General Douglas MacArthur had learned the importance of amphibious landings during World War II and hoped that an amphibious operation would turn the tide in favor of South Korea. Seoul needed to be liberated and Inchon lay only 16 miles southwest, the perfect place to launch an operation. The alternative would be a frontal attack. Gen. MacArthur claimed that would be a disaster, resulting in terrible losses and devastating financial blows.

The plan was hazardous and many such as Admiral Forrest Sherman and General J. Lawton Collins were concerned. The two tried to persuade MacArthur to arrive at Kunsan. Inchon had a narrow port channel and extreme tides. They worried about the likelihood of success due to the conditions associated with Inchon, but MacArthur was confident in his decision.

“The only alternative to a stroke such as I propose will be the continuation of the savage sacrifice we are making at Pusan, with no hope of relief in sight. Are you content to let our troops stay in that bloody perimeter like beef cattle in the slaughterhouse? Who will take the responsibility for such a tragedy? Certainly, I will not.”

-Gen. Douglas MacArthur stated at a conference of top U.S. military leaders in Tokyo, Japan

He was sure the enemy would not expect such an attack from behind and as such expected North Korea to have stationed the best troops at Pusan, leaving the second-rate troops to guard Seoul and Inchon.

The Operation

The landing was approved and named Operation CHROMITE. Operation Chromite would use Lt. Gen. Walton Walker’s Eighth Army located at the Pusan perimeter and Maj. Gen. Edward Almond’s X Crops to crush the North Korean Army between the two forces.

As the enemy forces were occupied, the rest of the troops in Operation Chromite would seize Seoul, severing the enemy's supply lines and rendering the enemy surrounded. The Marines met little resistance as they landed on Inchon.

A ninety-minute battle secured the island, and the beaches were taken soon after. With only a few hundred North Korean soldiers left to fight in Inchon, the Marines easily defeated the three enemy probes sent during the night.

The battles got harder as the force approached Seoul. Unlike the quick successes at Inchon, Seoul was a grueling effort, however, in the end, United Nations forces were successful.

The battle became a major turning point in the Korean War and it ended the string of victories North Korea previously held over South Korea. Many historians consider the Battle of Inchon to be the most decisive victory in the Korean War.