Monument to the First Battle of UN Forces in the Korean War

The monument was built to bring rest and peace to the souls of soldiers who sacrificed their lives early in the Korean War. Ten days after the war broke out, 540 men from the 24th Infantry Division, nicknamed Task Force Smith, were ordered to spearhead the UN military forces. On July 5 of every year, a memorial service is held at the exact spot where the battle took place.
On July 3, 1950, North Korean soldiers advanced southward across the Hangang. Task Force Smith spotted a column of eight North Korean tanks heading south from Suwon towards them, and the artillery fired its first rounds at the advancing North Korean tanks in the first land battle. The US troops fired 75mm recoil-less rifles and 2.36-inch rocket launchers, but failed to stop the North Korean Army. Task Force Smith suffered heavy casualties in its first engagement at Jukmiryeong, as 181 of its 540 soldiers were killed or missing in action. North Korean casualties were 42 dead and 85 wounded, with four tanks destroyed. The battle ended in defeat for the UN, but its significance lies in communicating to the North Koreans that the Americans were militarily involved in the Korean War.

Plaque describes the dire situation that UN forces faced during the first battle of the Korean War.
Raised flags of nations that participated in the Korean War including the UN in front of the monument.
Plaque of Retired Brigadier General, Charles Bradford Smith’s retrospection statement.
Statues of the five soldiers depicting the war situation of Task Force Smith.
Plaque with the information on the Battle of Osan.
View from the hill behind the monument.