June 24-July 1, 1950 Outbreak of the Korean War: Week of Decision Heading from the Blair House to the White House are Attorney General Howard McGrath, President Harry S. Truman, and Defense Secretary Louis Johnson, June 27, 1950. Source: Truman Library.

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

Chronology: Accounts, documents and photographs of developments affecting the day's events.

Korean War: June, 1950 Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed 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 Korean War: July, 1950 Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri 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 See also, Truman's Presidential Appointment Calendar

June 24, 1950: On June 25, Korean time, the North Korean People's Army invades the Republic of Korea (South Korea). With President Harry S. Truman in his home town of Independence and other key officials away, the Department of State takes the lead in developing the nation's response. June 25, 1950: The United Nations Security Council adopts a resolution calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of North Korean forces to the 38th parallel. It is clear this is a full-scale invasion. President Truman returns to Washington DC and holds the first in a series of meetings to determine the American response. June 26, 1950: The President announces that in accordance with the Resolution of the United Nations Security Council, "The United States will vigorously support the effort of the Council to terminate this serious breach of the peace." The principal American decision makers meet again at Blair House. June 27, 1950: Congressional leaders and the public are informed that the the President has ordered air and sea forces to give the South Korean government troops cover and support. The U.S. Seventh Fleet is directed to prevent any attack on Formosa (Taiwan) and to see that the Chinese ("Nationalist") Government on Formosa cease operations against the mainland People's Republic of ("Red") China. The United Nations Security Council adopts a resolution recommending that the members of the U.N. furnish assistance to the Republic of Korea in order to repel the attack and restore peace and security in Korea. June 28, 1950 The South Korean army abandons the capitol city of Seoul. The world reacts to events in Korea and the United States. June 29, 1950: The Commander in Chief in the Far East (CINCFE), General Douglas MacArthur, flies to Korea where the South Koreans are attempting to hold a line at the Han River just south of Seoul. Efforts continue to assess Soviet intentions. The President holds a press and radio conference. June 30, 1950: The President authorizes General MacArthur to use ground troops in Korea. Also approved are bombing missions on military targets north of the 38th parallel. July 1, 1950:President aboard the U.S.S. Williamsburg.

Accounts: Read the participants' version of events Harry S. Truman, President of the United States June 24, 1950 June 25, 1950 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 June 26, 1950 June 29, 1950 June 30, 1950 1, 2 , 3                  Dean Acheson, Secretary of State June 24, 1950 1, 2, 3 June 25, 1950 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 June 26, 1950 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 June 27, 1950 June 28, 1950 1 , 2 June 30, 1950 1 , 2 Louis Johnson, Secretary of Defense June 26, 1950                  John Snyder, Secretary of the Treasury June 25, 1950 1 , 2 W. Averell Harriman, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs June 27, 1950 June 28, 1950                  Frank Pace, Secretary of the Army June 24, 1950 June 26, 1950 June 30, 1950 Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff June 25, 1950 1, 2, 3, 4 June 30, 1950                  James Webb, Under Secretary of State June 25, 1950 1, 2, 3, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief, Far East June 28, 1950                  John Hickerson, Assistant Secretary of State for U.N. Affairs June 24, 1950 1, 2, 3 June 25, 1950 June 26, 1950 June 27, 1950 George Kennan, Counselor to the Secretary of State June 25, 1950 June 26, 1950 June 29, 1950                  John Muccio, Ambassador to Korea June 24, 1950 1, 2, 3 June 25, 1950 June 26, 1950 June 29, 1950 June 30, 1950 George Elsey, Administrative Assistant to the President June 25, 1950 June 26, 1950 1 , 2 , 3 June 27, 1950 1 , 2, 3 June 28, 1950 1 , 2 June 29, 1950 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 June 30, 1950                   Ernest Gross, Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations June 24, 1950 June 25, 1950 Eben Ayers, Assistant Press Secretary to the President June 24, 1950 June 25, 1950 1 , 2 June 27, 1950 June 29, 1950 1 , 2 June 30, 1950 July 1, 1950                   Everett Drumright, Counsellor of the Embasy in Korea June 28, 1950 William Sebald, Political Advisor to Commander in Chief Far East June 30, 1950                  Lieutenant Colonel John Chiles, Secretary, Far East Command General Staff June 29, 1950 June 30, 1950 1, 2 Lucius Battle, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State July 1, 1950

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