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ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. DON’T GIVE UP THE SHIPS: UNITED STATES NAVAL OPERATIONS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF THE KOREAN WAR DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Duk-Hyun Cho, B.A., M.A. a|c afc a|e s|e afe The Ohio State University 2002 Dissertation Committee: Approved By Professor Allan R. Millett, Adviser Professor John F. Guilmartin _________ Adviser Professor William R. Childs Department of History Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3072904 Copyright 2002 by Cho, Duk-Hyun All rights reserved. UMI_ __ <B> UMI Microform 3072904 Copyright 2003 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by Duk-Hyun Cho 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT One key to understanding military operations during the first year of the Korean War is to explore the relationship between U.S. Navy and United Nations Command because naval operations were essential to waging the war in Korea. This dissertation explores U.S. naval operations, focusing on the Inchon landing, minesweeping operations, blockade and escort missions, and naval air operations during most of the first year of the Korean War. It covers the period from the North Korean invasion until the Chinese intervention. The amphibious assault at Inchon involved all the navy's operational capabilities in Korean waters. There was a basic plan for the landing: neutralize Wolmi-do, invade Inchon, seize the major airfield at Kimpo, and capture of Seoul. With the exception of a few mines, Joint Task Force 7 faced no naval opposition upon landing. U.S. Navy knew that mines were being used by the North Koreans. Anti-mining operations were carried out by carrier-based aircraft and minesweepers. Mining operations was a fundamental ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. requirement for preserving the access to the east and west coastal waters. The blockade and escort force's main accomplishment was the control of the seas surrounding the Korean waters. Destroying the North Koreans' minefields was a particularly dangerous part of the task force's operations, especially at Wonsan and Chinnampo. By means of naval bombardment of the coastal roads and attacks by carrier-based aircraft, naval interdiction was extended inland. Like most modern wars, the Korean War was not anticipated in its causes, its conduct, and its consequences. The Korean War was one of the most significant historical events of the Cold War era. Moreover, the Korean War played an important role in U.S. naval history. During the first year of the Korean War, it became obvious that the navy had an essential role in deterring or fighting a limited, conventional war during the Cold War era. This came at atomic of rapidly shrinking defense budgets, in which the Navy was suffering a disproportionate share of cuts, and reversed a trend that would have severely reduced the Navy's size and strength. In some, the Korean War gave the U.S. Navy a new impetus for its development during the Cold War era. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Dedicated to God to my wife, Eunsil Oh, to my parents and parents-in-law iv Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I must first express my deep appreciation to the Republic of Korea Navy for allowing me five years of historical study abroad and for providing me with encouragement and financial support while studying in the United States. I wish to express my deepest admiration and thanks to Professors Sang-Sin Lee, Joo-Sik Kim, Drs. Sung-Ho Kang, Dae-Hyeon Lee, In-Young Oh, and Min-Woong Lee, all of whom extended to me their friendship and insights about history. My heartfelt gratitude goes to Professor Allan R. Millett, my adviser. He has been a wonderful mentor to me as a Ph.D student at the Ohio State University. He has advised me on all occasions, trusting in my potential. Without his encouragement and belief in me, I would not have been able to achieve my dream of having a Ph.D. Professors John F. Guilmartin and James R. Bartholomew, and the people of the military history program have also been a great influence throughout my academic years at the v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Ohio State University. They have been a strong motivator to do my best in any situation. I also would like to express my sincere appreciation to Professors William R. Childs and Jennifer H. Lucas. They have always shown great enthusiasm toward my study and provided me with insightful comments. Mrs. Marsha R. Robinson read and commented on different sections of this dissertation. All the comments and criticisms were very helpful. My special thanks also goes to Pastors Keun-Sang Lee and Hakan Kuh for their prayers and encouragement. Finally, I would like to express my thanks to my family members: my parents, parents-in-law, sisters, and sisters-in-laws for their support and prayers. I thank my lovely wife, Eun-Sil Oh, for her endless love and care. My son Se-Min and my daughter Yu-Jin have always been the source of faith, hope, and love. vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. VITA October 4, 1961...................... Born - Yongduck, Korea 1986 B.A. Korea Naval Academy, Chinhae, Korea 1989................................. B.A. in History, Korea University, Seoul, Korea 1989-1992 Full-time Lecturer in Military History, Korea Naval Academy 1994................................. M.A. in History, Korea University, Seoul, Korea 1994-1997............................ Full-time Lecturer in Military History, Korea Naval Academy 2000-2001............................. Teaching Associate, Department of History, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio vu Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 1995 - Present .Lt. Commander, The Republic of Korea Navy FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: History viii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract................................................. ii Dedication................................................ iv Acknowledgments............................................ v Vita..................................................... vii List of Tables........................................... xii List of Figures......................................... xiii Introduction............................................... 1 Chapters: 1. Understanding the Korean War......................... 15 2. Naval Operations at the Inchon Landing................ 58 3. Minesweeping Operations.............................. 90 4. Blockade and Escort Operations...................... 137 5. Naval Air Operations................................ 172 Conclusion............................................... 210 Appendices............................................... 217 A: List of Abbreviations........................... 217 B: Major Events of the Korean War.................. 222 ix Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. C: United Nations Security CouncilResolution of June 27, 1950................................ 232 D: Operation Order of Blockade - 1.................233 E: Operation Order of Blockade - 2.................234 F: Task Group Organization.........................235 G: Summary of Close Air Support....................238 H: Proposed Target Arrangement with Navy...........241 I: Excerpt from COMCARAIR GRP II...................243 J: Target Arrangement