Naval History and Heritage Command

Click on month and year for a chronological listing of events of the war.

June 1950

25 June

Announcement on radio by North Koreans of their invasion of South Korea made at 1200 [K].

U.S. fighter planes of 8th Fighter Group fired on by small North Korean convoy at 37 50' N. - 129 40' E. off coast of South Korea at approximately 1700 [K].

ROK Navy patrol craft (PC 701) sank an armed North Korean steamer with 600 troops, 18 miles off Pusan. This was first naval surface action of war.

26 June

700 Americans and friendly foreign nationals evacuated from Seoul via Inchon to Japan by sea under direction of COMNAVFE. Escorted by USS Mansfield (DD 728) and USS Dehaven (DD 727).

27 June

As directed by CINCPACFLT, COMSEVENTHFLT (VADM Struble) at Buckner
Bay, Okinawa, reported for duty to CINCFE (GEN. Douglas MacArthur).

President Truman ordered Naval and Air Forces in Far East to support operations of South Korean Forces and directed Seventh Fleet to take steps to prevent an invasion of Formosa.

North Koreans captured Seoul.

28 June

UN Security Council ordered military sanctions against North Korea.

British admiralty placed Royal Naval units in Japanese waters at disposal of COMNAVFE (VADM Joy). COMNAVFE. requested British ships to rendezvous at Buckner Bay, Okinawa.

29 June

USS Juneau (CLAA 119) took shore targets under fire in vicinity of Samchock, Korea; first significant naval gunfire support mission of Korean War.

Antisubmarine warfare (ASW) patrol off Sasebo area formed.

July 1950

1 July 1950

CINCPACFLT formed Task Force Yoke (ships assembled on West Coast of U.S. and at Pearl Harbor for Korean campaign) under RADM Boone.

COMNAVFE authorized COMSEVENTHFLT to continue strikes after 3 July as practicable.

COMNAVFE discontinue routine ASW patrols of Sasebo area until further notices.

3 July

Planes of Seventh Fleet and British FES ships began carrier operations off west coast of North Korea as ordered by COMNAVFE on 30 June.

5 July

CINCPACFLT established Service Squadron 3, effective 7 July as principal logistic agent of COMSEVENTHFLT.

Fleet Marine Force Pacific directed 1st Marine Division to form the lst Provisional Marines Brigade.

COMNAVFE implemented President Truman's order for a blockade of the Korean Coast.

7 July

UN Security Council appointed General MacArthur supreme Commander of UN Forces in Korea.

9 July

CDR Michael J. L. Luosey took command of ROK Navy.

10 July

As directed by COMNAVFB, naval blockade extended to include ports of Wonsan and Chinnampo. CNO directed CINCPACFLT to sail Task Force Yoke when ready.

11 July

CNO authorized activation of ships from the Reserve Fleet. NK Prisoner of War reported mines laid vicinity of Chongjin.

12 July

First increments of lst Marine Brigade sailed for Far East from San Diego.

COMNAVFE. set up Naval Air Japan as temporary organization for all naval aeronautical activities in Japan.

14 July

COMNAVFE authorized attacks on unidentified submarines in self defense or when offensive action against our forces was indicated. .

Main body of lst Marine Brigade sailed from San Diego with approximately 6,000 troops.

15 July

Task Force 90 transported two RCT's of the First Cavalry Division from Tokyo Bay to Pohangdong via Inland Sea and Shimonoseki strait.

Frigate (PF) activation program began at Yokosuka.

18 July

First Cavalry Division (RCT 5 and RCT 8; 10,027 troops) began landing at Pohang-dong under CTF 90.

18-19 July

Carrier based planes from Seventh Fleet destroyed North Korean airfields, railroads, factories and oil refinery at Wonsan. Other targets at Hungham, Hamhung, Numpyong destroyed or damaged.

19 July

First Navy plane shot down by North Koreans.

23 July

USS Boxer (CV 21) arrived Yokosuka, following an eight day transit from Alameda, delivering a load of F-51 airplanes, equipment and personnel for the Air Force.

