Many wars or
conflicts in U.S. history have federally designated “periods of war,” dates
marking their beginning and ending. These dates are important for qualification
for certain veterans’ pension or disability benefits. Confusion can occur
because beginning and ending dates for “periods of war” in many nonofficial
sources are often different from those given in treaties and other official
sources of information, and armistice dates can be confused with termination
dates.
Korean Conflict
June 27, 1950, through January 31, 1955, inclusive. Code of Federal Regulations, 3.2 (e).
On June 25, 1950, North Korean Communist forces attacked South Korean
positions south of the 38th parallel, leading to an immediate United Nations
(U.N.) Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire and withdrawal of
the North Korean forces. On June 26, President Truman ordered U.S. air and sea
forces in the Far East to aid South Korea. On June 27, the U.N. Security Council
adopted a resolution asking U.N. members for assistance in repelling the North
Korean armed attack and in restoring peace and security in the area. On June
30, the President stated that he had authorized the use of certain U.S. air and ground units wherever
necessary. No declaration of war was requested of Congress and no authorization
for use of force, by statute, was requested or enacted. An armistice signed at Panmunjom, Korea, on July 27, 1953, between
U.N. and Communist representatives (4 UST 234; TIAS 2782). No peace treaty was ever
signed.
Source: US Congress Report 2012
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