brutal korean winters

The Korean winters proved to be a brutal adversary throughout the conflict.

regular patrols

As the war moved into stalemate, patrols became a regular feature of daily life for many troops.

The signs of fatigue are clearly evident in the posture of these battle weary soldiers.

The signs of fatigue are clearly evident in the posture of these battle weary soldiers.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, changed hands four times during the first year of the war.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, changed hands four times during the first year of the war.

american casualties top 150,000

The U.S. suffered over 150,000 casualties during three years of fighting in Korea. Most of the American troops were motivated by loyalty to the men with whom they served rather than by political ideology.

communist prisoners

What to do with communist prisoners of war was a continual problem for the ill-prepared allied forces. Eventually, a major prison compound was established on Koje-do Island, off the southern coast of Korea.

155mm howitzers

Artillery, such as these 155mm howitzers, played an important role in keeping communist forces at bay throughout the war.

Displacement of the Korean civilian population

Huge swathes of the Korean civilian population were displaced as the warring sides competed for control of territory.

men from the 1st Marines scan surrounding hilltops for a suitable target

While primarily an anti-tank weapon, the 75mm M20 recoilless rifle was often employed against communist bunkers and other fortified positions. Here, men from the 1st Marines scan surrounding hilltops for a suitable target.

anderson, taugner, and reno of the 1st marines

Members of the 1st Marines (last names Anderson, Taugner, and Reno) pose for a candid moment during a lull in the action.

Henry M. Rector, 1st Marines, relaxes with his Browning .30 caliber machine gun.

Henry M. Rector, 1st Marines, relaxes with his Browning .30 caliber machine gun.

soldiers rest during retreat

Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division pause to rest and collect themselves on the retreat from North Korea following the entry of Chinese communists into the war.

About the Project

The Korean War has often been overshadowed by other conflicts, such as World War II and the Vietnam War. Much of the history of the war exists only in the memories and mementos of its veterans. Approximately 6,300 Arkansans served in the war, including six who received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies is gathering Arkansas-related Korean War materials to preserve this important history.

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About the Digital Collections

The Butler Center provides online access to selected portions of our collections. These featured collections represent a dynamic sampling of Arkansas history. Included are audio/video clips, digital images of photographs, letters, and other documents as well as educational resources such as lesson plans.

Researchers may also view searchable inventories of our manuscript collection holdings. To access the full range of our resources, we invite you to visit our research room in the Arkansas Studies Institute.

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