Army Corps (WAC) members 

to serve in the Regular Army and Organized Reserve. A restriction of the act 

was that only prior service women could join the Organized Reserve. That 

meant that WAC Organized Reserve members were World War II veterans. 

This provision was eliminated in May 1950.

MASH Group in Korea - note 3 women.

With the Korean War, the 

need for more personnel from 

the Women’s Army Corps 

increased quickly because 

Army leaders saw these women 

as a way of releasing male 

soldiers for combat duty. To 

supplement WAC numbers, 

the Army-initiated voluntary 

and involuntary recalls for 

WAC reserve soldiers, began a 

large-scale recruiting campaign, and suspended the separation-on-marriage 

rule. The rule was reinstated for enlisted women and officers in July 1951 

and October 1952, respectively. Nearly 1,600 members of the WAC, Army 

Nurse Corps, and Women’s Medical Specialist Corps, who were members of 

the Organized Reserve Corps volunteered for active duty in the Army 

between July 1950 and June 1951. Fewer than 200 WACs were involuntarily 

45

Nurses at Work, John Groth. 

(Courtesy of the Army Art Collection, U.S. Army Center of Military History)
46 47

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

recalled to active duty in 1951. That was the first time women were summoned 

to active duty without their consent.

Female soldiers served worldwide during the Korean War. The number of 

women in the Far East Command increased from 629 in 1950 to 2,600 in 

1951. WAC units in Japan went from two in 1950 to nine by1953. 

Many female soldiers took the places of male soldiers needed in combat units 

as they had during World War II. These included occupations not open to 

women before the war. Other traditional garrison noncommissioned officers 

positions, supply sergeant, motor sergeant, mess sergeant, were newlyassumed by female noncommissioned officers.

A U.S. Army nurse (right) visits her brother who was 

wounded in battle in Korea and evacuated to Tripler 

Army Hospital in Hawaii.

WAC soldiers performed a wide 

range of occupational specialties, though they were prohibited from combat-related assignments. They served mainly in 

personnel and administration, 

communications, intelligence, 

medical, supply, and food 

service units. WACs also had 

assignments as draftsman and 

censors and performed parachute rigging and weather observation duties. 

The shortage of male soldiers in some overseas commands created more 

opportunities for women to serve in supervisory capacities and in some of 

the military occupational specialties traditionally reserved for men. Army 

nurses served in hospitals close to the front lines in Korea (to include the 

famous Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals, the MASH units). In the U.S. military hospitals in Japan, where many of the combat soldiers wounded in Korea were sent, WAC sergeants became ward masters. In other locations, 

women became senior noncommissioned officers holding jobs in motor 

pools, mess halls and post offices. WACs in Japan also provided services 

outside their regular work assignments, donating blood for soldiers wounded in Korea and “adopting” fighting units — supplying them with stationery, 

food, books and knitting the men socks and sweaters.

47

Nurse Giving Plasma, John Groth. 

(Courtesy of the Army Art Collection, U.S. Army Center of Military History)
48 49

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

Although few in number compared to the number of male reserve soldiers 

during the Korean War, the women reserve soldiers of the Korean War era 

answered the Army’s call to duty. They performed well, setting the stage for 

an increased role for women in the Army Reserve. 

ARMED FORCES RESERVE ACT OF 1952

In response to the severe weaknesses in the U.S. reserve forces and inequities for 

veterans revealed by the partial mobilization during the Korean War, Congress 

passed the Armed Forces Reserve Act of 1952 which changed the nature of 

the reserve components. The act created the strategic reserve. It renamed 

the Organized Reserve as the Army Reserve. The legislation established 

three categories of reserve forces — Ready, Standby, and Retired — subject to 

different liabilities for mobilization. The most important of those categories, 

the Ready Reserve, was authorized a strength of 1.5 million personnel, 

including the entire National Guard. The Ready Reserve could be mobilized 

in a national emergency declared by the president. Foremost, Congress 

established a policy that in future mobilizations, reserve component cohesive 

units should be called-up first before any levies on reserve manpower pools. 

Company F, 9th Infantry, advances in central 

Korea. Artillery dominated offensive effort, but 

it was the bloody infantry that captured and 

held ground. Late 1952. (National Archives 

photo)

Flooded bridge crossing on main supply route.

The weather could make logistical movement 

difficult in Korea, but it was just as bad for 

the enemy. Spring 1953. (National Archives 

photo)

LESSONS LEARNED

The Korean War was a catalyst for change. There were several lessons 

learned. Although the improvised, creeping mobilization was geared to 

a limited war, the available facilities and equipment were not adequate to 

support the requirements of operations and the rapid production of combat 

ready units. The decision not to use all Organized Reserve Corps units led 

to the unplanned, often poor use of the Volunteer and Inactive Reserve. 

This practice led Congress to decide that in the future, reserve component 

units would be called up in national emergencies before any levies on reserve 

manpower pools. 

These and other lessons learned culminated in the Armed Forces Reserve Act 

of 1952. The law redefined the reserve components and stipulated that each 

component would have a Ready Reserve, a Standby Reserve, and a Retired 

Reserve. The act eliminated the Officers’ Reserve Corps and the Enlisted 

Reserve Corps. The Organized Reserve Corps was renamed the Army 

Reserve. The Ready Reserve was to have a ceiling of 1,5000,00 members 

who were liable for active duty during wartime or any national emergency 

declared by Congress or the president. Members of the Standby and Ready 

Reserve were liable for active duty under a congressional declaration. Other 

provisions of the act intended to further clarify the status of the reserve 

components. 

THE CASUALTIES OF WAR

On 27 July 1953, the Korean War ended with the signing of an armistice. 

The three-year long war had been characterized by one year of hot, contested 

battles, and two years of sporadic defensive warfare. The U.S. suffered 

33,651 battles deaths; 20,617 non-battle deaths; 103,284 wounded; and 

8,207 missing in action. Over 5,000 Americans were prisoners of war. More 

than 50,000 South Korean soldiers died. The United Nations Command 

suffered some 500,000 casualties of which 94,000 were killed. According to 
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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MOBILIZATION OF THE ARMY RESERVE

estimates, the communists lost between 1.5 and 2 million killed, wounded, 

prisoners of war, or missing. This was America’s limited half-war; America’s 

so-called forgotten war.

This brief commemorative is dedicated to all those who served in the Korean 

War, but especially to Army Reserve soldiers who, as one study concluded, 

“made major contributions in providing a ready source of replacement 

personnel, in augmenting the training base, and in the eventual production 

of combat-ready units.” The sacrifice they and all soldiers made should not 

be forgotten, for: 

Freedom is not free.

As the Department of Defense 60th Anniversary of the Korean War 

Commemoration Committee stated: “We must never forget the selfless 

sacrifices of the Veterans who fought in Korea to ensure the freedom and 

prosperity we enjoy today. The Veterans who shivered in the trenches, tracked 

through knee-deep mud, flew combat missions over rugged mountainous 

terrain, and stood watch over hostile seas set aside their own comfort, safety 

and aspirations to answer the call to arms at a time when our nation was still 

exhausted from the horrors of World War II. These patriots halted the tide 

of communism that threatened to sweep over the Korean peninsula. Today 

the Republic of Korea stands as a modern, prosperous, vibrant democracy 

because of their courage and selfless sacrifice.” 

“Let me not mourn 

for the men who 

have died fighting, 

but rather 

let me be glad 

that such heroes 

have lived.”

General George S. Patton

51
52 53

MEDAL OF HONOR 

FOR 

EXCEPTIONAL SOLDIERS
54 55

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MEDAL OF HONOR FOR EXCEPTIONAL SOLDIERS

Among those who received the nation’s highest decoration for valor, the 

Medal of Honor, during the Korean War were a number of former members 

of the Organized Reserve. Three of these men were Lieutenant Colonel John 

U.D. Page, Captain Raymond Harvey and Corporal Hiroshi Miyamura.

PAGE AT CHOSIN

The story of the 1st Marine Division’s battle at the Chosin Reservoir and 

its fight against thousands of enemy soldiers to reach safety at Hungnam is 

one of the illustrious epics of Marine Corps history. There were, however, 

a number of Army troops mixed in with the Marines who fought alongside 

them. One of these was a former Army Reserve soldier who received a 

posthumous Medal of Honor for his courage during the Chosin Reservoir 

campaign.

Lieutenant Colonel 

John Upshur

Dennis Page

Lieutenant Colonel John Upshur Dennis Page was the 

son of a regular Army officer, born in the Philippines. He 

was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer in the 

Organized Reserve in 1926. Called to active duty in 1942, 

he served as an instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, until he 

managed a combat assignment to Europe and command of 

an artillery battalion. After World War II, he received a 

regular Army commission.

When the Korean War began, he again had to pull strings in order to get 

overseas. Assigned to X Corps, Page was attached to the 52d Transportation 

Battalion until a battalion command opened up. On 29 November 1950, 

Page moved north from X Corps Headquarters in Hamhung to establish 

checkpoints for regulating traffic along the Main Supply Route (MSR) to the 

Marines at the Chosin Reservoir. When the Chinese cut the MSR, Page 

made his way to the Marines surrounded at Koto-ri, at the south end of the 

reservoir. He organized an ad hoc unit of Army soldiers trapped with the 

Marines there. Led by Page, this makeshift company fought off Chinese 

efforts to prevent an Army engineer battalion from completing an 

Navy Cross

airstrip at Koto-ri to evacuate the wounded. Page fought 

at Koto-ri until 9 December, when he flew out to 

coordinate artillery support for the Marines’ breakout 

from the Chosin Reservoir. He could have stayed in 

relative safety at Hungnam. Instead he returned to the cut 

off Marines and joined the rear guard. Page seemed to be 

everywhere as the Marines and soldiers battled their way 

to the sea. He was killed on the night of 10 December as 

he led an attack on an enemy blocking position. The Marine Corps awarded 

Page a posthumous Navy Cross for his heroic actions. A belated Medal of 

Honor was presented to his widow on 2 April 1957. 

A column of the U.S. 1st Marine Division moves through Chinese lines during their breakout 

from the Chosin Reservoir. (Corporal Peter McDonald, USMC)
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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MEDAL OF HONOR FOR EXCEPTIONAL SOLDIERS

THE MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:

Lt. Col. Page, a member of X Corps Artillery, distinguished himself by 

conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call 

of duty in a series of exploits. On 29 November, Lt. Col. Page left X Corps 

Headquarters at Hamhung with the mission of establishing traffic control 

on the main supply route to 1st Marine Division positions and those of 

some Army elements on the Chosin Reservoir plateau. Having completed 

his mission Lt. Col. Page was free to return to the safety of Hamhung but 

chose to remain on the plateau to aid an isolated signal station, thus being 

cut off with elements of the marine division. After rescuing his jeep driver 

by breaking up an ambush near a destroyed bridge Lt. Col. Page reached 

the lines of a surrounded marine garrison at Koto-ri. He then voluntarily 

developed and trained a reserve force of assorted army troops trapped with 

the marines. By exemplary leadership and tireless devotion he made an 

effective tactical unit available. In order that casualties might be evacuated, 

an airstrip was improvised on frozen ground partly outside of the Koto-ri 

defense perimeter which was continually under enemy attack. During 2 such 

attacks, Lt. Col. Page exposed himself on the airstrip to direct fire on the 

enemy, and twice mounted the rear deck of a tank, manning the machine gun 

on the turret to drive the enemy back into a no man’s land. On 3 December 

while being flown low over enemy lines in a light observation plane, Lt. 

