---
title: "45 Interesting Facts About Korean War"
url: https://www.kickassfacts.com/45-interesting-korean-war-facts/
date: 2017-01-30
modified: 2017-01-30
lang: en
author: "jazz"
description: "Here are 45 interesting Korean War facts. 1-5 Korean War Facts 1. The first Chinese-American US Marine Corps officer, Kurt Lee, confused the opposing Chinese troops by yelling out orders..."
categories:
  - "Fact List"
  - "History"
image: https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Korean-War-Facts.jpg
word_count: 1514
---

# 45 Interesting Facts About Korean War

Here are 45 interesting Korean War facts.

## 1-5 Korean War Facts

[![kurt-lee](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kurt-lee.png)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/kurt-lee.png)Image credit: nytimes.com

1. The first Chinese-American US Marine Corps officer, Kurt Lee, confused the opposing Chinese troops by yelling out orders in Mandarin Chinese during the battle Inchon in the Korean War. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Chew-Een_Lee#Battle_of_Inchon)

2. Korean War soldier Eduardo C Gomez took out an enemy tank by crawling across an open rice field, got up on top of the tank and then opened the hatch and dropped a live grenade into the tank. - [Source](http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/valor24/recipients/gomez/?f=recipient_list)

3. In the Korean War, US mortar teams accidentally ordered hundreds of crates of Tootsie Rolls instead of rounds because the US military sometimes used "tootsie rolls" as code for mortar rounds. - [Source](http://koreanwar-educator.org/memoirs/szymciak/index.htm)

4. During the Korean War Air Force pilot James Risner successfully "pushed" his wingman's incapacitated jet fighter into friendly territory using the nose of his own jet. A maneuver that had never been attempted in history. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robbie_Risner#Korean_War)

5. To avoid boredom while in a [POW](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-interesting-facts-about-prisoners-of-war/) camp during the Korean War, Lt. John Thornton would ride an imaginary motorcycle around. He did this every day until the guards called him to their headquarters and took away his imaginary motorcycle stating that it was against rules and regulations. - [Source](http://books.google.com/books?id=OcLpAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PT161&pg=PT161#v=onepage&q&f=false)

## 6-10 Korean War  Facts

[![Borders](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Borders.jpg)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Borders.jpg)

6. Al Gore's father once proposed in Congress, "something cataclysmic" be done to end the Korean War. His suggestion involved creating a [radiation](https://www.kickassfacts.com/20-interesting-facts-radiation/) belt on the 38th parallel using atomic bombs to turn the [border](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-kickass-and-interesting-facts-about-borders/) of North and South Korea into a permanent toxic wasteland. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Gore_Sr.#Early_years_and_Congressional_career)

7. North Korean exists because Taiwan exists: [China](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-interesting-facts-about-china/) was prevented by the US 7th Fleet from invading Taiwan in June 1950, so Mao Zedong announced China would enter the Korean war with the invasion force originally intended for Taiwan, and by October this force saved [North Korea](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-interesting-facts-about-north-korea/) from imminent defeat. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War#China_intervenes_.28October_.E2.80.93_December_1950.29)

8. An American Soldier from the Korean War was given the Medal of Honor for killing 5 Chinese soldiers. 4 with his bare hands while giving medical aid to his comrades after being shot.- [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_B._Bleak#Medal_of_Honor_action)

9. During the Korean war, pilot James Risner chased a Russian MiG pilot back to his base in China and while flying between hangars and avoiding anti-aircraft fire, he shot it down into parked fighters. - [Source](http://aviationhumor.net/james-risner-pushing-the-limits/)

10. During the Korean War, Michael Caine served in the infantry. When he was asked about it, all he said was "he proved to himself he wasn't a coward". - [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pbltz)

## 11-15 Korean War  Facts

[![us-troops](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/us-troops.jpg)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/us-troops.jpg)Image credit: in.pinterest.com

11. North Koreans never released 900 American troops who were alive at the end of the Korean War. In 1996, as many as 15 of them might have still been alive. - [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/17/world/us-knew-in-1953-north-koreans-held-american-pow-s.html)

12. A US Army pack mule that was shipped to Asia during [WWII](https://www.kickassfacts.com/30-kickass-interesting-facts-about-world-war-2-part-1/) was captured by Americans six years later during the Korean War. The mule likely served in three different wars (WWII, Chinese Civil War, Korean War) and for three different armies (The US, Nat. Chinese, Communist Chinese).

