Colombian Battalion

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Colombian Battalion
Batallón Colombia  (Spanish)
Escudo del Batallón Colombia.svg
Active1951–1954
Country Colombia
Allegiance United Nations
Branch
  •  Colombian National Army
  •  Colombian National Navy
SizeDivision
Engagements

The Colombian Battalion was an infantry battalion of the Colombian Army that served under United Nations Command during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. The first Colombian military unit to serve in Asia, the battalion was attached to the U.S. 7th Infantry Division and 25th Infantry Divisions.[1][2]

Background[]

The election of President Laureano Gómez in 1950 sparked renewed interest in building up Colombia–United States relations. Gómez wanted greater U.S. economic support in exchange for direct involvement as an ally, and a means to erase any lingering impressions caused among U.S. policy makers of his previous attitude of anti–U.S. and pro–German sentiment during the World Wars.[3]

Gómez emphasized the importance of the United Nations security charter and the concept of collective security. As such, he pushed the military to form an expeditionary force that could be deployed on behalf of the United Nations. The overall strength of the battalion was 5,100 infantry soldiers and 300 sailors on board the frigates ARC Almirante Padilla, ARC Capitán Tono, and ARC Almirante Brión.[4]

Korean War[]

Following the outbreak of the Korean War, the Colombian Battalion was deployed to Busan on 15 June 1951 under the command of Colonel Jaime Polanía Puyo.[1] The battalion participated in Operation Thunderbolt, the Battle of Old Baldy, the Battle of Triangle Hill and the recapture of Geumseong.[5][6] The Battle of Old Baldy was particularly notable for the battalion, as the unit lost (killed or wounded) 20% of its deployed strength in the engagement.[7]

Casualties[]

The Colombian Battalion suffered men 163 killed in action, 448 wounded, 60 missing, and 30 captured over the course of the conflict.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Saldaña, Juliana (2013-04-02). "Colombia's legacy with Korea | The City Paper Bogotá". The City Paper Bogotá. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  2. ^ a b Coleman, B. L. (October 2005). "The Colombian Army in Korea, 1950–1954". The Journal of Military History. 69 (4): 1137–1177. doi:10.1353/jmh.2005.0215.
  3. ^ Bushnell, Davis. The Making of Modern Colombia.
  4. ^ "Medal Hound". themedalhound.com. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  5. ^ United States Army Center of Military History, Korea 1951–1953, US Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1996, p. 278
  6. ^ Guerra en Corea El Batallón Colombia" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 30, 2013
  7. ^ United States Army Center of Military History, Korea 1951–1953, US Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1996, p. 278
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