Korea: The Drive North to the Yalu

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.

THE DRIVE NORTH TO THE YALU follows the advance of UN forces across the 38th Parallel to the Yalu River and the subsequent intervention by China’s People’s Liberation Army. Intervening in massive numbers, the PLA repulsed MacArthur’s drive and pushed UN forces back towards the 38th Parallel. In a series of brilliant delaying actions, US Marines slowed down the Chinese advance, allowing UN forces to retreat in an orderly fashion.