13. By disobeying orders, US officer Dave Teich took 4 [tanks](https://www.kickassfacts.com/top-ten-military-tanks/) to save 65 men from 300k Chinese troops attacking their position in the Korean War. - [Source](http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/26/19701979-60-years-after-armistice-one-harrowing-mission-still-binds-several-korean-veterans?lite)

14. President Eisenhower allowed his son to serve in the Korean War only on one condition: that he promise never be captured alive. - [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/28/opinion/28eisenhower.html?_r=0)

15. After Douglas MacArthur was relieved of command in the Korean War in 1951, Emperor Hirohito visited him to offer his condolences. It was the first time a Japanese Emperor had ever visited a foreigner who was not a diplomat or royalty.- [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_Truman%27s_relief_of_General_Douglas_MacArthur#Responses_to_the_relief)

## 16-20 Korean War  Facts

[![p-51-mustang](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/p-51-mustang.png)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/p-51-mustang.png)Image credit: history.com

16. During the Korean War, four American soldiers defected to North Korea, hoping for a better life than the one that waited for them back in the US. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Joseph_Dresnok)

17. The Soviet Union could have vetoed the Korean War, but did not. Their delegates were boycotting the UN over a separate issue when the resolution was proposed. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union_and_the_United_Nations#Relationship_with_China)

18. Until the middle of the Korean War, the P-51 Mustang WWII-era fighter was used by the USAF and even served with the Dominican Republic until 1984. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_P-51_Mustang#Post-World_War_II)

19. During the Korean War, the 700-strong British Gloucestershire Regiment withstood the advance of 27,000 men of the Chinese 63rd Army. And successfully held out against them for three days. After the battle, the Chinese had suffered 11,000 casualties, with the loss of 58 British. - [Source](http://www.britains-smallwars.com/korea/gloster.html)

20. Benjamin Wilson, a wounded Korean War Vet, rose from his stretcher to kill 33 Chinese in a one-man assault. After his rifle was wrestled from his hands, he proceeding to kill with his shovel. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_F._Wilson#Biography)

## 21-25 Korean War  Facts

[![Douglas_MacArthur_servey](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Douglas_MacArthur_servey.png)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Douglas_MacArthur_servey.png)Image credit: en.wikipedia.org

21. During his visit to the front lines of the Korean War, General Douglas MacArthur surveyed six T-34 tanks that had been knocked out by Marines, ignoring sniper fire around him, except to note that the North Korean marksmen were poorly trained. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur#Korean_War)

22. There was a Marine in the Korean War who earned two Purple Hearts, was listed by LIFE magazine as one of the US' 100 all-time heroes, and she had a habit of eating her own blanket; Staff Sgt Reckless, a Mongolian chestnut mare. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergeant_Reckless)

23. In 1952, during the Korean War, the United Nations Command air forces completely knocked out power in North Korea for two weeks by permanently destroying 90% of the thirteen hydroelectric generating facilities targeted. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_the_Sui-ho_Dam)

24. Astronaut John Glenn and Baseball legend Ted Williams were wingmen in the Korean War. - [Source](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Glenn#Korean_War)

25. Instead of saying "The Korean War," South Koreans typically refer to the conflict as "625," since it commenced on June 25th. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War#Names)

## 26-30 Korean War  Facts

[![american-planes-dropping-bombs](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/american-planes-dropping-bombs.png)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/american-planes-dropping-bombs.png)Image credit: globalresearch.ca