Col. Page dropped hand grenades on Chinese positions and sprayed 

foxholes with automatic fire from his carbine. After 10 days of constant 

fighting the marine and army units in the vicinity of the Chosin Reservoir 

had succeeded in gathering at the edge of the plateau and Lt. Col. Page 

was flown to Hamhung to arrange for artillery support of the beleaguered 

troops attempting to break out. Again Lt. Col. Page refused an opportunity 

to remain in safety and returned to give every assistance to his comrades. As 

the column slowly moved south Lt. Col. Page joined the rear guard. When it 

neared the entrance to a narrow pass it came under frequent attacks on both 

flanks. Mounting an abandoned tank Lt. Col. Page manned the machine gun, 

braved heavy return fire, and covered the passing vehicles until the danger 

diminished. Later when another attack threatened his section of the convoy, 

then in the middle of the pass, Lt. Col. Page took a machine gun to the 

56
58 59

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MEDAL OF HONOR FOR EXCEPTIONAL SOLDIERS

hillside and delivered effective counter fire, remaining exposed while men 

and vehicles passed through the ambuscade. On the night of 10 December 

the convoy reached the bottom of the pass but was halted by a strong enemy 

force at the front and on both flanks. Deadly small-arms fire poured into the 

column. Realizing the danger to the column as it lay motionless, Lt. Col. 

Page fought his way to the head of the column and plunged forward into 

the heart of the hostile position. His intrepid action so surprised the enemy 

that their ranks became disordered and suffered heavy casualties. Heedless 

of his safety, as he had been throughout the preceding 10 days, Lt. Col. Page 

remained forward, fiercely engaging the enemy single-handed until mortally 

wounded. By his valiant and aggressive spirit Lt. Col. Page enabled friendly 

forces to stand off the enemy. His outstanding courage, unswerving devotion 

to duty, and supreme self-sacrifice reflect great credit upon Lt. Col. Page and 

are in the highest tradition of the military service.

HARVEY ON HILL 1232

Captain Raymond 

Harvey

Captain Raymond Harvey, commander of Company C, 

1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry 

Division, received the Medal of Honor for his actions 

near Taemi-Dong, Korea, on 9 March 1951. Harvey, a 

Chickasaw native of Ford City, Pennsylvania, was a 

highly-decorated World War II combat veteran. 

While serving in the 79th Infantry Division (Organized 

Reserve), he received the Distinguished Service Cross, 

two Silver Stars, and two Purple Hearts for combat in 

Europe. After the war, Harvey joined the Organized 

Reserve. Assigned to a quartermaster unit, Harvey longed 

for infantry duty again. He told this to the regular Army 

officer who was his reserve unit advisor, Captain Reginald 

B. Desiderio. Desiderio took care of the paperwork and 

Harvey was soon voluntarily recalled to active duty in 

1948. He went ashore with the 7th Division at Inchon in 

September 1950. Harvey took command of C Company shortly before the 

Chinese attacked in November and led the company out of North Korea. 

When the Eighth Army went back on the offensive, C Company soon gained 

a reputation for aggressiveness.

Silver Star

On 9 March 1951, Harvey’s company was the lead unit in 

the battalion’s attack on Hill 1232. When enemy machine 

guns pinned down the company, Harvey moved forward 

alone. He killed the crew of one machine gun with 

grenades. Advancing to a second position, he killed five 

of the enemy with his carbine. He had just eliminated a 

third position when he was shot through the lung. 

Seriously wounded, he was still able to direct his company, 

enabling it to destroy the remaining enemy positions. Only when assured the 

objective was taken, did Harvey consent to be evacuated. At the aid station, 

Lieutenant General Matthew Ridgway met Harvey. As he was being prepped 

for surgery, he was presented the Silver Star he had earned five months 

earlier in North Korea. On 5 July 1951, President Truman presented Harvey 

the Medal of Honor at the White House for his heroic actions on Hill 1232.

Distinguished 

Service Cross Soldiers keep a sharp lookout for movement in the communist-held area in the background 

as U.N. forces bombard the vicinity with white phosphorous shells. (Photo #: SC 357227, 

National Archives)
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UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MEDAL OF HONOR FOR EXCEPTIONAL SOLDIERS

THE MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:

Capt. Harvey Company C, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry 

and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action. When his 

company was pinned down by a barrage of automatic weapons fire from 

numerous well-entrenched emplacements, imperiling accomplishment of 

its mission, Capt. Harvey braved a hail of fire and exploding grenades to 

advance to the first enemy machine gun nest, killing its crew with grenades. 

Rushing to the edge of the next emplacement, he killed its crew with carbine 

fire. He then moved the 1st Platoon forward until it was again halted by a 

curtain of automatic fire from well fortified hostile positions. Disregarding 

the hail of fire, he personally charged and neutralized a third emplacement. 

Miraculously escaping death from intense crossfire, Capt. Harvey continued 

to lead the assault. Spotting an enemy pillbox well camouflaged by logs, 

he moved close enough to sweep the emplacement with carbine fire and 

throw grenades through the openings, annihilating its 5 occupants. Though 

wounded he then turned to order the company forward, and, suffering 

agonizing pain, he continued to direct the reduction of the remaining 

hostile positions, refusing evacuation until assured that the mission would 

be accomplished. Capt. Harvey’s valorous and intrepid actions served as an 

inspiration to his company, reflecting the utmost glory upon himself and 

upholding the heroic traditions of the military service.

MIYAMURA’S “SECRET” MEDAL OF HONOR

Staff Sergeant

Hiroshi Miyamura

On 25 April 1951, Corporal Hiroshi Miyamura’s position 

near Taejon-ni, Korea, was overrun. Miyamura, reported 

missing at the time, was recommended for the Medal of 

Honor for his courage during the night of 24-25 April. 

Miyamura, a native of Gallup, New Mexico, was on his 

way to join the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team 

in Italy during World War II when the war ended. He 

instead joined the Enlisted Reserve Corps, and it was 

from the reserves that he entered the active Army early in

the Korean War. He became a machine gun squad leader in Company H, 7th 

Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, X Corps. He was on the last ship 

to leave in late December when X Corps evacuated there after the Chinese 

intervention in November 1950. By April 1951, Miyamura was near Taejonni, south of the Imjin River. The Chinese were on the attack again. His 

platoon sergeant ordered him to take charge of fifteen men, machine gunners, 

riflemen, and ammo carriers on a nearby hill and hold the position as long as 

possible. On the night of 24-25 April, he did just that. Throughout the night, 

he repelled determined enemy assaults on his position, either by manning one 

of the machine guns or in hand-to-hand combat. With ammunition almost 

exhausted, Miyamura ordered his surviving men to take off while he covered 

their withdrawal. They made it to safety; he did not. Miyamura killed more 

than fifty enemy soldiers until he was severely wounded.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower congratulates

Korean War veteran Army Staff Sergeant Hiroshi

H. Miyamura after presenting him the Medal

of Honor. (Wikipedia)

Miyamura was captured and held 

in a Chinese prisoner of war camp 

for more than two years. News of 

his Medal of Honor was withheld 

for fear the Chinese might retaliate 

against him. He was released from 

captivity on 23 August 1953. At 

Freedom Village, near 

Panmunjom, an American general 

informed him he had been awarded 

the Medal of Honor. On 27 

October 1953, in a ceremony at 

the White House, President 

Dwight D. Eisenhower presented 

Miyamuara, now Staff Sergeant 

Miyamura, his Medal of Honor.
62

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR MEDAL OF HONOR FOR EXCEPTIONAL SOLDIERS

THE MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION:

Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by 

conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty 

in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was 

occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked 

threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machine gun squad 

leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped 

from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing 

approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered 

first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage 

assault hit the line, he manned his machine gun and delivered withering 

fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw 

while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted 

his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement 

and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated 

the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back 

while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the 

enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. 

He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing 

to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was 

fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. 

Cpl. Miyamura’s indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty 

reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on 

the military service. Corporal Hiroshi Miyamura by George Akimoto, 1977

63
64 65

A SELECTIVE 

CHRONOLOGY 
66 67

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR A SELECTIVE CHRONOLOGY

1950

25 June:

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Army (North Korea) artillery and 

mortars open fire on Republic of Korea (South Korea) Army positions 

south of the 38th parallel, the line then serving as the border between the 

two countries. At 11 a.m. North Korea announced a formal declaration of 

war and what is now known as the Korean War officially began. The U.N. 

Security Council passed a resolution calling for the immediate cessation of 

hostilities and the withdrawal of North Korean forces to north of the 38th 

parallel.

26 June:

The South Korean government leaves Seoul for Taejon. President Truman 

meets with State Department and Defense Department officials. He 

authorizes General Douglas MacArthur to: (1) send ammunition and 

equipment to prevent the loss of Seoul and (2) provide ships and aircraft to 

evacuate American citizens, plus Air Force fighters and Navy ships to protect 

the evacuation, (3) send a survey party to Korea to study the situation and 

determine how best to help the Republic of Korea government and military. 

General MacArthur issues an alert order telling all combat units in the Far 

East to prepare for possible deployment to Korea.

27 June:

The U.N. asks member countries to aid South Korea. The South Korean 

Army abandons Seoul. The Senate Armed Services Committee initiates 

action on a call-up of reserve components.

28 June: 

By midnight Seoul is in North Korean hands.

29 June: 

General MacArthur sends a message to the Joint Chiefs recommending 

introducing U.S. ground forces into battle. President Truman receives and 

U.N. Command - Far East Command

Eight Army X Corps Far East

Air Forces

Japan Logistical

Command

Naval Forces

Far East

Figure 1: Theater Lines of Command for Operations in Korea, 23 November 1950.

