Incheon Landing Operation 75th Anniversary
- Cord A. Scott, Ph.D
- Sep 10
- 5 min read
Incheon Landing Operation 75th Anniversary: Remembering a Turning Point in the Korean War
By August of 1950, the situation on the ground in Korea was desperate. United Nations forces were pinned down in the Southeast corner, known as the Pusan Perimeter. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who was de facto head of Japan at this time as the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (SCAP), as well as in command of all US military forces in Asia, wanted a bold move to shift the momentum of the war. While allied forces pushed back along the perimeter line, he wanted a surprise strike to break the North Koreans.
Operation Chromite: Planning a Bold Amphibious Assault
To that end, he gathered his staff in late August (20-21) to plan this move. While the plan for what would become Operation Chromite had been in development since late July, it was at this time that the specifics were being put together.
The idea was that while the US Marines and US Army (7th Division) as well as ROK armed forces landed ashore, they would work in conjunction with a major push by UN forces commanded by Gen. Walton Walker, to hammer and anvil the North Korean troops. This became known as Operation Chromite.
Why Incheon Was Chosen Despite the Risks
There were three landing beaches considered for the amphibious portion of the campaign. The furthest south was the area around Gunsan, near what is now Kunsan Air Base. This would be the closest area for a link-up. The second landing area was Pyeongtaek (near USAG Humphreys as well as the ROK Navy 2nd Fleet HQ).
But Gen. MacArthur wanted a strike near Seoul, and therefore, the port of Incheon was chosen.
Typhoons, Tides, and Tactical Gamble
If one has been over the Incheon bridge heading to Incheon airport, the most obvious issue of this area becomes apparent: the tide and the mud flats. Flying Fish channel has a tidal difference of 36 feet from high to low tide. Any landing attempted there would have to be fast and then could not be reinforced until the next high tide 12 hours later. To make matters worse, the US Marines who had gathered in Korea and were embarking for this landing, encountered two typhoons in Japan.
September 15, 1950: The Incheon Landing Operation Begins
The landings were set for the morning of September 15. Elements of the 5th Marine Regiment landed on what was designated Green Beach on Wolmi Island. Wolmi Island jutted into the channel and had a North Korean artillery battery there, so it had to be taken first. The landing was a success, and the US Marines held their position until the afternoon, when the additional landings occurred: Red Beach, near Green beach and the causeway (it is here that the famous photo of 1st Lt. Baldamero Lopez leaving the landing craft was taken) and Blue beach, south of the other two, took place.
Commemorating the Battle: Incheon Landing Historical Markers and Memorial Hall
All three beaches now have commemorative markers. Green Beach and Red Beach are near the Incheon train station. If one is going to the Chinatown section of Incheon, the Red Beach marker is four blocks to the north, and the Green Beach marker is near the amusement park on Wolmi Island. If one turns left and goes into Chinatown, at the top of the hill is a large statue of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. While his reputation and ego have led to a variety of opinions about his military actions, the landing was an audacious gamble that did pay off. Gen. MacArthur himself stated the odds were 5000 to 1 of a successful landing.
If one goes south from Chinatown, the Blue Beach marker is a bit harder to find, as it sits next to a gas station a mile inland from the current coast. The most impressive monument to the landings however is the Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Operation. Situated on a hill overlooking the bay, one gets a sense of the terrain and the conditions by which the combatants had to fight. There are several full-scale items of equipment, 3-D recreations of photos into statues. Inside the museum, visitors can view 3-D recreations of the landing sites, historical maps comparing the 1950 coastline to the present day (attesting to the economic growth of South Korea), as well as a variety of uniforms, weapons, and other military items from the landing and the time.
Strategic Victory: How the Landings Shifted the Korean War
The landing proved to be the surprise that Gen. MacArthur hoped. The US and ROK forces pushed north and liberated Seoul by the end of the month, and the landing allowed the UN forces to break out of the Pusan Perimeter in the south and link up with the landing forces at the same time, ironically not far from the first battle site in Osan.
Continuing the Legacy: Honoring Those Who Served
There is also a UN marker dedicated to the Colombian soldiers who fought in the Korean conflict, located in the area. In all, the landings served to change the tide of the war for a third time. UN forces went on the offensive, and by October, the common refrain was that the war would be done by Christmas.
For a more descriptive account of the landing sites and a walking tour of the area, please consult my article in Marine Corps History magazine, Summer 2025 edition.
Learn More: Exploring the Korean War Beyond Incheon
If the story of the Incheon Landing Operation has sparked your interest in Korean War history, there’s much more to uncover. The broader landscape of the conflict—marked by courage, global cooperation, and hard-won ground—is captured across these articles and resources. Whether you’re a historian, student, or traveler retracing the past, the following links offer deeper context and places to explore.
Articles from United on the RoK Magazine
External Resources for Further Study & Travel
Legacy of the Incheon Landing Operation: Remembering, Learning, and Honoring
The Incheon Landing Operation 75th Anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of how strategy, international cooperation, and determination reshaped the course of the Korean War.
The Incheon Landing Operation wasn’t just a military maneuver, it was a bold gamble that turned the tide of a global conflict. Seventy-five years later, it remains a symbol of coalition resolve, strategic ingenuity, and the enduring impact of decisive leadership during times of crisis.
As we commemorate this anniversary, let’s remember not just the generals and maps, but the thousands of individuals, American, Korean, and from across the United Nations, who stepped onto the beaches at Incheon to shape history.
If this story has deepened your interest in the Korean War, take the time to explore the memorials, museums, and historical markers that preserve this legacy. Share it with a new generation, walk the ground where it happened, and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
History matters. And the more we understand it, the more we can recognize the courage it took, and still takes, to shape a better future.
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