26. During the Korean War, 635,000 tons of bombs were dropped on Korea by the American [planes](https://www.kickassfacts.com/10-stealth-planes-from-around-the-world/). - [Source](http://apjjf.org/-Charles-K.-Armstrong/3460/article.html)

27. In Korean War, 600 soldiers of the British Army took on a force of 30,000 enemies. The British officer admitted the situation was "a bit sticky" to his American superior. Such classic British understatement failed to secure them reinforcements or permission to fall back. - [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/1285708.stm)

28. After he was KIA during the Korean War, Sgt. John Rice, a Native American, was refused burial at a Sioux City cemetery because of his heritage. Hearing the news, President Truman ordered him buried at Arlington with full military honors between two generals. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Raymond_Rice)

29. During the Korean War, U.S. warplanes dropped more napalm and bombs on North Korea than they did during the whole Pacific campaign of World War II. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War)

30. Turkey participated in the Korean War, despite not having any political conflicts during the cold war. Nevertheless; they sent soldiers to help the U.S. because they desperately wanted to be a member of the NATO and their previous membership requests were denied. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Brigade)

## 31-35 Korean War  Facts

[![lewis-millett-received-medal-of-honor](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/lewis-millett-received-medal-of-honor.jpg)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/lewis-millett-received-medal-of-honor.jpg)Image credit: medalofhonornews.com

31. US Army officer Lewis Millett received the Medal of Honor during the Korean War for leading the last major American bayonet charge. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Millett)

32. 3,158 Ethiopians fought on the American side in the Korean War. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kagnew_Battalion)

33. At the battle of the Chosin Reservoir, during the Korean war, infantrymen fought in temperatures as low as -54 F. - [Source](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chosin_Reservoir)

34. Luxembourg sent 44 soldiers to fight in the Korean War. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxembourg_Army#Korean_War)

35. Out of the ~150,000 South Korean soldiers to die during the Korean war, ~130,000 were missing. - [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfIeoB9LTUo)

## 36-40 Korean War  Facts

[![napalm](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/napalm.png)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/napalm.png)Image credit: forum.prisonplanet.com

36. Napalm was so psychologically effective, when pilots bombed targets during the Korean War, the soldiers on the ground would often surrender to the airplanes on their subsequent passes. - [Source](https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napalm#Usage_in_warfare)

37. During armistice negotiations of the Korean War, delegates from both sides brought in increasingly large flags until they could no longer fit in the room. The North settled with a wider flag, the UN with a longer one. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Security_Area#Overview)

38. During the Korean War, the battleship USS Missouri responded to a failed North Korean attack by shelling the battery responsible with 998 rounds. - [Source](http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA53480047&v=2.1&u=tel_a_wscc&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&asid=fa23c15ca665bb4c0f218f6a8e3dad70)

39. At least 163 refugees were killed during the Korean War as American troops were told to attack civilians fleeing North Korea. - [Source](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Gun_Ri_Massacre)

40. [India](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-kickass-and-interesting-facts-about-india-part-1-of-2/) provided aid to both parties during the Korean War. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indians_in_Korea#Korean_War)

## 41-45 Korean War  Facts

[![refugees-bodies](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/refugees-bodies.png)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/refugees-bodies.png)

41. The South Korean government executed at least 100,000 civilians for suspected communist sympathies just a few days after the start of the Korean War. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodo_League_massacre)

42. Second Korean War was prevented by President Ford by chopping down a Poplar tree. - [Source](http://www.neatorama.com/2013/02/04/Cold-War-Tales-Operation-Paul-Bunyan/#more)

43. During the Korean War, the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army belonged to the People's Liberation Army and was separately constituted in order to prevent an official war with the United States. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Volunteer_Army)

44. Joseph Vittori killed over 200 enemies in 3 hours during the Korean War before being overrun and killed. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Vittori)

45. A British soldier once won the Victoria cross for attacking the enemy with [beer](https://www.kickassfacts.com/30-kickass-interesting-facts-beer/) bottles during the 1950 Korean war. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Speakman)