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 June 24, 1950: 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 25, 1950 June 29, 1950 June 30, 1950 1, 2 , 3 Dean Acheson, Secretary of State June 25, 1950 1 , 2 June 26, 1950 June 27, 1950 June 28, 1950 1 , 2 June 30, 1950 1 , 2 Louis Johnson, U.S. Secretary of Defense June 26, 1950 John Snyder, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury June 25, 1950 1 , 2 W. Averell Harriman, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs June 27, 1950 Frank Pace, Secretary of the Army June 24, 1950 June 26, 1950 June 30, 1950 General of the Army Omar Bradley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff June 30, 1950 James Webb, Under Secretary of State June 25, 1950 1, 2 Eben Ayers, Assistant Press Secretary to the President June 24, 1950 June 25, 1950 June 27, 1950 June 29, 1950 June 30, 1950 July 1, 1950 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 June 30, 1950 Lucius Battle, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State July 1, 1950 William Sebald, Political Advisor to Commander in Chief Far East June 30, 1950 Lieutenant Colonel John Chiles June 29, 1950 June 30, 1950 1, 2

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