• LIFE

See Photos from the Early Days of the Korean War

3 minute read

On June 25, 1950, the Korean People’s Army of North Korea, with the backing of Joseph Stalin and against the backdrop of rising Cold War tensions, invaded South Korea. Two days later, having condemned the attack, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution recommending military assistance to the Republic of Korea, now known as South Korea. By July, the U.S. was embroiled in a war that would last three years and cost more than a million lives in battle and hundreds of thousands more among civilians.

Less than a month after fighting began, LIFE published a series of photos by photographer Carl Mydans, who had documented the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division’s landing in P’ohang-dong on July 18. Mydans captured the unease of entering the unknown—in a very literal sense, as members of the Division set sail from Japan without knowing their destination. Two weeks later, the Battle of P’ohang-dong would begin, lasting for 15 days and ending with a victory for the U.N. Forces.

As Mydans wrote to LIFE’s editors in the letter below, which accompanied his film, much of this war photography had to be reviewed and approved by the U.S. government before publication, as it might otherwise weaken the security of a nation at war.

Though the impact of the war is still extremely palpable in North and South Korea–where the demilitarized zone divides an economic power from an impoverished, disconnected country—the Korean War is often referred to as a forgotten war in U.S. history, sandwiched as it is between World War II and the Vietnam War. Many Americans even during wartime tuned out news from the front lines after realizing that the conflict wouldn’t likely escalate to the level of the recently concluded Second World War. Congress never issued a declaration of war, with President Harry S. Truman calling it a “police action.” It wasn’t until the late 1950s that Congress formally designated the conflict a war.

But photographs like Mydans’, and those made by his LIFE colleagues David Douglas Duncan, Margaret Bourke-White and Michael Rougier, ensure that the war can never truly be forgotten. Though Mydans’ early photos document the quiet days before battle, it’s impossible to look at them now without knowing the horrors that each of those men would face in short order.

A note from LIFE photographer Carl Mydans, July 19, 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection

Liz Ronk, who edited this gallery, is the Photo Editor for LIFE.com. Follow her on Twitter @lizabethronk.

The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. First U.S. infantry outfit to shed blood in the Korean war was the 24th "Victory" Division, three of whose men are shown aboard a jeep in Korea. (This image was the cover of LIFE on July 31, 1950.)Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. Leaving Japan for unknown destination, soldiers of 1st Cavalry crowd transport's rail for last look at the dock.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. At dawn on July 18 P'ohang-Dong's harbor is dotted with landing craft ready to take men ashore. A scouting party which went in earlier had already reported there was no opposition. This was the fastest amphibious landing in history. It was planned and staged in 10 days.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. Still in the dark about mission, GI's read about war they were too young to serve in.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. Commanders, 1st Cavalry's General Hobart R. Gay (left), Rear Admiral J.H.Doyle, discuss typhoon menace.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. Over the side of transport battle-dressed GIs board landing craft for a short ride to the beach at P'ohang-dong.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. Jammed with men, an LCVP speeds ashore. Lack of opposition was especially fortunate since task force was in no shape for sharply contested beachhead.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. On a jetty leading to a harbor beacon at P'ohang-Dong, an LST disgorges 1st Cavalry GI's who walk ashore without getting feet wet.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. Jeeps are unloaded from LCT with help of Koreans. They also helped build airbase near P'ohang-dong where fighters operated even before the landing.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Newly arrived troops gathering at the beach awaiting orders to move further inland.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. Grim GI stands by tank-busting 75-mm, recoilless rifles as men and equipment build up on beach.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. GI's march through town to take positions in hills. A few Koreans stared from windows.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The 1st Cavalry in Korea, July 1950.
Caption from LIFE. Indentification is worn by U.S. flyer at base. Sign, in Korean, asks help should he be shot down.Carl Mydans—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

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Write to Eliza Berman at eliza.berman@time.com