24 July

COMNAVFE established Escort Element (CTE 96.50) under CAPT A. D.H. Jay, RN, consisting of HMS Black Swan (PF), HMS Hart (PF), and HMS Shoalhaven (PF).

27 July

COMNAVFE directed harassing and demolition raids by CTF 90 utilizing UDT and marine reconnaissance personnel against selected North Korean east coast military objectives.

29 July

First shipment 6.5 inch anti-tank aircraft rockets (ATAR), developed by Navy at NOTS Inyokern for the Air Force, delivered to the latter.

30 July

CTF 90 completed Pohang landing.

August 1950

1 August 1950

2nd Infantry Division landed at Pusan.

COMNAVFE ordered two CVE's, USS Sicily (CVE 118) and USS Badoeng Strait (CVE 116), with assigned DD types to provide close air support to UN land forces in Korea.

USS Philippine Sea (CV 47) reported to COM7THFLT for duty.

2 August

1st Marine Provisional Brigade began landing at Pusan.

3 August

Marine Fighter Squadron 214, embarked in USS Sicily, attacked Chinju with rockets and incendiary bombs -- first action for marine carrier-based air.

3 - 5 August

Marine infantry in vicinity of Masan-Chan on combat patrol aided by helicopter. First instance of this type of aircraft being used to carry rations and water and to evacuate personnel.

4 August

Fleet Air Wing 6, commissioned and given operational control of all American and British patrol squadrons located in Japan-Korea area.

7 August

lst Marine Brigade, in first action, launched attack southwest toward Kosong.

8 August

Fleet Air Japan established by COMNAVFE, relocating NAVAL AIR JAPAN.

11 August

HMS Warrior (CVL) and HMS Ocean (CVL) joined British and American Forces in Korea.

12 August

Marines advanced to Sachon and to Changwon.

14 August

Marine Brigade moved into assembly area at Maryang.

15 - 16 August

First successful series of night raids on Korean East Coast by a landing party composed of a Navy underwater demolition team and U.S. Marines embarked in USS Bass (APD 124); railroad bridges and tunnels destroyed.

16 August

1st Marine Brigade began to move to Yonson, CNO ordered 7th Marines to Far East.

17 August

Navy Task Element (TE 96.51) successfully completed the evacuation of the entire 3rd ROK Division from a position south of Yongdok.

First elements of lst Marine Division sailed from West Coast for Korea.

Marines began first battle of Naktong River Bulge.

18 August

ROK Marines under cover of Korean Navy guns landed and captured city of Tangyong.

20 August

CINCUNC ordered capture of Inchon-Seoul area by amphibious assault using RCT's 1 and 5, lst Marine Division.

21 August

Carrier based planes of TF 77 (Valley Forge (CV 45) and Philippine Sea (CV 47)) set new record with 202 sorties in one day in Pyongyang area.

22 August

CNO, Adm Forrest Sherman broke his flag in USS Rochester at Sasebo.

September 1950

1 September 1950

Korean Reds continue offensive toward Pusan; capturing Songsan; Masan threatened; Marines and Second Army Division counter-attacked.

2 September

2nd Battalion, 5th Marines moved to Yongsan and took up defensive positions. 9th RCT of 2nd Infantry cleared town of Yongsan.

North Korean drive stopped as UN forces took the offensive.

3 September

Marines fight due west of Yongsan in second Battle of Naktong River Bulge.

Marine carrier-based planes rendered close support from Ashiya Air Force Base while CVE's were replenishing.

4 September

COMNAVFE ordered change of Fleet Base from Buckner Bay to Sasebo.

USS McKean (DD784) destroyed 4 mines 38 28' W - 124o 24' E.

5 September

Russian twin-engine bomber shot down by CAP near TF 77; incident announced to UN.

Marine Brigade relieved from front lines end moved to Pusan to embark for Inchon operation.

Elements of lst Marine division arrived in Japan.

8 September

Marine Brigade began loading at Pusan for amphibious assault at Inchon.

8 - 12 September

7th Marines arrived at Kobe.

