Self-preservation was a driving force. The Marines began their march to the Sea of Japan 60 miles away. Fending off constant attacks, they reached Hungnam a week later and boarded Navy ships with 90,000 North Korean civilian refugees. In western Korea, the Chinese drove the 8th Army all the way to Seoul and beyond. It went on until a cease-fire was signed July 27, 1953.
Veterans remain divided over whether the war was worth it.
Scott, however, says South Korea is a free, prosperous nation because of the United States willingness to go to Korea. To this day they will tell you they are just elated at what we did. So it was worth it. But I lost a lot of good friends over there. Users of this site are subject to our User Agreement.