Korean War

Why "The Forgotten War"?

Sandwiched between World War II and Vietnam, the Korean War (1950–1953) never received the recognition its veterans deserved. There was no formal surrender, no victory parades—just an armistice that technically continues today. For decades, Korean War veterans had no national memorial; the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC wasn't dedicated until 1995, more than 40 years after the fighting ended.

The organizations below work to ensure these veterans are forgotten no longer.

Understanding Korean War Organizations

Organizations serving Korean War veterans fall into several categories:

• Veterans Service Organizations – Groups like KWVA advocate for benefits, host reunions, and provide camaraderie for those who served.
• Memorial Organizations – Maintain the Korean War Veterans Memorial and conduct commemorative ceremonies, especially on July 27 (Armistice Day).
• Unit Associations – Division and regimental associations preserve histories of specific units that fought in Korea.
• Family & Descendant Groups – Connect families of veterans and preserve stories for future generations.
• POW/MIA Organizations – Work to account for the more than 7,000 Americans still missing from the Korean War.

About the Korean War

The Conflict: When North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, the United States led a United Nations coalition to defend the South. The war saw dramatic reversals—the desperate defense of the Pusan Perimeter, MacArthur's audacious Inchon landing, the push to the Yalu River, and the brutal Chinese intervention that drove UN forces back.

Chosin Reservoir: In November–December 1950, 30,000 UN troops (mostly U.S. Marines and Army) fought through 120,000 Chinese soldiers in brutal winter conditions. The "Frozen Chosin" remains one of the most celebrated fighting withdrawals in military history.

The Armistice: Fighting ended July 27, 1953, but no peace treaty was ever signed. Technically, the war continues today along the DMZ—making Korean War veterans' service part of an ongoing mission.

Unit Legacy: Many Army divisions that served in Korea—the 1st Cavalry, 2nd Infantry, 3rd Infantry, 7th Infantry, 24th Infantry, 25th Infantry, and 1st Marine Division—maintain associations welcoming veterans from all eras.

Ways to Honor Their Service

1. Record an Oral History – The Library of Congress Veterans History Project accepts interviews. Korean War veterans' stories are particularly underrepresented.
2. Support Honor Flights – Honor Flight Network includes Korean War veterans in trips to Washington, DC to visit their memorial.
3. Attend July 27 Ceremonies – Korean War Armistice Day commemorations occur at the national memorial and local events nationwide.
4. Research Family Service – The National Archives holds Korean War service records. The Korean War Project (koreanwar.org) maintains encyclopedic information on units.
5. Visit Memorials – Our Locations directory includes Korean War memorials and museums you can visit.

A Note on Time: Korean War veterans are now in their late 80s and 90s. The VA estimates approximately 500,000 remain living, but that number decreases daily. Now is the time to record their stories and honor their service.

Organizations Serving Korean War Veterans