UNC

EIGHTH

ROKA

X

I

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXX

XXX

XX

XX

X X

II

I

XXX XXX

XX XX

X

III

II

II

1

BR

29

187

FIL

10

THAI

XX

XX

XX

XX

XXX

KMAG

HfyW

XX

XX

XX

XX

III

X

I

1 Mar

ROK

ROK

Cap

ROK

3 (-)

4I RYL

ROK 3

Mar 

Cmdo

3

7

1 KMC

2 Spl

Spl Opns

XX

XX

XX

ROK2

ROK

ROK5

ROK9

ROK 6

ROK

ROK 7

ROK 8

25

2

TURK

LOG

000

UNRC 00 SWED

RED

CROSS

NETH Operational Control III

2

LOG 3

24

ROK I

BR

27 CWL

3 RYLAUS

IND 60

ROKII

XXX

I IX II III

Figure 2: Organization of United Nations Command Forces in Korea, 23 November 1950.
68 69

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR A SELECTIVE CHRONOLOGY

North Korean T-34 tank. (U.S. Army photo)

approves the recommendation. North Korean troops cross the Han River in 

the Kimpo area and take the air field.

30 June: 

General MacArthur receives permission to employ U.S. ground support 

forces and to carry the war into North Korea and the waters offshore but 

to stay well clear of the Manchurian and Soviet borders. Later in the day 

he receives permission to deploy one regimental combat team to Korea to 

establish a defense line in the Pusan area to assure retention of the port. A 

few hours after this, the order was expanded to two combat divisions and 

with permission to employ these forces against North Korean forces in the 

Suwon area. The United States is now fully committed to the Korean War. 

Congress authorizes the call-up of National Guard and Organized Reserve 

Corps units and individuals and sets the term of service at twenty-one 

months. President Truman extends selective service until 9 July 1951. 

4 July:

Task Force Smith consolidates at P’yongtaek and is joined by part of the 52nd 

Field Artillery Battalion. Task Force Smith is ordered to take up positions 

north of Osan.

5 July:

Task Force Smith reaches the selected defense positions and begins 

digging in.

8 July:

Shortly before daybreak North Korean T-34 tanks enter Ch’onan from the 

east as did infantry units. By afternoon, Ch’onan is in North Korean hands. 

Truman names General Douglas MacArthur as Commanding General of 

United Nations Military Forces. 

10 July:

The first tank-to-tank battle of the Korean War takes place south of 1st 

Battalion positions and Choch’iwon. 

12 July:

The 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division arrives at Pusan.

14 July:

President Syngman Rhee places all Republic of Korea military forces under 

U.N. command.

19 July:

President Truman approves raising the Army’s authorized strength to over 

800,000. The president gives the secretary of defense the authority to call-up 

the National Guard and the Organized Reserve Corps.

22 July:

The Army requests reserve officers to volunteer for active duty.

3 August:

The call for volunteers from the Organized Reserve Corps fails to produce 

an adequate response. The Army resorts to an involuntary recall of enlisted 

men. The Army orders some 30,000 to report in September, with the bulk of 

the levies on the Volunteer and Inactive Reserve.
70 71

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR A SELECTIVE CHRONOLOGY

An American mortar crew fires on North Korean positions at Chochiwon, 11 July 1950.

(U.S. Army photo)

Republic of Korea soldiers march in typical 

column formation toward the front in August, 

1950, during the Pusan Perimeter battle. This 

is a standard narrow dirt Korean road raised 

above rice paddies. (U.S. Army photo)

4 August:

The Pusan Perimeter in southeastern Korea is established. 

10 August:

President Truman approves an increase in the strength of the Army to over 

1,000,000. The Army begins an involuntary recall program for reserve 

officers. 

13 August:

The first U.S. counterattack collapses.

23 August:

The Army recalls 77,000 members of the Organized Reserve Corps 

involuntarily.

27 August-15 September: 

Pusan Perimeter battles begin and are the heaviest fighting of the war.

16 September: 

Within the Pusan Perimeter the “breakout” attack begins.

22 September: 

For all intents and purposes, the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter is over.

19- 29 September: 

U.N. forces counterattack and recapture Seoul.

27 September: 

The Joint Chiefs of Staff send General MacArthur a comprehensive directive 

to unite all of Korea under Syngman Rhee, if possible. However, there are 

limitations. He is to determine whether Soviet or Chinese intervention is 

likely and to report any such threat at once.

27 September: 

Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall, Jr. approves an increase in the 

Army’s strength to 1,263,000 by the end of fiscal year 1951.

29 September: 

On the east coast and central corridor, Republic of Korea forces make rapid 

advances and are approaching the 38th parallel in both sectors. Meanwhile, 

General Douglas MacArthur receives permission to cross into North Korea.

30 September: 

Except for mopping up, South Korea is back under its government’s control.

1 October: 

General MacArthur issues a demand that North Korea surrender. China’s 

Cho En-lai warns “The Chinese people will not tolerate foreign aggression 

and will not stand aside should the imperialists wantonly invade territory of 

their neighbor.” The Republic of Korea 3rd Division on Korea’s east coast 

pursues communist troops across the 38th parallel with no resistance. 
72 73

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR A SELECTIVE CHRONOLOGY

2 October: 

India warns the U.N. that China said it will enter the war if U.N. forces 

cross the 38th parallel. General MacArthur issues United Nations Command 

Operations Order 2, which is the plan to order U.N. forces to cross into 

North Korea. Republic of Korea Army troops are already twenty to thirty 

miles north of the 38th parallel on the east coast at this time.

3 October: 

Eighth Army issues its attack order across the 38th parallel calling for U.S. 

I-Corps to seize a line west of the Imjin River. 

5 October: 

Mao Tse Tung

Red China Radio says the Korean War “has just begun” and 

that it will be “a drawn-out war of attrition perilous for 

foreign aggressors.” Mao Tse Tung has already decided that 

China will enter the war.

6 October: 

The Republic of Korea 6th and 8th Divisions begin crossing the 38th parallel 

in the central part of the country and begin advancing toward the Ch’orwon 

area known as The Iron Triangle.

7 October: 

The U.S. First Cavalry Division’s 16th Reconnaissance Company becomes 

the first American force to enter North Korea by crossing the 38th parallel 

near Kaesong. Following a debate on the future of Korea after the communists 

are defeated, the U.N. General Assembly votes to reunify and rehabilitate 

Korea. Part of the resolution gives U.N. forces permission to go into North 

Korea. 

19 October: 

Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, is captured.

25 October: 

First contact by U.N. forces with the Chinese Communist Forces is made. 

HQ, Chinese People’s

Volunteers

GHQ, North Korean

People’s Army

Chinese People’s

Volunteer Units

North Korean People’s

Army Units

North Korean People’s Army

Chinese People’s Volunteers

Combined HQ

Coordination

Figure 3: Enemy Lines of Command, 23 November 1950. 

16 December: 

President Truman proclaims a state of national emergency due to the 

seriousness of the Chinese intervention. 

22 December: 

The Army issues a third involuntary recall for reserve officers who are to 

report in March 1951.

31 December: 

The actual strength of the Army stands at 1,073,498.
74

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR A SELECTIVE CHRONOLOGY

1951

4 January:

The Chinese recapture Seoul.

1 February:

The U.N. votes to end the war by peaceful means.

13-15 February:

The battle of Chipyong-ni is the first mass assault by the Chinese. 

18 March: 

U.N. forces retake Seoul.

11 April: 

President Truman recalls General MacArthur.

12 April: 

The war’s first major aerial duel is fought.

17 April: 

President Truman approves the Army’s request for expansion of its authorized 

strength to 1,552,000. 

22 -29 April: 

CCF launch their Spring Offensive, the largest single battle of the Korean 

War.

17-22 May:

The CCF launch the Second Spring Offensive.

75
77

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR A SELECTIVE CHRONOLOGY

30 June: 

By this time, the Army has recalled over 201,000 members of the Inactive 

and Volunteer Reserve.

10 July:

Korean War truce talks begin on 10 July 1951. 

29 August:

In the event combat operations continue beyond 31 December 1951, the 

president approves a recommendation to increase the Army’s authorized 

strength to 1,620,000.

25 October: 

Peace talks resume at Panmunjom.

27 November: 

Negotiators agree on the 38th parallel as the line of demarcation.

1952

17 April: 

President Truman extends for nine months all enlistments due to expire in 

fiscal year 1952, affecting 60,000 troops.

20 April: 

Prisoner of War exchange begins.

11 May:

Secretary of State Dean G. Acheson gives the Army permission to close the 

fiscal year with a strength of 1,577,000.

30 June: 

The Army’s strength is over 1,600,000.

76
78

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR A SELECTIVE CHRONOLOGY

1953

25 January:

Operation SMACK, assault on Spud Hill by elements of the 31st Infantry 

Regiment (7th Infantry Division), begins.

17 March: 

Hill 355 (Little Gibraltar), held by the 9th Infantry Regiment (2nd Infantry 

Division), is assaulted by Chinese.

20 – 26 April: 

Operation Little Switch exchanges sick and wounded prisoners of war, 

including 149 Americans.

6 – 10 July:

Battle of Pork Chop Hill. The 7th Infantry Division is ordered to evacuate 

its defensive positions after five days of fighting.

13 – 20 July:

Battle of Kumsong River Salient, the last communist offensive.

24 – 26 July:

Final U.S. ground combat. Last Marine ground actions of the war are fought 

on Hills 111 and 119.

27 July:

The United States, North Korea, and China sign an armistice, which ends 

the war but fails to bring about a permanent peace. 

United Nations’ delegates stand by a U.S. Air Force H-5 helicopter with General 

Matthew B. Ridgway, U.S. Army, Commander in Chief United Nations Command, 

prior to take off for the initial Armistice talks meeting, 10 July 1951. They are 

(from left to right): Rear Admiral Arleigh A. Burke, USN, Major General Laurence 

C. Cragie, U.S. Air Force, Major General Paik Sun Yup, Republic of Korea Army, 

Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy, USN, Chief Delegate, General Ridgway, and Major 

Henry I. Hodes, U.S. Army. (Photo #: 80-G-432028, U.S. Navy) 

United Nations’ delegates stand by a U.S. Air Force H-5 helicopter with General Matthew B. Ridgway, U.S. Army, commander in chief United Nations Command, prior to 

take off for the initial Armistice talks meeting, 10 July 1951

79
80 81

ARMY RESERVE 

UNITS 

DEPLOYED
82 83

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS DEPLOYED

21st Transportation Medium Port, Headquarters and Headquarters Company

195th Ordnance Depot Company

265th Quartermaster Petroleum Supply Company

297th Quartermaster Clothing and General Supply Depot Company

298th Engineer Base Depot Company

302d Military Intelligence Service Company

304th Communication Reconnaissance Battalion

306th Engineer Dump Truck Company

313th Engineer Utilities Detachment

314th Ordnance Ammo Group, Headquarters and Headquarters Company

323d Engineer Light Equipment Company

325th Quartermaster Battalion

328th Engineer Dredge Company

330th Military Intelligence Service Platoon

336th Engineer Utilities Detachment

340th Military Intelligence Service Platoon

341st Engineer Panel Bridge Company

351st Transportation Highway Transport Group, Headquarters and Headquarters Company

