Published by The Evansville Courier

On June 25, 1950, the headline shouted, "Korean Reds Invade South Republic."

The headline shocked area readers and, according to news reports, the communist attack surprised the U.S. government as well.

Around the country, anti-communist sentiment already was running rampant when news of war came.

The Courier for weeks before the North Korean invasion reported arrests, investigations and allegations involving suspected "Red" supporters throughout the United States.

Sen. Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin was accusing politicians, businessmen and prominent entertainers of communist involvement.

And on the Cold War front, America was building military and economic strength in western Europe, Southeast Asia and the western Pacific.

Since World War II still was a raw memory, this country did not want to imagine that aggression in a far-off Asian land would again force them to give over more young people.

But the Korean War - technically called a police action - would take more than 33,650 American lives in battle.

"Reds Stab Near South Korea Capital." "U.S. Orders Arms Rushed to South Korea," The Courier's headlines said.

The headlines came fast during the first week of the conflict.

In the meantime, Courier articles by The Associated Press began to ask the unanswered question: Was the United States prepared to dispatch its fighting men if the United Nations should decide to enforce its peace orders?

On July 1, 1950, the answer came.

"32 Countries Back U.S.-Led Plan To Save South Korea."

By that day units of America's 24th Infantry Division already had arrived in South Korea, where they were thrown into unexpected battle south of Seoul.

The troops were ill-prepared but led by a highly regarded fighting commander, Maj. Gen. William F. Dean.

A raging battle that began at the communications center of Taejon on July 18 virtually wiped out two of Dean's regiments within five days. Dean was captured, but two more U.S. divisions - infantry and cavalry - had arrived from Japan by that time.

America was in the fight.