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Australians who served  Approximately 18,000 Between 1950 and 1953, personnel from Army Involvement Australians, including over 50 In October 1950, 3RAR moved north from the Australian Navy, Army and Air Force nursing sisters who served in South Korea’s capital of Seoul into North fought as part of the United Nations (UN) both Korea and in a base hospital Korea. They fought their first major action force, defending South Korea from a near Pyongyang. 3RAR stayed in Korea communist North Korean invasion which in Japan throughout the War. was later strongly supported by China. 
Australians commenced operations as part of a United The Chinese Government moved troops On 25 June 1950 North Korean forces Nations Force in 1950 and stayed into North Korea, striking against American crossed the border and proceeded towards in Korea post‐armistice from mid troops as they approached the border with Seoul, taking the capital within days. They 1953 until 1957 continued towards the port of Busan. China and forcing a retreat. Key battles Major units involved involving Australians included Kapyong and Almost immediately, the UN Security  1st , 2nd and 3rd Battalions, Royal Maryang San. 3RAR was awarded a United Council had the support of 21 member Australian Regiment (RAR) States Presidential Unit Citation for their nations to defend South Korea, including  HMA Ships Anzac, Arunta, efforts at Kapyong. Australia. Bataan, Tobruk, Warramunga, Condamine, Culgoa, Murchison, In the latter part of 1951 the war changed An armistice was signed on 27 July 1953 Shoalhaven and Sydney (including from one of movement to a static conflict in after over two years of negotiations. RAN 805, 808 and 817 Squadrons) Australia maintained a presence in Korea which both sides faced off from opposing  RAAF No. 77 Squadron trench lines. Patrolling, rather than major until 1957. With no peace treaty signed, a battles, became the mainstay of operations state of war technically continues to exist Casualties until the armistice was signed. today.  More than 1,500 Australians wounded By 1952 some countries were keen to The Korean War marked the first collective  340 Australians killed, including extricate their troops from Korea but UN action. Australian soldiers, sailors, 43 listed as missing in action Australia’s commitment increased, with airmen and nurses won international  16 Australians died during the 1RAR arriving mid year. They stayed for respect for their courage, endurance and post‐armistice period almost 12 months, being replaced by 2RAR. combat skills in Korea.  The USA lost more than 36,000 personnel Air Force Involvement Navy Involvement  Millions of Korean and Chinese In 1950 both the Royal Australian Air HMA Ships Shoalhaven and Bataan were soldiers and civilians were killed quickly committed to operations and saw Force’s (RAAF) No. 77 Squadron and Army’s Specific Medals service in Korean water within days of the 3RAR were serving in Japan with the British  The Korea Medal outbreak of war. Australian ships also Commonwealth Occupation Force. The assisted the Inchon landings in 1950. HMAS RAAF committed No. 77 Squadron to  The United Nations Medal for Murchison was famously involved in a duel combat operations within days of the Korea with land‐based guns at the Han River in outbreak of the war.  The Australian General Service 1951. Medal Korea Initially the squadron flew ground attack The Australian Active Service Aircraft from HMAS Sydney were involved missions in Mustangs but later in the war medal 1945‐75 clasp Korea re‐fitted with Gloucester Meteors, they in mostly ground attack missions against  Australian Service Medal 1945‐
were assigned to an interceptor role before Communist lines of communication, troop 1975 clasp Korea returning to ground attack missions. concentrations and industrial infrastructure. Aircraft also undertook patrols to protect Commemorations of Korean War dead For more information visit Sydney from air attack and submarines.  43 commemorated at Memorial www.korean‐war.commemoration.gov.au Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels to the Missing; 10 Australians www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/korea/ausink
conducted blockade, escort and buried at the Yokohama War bombardment operations on both sides of orea/contributions.asp Cemetery, Japan; 11 the peninsula throughout the war. commemorated in Australia. Memorials in Korea  Australian Monument; Australian & New Zealand Memorial, Commonwealth Monument, Kapyong; RAAF Plaque and Navy For more information contact DVA Media
EMAIL: [email protected] PHONE: +61 (0) 2 6289 6203 www.dva.gov.au Plaque, Maryang San. The Korean War