Armistice Day was officially made a federal holiday by Congress in 1938 as a day to honor the end of World War I. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed HR7786, which established Veterans Day in place of Armistice Day to honor those who served in World War II and the Korean War.
Photo: DDE signing HR7786, changing Armistice Day to Veterans Day 1954. 6/1/54.
Source: senate.gov
Desegregation of the armed forces did not occur overnight. Between 1948 and 1950, the Army in particular, resisted integration through bureaucratic tactics. General Omar Bradley, Army Chief of Staff, publicly declared “The Army is not out to make any social reforms.”
In opposition, President Truman told the military in January 1949 that he wanted “concrete results…, not publicity on it. I want the job done.” However, it wasn’t until the Korean War began on June 25, 1950 that integration became a battlefield necessity.
At the time of the armistice of July 27, 1953, ninety percent of the army’s units were integrated. On October 30, 1954, the armed services announced the integration of all of its branches.
Here, SFC Jasper and 1st Lt. Posey posing by the flag of their unit, 715th Truck Company, National Guard of Washington D.C., in Korea. The “Blair House” sign is the nickname for their units’ orderly room. December 8, 1951.
Source: presidentialtimeline.org
Eisenhower in Korea President Eisenhower and Sargent Virgil Hutcherson, Squad Leader, Co. “B”, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd US Infantry Division, eat dinner in Korea. December 4, 1952.
Source: eisenhower.archives.gov
NOVEMBER 29: PRESIDENT EISENHOWER TRAVELS TO KOREA, 1952
On this day in 1952, President Dwight Eisenhower made good on a presidential campaign promise and traveled to Korea.
On the campaign trail, Eisenhower had promised Americans that he would personally travel to the country to find a solution to end the Korean War. The war would be over the following year.
Last year’s special, “Unforgettable: The Korean War” is an homage to the forgotten fighters of the Korean War. Veterans recall some of the searing memories that were etched into their hearts and minds.
Watch the full film above.
“And so at long last the carnage of war is to cease and the negotiation of the conference table is to begin.”
-President Dwight D. Eisenhower announcing the Korean War Armistice Agreement
Pictured, the Armistice Agreement for the Restoration of the South Korean State. July 27, 1953.
June 27 - Authorizing Use of Force in Korea
Teletype conference message authorizing full use of Far East Command (FECOM) naval and air forces against the North Korean forces invading South Korea. Records of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.
On June 27, 1950, in response to a call for aid from the United Nations Security Council, President Harry S. Truman ordered U.S. Air and Naval Forces to defend South Korea against invading North Korean forces, the start of the United States’ involvement in the Korean War.
