In early September 1950, the UNC faced a stalemate: while the Pusan Perimeter held in the southeast, the vast majority of Korean territory remained under North Korean control. UNC Commander General Douglas MacArthur proposed a risky and imaginative plan to break the deadlock – an amphibious landing deep behind enemy lines at the port of Incheon, near Seoul. Despite the operation’s high risks (strong tides, narrow channels, and fortified shores), the UNC coalition threw its full support behind the plan. On September 15, 1950, a multinational task force led primarily by U.S. Marines but supported by forces and ships from the UK, Canada, Australia, and other UNC nations, struck at Incheon. The element of surprise was complete. By September 19, UNC forces had secured Incheon and begun a rapid advance inland, liberating Seoul within two weeks. The Incheon Landing was a stunning success – a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations. It severed North Korean supply lines and forced their armies in the south to retreat in haste. For the first time in the war, momentum swung toward the UNC.
The success at Incheon was a product of bravery, joint planning, and international teamwork. We honor the memory of the troops who landed on the beaches of Incheon under heavy fire, including U.S. Marines, South Korean soldiers, and British commandos who took part in early raiding parties. Casualties were relatively light given the scale of the operation, but every life lost in those crucial days is remembered with respect. Among the heroes was Lieutenant Baldomero Lopez of the U.S. Marines, who famously gave his life in the landing and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. We also honor the contributions of naval forces from multiple nations – the United States Navy, the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, and others – whose ships provided bombardment and logistical support. The ROK Navy and Korean Marine Corps, fighting under UNC, reclaimed their homeland alongside international partners. Notably, Canada’s destroyers HMCS Cayuga, Athabaskan, and Sioux were part of the naval task force at Incheon, illustrating UNC’s broad coalition.
By the end of September 1950, the UNC had liberated Seoul and pursued the retreating enemy northward. That same month saw additional UNC allies arriving: on September 19, 1950, the first Filipino troops landed in Korea, and on September 28, 1950, Australian combat forces arrived as well. Notably, while Australian ground troops arrived in late September, their Air Force and Navy has been operating out of Japan since July 7. Sweden also contributed to the UNC effort, providing a hospital in Busan that arrived on September 23, 1950. We honor these allies – the Philippines and Australia – whose troops joined the fight at this pivotal stage. The 10th Battalion Combat Team from the Philippines went on to distinguish itself in battles like Yuldong in 1951. Australian forces, including the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), would soon prove crucial in battles such as Kapyong in 1951. Their arrival in September 1950 signaled that the UNC was truly a global coalition; nations from Asia-Pacific stood shoulder to shoulder with Western allies and South Korea in defense of freedom.
The triumph at Incheon and the subsequent liberation of Seoul were celebrated by war-weary South Koreans and UNC forces alike. The South Korean flag was raised once more in Seoul on September 27, 1950 – a moment of immense emotional relief for the Korean people. For the UNC, it validated the strategy of combined operations and coalition warfare. Importantly, it also vindicated the sacrifices of July and August: the hardships at Pusan were not in vain, for they set the stage for this dramatic comeback.
The Incheon operation underscores themes that remain relevant to UNC’s mission today. First, the value of innovation and bold decision-making in defending peace. Just as MacArthur and the UNC leadership took an audacious approach to break the stalemate, UNC today must remain agile and forward-thinking. Modern security challenges on the Korean Peninsula – whether they be border incidents, cyber threats, or diplomacy with North Korea – require creative, collective solutions. UNC’s continued presence facilitates such cooperation by uniting many nations’ perspectives and capabilities. Second, Incheon exemplified multinational coordination. The complex landing operation required seamless integration of air, sea, and land forces from multiple countries – a feat of coordination and trust. Today, UNC member states regularly conduct joint exercises and staff exchanges, building the interoperability that was so crucial at Incheon. This ensures that if ever called upon, UNC forces can again act as one cohesive team.
After Incheon, UNC forces pressed their advantage, crossing the 38th Parallel in early October 1950 to pursue the remnants of the North Korean army. There was optimism that the war might be won by Christmas. In hindsight, we know new challenges lay ahead (the entry of Chinese forces in late 1950), but for this moment in time, UNC’s future – the freedom of South Korea – looked secure. The legacy of September 1950 is one of dramatic turnaround: it showed the world that aggression could be rolled back through courage and unity. South Korea’s survival and eventual prosperity owe much to that bold stroke 75 years ago. It is no exaggeration to say that the Incheon Landing rewrote the fate of the Korean Peninsula and laid a cornerstone for the security architecture we still uphold.
This month, UNC commemorated the Incheon Landing’s anniversary with a multinational ceremony at Incheon’s Freedom Park, near the very seawalls scaled by troops in 1950. Representatives from UNC sending states, including veterans and military officers from the U.S., South Korea, UK, Australia, and Philippines, gathered to pay tribute to the operation’s heroes. Such gatherings remind us that the bonds formed in war have become lasting partnerships in peace. Australia and the Philippines – once wartime allies – are today key regional partners in UNC’s ongoing mission, contributing officers to the UNC staff and participating in exercises that promote readiness and stability.
We invite you to delve deeper into the history of the Incheon Landing and the stories of those who made it successful. If you are near Incheon, the landing sites and the Incheon Landing Memorial Hall are open to visitors – a chance to walk the ground where history was made. By understanding the ingenuity and unity that defined September 1950, we strengthen our appreciation for UNC’s role in “securing the future.” The lessons of Incheon – bold action, unity of effort, and international cooperation – continue to guide UNC as we face the security challenges of the 21st century together.