25 June Memories & First Battle, Won by Attaches

In 1950, the Army had just concluded World War II, and experienced a significant drawdown reducing troop units and staff. The majority of junior personnel had not participated in the war, and there were no draftees with combat experience. On June 25, 1950, a pleasant summer day, people were preparing for a major post-softball event, enjoying the weather and festivities for soldiers in Korea.

A Sunday, 25 June 1950 marked a day of crucial Operational Security (OPSEC) and significant activity for others. This group mobilized their motor pools and moved troops south—North Koreans were launching an attack on South Korea.

There was no warning, catching everyone by complete surprise. The primary focus of the US Army was on the upcoming softball event, commanding full attention. An Embassy Marine, driving an orange-painted jeep near the embassy, spotted a plane lazily circling in the morning air. He waved, only for the North Korean Yak to swoop in for a strafing run. The Marine survived, but the jeep became an early casualty of combat.

You might question how we could be caught off guard so soon after the events of Pearl Harbor in 1941, which also occurred on a lazy Sunday morning. The employment of effective OPSEC, security measures, and intelligence gathering is crucial to safeguarding our military. When we let our guard down and neglect our OPSEC, it exposes vulnerabilities that our enemies can exploit. This is true yesterday and it is today—think 9/11.

25 June holds a significant place in the hearts and minds of Security and Intelligence professionals, marking an intelligence failure. There were no indications or warnings presented to the command leadership. Tracking was minimal, as the prevailing belief was, "We were the victorious Army of WWII, who would dare to attack us?" Security operated under the assumption of, "When the need arises, we'll upgrade to meet the threat." People embraced a mindset of readiness for when the time came, while enjoying the present day.

It is easy to look back decades later and identify the shortcomings of those professionals. Instead, I prefer to compare the intelligence and security operations of 25 June1950 to today. While we are now better prepared with a more robust and finely tuned intelligence system, we must remain vigilant. Adhering to security protocols diminishes our enemies' capabilities. Although we've been an Army at war, often it is a conflict that feels distant from our daily lives, leading many to forget. The bottom line is, we must stay informed with the best intelligence available and remain vigilant for any security breaches or weaknesses. Minor security issues will always arise; our focus should be on continual improvement. If we identify problems with regulations, it's our responsibility to escalate these concerns through the chain of command to senior headquarters. Striking a balance between security, risk, and mission accomplishment is crucial. Excessive security measures can impede mission success, just as insufficient security can jeopardize it.

Having spent seven years in Korea, both in active duty and as a US Civil Service member, I've had the privilege of witnessing history through the eyes of those who were there. The 50th anniversary of the Korean War brought back veterans of 1950 to Korea. Engaging in conversations with them, alongside insights from the US Forces Korea Historian Office, has greatly inspired me to excel in my profession. As 25 June approaches on your calendar, I encourage you to reflect on the events of decades past and consider the current state of security and intelligence. Perhaps during this reflection, you will identify areas for improvement within your organization and operations.

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Example from June 1950

The Battle of Korea Strait stands as a remarkable single-ship engagement that occurred on the initial day of the Korean War, spanning from 25 – 26 June 1950. It pitted the navies of South Korea against North Korea. A North Korean troop transport, laden with 600 soldiers, sought to land its invasion force near Busan but was intercepted by a South Korean patrol ship. Due to the South Korean vessel's superior range weapons, it managed to sink the enemy transport, marking a pivotal victory for South Korea in one of the war's early surface encounters.

South Korea's advantageous position was bolstered by US Foreign Aid and Military Sales, acting as a potent force multiplier by providing equipment and training in advance. Remarkably, South Korea had the fortune of acquiring one of the post-WWII ships completed in November 1945. With WWII concluded, the surplus of ships rendered the new vessel unnecessary for the US military's needs. Likely, it was a Defense Attaché stationed in Korea who recognized the necessity for the nascent South Korean nation to establish a navy, which it lacked entirely. Defense Attachés, positioned globally, play a vital role in assisting allies to fortify their defense capabilities, often averting potential conflicts. Fortunately, this system proved effective for South Korea, contributing to its current status as the world's 13th largest economy under the Republic of Korea and ally of the United States of America.

The questions to ask on 25 June:

·?????? Are we prepared to NOT get surprised by another attack due to a good intelligence community?

·?????? Have we prepared our allies before conflict?

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Dedicated to the US Intelligence and Security Communities

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Updated 24 May 2024.

James Lint (U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, Active Duty Retired) Final retirement was civil service as the G-2/Director of Intelligence & Security for US Army CECOM. He has 36 years of Military Intelligence experience, in the USMC, U.S. Army, contractor, and civil service.

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Published by the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) in ?KDVA ROK-U.S. Alliance Journal 2024-2 on Page 12.

https://kdva.vet/2024/06/24/kdva-rok-u-s-alliance-journal-2024-2/

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