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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: Learn what happened day by day

Drawn from the daily Presidential appointments and an undated document in the papers of Administrative Assistant to the President David Lloyd




Korean War: June, 1950
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22 23 2425262728
2930



Korean War: July, 1950
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123 45 6 7
8 910 11 12 1314
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22 23 2425 2627 28
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June 24, 1950: On June 25, Korean time, North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel and invaded the Republic of Korea [South Korea].

June 25, 1950: The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and withdrawal of the North Korean forces to the thirty-eighth parallel.

June 26, 1950: The President announced 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."

June 27, 1950: The President ordered United States air and sea forces to give the Korean government troops cover and support; also ordered the Seventh Fleet 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 adoped a resolution recommending that the members of the United Nations furnish assistance to the Republic of Korea in order to repel the attack and restore peace and security in Korea.

June 28, 1950

June 29, 1950: Weekly Presidential press and radio conference.

June 30, 1950: The President authorized U.S. Air Force bombing missions on military targets north of the 38th parallel and authorized General [Douglas] MacArthur to use ground troops in the Korean conflict.

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
June 29, 1950
June 30, 1950
1, 2 , 3

                

Dean Acheson, Secretary of State

June 24, 1950
June 25, 1950
1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
June 26, 1950
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 30, 1950

                

James Webb, Under Secretary of State

June 25, 1950
1, 2

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
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
June 25, 1950
June 26, 1950
June 29, 1950
June 30, 1950

George Elsey, Administrative Assistant to the President

June 25, 1950
1 , 2
June 26, 1950
1 , 2 , 3 , 4
June 27, 1950
1 , 2, 3
June 28, 1950
1 , 2
June 29, 1950
1 , 2 , 3 , 4
June 30, 1950




                 

Lucius Battle, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State

July 1, 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

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