Operation Big Switch

Article 111 of the Korean Armistice Agreement laid the ground work for the exchange of prisoners that started 5 August 1953.  Phase One would transfer  the prisoners who chose repatriation to the neutral area around Panmunjom and be supervised by three representatives from both sides.

Phase Two was for those that refused repatriation.  Red Cross teams went to the camps to be certain the POW’s choices were voluntary.  Officer teams from Sweden, Switzerland, Poland and Czechoslovakia directed the activities; 3,000 Indians troops were sent to arrange the required interviews.

Arriving at the Gate to Freedom

All during this difficult process, continuous little battles were being fought behind the wire and there were constant threats to the interrogators and their families.  By 31 December 1953, only 5,000 prisoners had been screened out of 22,604.

The United Nations returned 75,823 to North Korea and 22,604 were turned over to the NNRC (Neutral Natural Reparations Commission, overseen by India.)

The Communists returned 12,773 to the United Nations and 359 to the NNRC.

The UN General Assembly expressed , by Resolution 712, it’s “profound satisfaction that fighting has now ceased in Korea on the basis of an honorable armistice.”  The UNCURK (The United Nations Commission for the Unification of Korea) was disbanded in 1977.

The Signing

Syngman Rhee was more and likely retained as president of South Korea due to the war’s onset.  The invasion of North Korea had failed the plans of an internal revolt to dispose of the leader.  A similar uprising in 1960 did however succeed in overthrowing Rhee.

To quote “America At War: The Korean War” by Maurice Isserman; published by Facts On File, Inc.:   ….and it was Ridgeway, who would warn prophetically in the spring of 1954,  against American military involvement in Vietnam.

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Farewell Salutes – 

James Adair, Jr. – Chandler, AZ; US Army 161st Infantry, SSgt., WWII PTO, 2 Bronze Stars

Cameron S. Baird – Burnei, Tasmania; Cpl./4th Battalion/2nd Commando Unit/RAR, Afghanistan, Victoria Cross

John M. Copoulos – Westminster, AR; US Army, WWII

Victoria Cross for Valor

James Daniel, Jr. – Coral Hills, MD; US Army, Korea

Alexander (Ted) Edward – Christchurch, NZ; EX2nd Division, RNZEF # 111589

Francis Gerow – Springfield, VA; US Navy, Captain (Ret.)

Herbert Swing – Highland Creek, Canada; RC Engineers, WWII

William Was – Santa Ana, CA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO

Henry Wronka – Sun City, AZ; US Air Force, Korea

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