Korea: Stalemate at the 38th Parallel

On June 25th, 1950, eight divisions of the North Korean People’s Army, crossed the 38th Parallel and invaded the Republic of Korea. Two days later, the United Nations Security Council proclaimed the North Korean attack a breach of world peace and requested member nations to assist the ROK. This was the beginning of a new, glorious chapter in the Corps’ long history.

The Marines would be among the first US forces to arrive in Korea. They would be the last to leave. For five long years war raged the length of the Korean Peninsula. Throughout it all, the Marine Corp fought with its legendary courage and determination. From the desperate battle to hold the Pusan Perimeter to the fighting retreat from the Chosin Reservoir, US Marines were on the front line, in the thick of the fighting and underscoring the meaning of the words Semper Fi.

STALEMATE AT THE 38TH PARALLEL follows the retreat of UN forces out of North Korea and their subsequent counterattack, which stabilized the front around the 38th Parallel. Also included is a riveting account of the evacuation of UN forces in Northeast Korea through the port of Hungnam and the role played by US Marines in defending the Hungnam Perimeter until the evacuation was complete. With the front stabilized at the 38th Parallel, the conflict in Korea became little more than a meat grinder with neither side able to make any meaningful advance. Eventually, both sides agreed to an armistice, but a lasting peace agreement has yet to be agreed upon.