10 - 12 September

Typhoon "Kezia" delayed Inchon loading operations as eye of typhoon passed over Kobe.

12 September

COMNAVFE established UN Blockading Escort Force (TF95) under RADM Allan E. Smith.

15 September

USS Missouri (BB 63) arrived from Atlantic and joined TG 95.2 in bombarding Samchok area; first bombardment by 16 inch naval guns.

3rd Battalion 5th Marines landed in assault at 06331 on Wolmi-Do Island, Inchon from Advance Attack Force of TF 90. 

lst and 5th Marines landed in assault at 1730[I] on Inchon beaches.

USS Boxer (CV 21) reported for duty with TF 77.

16 September

Marines captured Inchon. 7th Infantry Division landed at Inchon as follow-up force. 5th Marines began drive for Kimpo Airfield.

17 September

Marines captured Kimpo Airfield.

HMS Jamaica (CVL) shot down one of two Yak single-engine aircraft attacking Rochester (CA 124), the only plane shot down by naval gunfire to date.

TF 77 flew 304 sorties, destroying 200 vehicles north of Inchon.

20 September

Han River crossed and immediate approaches to Seoul under assault.

21 September

A Marine aircraft sorties from Kimpo Airfield made for first time.

7th Marines landed at Inchon.

23 September

Intelligence reports indicated that 3,500 enemy mines had been laid to date in Korean waters, a serious problem.

24 September

Seoul fell to lst Marines. Total U.S. Marine casualties for Inchon-Seoul operations were 2,301.

26 September

USS Brush (DD 745) struck mine off Tanchon.

29 September

COMFAIRJAP initiated utilization of aircraft for anti-mine operations by establishing daylight patrol along West Coast of Korea, including extensive use of helicopters.

USS Magpie (AMS 25) mined and sunk while mine sweeping near Pohang.

30 September

USS Mansfield (DO 728) mined in vicinity of Changjon.

October 1950

1 October 1950

General MacArthur issued surrender ultimatum to North Korean forces. South Koreans crossed 38th Parallel.

USS Missouri bombarded installations on Korean East Coast.

4 October

Task Force 77 reported that planes from its carriers had flown 3,330 sorties during the 13 day period of the Inchon assault.

COMNAVFE announced that more than 65 moored and floating mines had been destroyed during the past month in Korean waters.

COMNAVFE ordered air strikes and shore bombardment of Chinnampo and Haeju areas.

6 October

ROKN vessels authorized to operate on East Coast of Korea as far north as necessary to support advancing ROK ground forces.

8 October

USS Leyte (CV 32) reported to TF 77 from Atlantic.

Marines being withdrawn from north of Seoul to participate in Wonsan landings. Elements of 1st Marine Division commenced embarking in assault shipping at Inchon for Wonsan operations.

10 October. 

Mine sweeping commenced in Wonsan area.

11 October

Planes from TF 77 destroyed North Korean vessels off Songjin and Wonsan and north of Hungham. Railroads, trucks, warehouses and supply dumps in Songjin area were destroyed.

12 October

USS Pirate (AM 275) and USS Pledge ( AM 277), while sweeping
approaches to Wonsan, struck mines and sank.

14 October

Marine Air Squadron (VMF 312) operating in Wonsan area.

15 - 31 October

Naval forces largely concentrated in Wonsan area in support of mine-sweeping and amphibious landing. Blockading forces, consisting of USS Missouri (BB 63), Helena (CA 75), Toledo (CA 133), Manchester (CA 83) and accompanying destroyers patrolled approaches to Wonsan.

17 October

Wonsan attack force (TF 90) sailed from Inchon.

20 October

Attack force (TF 98) arrived off Wonsan; landing delayed six days because of uncompleted sweeping of enemy mines in area.

24 October

Marine pilots reported AA fire from Manchurian side of Yalu River.

26 October

1st Marine Division landed at dawn on beaches of Kalma Peninsula, Wonsan.

29 October

7th Division began landing at Iwon.

November 1950

6 November 1950

Minesweeping operation at Hungnam commenced by CTG 95.6.

