|
The U.S. Government decided in the fall of 1948 that U.S. forces
in Korea be withdrawn and defense responsibility transferred to
constabulary forces of the newly formed Republic of Korea so a
small "Provisional Military Advisory Group" (PMAG) — consisting
of 100 men and officers -- was created on 15 August 1948 to
provide training and logistical support to the fledgling
constabulary. Between 15 August and 31 December 1948 PMAG’s size
increased to 241 men and officers. During the same period, what
had been ROK constabulary forces were redesignated the Republic
of Korea Army (ROKA) and U.S. forces began leaving the country.
The United States formally recognized the Republic of Korea on 1
January 1949. PMAG, on 1 July 1949 with the departure of the
last American troops of the 5th Regimental Combat Team from
Korea, became the United States Military Advisory Group to the
Republic of Korea or as it was commonly known, KMAG. At that
time KMAG became an integral part of the U.S. State Department’s
American Mission to Korea, thus becoming independent of General
of the Army Douglas MacArthur’s Far East Command. This move also
put South Korea outside of what the United States considered its
strategic defense zones, something which weighed heavily in the
decision process when North Korea decided to "liberate South
Korea’s oppressed masses from the corrupt Rhee Government."
Shortly after North Korea invaded South Korea, 25 June 1950,
command and control of KMAG reverted back to 8th U.S. Army,
Korea (EUSAK) and designated as, United States Military Advisory
Group, Korea, 8668th Army Unit. It was redesignated the 8202nd
Army Unit on 28 December 1950.
Back to U.S. Forces
|