July 2-July 21, 1950 Outbreak of the Korean War: Establishing a Position A Russian-made T-34 tank of the North Korean army bearing the message "Knocked Out 20 July 50 Under The Supervision of Maj Gen W.F. Dean." Photo: U.S. Army. Source: National Archives Central Plains Region.

For a comprehensive overview of the Korean War go to: The Korean War Week by Week

Chronology: Learn what happened day by day

Korean War: June-July 1950 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

July 2-July 5, 1950: The President and his advisors consider the necessity of securing a resolution from Congress supporting Truman's action in Korea. There is discussion on whether to address the American people and send a Presidential message to Congress on the situation. Tension continues between the State and Defense Departments. The first American ground troops meet the North Koreans. July 6-July 7, 1950: The U.S. military buildup to meet the Korean situation coincides with security initiatives prompted by recent foreign and domestic policy events. U.S. troops fall back along the main Seoul highway. July 8-July 9, 1950: President Truman designates General Douglas MacArthur commander of the United Nations forces in Korea. Previous budget ceilings for defense spending are reviewed. Although U.S. air power scores some successes, ground troops continue to retreat. July 10-July 12, 1950: After meeting with Congressional leaders, President Truman temporarily abandons the idea of a message to Congress. The defense buildup necessitated by Korea galvanizes support for implementing an important national security proposal, NSC 68, even though its impact on the economy is unclear. Again, U.S. troops come to grief. July 13-July 14, 1950: In developing a message to Congress and a speech to the nation, the question of mobilizing the country arises, along with continued concern about the defense budget. Generals Collins and Vandenberg of the Joint Chiefs of Staff hold discussions with MacArthur in Tokyo. General Walker of the Eighth Army assumes command of troops in Korea. An attempt is made to halt the North Korean army along the Kum River. July 15-July 18, 1950: President Truman decides on the scope of defense mobilization. White House aids begin drafting legislation, a message to Congress and a radio address to the nation. President Syngman Rhee transfers control of the South Korean military forces to the United Nations Command for the duration of the war. The American Kum River line collapses. July 19-July 21, 1950: President Truman sends the Message to Congress and addresses the nation on the situation in Korea. Disaster at Taejon.

Accounts: Read the participants' version of events Harry S. Truman, President of the United States July 6, 1950 July 7, 1950 1, 2 July 11, 1950 July 12, 1950 July 13, 1950 July 19, 1950 1, 2                  Louis Johnson, Secretary of Defense July 9, 1950 Dean Acheson, Secretary of State July 3, 1950 July 6, 1950 July 7, 1950 1, 2, 3, 4 July 10, 1950 July 14, 1950 July 19, 1950                  General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief, United Nations Command July 9, 1950 July 11, 1950 July 20, 1950 W. Averell Harriman, Special Assistant to the President July 3, 1950 July 15, 1950                  Leon Keyserling, Chairman, Council of Economic Advisors July 13, 1950 July 15, 1950 Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff July 15, 1950                  Charles Murphy, Special Counsel to the President July 9, 1950 July 10, 1950 Marx Leva, Assistant Secretary of Defense July 9, 1950                  Karl Bendetsen, Assistant Secretary of the Army July 6, 1950 July 13, 1950 Paul Nitze, Director, State Department Policy Planning Staff July 6, 1950 July 9, 1950                  Matthew Connelly, Appointments Secretary to the President July 3, 1950 July 7, 1950 John Foster Dulles, Special Consultant to the Secretary of State July 7, 1950 July 14, 1950 July 21, 1950                  George Elsey, Administrative Assistant to the President July 2, 1950 July 3, 1950 1, 2 July 4, 1950 July 5, 1950 July 6, 1950 July 7, 1950 July 8, 1950 July 10, 1950 July 13, 1950 July 14, 1950 1, 2 July 15, 1950 1, 2, 3 July 16, 1950 July 17, 1950 July 18, 1950 1, 2 July 19, 1950 1, 2, 3 July 20, 1950 Felix Larkin, General Counsel, Department of Defense July 7, 1950                  Stephen Spingarn, Administrative Assistant to the President July 13, 1950 July 15, 1950 James Lay, Executive Secretary, National Security Council July 6, 1950                  George Kennan, Counselor to the Secretary of State July 21, 1950 Richard Neustadt, Special Assistant in the White House July 11, 1950 1, 2, 3 July 15, 1950 July 21, 1950                  Eben Ayers, Assistant Press Secretary to the President July 3, 1950 July 7, 1950 July 8, 1950 July 10, 1950 July 11, 1950 July 15, 1950 July 17, 1950 July 18, 1950 July 19, 1950 Theodore Tannenwald, Counsel to the Special Assistant to the President July 3, 1950                  Arthur Krock, Columnist, The New York Times July 6, 1950                  Everett Drumright, Counsellor of the Embassy in Korea July 5, 1950 July 8, 1950 July 11, 1950                  Frank Holeman, Correspondent, New York Daily News July 5, 1950 July 19, 1950 Major General Frank Lowe, U.S. Army Reserve July 12, 1950