363d Ordnance Ammunition Company

366th Engineer Aviation Battalion

375th Chemical Smoke Generator Company

376th Engineer Construction Battalion

376th Engineer Utilities Detachment

378th Engineer Utilities Detachment

388th Chemical Smoke Generator Company

388th Engineer Pipeline Company

392d Quartermaster Graves Registration Company

398th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion

401st Chemical Technical Service Intelligence Detachment

402d Engineer Panel Bridge Company

403d Signal Construction Battalion

417th Engineer Aviation Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Company

420th Engineer Aviation Topographic Detachment

424th Field Artillery Battalion

425th Transportation Traffic Regulating Group

428th Engineer Water Supply Company

430th Engineer Construction Battalion

434th Engineer Construction Battalion

439th Engineer Construction Battalion

443d Quartermaster Base Depot, Headquarters and Headquarters Company

445th Ordnance Ammunition Company

453d Chemical Battalion (Smoke Generator), Headquarters and Headquarters Company

453d Engineer Construction Battalion

461st Ordnance Ammunition Company

467th Engineer Fire-Fighting Platoon

470th Quartermaster Bakery Company (Mobile)

485th Engineer Dump Truck Company

491st Quartermaster Petroleum Depot Company 

615th Quartermaster Subsistence Depot Company

658th Quartermaster Laundry Company

704th Engineer Dump Truck Company 

712th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion

724th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion

733d Engineer Aviation Supply Point Company

758th Quartermaster Sales Company (Mobile)

780th Field Artillery Battalion (8 inch Howitzer-Towed)

790th Quartermaster Reclamation and Maintenance Company

802d Quartermaster Service Company

819th Quartermaster Bath Company (Semi-mobile)

840th Engineer Aviation Battalion

841st Engineer Aviation Battalion

849th Quartermaster Mobile Petroleum Supply Company

856th Quartermaster Bath Company (Semi-mobile)

872d Quartermaster Bath Company (Semi-mobile)

920th Ordnance Technical Intelligence Detachment

929th Quartermaster Subsistence Depot Company

930th Ordnance Ammunition Company 

934th Engineer Aviation Group, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 

937th Ordnance Heavy Automotive Maintenance Company

945th Ordnance Service Company 

958th Ordnance Field Maintenance Company

961st Quartermaster Service Company 

Source: Department of the Army, General Order Number 80, Battle Credits And Assault Landings For Korea, 22 November 1954.
South of Ch’orwon, 

Master Sergeant Henrietta Snowden. 

(Courtesy of the Army Art Collection, U.S. Army Center of Military History)

84 85
86 87

ARMY RESERVE 

UNITS 

MOBILIZED
88 89

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

302 AAA Det, Opns Stamford, Conn. 15-May-51 18-Mar-55

326 AAA Det, Opns New York, N.Y. 15-May-51 18-Mar-55

327 AAA Det, Opns Seattle, Wash. 15-May-51 20-Dec-54

398 AAA Bn, AW, 

SP(SM) Manchester, N.H. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

459 AAA Bn, AW, 

SP Pittsburgh, Pa. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

466 AAA Bn, AW, 

SP Richmond, Va. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

306 AR Gp, HHC Washington, D.C. 3-Sep-50 12-Jul-52

317 AR Bn, Tank

Hvy Cleveland, OH. 5-0ct-50 1-Nov-54

318 AR Bn, Tank

Hvy Reading, Pa. 5-0ct-50 3-Sep-52

322 AR Bn, Tank

Hvy Pine Bluff, Ark. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

325 AR Bn, 

(120mm Gun), 

TANK 

Long Island City,

N.Y. 11-Sep-50 10-0ct-54

747 AR Bn, Amph

Trctor Gainesville, Fla. 3-Sep-50 3-Sep-53

822 AR Bn, Tank

Hvy Knoxville, Tenn. 5-0ct-50 3-Jul-52

300 Sp Svc Co Baltimore, Md. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

307 AG Band, 

Army Philadelphia, Pa. 15-0ct-50 7-Mar-55

308 AG Band, 

Army Binghamton, N.Y. 15-0ct-50 7-Mar-55

312 AG PO, Base, 

Ty U New York, N.Y. 1-May-51 15-Nov-54

313 AG Band, 

Army

Hattiesburg, 

Miss. 15-0ct-50 7-Mar-55

315 AG Band, 

Army St. Louis, Mo. 15-0ct-50 14-Nov-53

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

317 AG Band, 

Army Marinette, Wisc. 15-0ct-50 15-Feb-55

326 AG Band, 

Army Cincinnati, OH. 15-0ct-50 7-Mar-55

330 AG Band, 

Army Mankato, Minn. 15-0ct-50 15-Feb-55

332 AG UnH, MR, 

Mbl, TY Z New Orleans, La. 11-Sep 50 28-Jan-55

338 AG UnH, MR, 

Mbl, Ty Z 

Los Angeles, 

Calif. 3-Sep-50 1-Oct-54

401 AG UnH, Army

Postal, TY V Cadillac, Mich. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

497 AG UnH, Army

Postal, TY V Saginaw, Mich. 3-Sep-50 17-Dec-54

806 AG Unit, Army

Postal, Ty V Rushville, Ind. 3-Sep-50 17-Dec-54

815 AG Unit, Army

Postal, TY V

EAST St. Louis, 

Ill. 3-Sep-50 17-Dec-54

894 AG Unit, Army

Postal, TY V Salem, Oreg. 1-May-51 18-Mar-55

913 AG Unit, Army

Postal, TY V 

Battle Creek, 

Mich. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

914 AG Unit, Army

Postal, TY V

Huntington, W.

Va. 3-Sep-50 17-Dec-54

937 AG Unit, Army

Postal TY V Akron, OH. 3-Sep-50 17-Dec-54

304 ASA Bn, Com

Rcn, HHD Ft. Myer, Va. 11-Sep-50 25-Jun-55

306 ASA Bn, Com

Rcn, HHD Philadelphia, Pa. 1-May-51 16-May-55

334 ASA Co, Com

Rcn, Intel New York, N.Y. 1-May-51 25-Jun-55

354 ASA Co, Com

Rcn, Sec New York, N.Y. 1-May-51 25-Jun-55

503 ASA Gp, Com

Rcn, HHC Ft. Myer, Va. 1-May-51 16-May-55

130 Cml Co, 

Processing Pittsburgh, Pa. 11-Sep-50 30-Jun-52

131 Cml Co, 

Processing

Minneaplolis, 

Minn. 11-Sep-50 30-Jun-52
90 91

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

330 Cml Co, 

Maintenance Scranton, Pa. 11-Sep-50 1-Nov-54

337 Cml Co, 

Depot

Los Angeles, 

Calif. 11-Sep-50 1-Nov-54

343 Cml Co, 

Depot, CZ Monrovia, Calif. 19-Aug-50 30-Jun-52

355 Cml Co, 

Smoke Gen Linden, N.J. 11-Sep-50 26-Nov-54

358 Cml Co, 

Processing Troy, Ala. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

360 Cml Co, 

Decontam Medford, N.Y. 19-Aug-50 13-Jul-52

367 Cml Co, 

Depot, CZ Haverhill, Mass. 1-May-51 3-Dec-54

372 Cml Co, 

Decontam Maywood, Calif. 14-Aug-50 25-0ct-51

375 Cml Co, 

Smoke Gen Madison, Wisc. 19-Aug-50 26-Nov-54

379 Cml Co, 

Smoke Gen Chicago, Ill. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

384 Cml Co, 

Decontam New Castle, Pa. 11-Sep-50 20-Dec-54

387 Cml Co, 

Decontam Denver, OH. 11-Sep-50 30-Jun-52

388 Cml Co, 

Smoke Gen Hartford, Ill. 19-Aug-50 27-0ct-54

389 Cml Co, 

Decontam New York, N.Y. 19-Aug-50 1-Nov-54

390 Cml Lab Texas City, Tex. 14-Aug-50 15-Nov-54

394 Cml Co, 

Smoke Gen Philadelphia, Pa. 19-Aug-50 18-Sep-54

401 Cml Lab Shreveport, La. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

411 Cml Co, 

Smoke Gen Bayonne, N.J. 19-Aug-50 20-0ct-54

451 Cml Bn, Smk

Gen, HHD Bayway, N.J. 11-Sep-50 26-Nov-54

453 Cml Bn, Smk

Gen, HHD Baltimore, Md. 19-Aug-50 27-Sep-54

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

466 Cml Bn, Svc, 

HHD Chicago, Ill. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

467 Cml Bn, 

Mortar Columbus, OH. 11 -Sep-50 10-Nov-52

476 Cml Bn, HHD 

(CZ) 

Los Angeles, 

Calif. 21-May-51 18-Mar-55

477 Cml Bn, HHD 

(CZ) New York, N.Y. 21-May-51 18-Mar-55

291 En Co, Hvy

Equip Eau Clare, Wisc. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

298 En Co, Depot Marion, OH. 19-Aug-50 26-May-55

305 En Det, Tech

Intel, TY R New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 3-Dec-54

306 En Co, Dump

Truck

Long Island City,

N.Y. 14-Aug-50 20-Jan-55

307 En Co, 

Bridge, Panel Muncie, Ind. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

311 En Gp, Const,

HHC San Antonio, Tex. 11-Sep-50 20-Dec-54

313 En Gp, Const,

HHC St. Louis, Mo. 11-Sep-50 28-Mar-55

313 En Det,

Utilities Peoria, Ill. 19-Aug-50 **

315 En Co, Port

Const Brooklyn, N.Y. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

317 En Co, 

Ponton Bridge

Benton Harbor, 

Mich. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

322 En Co, Topo

Corps Somerset, Pa. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

323 En Co, Lt.

Equip

Greenwood, 

Miss. 19-Aug-50 20-Jan-55

328 En Crew,

Dredge Norfolk, Va. 21-Sep-50 16-Dec-52

332 En Co, Topo

Corps SCRANTON, PA. 19-AUG-50 3-DEC-54

332 En Gp,

Combat, HHC Baltimore, Md. 11-Sep-50 6-JAN-55

333 En Det,

Utilities Augusta, Ga. 11-Sep-50 8-JUL-52 
92 93

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

333 En Co, 

Pipeline Philadelphia, Pa. 11-Sep-50 26-May-55

334 En Co, Dump

Truck Westerly, R.I. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

336 En Det,

Utilities Baltimore, Md. 19-Aug-50 20-Dec-54

338 En Gp,

Combat, HHC Omaha, Neb. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

341 En Co, Panel

Bridge Philadelphia, Pa. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

346 En Co, Lt

Equip Salisbury, Neb. 14-Aug-50 15-Nov-54

354 En Bn, Const Morgantown, 

W. Va. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

354 En Gp,

Combat, HHC

Indianapolis, 

Ind. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-54

355 En Co, Depot Bridgeport, Ill. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

356 En Det,

Reproduction Galveston, Tex. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-52

