Friday, November 26, 2010

US and Korea

There seem to be no really good options with Korea.

How long has the US been wrestling with Korean issues? At least 139 years.

June 10 to 12th, 1871 a US Naval force commanded by Commander (later Rear Admiral) Kimberly attacked and captured five forts in retaliation for the Korean murder of the American crew of the schooner General Sherman, the destruction of the ship, and for firing on American small boats taking soundings on the Salee River. The force captured Korean cannon and took them back to Mare Island Naval Shipyard in San Francisco Bay.

At the time, Korea was known as "The Hermit Kingdom."

Here is an account of the action.

Both Commander Kimberly and his Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Schley, were eventually promoted to Rear Admiral.

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