The Untold History Of The Invasion Of Okinawa And The Split Of Korea

When we think of World War II and the events that shaped it, certain events like the Normandy invasion or the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki often come to mind. However, there are lesser-known events in history that have had significant impacts on the world as we know it today. Two such events are the invasion of Okinawa and the division of Korea. In this article, we will delve into the untold history of these events and explore the reasons behind their lasting effects.

The Untold Story of the Invasion of Okinawa

The invasion of Okinawa in 1945 was one of the bloodiest battles of World War II in the Pacific. It marked a turning point in the war against Japan and proved to be a crucial stepping stone for the eventual invasion of mainland Japan. Despite its importance, the invasion is often overshadowed by other events in the war.

Okinawa, a small island located in the Ryukyu Archipelago, was considered a strategic stronghold for the Japanese military. Its capture was essential for the Allies to establish airbases within striking distance of the Japanese mainland. However, the cost of this victory was devastating. The battle lasted for nearly three months and resulted in over 100,000 Japanese deaths and over 12,000 Allied casualties.

THE JADE LOCKET AND THE RED STAR: AN UNTOLD HISTORY OF THE INVASION OF OKINAWA AND WHY KOREA IS NOW TWO COUNTRIES INSTEAD OF ONE

by Joan Uda(Kindle Edition)

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What is less known about the invasion is the impact it had on the local Okinawan population. Before the war, Okinawa had been an independent kingdom known as the Ryukyu Kingdom, with its unique culture, language, and history. However, during the invasion, the island and its people were caught in the crossfire between the Japanese and American forces.

The Okinawan people suffered greatly during the battle, with many civilians being killed or displaced. The invasion left a lasting mark on the island's population, both physically and emotionally. It also brought about significant changes in Okinawa's status and relationship with Japan, as it was eventually placed under American administration for several decades after the war.

The Split of Korea: A Consequence of World War II

While the invasion of Okinawa was a result of direct military action, the division of Korea can be seen as an indirect consequence of World War II and the subsequent Cold War. The long-lasting division between North and South Korea has its roots in the events following Japan's surrender in 1945.

At the end of World War II, the Korean Peninsula, which had been under Japanese colonial rule since 1910, was freed from Japanese control. The Allies, particularly the Soviet Union and the United States, played a crucial role in shaping the fate of Korea. In a hasty decision made during the Potsdam Conference, it was agreed that the country would be divided along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union occupying the north and the United States occupying the south.

The division was initially intended to be temporary, with the goal of reunifying Korea under a single government. However, as tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States escalated during the Cold War, reunification became increasingly unlikely. In 1948, two separate governments were established in the north and south, leading to the creation of two separate countries, North Korea and South Korea.

The division of Korea had a profound impact on the Korean people. Families were torn apart, and the country's culture and history were fractured. The Korean War that followed in 1950 further deepened the divide and solidified the separation between the two countries.

The Legacy of Okinawa and Korea's Division

The invasion of Okinawa and the division of Korea have left lasting legacies that continue to shape the present-day. Okinawa's history as an independent kingdom and its subsequent occupation by the United States have had a profound impact on its identity and relationship with mainland Japan. The island is still home to numerous US military bases, which remain a source of controversy and tension.

Korea's division, on the other hand, is an ongoing conflict that continues to affect international relations and global security. The threat of nuclear weapons from North Korea, coupled with the fragile peace between the two countries, creates a delicate balance in the region.

, the invasion of Okinawa and the division of Korea are two lesser-known events that have had significant impacts on the world. The untold history of these events sheds light on the complex relationships between nations and the consequences of war. Understanding these stories is crucial to comprehending the world we live in today and the challenges we face as a global community.

THE JADE LOCKET AND THE RED STAR: AN UNTOLD HISTORY OF THE INVASION OF OKINAWA AND WHY KOREA IS NOW TWO COUNTRIES INSTEAD OF ONE

by Joan Uda(Kindle Edition)

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1096 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	282 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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THE JADE LOCKET AND THE RED STAR: AN UNTOLD HISTORY OF THE INVASION OF OKINAWA AND WHY KOREA IS NOW TWO COUNTRIES INSTEAD OF ONE

by Joan Uda

Until the end of WWII, Korea was a single nation. In July 1945 as the war ended, Joseph Stalin’s Red Army had already pushed south of the 38th parallel in Korea. A group of American military officers, to prevent Stalin from taking all of Korea, drew a line separating North Korea from South Korea, and rushed American soldiers through Inchon Harbor into Seoul.

This American action created the division in Korea that still exists today. South Korea has an enormously successful economy, and North Korea is still a starving military dictatorship threatening to send missiles against the USA.
Major Warren W. McAllister, U.S. Army, was on the first ship into Inchon. In early 1946 the United States and the Soviet Union agreed to form a Joint Commission to reunite Korea into a single Nation. Major McAllister was Secretary to the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Joint Commission.

Prior to Korea, Major McAllister landed with the Marines during the April 1, 1945, invasion of Okinawa. He was a military intelligence officer carrying a “secret Marine serial number,” until he was ordered to switch hats and become a military government officer charged for a month with saving the lives of Okinawan civilians and caring for them, then returning to his intelligence work.

This is Major McAllister’s story, based on two years of research, the major's 201 file, his complete military file of orders and other documents, plus letters, photos, and personal recollections.