359 En Co, Avn

(Depot) SP Philadelphia, Pa. 10-Jun-51 9-Jul-51

359 En Det,

Utilities Oakland, Calif. 11-Sep-50 28-Mar-55

360 En Det,

Utilities Oakland, Calif. 11-Sep-50 28-Mar-55

361 En Bn, Const Stillwater, Okla. 4-Sep-50 21-Feb-55

369 En Regt,

Amph Spt Pt Oregon 15-0ct-50 9-May-53

409 En Brig Los Angeles, 

Calif. 15-0ct-50 14-May-53

373 En Co, Panel

Bridge Hudson, Wisc. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

376 En Bn, Const Baltimore, Md. 14-Aug-50 4-Nov-51

376 En Det,

Utilities Baltimore, Md. 19-Aug-50 18-Nov-51

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

388 En Co, 

Pipeline Philadelphia, Pa. 19-Aug-50 25-Apr-55

395 En Det, Gas

Gen Portland, Ore. 11-Sep-50 1-Feb-55

398 En Det,

Utilities Milwaukee, Wisc. 11-Sep-50 20-Sep-54

398 En Bn, Const Norfolk, Va. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-54

402 En Co, Panel

Bridge Detroit, Mich. 19-Aug-50 18-Mar-53

403 En Gp (M&S), 

HHV Peoria, III. 11-Sep-50 1-Feb-55

406 En Brig, HHC Houston, Tex. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-54

406 En Bn, Const Birmingham, Ala. 11-Sep-50 21-Feb-55

407 En Bn, 

Combat, Army Kansas City, Mo. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

409 En Brig, HHC Los Angeles, 

Calif. 15-0ct-50 14-Mar-53

412 En Bn

(Const) Superior, Ariz. 11-Sep-50 23-Jun-55

418 En Co, Dump

Truck Santa Fe, N.M. 11-Sep-50 10-Feb-53

420 En Co, Dump

Truck Towanda, Pa. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

423 En Bn, Const Dayton, OH. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-54

428 En Co, Water

Supply

Water Bay City,

Mich. 14-Aug-50 13-Apr-54

430 En Bn, Const Washington, D.C. 19-Aug-50 21-Feb-55

432 En Bn, Const Houston, Tex. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

434 En Bn, Const Vicksburg, Miss. 19-Aug-50 23-Jun-55

439 En Bn, Const Chicago, Ill. 14-Aug-50 14-Mar-55
94

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

Breakthrough at Chipyong-ni, H. Charles McBarron.

(Courtesy of Army Art Collection, U.S. Army Center of Military History)

In February of 1951, the 23d Infantry Combat Team of the 2d Infantry Division, with attached 

French and Dutch units, while moving forward to attack in advance of the Eighth Army, was 

cut off and surrounded by overwhelming forces of Chinese Reds in the narrow Korean valley 

of Chipyong-ni. The Reds occupied the commanding ridges, while the American commander, 

Colonel Paul Freeman, itsolated far in advance of the general battle line, used a ring of lower hills within the valley itself for his defensive perimeter. For moiré than three days in near 

freezing weather the defenders held these positions. The action pictured is on the fourth day 

when an American armored unit broke through from the south. At this time, the valiant 23d 

Infantry Combat Team smashed out of the perimeter at the lower end of the valley to break the 

encirclement, and with its units and most of its equipment intact, rejoined the Eighth Army.

General Matthew B. Ridgway in his official report to a Joint Session of Congress said of this action: 

“These American fighting men with their French comrades in arms measured up in every way to 

the battle conduct of the finest troops America or France has produced throughout their national 

existence.”

95

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

443 En Co, 

Pipeline

Los Angeles, 

Calif. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

448 En Co, Dump

Truck Carollton, Ga. 4-Sep-50 3-Jul-52

453 En Bn, 

Const Spokane, Wash. 19-Aug-50 20-Jan-55

467 En PIt,

Firefighting

Milwaukee, 

Wisc. 11-Sep-50 10-Apr-54

470 En Co, Fld

Maint Quincy, Ill. 11 -Sep-50 21-FEB-55

477 En Pit,

Firefighting Buffalo, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

478 En Co, Dump

Truck Denver, Colo. 14-Aug-50 15-Nov-54

484 En Bn, Const York, Pa. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-54

485 En Bn, 

Combat, Army Springfield, Ill. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

485 En Co, Dump

Truck Phoenix, Ariz. 19-Aug-50 20-Jan-55

490 En Co, Lt

Equip

Two Harbors, 

Minn. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

680 En Co, Dump

Truck Belle Veron, Pa. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

691 En Co, Equip

Supply Dallas, Tex. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

698 En Co, Fld

Maint

Dodge Center, 

Minn. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

700 En Co, 

Pipeline Kilgore, Tex. 14-Aug-50 12-Feb-53

704 En Co, Dump

Truck Utica, N.Y. 14-Aug-50 25-Apr-55

705 En Co, Fld

Maint Ft. Smith, Ark. 19-Aug-50 21-Feb-55

711 En Co, Depot Granite City, Ill. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

746 En Co, Shop

Hvy (Depot Mnt) Waukegan, Ill. 11-Sep-50 5-May-55

431 En Co. Dump

Truck

Terre Haute, 

Ind. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52
96 97

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

325 En Gp Avn, 

HHC

Long Island City,

N.Y. 8-Feb-52 25-Sep-55

327 En Gp Avn, 

HHC Morristown, N.J. 8-Feb-52 25-Sep-55

332 En Bn Avn Yonkers, N.Y. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

347 En Gp Avn, 

HHC Memphis, Tenn. 1-0ct-50 31-Jan-53

347 En Bn Avn Asheville, N.C. 10-Jul-51 25-Sep-55

359 En Avn Sup

Pnt Co Philadelphia, Pa. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

366 En Bn Avn Spartanburg, 

S.C. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

372 En Bn Avn Worcester, 

Mass. 1-Jun-51 31-Mar-53

417 En Brig Avn, 

HHC Portland, Ore. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

419 En Brig, Avn, 

HHC Kearny, N.J. 1-May-51 25-Sep-55

420 En Det, Topo

Avn

Klamath Falls, 

Ore. 10-Jun-51 18-Mar-54

469 En Bn Avn Hackensack, N.J. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

472 En Bn Avn Buffalo, N.Y. 1-Mar-52 25-Sep-55

498 En Brig Avn, 

HHC Seattle, Wash. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

733 En Co Avn

Sup Pnt Redman, Ore. 10-Jun-51 10-Sep-55

820 En Bn Avn San Francisco, 

Calif. 1-Mar-52 25-Sep-55

821 En Bn Avn Trenton, N.J. 1-Mar-52 25-Sep-55

826 En Bn Avn Tampa , Fla. 10-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

832 En Bn Avn Chattanooga, 

Tenn. 1-Mar-52 25-Sep-55

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

433 En Co. Water

Supply Ottawa, Ill. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

747 En Co, Hvy

Equip

Albuquerque, 

N.M. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

748 En Co, Field

Maint New Orleans, La. 3-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

761 En Co, Lt

Equip Houston, Tex. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

773 En Co, Panel

Bridge Little Rock, Ark. 14-Aug-50 15-Nov-54

781 En Co, 

Pipeline Atlanta , Ga. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

795 En Co, Dump

Truck Oakland, Calif. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

807 En Co, Lt

Equip Belle Meade, N.J. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

961 En Co, Dump

Truck South Bend, Ind. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

966 En Co, Field

Maint

Jacksonville, 

Fla. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

969 En Bn, Const New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

973 En Bn, Const Oklahoma City,

Okla. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

981 En Bn, Const New Orleans, La. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

982 En Bn, Const Brainerd, Minn. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-54

986 En Co, 

Pipeline

Monroeville, 

Ala. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

998 En Bn, Const Menomonie, 

Wisc. 23-Jan-51 20-Jun-55

297 En Bn Avn Brooklyn, N.Y. 1-Nov-50 25-Sep-55

304 En Gp Avn, 

HHC 

W. Palm Beach, 

Fla. 1-Apr-52 25-Sep-55

322 En Gp, Avn, 

HHC New York, N.Y. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55
98 99

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

756 FA Bn 8” H CP 

Hvy Pittsburgh, Pa. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

758 FA Bn, 240 

How, VH Tow

Kansas City,

Kans. 1-May-51 18-Mar-55

780 FA Bn 8” H 

Towed, Hvy Roanoke, Va. 14-Aug-50 20-Dec-54

793 FA Bn, 8” H 

SP Hvy

Minneapolis, 

Minn. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

816 FA Bn Hvy 8” 

H Towed Columbia, Mo. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

847 FA Bn Hvy,

Tow (155mm G) Decatur, Ill. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

887 FA Bn 8” H 

Hvy, Towed Marinette, Wisc. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-54

309 Fin Sec, Disb Baltimore, Md. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-52

372 Fin Sec, Disb Albuquerque, 

N.M. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-52

408 Fin Sec, Disb Phoenix, Ariz. 11-Sep-50 20-0ct-54

424 Fin Sec, Disb Akron, OH. 11-Sep-50 20-0ct-54

449 Fin Sec, Disb Hattiesburg, 

Miss. 11-Sep-50 20-Sep-52

454 Fin Sec, Disb Pittsburgh, Pa. 11-Sep-50 20-Dec-54

301 LC Hq Co Ty C New York, N.Y. 15-Sep-50 14-Sep-52

306 LC Hq Ty A Tulsa, Okla. 15-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

306 LC Hq Co Ty A Tulsa, Okla. 15-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

302 Med Hosp,

Fld Chicago, Ill. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

306 Med Hosp,

Fld Greenville, S.C. 11 -Sep-50 9-Feb-55

309 Med Hosp,

Fld.

Springfield, 

Mass. 19-Aug- 50 3-Dec-54

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

835 En Bn Avn Topeka, Kans. 1-0ct-50 25-Sep-55

840 En Bn Avn Kingsport, Tenn. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

841 En Bn Avn Miami, Fla. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

843 En Bn Avn Indianapolis, 

Ind. 10-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

844 En Bn Avn Memphis, Tenn. 1-Mar-52 25-Sep-55

866 En Bn Avn Andalusia, Ala. 10-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

884 En Co, Fld

Maint. Avn Los Cruces, N.M. 1-Nov-50 25-Sep-55

885 En Co, Fld

Maint. Avn Dunkirk, N.Y. 10-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

888 En Co, Fld

Maint, Avn Chicago, Ill. 10-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

915 En Gp Avn, 

HHC Yuma, Ariz. 1-Jun-51 25-Sep-55

934 En Gp Avn, 

HHC Billings, Mont. 1-Jun-51 16-Feb-55

947 En Co, Topo.

Avn Chicago, Ill. 10-Jun-51 25-May-54

950 En Gp, Avn, 

HHC Amarillo, Tex. 1-Nov-50 25-Sep-55

330 FA Bn, Hvy

SP, 8” G San Angelo, Tex. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

393 FA Bn, 155mm

Gun SP Hvy Lafayette, Ind. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

424 FA Bn, Hvy 8” 

How, Towed Ft. Wayne , Ind. 11-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

426 FA Bn, 8” H 

Hvy, Towed

Winston-Salem, 

N.C. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

465 FA Bn 8” H 

Hvy, Towed Minot, N.D. 4-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

469 FA Bn, VH, 

240mm, H Towed Milwaukee, Wisc. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54
100

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR

Lieutenant General William M. Hoge, commanding general, U.S. IX Corps, left, holds the lanyard 

which will fire the 75,000th shell to be fired by the corps since the start of the conflict in Korea.

