Changes

MacArthur called on the U.S. Marines to execute his plan, now known as the "Inchon Landing" (see the U.S. military diagram above).  They landed on September 15th, overcoming enormous obstacles, and then quickly defeated 2,200 North Korean troops that formed the outermost defense of Seoul.  Fighting intensified against stronger defenses on September 16th, but by September 28th the Marines had defeated the communists around and in Seoul, and liberated the city.  MacArthur then personally escorted the Republic of Korea President Syngman Rhee to return to the cheers of throngs of Seoul residents.  Meanwhile, the North Korean army was trapped on the southern peninsula, and their lines of communication and supplies were cut off by the Marines.

MacArthur called on the U.S. Marines to execute his plan, now known as the "Inchon Landing" (see the U.S. military diagram above).  They landed on September 15th, overcoming enormous obstacles, and then quickly defeated 2,200 North Korean troops that formed the outermost defense of Seoul.  Fighting intensified against stronger defenses on September 16th, but by September 28th the Marines had defeated the communists around and in Seoul, and liberated the city.  MacArthur then personally escorted the Republic of Korea President Syngman Rhee to return to the cheers of throngs of Seoul residents.  Meanwhile, the North Korean army was trapped on the southern peninsula, and their lines of communication and supplies were cut off by the Marines.

Communist China then intervened openly, with communist Soviet Union also lending support to the North Koreans.  In early 1951, General MacArthur and the American troops had contained the Chinese army and it was in retreat.  By mid-1951, freedom for South Korea would be restored to where it was before the war started:  up to the 38th parallel.

Communist China then intervened openly, with the communist Soviet Union also lending support to the North Koreans.  In early 1951, General MacArthur and the American troops had contained the Chinese army and it was in retreat.  By mid-1951, freedom for South Korea would be restored to where it was before the war started:  up to the 38th parallel.

But just as superiors to General George Patton were jealous of him, President Truman was unhappy with General MacArthur's successes and his desire to engage and defeat the intervening Chinese troops.  President Truman insisted that the war remain limited to the Korean peninsula and did not want it to expand into a broader conflict with other nations.  On April 11, 1951, President Truman as Commander in Chief fired Douglas MacArthur.  The American people were outraged at Truman, and his popularity nosedived.  But as was Truman's nature, he stuck with his decision despite declining approval ratings.

But just as superiors to General George Patton were jealous of him, President Truman was unhappy with General MacArthur's successes and his desire to engage and defeat the intervening Chinese troops.  President Truman insisted that the war remain limited to the Korean peninsula and did not want it to expand into a broader conflict with other nations.  On April 11, 1951, President Truman as Commander in Chief fired Douglas MacArthur.  The American people were outraged at Truman, and his popularity nosedived.  But as was Truman's nature, he stuck with his decision despite declining approval ratings.