7 November

Marine Jet Fighter Squadron (VMF 311) ordered to Far East.

8 November

Landing of 7th Infantry Division at Iwon completed.

9 November

TF 77 made initial effort against International Bridges at Yalu River.

Soviet designed MIG-15 planes attacked F9F's from USS Philippine Sea. First engagement between planes of this type.

10 November

PBM destroyed 9 mines vicinity 39o 13' N, 124o 55' E.

11 November

USS Buck (DD 761) and USS Thompson (DE 203) damaged by collision at 39o 13' N, 129o 32' E.

15 November

Mine sweeping operations commenced at Songjin.

7th Marines reached Chosin Reservoir.

16 November

Tactical organization of Escort Carrier Task Group (TG 96.8) under command of RADM R. W. Ruble, USN (COMCARDIV 15) during period 16 Nov - 31 Dec.

16 November

USS St. Paul (CA 73) commenced operations with Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77) at Kyojo Wan. USS Rochester (CA 124) off Songjin for Gun Fire Support as part of COMCRUDIV 5.

17 November

Harbors of Hungnam, Chinnampo, Inchon and Kusan opened and safe for all shipping.

18 November

Eight (F9F) jets of Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77) engaged eight to 10 MIG-15's with one MIG-15 shot down, five damaged.

19 November

Fleet Activities Unit activated at Hungnam.

23 November

East Coast Blockade and Patrol Task Group (TG 95.2) reverted to Operational Control of United Nations Blockading and Escort Task Force (TF 95).

24 November

Chinese communist forces commenced large scale commitment and counter-offensive.

Eighth Army starts drive to Yalu River. Carriers of Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77) supported this drive.

25 November

3rd Battalion, 7th Marines secured Yudam-Ni.

27 November

5th Marines jumped off at 0800 I and were directed to attack in N.W. direction to the Yalu River.

27 November

By this date the Chinese communist counter offensive had built up sufficiently to stop advance of most of the 8th Army.

29 November

Messages from 5th Air Force and COMNAVFE indicated that maximum air support was desired for 8th Amy and X Corps. This replaced the Yalu River bridge attacks as priority mission for TF 77 planes.

30 November

Because of critical ground situation, immediate deployment of all units of Amphibious Task Force (TF 90) to Korea ordered.

5th and 7th Marines commenced joint movement from Yudam-Nl to Hagaru-Ri to rejoin elements of let Marine Division for further movement to Hungnam.

8th Army and X Corps now split apart with enemy pouring down the middle. Our own forces withdrew into beachhead areas as Wonsan and Hungnam.

December 1950

1 December 1950

Naval Air Station at Atsugi commissioned.

Primary mission of providing air support for l0th Corps assigned to 1st Marine Air Wing by 5th Air Force. First C-37 landed at Nagaru-Ri airstrip and commenced casualty evacuation.

2 December

X Corps ordered 1st Marine Division to withdraw to Hamhung area.

USS Princeton (CV 37) with RADM R. A. Ofstie (COMCARDIV 5) arrived at Sasebo, Japan from CONLUS en route to Korean operating area.

4 December

Various units of Far East Naval Forces arrived to provide sea lift for U. S. Army units evacuating Wonsan. USS St. Paul(CA 73) assumed duties of Gun Fire Support Coordinator there.

4 - 5 December

United Nations Blockading and Escort Task Element (TE 95.1) supplied escort, gunfire and air support for emergency re-deployment of 8th Army troops from Chinnampo to Inchon.

5 December

UN forces evacuated by sea from Chinnampo to Inchon by units of Amphibious Task Force (TF 90) and United Nations Blockading and Escort Task Force (TF 95).

7 December

Out loading of unneeded Amy stores commenced at Inchon.

Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF 214) re-embarked aboard USS Sicily (CVE 118} off Hamhung.

Successful air drop of an M-2 steel treadway bridge at Koto-Ri in support of withdrawing troops and for 1st Marine Division Engineer's use.

9 December

1st ROK Corps evacuated by sea from Songjin by units of Amphibious Task Force (TF 90).