Brigadier General William N. Gillmore, commanding general, Corps Artilllery, stands to the right of 

General Hoge. This day also marked the end of the first year of fighting in Korea, 25 June 1951.

(Signal Corps Photo #8A/FEC-51-21800 (Ecker))

101

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

311 Med Hosp,

Sta 300 Bed (Cl) Shelby, N.C. 3-Sep-50 20-0ct-54

320 Med Det,

Ctrl Med Prey Lansing, Mich. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

320 Med Hosp, 

Gen 1000 bed (Cl) Bronx, N.Y. 3-Sep- 50 1-0ct-54

321 Med Dep,

Army Detroit, Mich. 3-Sep- 50 15-Dec-54

32S Med Hosp,

Train Enid, Okla. 3-Sep- 50 15-Dec-54

329 Med Hosp,

Train Gainesville, Fla. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

332 Med Co, Prey

Med (Sep) New Orleans, La. 12-Aug-50 15-Nov-54

343 Med Det,

Ctrl Med Prey Bartow, Fla. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-53

343 Med Hosp,

Gen 1000 B (Cl) Syracuse, N.Y. 3-Sep-50 20-Aug-54

351 Med Hosp,

Surg Mbl Army EI Paso, Tex. 3-Sep- 50 20-Dec-54

371 Med Hosp,

Evac S-M Pittsburgh, Pa. 3-Sep- 50 10-Nov-53

374 Med Ctr, 

Convalescent Chicago, Ill. 11-Sep- 50 7-Jan-55

378 Med Det,

Ctrl Med Prey Nashville, Tenn. 3-Sep- 50 15-Dec-54

379 Med Hosp,

Evac S-M Pittsburgh, Pa. 11-Sep- 50 17-Jan-55

382 Med Hosp,

Evac S-M Ft. Myer, Va. 11 -Sep- 50 20-Aug-54

388 Med Hosp,

Evac Toledo, OH. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

389 Med Depot

(Cl) Hillsboro, Ill. 3-Sep- 50 10-Mar-55

399 Med Hosp,

Evac S-M Boston, Mass. 11-Sep- 50 17-Jan-55

403 Med Hosp,

Evac Little Rock, Ark. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54
102 103

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

448 Med Det, Svy

Med Prey Eau Clare, Wisc. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-53

481Med Det, Vet

Food Insp Med Sumter, S.C. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

486 Med Det, Vet

Food Insp (Med) Kansas City, Mo. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

804 Med Hosp, Sta

500 Bed Columbus, Oh. 23-Jan-51 10-Mar-54

807 Med Hosp, Sta

300 Bed Brooklyn, N.Y. 3-Sep- 50 4-Feb-55

889 Med Det, Vet

Food Insp Columbus, OH. 3-Sep- 50 15-Dec-54

900 Med Hosp,

Surg Mobl Army St. Paul, Minn. 11-Sep-50 20-Jan-55

901 Med Det, Vet

Food Insp

Kansas City,

Kans. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

907 Med Det, Vet

Food Insp Vinita, Okla. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

912 Med Hosp,

Surg Mbl Army

Niagara Falls, 

N.Y. 15-May-51 18-Mar-55

915 Med Hosp,

Surg Mbl Army

(60 Bed)

Springfield, 

Mass. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

94 MI Det, CIC Southbridge, 

Mass. 11-Sep-50 21-0ct-52

119 MI Det, CIC Chicago, Ill. 11-Sep-50 21-0ct-52

1222 MI Det, Clc St. Paul, Minn. 1-May-51 10-Jul-52

230 MI Det, CIC Baltimore, Md. 11-Sep-50 21-0ct-52

243 MI Det, CIC Birmingham, Ala. 1-May-51 10-Jul-52

265 MI Det, CIC Pittsburgh, Pa. 11-Sep-50 21 -0ct-52

272 MI Det CIC San Diego, Calif. 11-Sep-50 21-0ct-52

270 MI Det, CIC Huntington, Ind. 3-Sep-50 21-0ct-52

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

300 MI Det, Mil

Cens

Huntington, W.

Va. 3-Sep-50 5-Aug-52

302 MI Co Los Angeles, 

Calif. Sep-50 20-Jan-55

302 MI Det, Mil

Cens New York, N.Y. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

303 MI Det, Mil

Cens New York, N.Y. 3-Sep-50 5-Aug-53

304 MI Co Hot Springs, S.D. Sep-50 20-0ct-54

308 MI Grp Chicago, Ill. Sep-50 9-Feb-55

309 MI Co Chicago, Ill. Sep-50 20-0ct-54

310 MI Det, Mil

Cens

Los Angeles, 

Calif. 11-Sep-50 5-Aug-53

311 MI Det, Mil

Cens Ft. Lawton, Wash. 11-Sep-50 5-Aug-53

313 MI Plat Chicago, Ill. Sep-50 7-Mar-55

316 MI Plat Chicago, Ill. Sep-50 7-Mar-55

317 MI Plat Lubbock, Tex. Sep-50 7-Mar-55

326 MI Plat Pottsville, Pa. 6-Sep-50 1-Dec-50

330 MI Plat Oklahoma City,

Okla. Sep-50 20-Jan-55

332 MI Det, CIC Chicago, Ill. 3-Sep-50 21 -0ct-52

338 MI Bn New York, N.Y. Sep-50 8-Mar-55

340 MI Plat New York, N.Y. Sep-50 26-Nov-54

342 MI Det, CIC Oklahoma City,

Okla. 3-Sep-50 21-0ct-52

343 MI Det, CIC San Francisco, 

Calif. 11-Sep-50 21-0ct-52

343 MI Plat Pittsburgh, Pa. 3-Sep-50 1-Dec-50
104 105

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

344 MI Plat Pittsburgh, Pa. 7-Sep-50 1-Dec-50

347 MI Plat Fort Worth, Tex. 23-Sep-50 1S-0ct-54

361 MI Plat Los Angeles, 

Calif. Sep-50 11-Feb-55

403 MI Det, SI Providence, R.I. 1-Jun-51 18-Mar-55

411 MI Det, (SIRA) Mobile, Ala. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

42S MI Det, SI

(Team FA) Syracuse, N.Y. 1-Jun-51 1S-Dec-54

441 MI Det, SI New Haven, Conn. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

445 MI Det, Si Bloomington, 

Ind. 1-May-51 1S-Dec-54

446 MI Det, SI Philadelphia, Pa. 1-May-51 1S-Dec-54

447 MI Det, MI Philadelphia, Pa. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

449 MI Det, SI Urbana, Ill. 1-May-51 1S-Dec-54

451 MI Det, SI Moline, Ill. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

461 MI Det, SI Philadelphia, Pa. 1-May-51 18-Mar-55

463 MI Det, SI New Haven, Conn. 1-May-51 1S-Dec-54

469 MI Det, SI Wichita, Kans. 1-May-51 1S-Dec-54

522 MI Det, CIC San Antonio, Tex. 1-May-51 12-Jan-52

811 Order of

Battle Det Philadelphia, Pa. 18-Sep-50 7-Dec-50

841 Order of

Battle Det Ft. Myer, Va. 10-Sep-50 1-Dec-50

308 MG Gp Chicago, Ill. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

402 MG CO Buffalo, N.Y. 16-Mar-51 18-Mar-55

408 MG CO Lima, OH. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

300 MP Det, Crim

Invest Memphis, Tenn. 11-Sep-50 1S-Feb-55

306 MP Det, Crim

Invest Seattle, Wash. 8-0ct-50 7-Jul-54

307 MP Bn Boston, Mass. 23-Jan-51 21-Feb-55

313 MP Det, Crim

Invest Tacoma, Wash. 8-0ct-50 8-Jul-54

316 MP Det, Crim

Invest

Los Angeles, 

Calif. 8-0ct-50 1-Nov-53

321 MP Det, Crim

Invest Ponca City, Okla. 11-Sep-50 10-0ct-53

331 MP Det, Crim

Invest Ft. Smith, Ark. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

339 MP Co, PW 

Processing Guttenberg, Iowa 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-52

340 MP Co, Corps Niagara Falls, 

N.Y. 11-Sep-50 10-Aug-52

341 MP Co St. Louis, Mo. 11-Sep-50 10-Aug-52

354 MP Co Worthington, 

Minn. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

361 MP Co, Corps Columbus, OH. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

366 MP Det, Crim

Invest Taunton, Mass. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

370 MP Det, Crim

Invest Wilmington, Del. 8-0ct-50 7-Mar-55

373 MP Co San Francisco, 

Calif. 23-Jan-51 22-Nov-52

374 MP Co, PCS, 

Ty A

San Francisco, 

Calif. 8-0ct-50 7-Mar-55

375 MP Co, PCS, 

Ty A Azusa, Calif. 8-0ct-50 15-Feb-55
106 107

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

391 MP Bn, Svc Cleveland, OH. 8-0ct-50 10-Jul-52

395 MP Det, Crim

Invest Portland, Ore. 8-0ct-50 7-Jul-54

416 MP Co, PCs, 

Ty A Bangor, Maine 27-0ct-50 18-Jan-54

419 MP Det, Crim

Invest Helena, Ark. 11-Sep-50 10-0ct-53

436 MP Co, PCS, 

Ty A

Salt Lake City,

Utah 8-0ct-50 7-Mar-55

453 MP Co, PCS, 

Ty A Jersey City, N.J. 27-0ct-50 20-Sep-54

470 MP Co, Escort

Gd, Mbl Carmichaels, Pa. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

483 MP Co, Escort

Gd Fresno, Calif. 11-Sep-50 15-Jul-54

800 MP Co, PCS, 

Ty A Rockville, Md. 27-0ct-50 7-Mar-55

803 MP Co, Svc BaltIMORE, Md. 27-0ct-50 10-Mar-55

808 MP Co, PCS, 

Ty A Watertown , N.Y. 27-0ct-50 25-Jun-54

195 Ord Co, 

Deport Norristown, Pa. 14-Aug-50 21-Feb-55

233 Ord Co, Ammo Cincinnati, OH. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

244 Ord Co, Depot Steubenville, OH. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

247 Ord Co, 

Supply Depot Augusta, Ga. 3-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

