User:Jimkar~enwiki/Korea - American intervention 1800's

In 1871, the crew of an American freighter, sunk after a storm, had been washed up on the shores of the tiny nation of Korea. All the survivors were massacred. American gunboats were dispatched, and subsequently fired upon from three forts located along the banks of the Han River.

On June 10, a force of 651 men, with 109 U.S. Marines commanded by Captain McLane W. Tilton, landed and attacked the Han River forts. In fierce fighting lasting several days, they captured the three forts, and raised the American flag. The forts were burned to the ground, and the American naval-Marine force withdrawn. Irish-born Private James ("Jimmy") Dougherty killed the Korean commander in the assault. He, along with five other Marines, earned the Medal of Honor, as the result of their hand-to-hand combat, and eventual victory.

Not until 1945, with the surrender of Japan, would American forces visit the nation of Korea.

(Source; The U.S. Marine Corps Story, J. Robert Moskin, pg. 88)