US Sen. Dan Sullivan is leading an effort to ensure the Korean War is remembered not as the “Forgotten War,” but as the “Noble War” — a chapter in American history marked by courage, sacrifice, and the defense of freedom.
On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously passed his resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the war’s outbreak and reaffirming the importance of military readiness.
Sullivan, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and co-chair of the Senate Korea Caucus, said the resolution is meant to honor the men and women who fought in one of America’s most consequential but often overlooked conflicts. Alaska is home to more than 1,000 Korean War veterans, many of whom, Sullivan noted, served in brutal conditions and returned home with little recognition.
“On the 75th anniversary of the Korean War — the ‘Noble War’ — we should all remember the brave Americans who fought, died and sacrificed to keep another country free, the Republic of Korea, one of our strongest allies today,” Sullivan said.
The war began on June 25, 1950, when communist North Korea launched a surprise invasion of South Korea. Over the course of the three-year conflict, more than 1.7 million American troops served under the United Nations Command, over 103,000 were wounded, and 36,574 made the ultimate sacrifice. More than 7,500 remain unaccounted for.
The Sullivan resolution highlights the resilience of the South Korean people, who suffered enormous military and civilian casualties, and acknowledges the transformation of the Republic of Korea into a strong democracy, market economy, and steadfast US ally.
It also draws attention to the lessons learned from the war, particularly the high cost of unpreparedness, he said. Just five years after World War II, the US military had been drastically reduced in size and readiness. Sullivan’s resolution urges continued investment in military training, equipment, and support to ensure the U.S. is never again caught unready in a time of crisis.
Among its key points, the resolution:
- Honors the service and sacrifice of US and allied forces during the Korean War;
- Recognizes South Korea as a vital partner in promoting security and democratic values in the Indo-Pacific;
- Emphasizes the enduring legacy of the war on US defense policy;
- Calls for robust military readiness across all domains: land, sea, air, space, and cyber;
- Encourages Americans to remember the Korean War as the “Noble War.”
The Senate’s unanimous passage of the resolution comes as veterans, their families, and allies across the country paused to reflect on the 75 years since the conflict began. With thousands of Korean War veterans still living — many in Alaska — Sullivan said the time to honor their legacy is now.
You can call it a Noble War but I call it another black mark on our politicians. If MacArthur had been allowed to actually fight the war as he did at Inchon, North Korea wouldn’t exist today. Truman and NATO discraced America and set the stage for further disgraces. I’m certainly all in favor of honoring our troops but Truman should be called out for his treasonous actions apparently colluding with the enemy.
Noble where? It was disgraceful and we lost, is Dan sun downing