285 Ord Co, Hvy

Auto Maint Williamsport, Pa. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

301 Ord Co, Hvy

Maint

Aberdeen Proving

Ground, Md. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-53

304 Ord Co, Hvy

Maint Atlanta , Ga. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-53

314 Ord Grp Ammo, 

HHC (Inducted as

308 Ord Dep, Base, 

HHD)

Shamokin, Pa. 14-Aug-50 23-Jun-55

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

321 Ord Co, 

Recovery Trenton, N.J. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

330 Ord Bn, HHD 

(M&S) York, Pa. 11-Sep-50 26-May-55

339 Ord Bn (M&S), 

HHD New Orleans, La. 3-Sep-50 25-Apr-55

343 Ord Bn (M&S) Tampa , Fla. 11-Sep-50 1-Dec-54

344 Ord Bn (M&S), 

HHD Louisville, Ky. 11-Sep-50 3-Dec-54

348 Ord Det, BalTech Svc Toledo, OH. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

354 Ord Co, Ammo Baltimore, Md. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

358 Ord Bn HSC Cincinnati, OH. 14-Aug-50 10-Jul-52

363 Ord Co, Ammo Youngstown, OH. 19-Aug-50 23-Jun-55

365 Ord Bn (M&S) 

HHD Flint, Mich. 23-Jan-51 21-Feb-55

369 Ord Co, 

Direct Support Uniontown, Pa. 23-Jan-51 21-Feb-55

374 Ord Bn (M&S) 

HHD Ft. Wayne , Ind. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

379 Ord Bn (M&S) 

HHD Evansville, Ind. 11-Sep-50 2-Dec-54

386 Ord Bn (M&S) 

HHD

Oklahoma City,

Okla. 8-0ct-50 14-Jun-54 

393 Ord Bn (M&S) 

HHD Houston, Tex. 11-Sep-50 10-0ct-54

399 Ord Bn (M&S) 

HHD Milan, Ill. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

421 Ord Co, Ammo Norfolk, Va. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

424 Ord Co, Ammo Omaha, Neb. 3-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

428 Ord Det, Rep

Tire, Mbl Toledo, OH. 11-Sep-50 10-Aug-52
108 109

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

430 Ord Det, Rep

Tire, Mbl Chicopee, Mass. 11-Sep-50 10-Aug-52

437 Ord Co, Ammo Brooklyn, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 24-Jun-55

443 Ord Co, Ammo Fayetteville , N.C. 14-Aug-50 10-Mar-55

444 Ord Co, Ammo Heflin, Ala. 14-Aug-50 5-Nov-51

445 Ord Co, Ammo Providence, R.I. 11-Sep-50 20-Jan-55

450 Ord Co, Ammo Columbia, S.C. 14-Aug-50 1-Dec-54

460 Ord Co, 

Recovery Greensboro, N.C. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

461 Ord Co, Ammo Springfield, 

Mass. 11-Sep-50 23-Jun-55

475 Ord Co, Depot New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

481 Ord Co, Ammo Salt Lake City,

Utah 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

815 Ord Co, Sup

Depot CZ Altoona, Pa. 14-Aug-50 13-Jul-52

817 Ord Co, Sup

Depot

Minneapolis, 

Minn. 19-Aug-50 27-Sep-51

832 Ord Co, DAS Binghamton, N.Y. 23-Jan-51 21-Feb-55

836 Ord Co, Depot Anniston, Ala. 3-Sep-50 15-Dec-54

858 Ord Squad, 

Explos Disp. Chisholm, Minn. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

858 Ord Co, Ammo Newport, Ky. 14-Aug-50 21-Feb-55

866 Ord Squad, 

Explos Disp Miami, Fla. 19-Aug-50 27-Sep-54

867 Ord Squad, 

Explos Disp Miami, Fla. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

882 Ord, Hvy Auto

Maint Allentown, Pa. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

884 Ord Det,

Explos Disp Birmingham, Ala. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

890 Ord Squad, 

Explos Disp Alexandria, La. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

890 Ord Co, Sup

Depot CZ (Base

Depot) 

Pittsburgh, Pa. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

895 Ord Squad, 

Explos Disp Base, 

HHD 

Asheville, N.C. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

906 Ord, Co, Ammo McAdoo, Pa. 3-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

908 Ord Co, Ammo Shenandoah, Pa. 14-Aug-50 5-Nov-51

912 Ord Co, 

Reclm Class Elizabeth, N.J. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-53

920 Ord Det, Tech

Intel Pittsburgh, Pa. 14-Aug-50 27-Sep-54

923 Ord Co, Hvy

Auto Maint Wilmington, Del. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

925 Ord Squad, 

Explos Disp.

Aberdeen Proving

Ground, Md. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

930 Ord Co, Ammo Parsons, Kans. 14-Aug-50 23-Jun-55

932 Ord Squad, 

Explos Disp. Smithport, Pa. 11-Sep-50 9-Feb-55

937 Ord Co, Hvy

Auto Maint St. Louis, Mo. 19-Aug-50 25-Apr-55

938 Ord Squad, 

Explos Disp. Lima, OH. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

958 Ord Co, Fld

Maint Sumter, S.C. 23-Jan-51 25-Apr-55

962 Ord Co, Ammo Albany, N.Y. 3-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

978 Ord Co, Depot Oneonta, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

994 Ord Co, Hvy

Auto Maint Baltimore, Md. 11-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

210 OM Co, 

Laundry S-M Ft. Myer, Va. 11-Sep-50 10-Aug-52
110

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR

Men of Battery B, 15th AAA Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, fire quadruple .50 caliber machine 

guns from a M-16 at Chinese communist-held positions, as men of the 3rd Battalion, 32nd RCT, 

7th Infantry Division, prepare to launch an attack north of Chae-jae, Korea. 12 March 1951. Korea. (Signal Corps Photo #X/FEC-51-7416 (Hunkins, Jr.))

111

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

214 OM Co, 

Bakery, Mbl New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

240 OM Co Supply

Depot Atlanta , Ga. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

265 OM Co, Sup

Petrol Jamaica, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 25-Apr-55

297 OM Co, Cloth

& Gen Sup Depot Butler, Pa. 11-Sep-50 23-Jun-55

311 OM Co, Graves

Regis Petersburg, Va. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

311 OM Bn, HHD Milwaukee, Wisc. 11-Sep-50 3-Dec-54

317 OM Co, 

Reclam-Maint Boston, Mass. 11-Sep-50 1-Feb-55

325 OM Bn, HHD York, Pa. 11-Sep-50 25-Apr-55

327 OM Bn, HHD Reading, Pa. 11-Sep-50 1-Feb-55

335 OM Bn, HHD Worcester, Mass. 11-Sep-50 26-May-55

360 OM Det, Rep

Off Machine

Minneapolis, 

Minn. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-53

369 OM Bn, HHD Texarkana, Tex. 11-Sep-50 23-Jun-55

392 OM Co, Graves

Regis New York, N.Y. 23-Jan-51 14-Mar-55

402 OM Bn, HHD Jackson, Miss. 11-Sep-50 25-Apr-55

428 OM Co, 

Bakery, Mbl Cleveland, OH. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-54

432 OM Co, 

Salvage Jay, Okla. 1-May-51 10-Sep-54

436 OM Co, Bath

S-M New Orleans, La. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-54

443 OM Dep, HHC Philadelphia, Pa. 14-Aug-50 23-Jun-55
112 113

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

457 OM Dep, Base

HHC Brooklyn, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 10-Aug-52

462 OM Co, 

Laundry S-M Altoona, Pa. 14-Aug-50 20-Sep-54

465 OM Co, Svc Raleigh, N.C. 11-Sep-50 1-Feb-55

469 OM Co, 

Laundry S-M Grenada, Miss. 11-Sep-50 20-Sep-54

470 OM Co, 

Bakery, Mbl Baltimore, Md. 21-Aug-50 25-Apr-55

471 OM Co, 

Salvage Baltimore, Md. 1 -Sep-50 10-Mar-55

477 OM Co, Bath

S-M

Parkersburg, 

W. Va. 1-May-51 3-Dec-54

491 OM Co, Petrol

Depot Portland, Me. 11-Sep-50 24-Jun-55

609 OM Co, Graves

Regis St. Louis, Mo. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

615 OM Co, Refrig

(Subsist Dep)

Bloomington, 

Ind. 19-Aug-50 24-Jun-55

630 OM Co, Graves

Regis Pittsburgh, Pa. 1-May-51 20-Dec-54

643 OM Co, Petrol

Depot Philadelphia, Pa. 3-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

658 OM Co, 

Laundry S-M South Bend, Ind. 11-Sep-50 5-Feb-55

699 OM Co, 

Reclam-Maint

(Mbl)

Baltimore, Md. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

728 OM Co, Svc Gary, Ind. 11-Sep-50 29-Mar-54

758 OM Co, Sales

Mbl Baltimore, Md. 19-Aug-50 23-Feb-52

762 OM Co, Supply

Subsist Boston, Mass. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

786 OM Co, Sup

Petrol Mbl Tacoma, Wash. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

790 OM Co, 

Reclam-Maint Boston, Mass. 11-Sep-50 23-Jun-55

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

802 OM Co, Svc Atlanta , Ga. 11-Sep-50 23-Jun-55

819 OM Co, Bath

S-M

San Francisco, 

Calif. 19-Aug-50 2-Mar-53

849 OM Co, Sup

Petrol, Mbl Montgomery, Ala. 19-Aug-50 26-May-55

853 OM Co, Svc Baltimore, Md. 11-Sep-50 3-Dec-54

856 aM Co, Bath

S-M Elkhart, Ind. 11-Sep-50 26-Nov-54

857 aM Co, 

Laundry S-M Anniston, Ala. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-52

872 aM Co, Bath

S-M Dayton, OH. 14-Aug-50 20-Dec-54

877 aM Co, Petrol

Depot (Svc) Ahoski, N.C. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

889 aM Co, Petrol

Depot

San Francisco, 

Calif. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

894 aM Co, Svc Jackson, Miss. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-53

929 aM Co, (Sup

Subsist) Newport, Ky. 3-Sep-50 23-Jun-55

944 aM Lab, 

Petrol Prod, Mbl Derrmrest, Ga. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

