Korea: NEVER FORGOTTEN!

In the Korean War, the United States casualties are as follows:
Dead—54,246 (33,652 KIA)
Wounded—103,284
MIA—8,196
Captured—3,746

Source
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The Korean War was a war fought from 1950-1953 on the Korean Peninsula that was divided by the post-World War II Soviet and American occupation zones. The war began on June 25, 1950, when the communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea invaded the capitalist Republic of Korea. The conflict ended when a cease-fire was reached on July 27, 1953.

The principal support on the side of the North was China, with limited assistance by Soviet combat advisors, military pilots, and weapons. South Korea was supported by United Nations (U.N.) forces, primarily from the United States, although many other nations also contributed personnel. When the conflict began, North and South Korea existed as provisional governments competing for control over the Korean peninsula after the Division of Korea.

In South Korea, the war is often called 6·25, from the date of the start of the conflict or, more formally, Han-guk Jeonjaeng ( literally “Korean War”). In North Korea, it is formally called the Fatherland Liberation War . In the United States, the conflict was officially termed a police action — the Korean Conflict — rather than a war, largely in order to avoid the necessity of a declaration of war by the U.S. Congress. However, it is more commonly referred to as the "Korean War." The war is sometimes referred to outside Korea as “The Forgotten War” because it is a major conflict of the 20th century that garners far less attention than World War II, which preceded it, and the controversial Vietnam War, which succeeded it. In China, the conflict was known as the War to Resist America and Aid Korea but is today commonly called the “Korean War” (Chaoxian Zhanzheng).

from Wikipedia

Korean War and CPL Abrell

CPL CHARLES G ABRELL
Medal of Honor
1951
2/1/1
Korea

The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to
CORPORAL CHARLES G. ABRELL
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS


for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Fire Team Leader in Company E, Second Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea on 10 June 1951. While advancing with his platoon in an attack against well-concealed and heavily-fortified enemy hill positions, Corporal Abrell voluntarily rushed forward through the assaulting squad which was pinned down by a hail of intense and accurate automatic-weapons fire from a hostile bunker situated on commanding ground. Although previously wounded by enemy hand-grenade fragments, he proceeded to carry out a bold, single-handed attack against the bunker, exhorting his comrades to follow him. Sustaining two additional wounds as he stormed toward the emplacement, he resolutely pulled the pin from a grenade clutched in his hand and hurled himself bodily into the bunker with the live missile still in his grasp. Fatally wounded in the resulting explosion which killed the entire enemy gun crew within the stronghold, Corporal Abrell, by his valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death, served to inspire all his comrades and contributed directly to the success of his platoon in attaining its objective. His superb courage and heroic initiative sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.



/S/HARRY S. TRUMAN


###

Biography
Charles Abrell was born in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1931. He attended school in Las Vegas, Nevada, and then enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 17, 1948 at age 17.

Following recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, he was assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and also served aboard the USS Noble before going to Korea with the 1st Marine Division.

He was in combat at Inchon, Seoul, Wonsan, Chosin Reservoir, and Hanghum before the fatal assault on a hill near Hwachon for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Charles Abrell is buried in the West Lawn Cemetery in Farmersburg, Indiana.

Decorations and awards:

Corporal Abrell also was awarded the Letter of Commendation with Commendation ribbon with Combat “V,” the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe clasp, Korean Service Medal with three bronze stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.