10 December

Twelve F9F's of Marine Fighter Squadron 311, the first Marine jet aircraft in action in Korea, arrived at Yonpo.

10 December

Embarkation at Hungnam of X Corps personnel and equipment commenced.

Evacuation operations at Wonsan by U.S. and ROK troops and civilians completed.

11 December

Embarkation at Hungnam of 1st Marine Division commenced.

Commander Amphibious Task Force (CTF 90) directed COMCRUDIV 1 to form Gunfire Support Group (TG 90.8) for Hungnam Evacuation consisting of USS St. Paul (CA 73), DESDIV 162, LSR DIV 11 and other units as assigned.

12 December

First Anti Submarine Hunter Killer Group (TG 96.7) commenced exercises in the operations area off eastern Honshu in accordance with COMNAVFE's OpOrder 24-50. TG 96.7 consisted of USS Bairoko (CVE 115) and DESDIV 32. Submarines were provided by Submarine Group (CTG 96.9).

Command, East Coast Blockading and Patrol Task Group (CTG 95.2) (COMCRUDIV 5} formed East Coast Korea Blockade Patrol Element (TE 95.22). Later changed to TG 95.5.

8th Army formed a defensive line across north of Seoul, I Corps had withdrawn into Hamhung-Hungnam perimeter. Ships standing off Hungnam for any eventuality.

13 December

Marine Fighter Squadron (VMF 212) embarked aboard the USS Bataan (CVL 29).

14 December

Marine Fighter Squadrons VMF 312, VMF(N) 513 and 542 evacuated Yonpo, Korea for Itami, Japan.

15 December

First naval gunfire support at Hungnam commenced with night harassing missions fired by USS St. Paul (CA 73).

1st Marine Division completed embarkation and departed Hungnam.

Air Control passed from 1st Marine Air Wing Tactical Air Direction Center to USS Mt McKinley (AGC 7). Wing Command Post moved to Itami Air Force Base, Japan.

16 December

President Truman declared National Emergency.

USS Bataan (CVL 29) with Marine Fighter Squadron 212 aboard reported for duty to Commander Fast Carrier Task Force (CTF 77).

ROK Navy Intelligence Groups landed behind enemy lines on the East Coast of Korea.

17 December

1st ROK Corps completed embarkation and departed Hungnam.

18 December

1st ROK Corps commenced unopposed landing at Bukuko Ko near Samchok from units of Amphibious Task Force (TF 90).

18 December 1950 - 27 January 1951

1st Marine Division active against enemy guerrillas in Masan - Pohan - Sondong - Andong areas. Enemy pressure reduced as Marines force the l0th NK Division to abandon guerrilla activity and withdraw northward.

20 December

1st Marine Division transferred from operational control of tenth Corps to Eight Army.

USS Bataan (CVL 29) detached from Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77) and reported for duty to Escort Carrier Group (TG 96.8).

21 December

7th Infantry Division completed embarkation and departed Hungnam.

23 December

USS Charles S. Sperry (DD 697) hit three times by shore battery while conducting interdiction and harassing fire from harbor at Songjin.

24 December

Amphibious evacuation of Hungnam by X Corps completed with outloading of 3rd Infantry Division at 1436 Item.

USS Bataan (CVL 29) detached from Escort Carrier Group (TG 96.8) and reported for duty to Commander, Fast Carrier Task Force (CTF 77).

26 December

Effective this date Operational Control of X Corps assigned to U.S. Eighth Army.

27 December

1st Marine Division transferred from operational Control of Eighth Army to X Corps.

28 December

Fast Carrier Task Force (TF 77) resumed air operating East Coast Korea--furnishing Close Air Support eastern flank Eighth Army plus interdiction strikes in North Korea.

29 December

USS Rochester (CA 124) arrived Inchon to assume duty as Amphibious Task Element (TE 90.12).

31 December

1st Marine Division transferred from operational control of X Corps to Eighth Army.

Note: All dates and times are expressed in local Korean time, known as "K" time. That time zone falls between 142½° E and 157 ½° East Longitude.