945 aM Co, Svc St. Louis, Mo. 19-Aug-50 26-May-55

961 aM Co, Svc Tyler, Tex. 11-Sep-50 26-May-55

972 aM Co, 

Laundry S-M Norfolk, Va. 14-Aug-50 10-Mar-55

978 aM Co, 

Reciam-Maint Petersburg, Va. 19-Aug-50 1-Feb-55

985 aM Lab, 

Petrol Prod, 

Base

Whiting, Ind. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

987 aM Det, Rep

Off Machine Chicago, Ill. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52

995 aM Co, 

Laundry S-M Balto, Md. 11-Sep-50 10-Jul-52
114 115

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

307 RP Gp, Repl

HHC New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

312 RP Dep, Repl

HHC Philadelphia, Pa. 1-May-51 16-Jun-54

320 RP Bn, HHD New York, N.Y. 1-May-51 18-Mar-55

347 RP Bn, HHD Harrisburg, Ill. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

453 RP Co, 

Replacement Lewistown, Pa. 1-May-51 20-May-55

472 RP Co, 

Replacement Uniontown, Pa. 1-May-51 18-Mar-55

831 RP Co, 

Replacement Ft. Worth, Tex. 1-May-51 18-Mar-55

867 RP Co, 

Replacement New Haven, Conn. 1-May-51 30-Sep-53

869 RP Co, 

Replacement

Bridgeport,

Conn. 1-May-51 30-Sep-53

898 RP Co, 

Replacement Greenville, Tex. 1-May-51 10-0ct-54

943 RP Co, 

Replacement

Long Island City,

N.Y. 1-May-51 18-Mar-55

945 RP Co, 

Replacement Jamaica, N.Y. 1-May-51 30-Sep-53

66 SC Bn, Opn New York, N.Y. 3-Sep-50 20-Dec-54

288 Sc Co, Radio

Relay, VHF Boston, Mass. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

300 SC Unit,

Radar Maint, Ty C La Crosse, Wisc. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-54

301 SC Unit,

Radar Maint, Ty C Tulsa, Okla. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

301 SC Co, Photo Chicago, Ill. 11-Sep-50 2-Jul-54

301 SC Gp, Svc

HHD Lincoln, Neb. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

302 SC Unit,

Radar Maint Ty C Chicago, Ill. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-55

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

303 SC, Bn, Svc

(Opns THa) Chicago, Ill. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

304 SC Unit,

Radar Maint, Ty C Bartow, Fla. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-54

305 SC Unit,

Radar Maint Ty Plainfield, N.J. 4-Sep-50 30-0ct-53

309 SC Det,

Teltype Multi-Cnl New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 28-Nov-50

313 SC Bn, Opn New York, N.Y. 3-Sep-50 11-Mar-55

314 SC Bn, Const Santa Monica, 

Calif. 11-Sep-50 10-Jun-54

315 SC Bn, Const Atlanta , Ga. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

317 SC Bn, Const New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55 

321 SC Dep Base, 

HHC 

San Francisco, 

Calif. 3-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

321 SC Bn, Corps Detroit, Mich. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

322 SC Bn, Corps Maywood, Calif. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

403 SC Co, Const Tuscaloosa, Ala. 19-Aug-50 23-0ct-51

411 SC Co, Radio

Relay, UHF

Minneapolis, 

Minn. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

490 SC Co, Radio

Relay, VHF

San Francisco, 

Calif. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

497 SC Co, Photo Binghamton, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

804 SC Dep Base, 

HHC Washington, D.C. 3-Sep-50 15-Aug-54

805 SC Co, Depot Decatur, Ill. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

827 SC Co, Depot

Base Memphis, Tenn. 11-Sep-50 11-0ct-54

811 SC Co, Svc

(ESB)

Los Angeles, 

Calif. 15-0ct-50 10-Mar-55
116 117

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

833 SC Co, Svc

(Opns) 

Minneapolis, 

Minn. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

836 SC Co, Radio

Relay, VHF Akron, OH. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

837 SC Co, Radio

Relay, UHF New York, N.Y. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

838 SC Co, Radio

Relay, UHF Detroit, Mich. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

844 SC Co, Radio

Relay, UHF Clifton, N.J. 3-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

990 SC Co, (Large

Base) Kansas City, Mo. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

21 TC Port,

Medium HHC Cleveland, OH. 3-Sep-50 14-Mar-55

169 TC Co, Amph

Truck Austin, Tex. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

206 TC Co, Amph

Truck Gadsden, Ala. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

238 TC Co, Port

Ty A Little Rock, Ark. 11-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

239 TC Co, Port

Ty A 

Jacksonville, 

Fla. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

241 TC Co, (Term

Svc) Ty A Memphis, Tex. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

274 TC Co, Harbor

Craft & Marine

Maint

Toledo, OH. 15-Sep-50 14-Sep-52

294 TC Co, Car Pittsburgh, Pa. 19-Aug-50 3-Dec-54

298 TC Co (Lt Trk) Leechburg, Pa. 11-Sep-50 21-Feb-55

306 TC Co (Lt Trk) Scranton, Pa. 11-Sep-50 24-Jun-55

313 TC Co, Port

Ty A New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

318 TC Co (Lt Trk) Lafayette, Ga. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

343 TC Co (Lt Trk) Gadsden, Ala. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

349 TC Co, Port

Ty A New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

351 TC Gp, Hwy

Tsp HHC New Orleans, La. 19-Aug-50 21-Feb-55

355 TC Co, Port,

Ty A New York, N.Y. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

362 TC Bn, Port

HHSC

San Francisco, 

Calif. 11-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

362 TC Bn, Port

HHSC Norfolk, Va. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

373 TC Bn, Port

HHD East St. Louis, Ill. 10-Sep-52

373 TC Bn, Port

HHSC East St. Louis, Ill. 3-Sep-50 2-Sep-52

373 TC Port,

Major HHC Brooklyn, N.Y. 3-Sep-50 17-Jan-55

377 TC Port,

Major HHC New Orleans, La. 11-Sep-50 10-0ct-52

381 TC Bn, Port

HHSC

Jacksonville, 

Fla. 3-Sep-50 6-Jan-55

385 TC Co (Lt Trk) Birmingham, Ala. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

389 TC Bn, Port

HHSC Savannah, Ga. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

407 TC Co, Port

Ty A Norfolk, Va. 11-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

411 TC Bn, Truck

HHC Lubbock, Tex. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

424 TC Gp, Traffic

Reg Milwaukee, Wisc. 11-Sep-50 10-Aug-52

425 TC Gp, Traffic

Reg Atlanta , Ga. 19-Aug-50 23-Jun-55

449 TC Bn, Maint

HC Marine

(Inducted as 327 

TC Co HC Marine)

Detroit, Mich. 11-Sep-50 10-Sep-52

486 TC Co (Lt Trk) Philadelphia, Pa. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

487 TC Co (Lt Trk) Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55
118 119

UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVE MOBILIZATION FOR THE KOREAN WAR U.S. ARMY RESERVE UNITS MOBILIZED

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

489 TC Co, Amph

Truck Pensacola, Fla. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

640 TC Co, Hvy Trk Johnson City,

Tenn. 3-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

646 TC Co (Lt Trk) Birmingham, Ala. 11-Sep-50 3-Dec-54

651 TC Co, (Hvy

Trk) Hot Springs, Ark. 11-Sep-50 10-Mar-55

652 TC Co, (Med

Trk) Clarksville, Ark. 19-Aug-50 10-Mar-55

655 TC Co, Hvy Trk Opp, Ala. 11-Sep-50 3-Dec-54

663 TC Co, (Lt Trk) White River Jct.

Vt. 11-Sep-50 28-Jan-55

702 TC Gp, Rwy

Grand HHC Omaha, Neb. 3-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

712 TC Bn, Rwy

Opg S-D-E Philadelphia, Pa. 3-Sep-50 20-Jan-55

724 TC Bn, Rwy

Opg Diesel Philadelphia, Pa. 19-Aug-50 26-May-55

729 TC Bn Rwy

Opg Steam New Haven, Conn. 3-Sep-50 10-Sep-52

756 TC Bn, Rwy

Shop Diesel Elec Altoona, Pa. 3-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

801 TC Co, Port

Ty A Boston, Mass. 11-Sep-50 24-Feb-55

806 TC Bn, Truck, 

HHC Little Rock, Ark. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

873 TC Co, Port

Ty B Asheville, N.C. 11-Sep-50 15-Sep-54

1019 TC Co, Base

Depot Norfolk, Va. 1-May-51 18-Mar-55

301 AU Gp, Radio

Brdcst & Lilt New York, N.Y. 1-May-51 31-May-53

1013 ASU

Reception Ctr Boston, Mass. 4-Sep-50 3-Nov-53

2053 ASU

Reception Sta Baltimore, Md. 4-Sep-50 15-Nov-53

2068 Repl Tng Ctr Baltimore, Md. 16-Mar-51 **

UNIT HOME STATION DATE EAD DATE RELEASED 

2102 ASU Sta Com

pi Norristown, Pa. 16-Mar-51 **

4002 ASU Repl

Tng Sta Dallas, Tex. 13-0ct-50 **

4002 ASU Sta

Compl Ft. Smith, Ark. 13-0ct-50 **

4002 ASU

Reception Ctr Little Rock, Ark. 5-Sep-50 12-0ct-53

4002 ASU

Reception Ctr

Albuquerque, 

N.M. 13-0ct-50

4006 ASU

Reception Ctr Dallas, Tex. 3-Sep-50 15-0ct-53

4006 ASU Sta

Compl Tulsa, Okla. 3-Sep-50 11-May-53

4050 ASU

Reception Ctr

Oklahoma City,

Okla. 11-Sep-50 1-Oct-53

4040 ASU

Reception Ctr   ** 

4043 ASU

Reception Ctr **  

5421 ASU

Reception Ctr Kansas City, Mo. Oct-50 12-0ct-53

5422 ASU

Reception Ctr Chicago, Ill. 4-Sep-50 19-Mar-54

5460 ASU 

Reception Sta Detroit, Mich. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

5460 Reception

Sta (Ctr) (On AD2048th Area Svc

Unt) 

Detroit, Mich. 23-Jan-51 18-Mar-55

6219 ASU 

Reception Ctr Seattle, Wash. 4-Sep-50 1-Nov-53

6218 ASU

Reception Ctr **  ** **

6230 ASU

Reception Ctr San Bruno, Calif. 29-Sep-50 28-Sep-54

On 2 April 1971, the office of the chief army reserve provided this list to the U.S. Army center of 

military history. Asterisks ( ** ) indicate the information was not known at the time of publication.
U.S. soldiers patrol near a Bradley armored vehicle during a joint 

military drill between South Korea and the U.S, at Paju, near the 

inter-Korean border, 8 June 2011.

SAFEGUARDING FREEDOM 

120

On 15 June 2010, a South Korean marine stands guard as he 

looks toward North Korea. (AP photo/Ahn Young-joon) 

EVER VIGILANT 

121
123

The 19 stainless-steel statues at the Korean War Veterans Memorial 

depict fighting men on patrol

The 19 stainless-steel statues at the Korean 

War Veterans Memorial depict fighting men 

on patrol. They represent the 1.5 million 

Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force 

men and women who fought in the war. The 

memorial was dedicated on 27 July 1995, the 

42nd anniversary of the armistice that ended 

the Korean War.

THE KOREAN WAR VETERAN’S MEMORIAL

122 123