Definition

A veteran is defined as any person who served in the military. A Korean War veteran usually refers to a person who not only served in the armed forces during the Korean War, but actually fought in the war--5.7 million American active-duty soldiers served during the Korean War Era, making them veterans of the war era or the war.

Timeline

The Korean War spanned from June 1950 until July 1953 when an armistice was signed between the United States, North Korea and China. South Korea refused to sign, and the two Koreas are separate to this day.

Effects

From all nations involved, a total of 2,419,010 troops were involved in the Korean War. Of the 1.8 million American soldiers involved in the conflict, 33,652 were killed in action and more 103,284 wounds were recorded.

Interesting Fact

As of the 2000 U.S. Census, Korean War veterans accounted for nearly 16 percent of the 24.4 million total living veterans.

Significance

The Korean War Veterans Memorial was dedicated on the 42nd anniversary of the end of the conflict, July 27, 1995. The memorial is located in Washington, D.C., on the south end of the reflecting pool on the national mall.

Source:

Korean War Veterans Association

Korean War Veteran Facts