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Photo # NH 96995:  Marine F4U fighters are loaded onto USS Badoeng Strait for transportation to Korea, July 1950

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The Korean War, 1950-1953 --

Trans-Pacific Logistics, July - December 1950

The very first U.S. response to the Korean crisis was a decision to provide additional weapons and supplies to the South Koreans. Though swiftly overtaken by events, this represented the start of what became a huge effort to bring across the broad Pacific Ocean the men, equipment and abundance of other items needed to sustain mid-Twentieth Century warfare.

In the first month of the war, when the surging North Korean offensive had to be countered with the limited forces already in the theatre, transportation needs almost always exceeded supply. Every available means of conveyance was pressed into service. The aircraft carrier Boxer (CV-21), awaiting overhaul after a deployment, was loaded with urgently required Air Force and Navy planes and rushed to sea. Her trans-Pacific voyage, from 14 to 22 July 1950, set a speed record for that route.

Another very important achievement was the transportation of the First Provisional Marine Brigade, the only ready ground forces available in the U.S. and the first to leave for Korea. Using Navy amphibious shipping and escort carriers, the Brigade and its supporting Air Group started across the ocean in mid-July. In the first days of August, the Marines and their planes were in combat in the Pusan Perimeter.

This page features images of the transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies from the U.S. to Korea during 1950.

For photographs of life and work on board a Navy transport ship en route from the United States to the Korean War Zone in late 1950, see: USNS Fred C. Ainsworth -- Views On Board during a Late-1950 Trans-Pacific Voyage.

For other views of the Korean War trans-Pacific logistics effort, see: Korean War -- Trans-Pacific Logistics.


For links to more pictures of the first months of the Korean War, see:

  • The North Korean Offensive, 25 June -- 15 September 1950.
  • The United Nations' Offensive, 15 September -- 25 November 1950.
  • The Chinese Offensive, 25 November 1950 -- 25 January 1951.

    For links to more pictures of Korean War logistic efforts, see:

  • Korean War Logistics & Support, 1950-1953.

    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage of other aspects of that conflict, see:

  • The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 -- Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 96986

    USS Boxer (CV-21)


    U.S. personnel wait to board Boxer at Alameda, California, for a fast trip to Japan, circa 8-14 July 1950. On 14-22 July, the ship carried an emergency shipment of 170 Air Force and Navy aircraft, plus personnel and equipment, to the Korean War zone in a record 8 1/2 day trans-Pacific crossing. Two of the 145 USAF F-51 "Mustang" fighters carried are visible on her flight deck.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the "All Hands" collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 96973

    First Provisional Marine Brigade


    Boarding USS Pickaway (APA-222) at San Diego, 11 July 1950, en route to Korea.
    Photographed by Sgt. Charles R. Strathman, USMC.

    Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 112KB; 600 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 96995

    USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116)


    Loading Marine Corps F4U-4B "Corsair" fighters at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California, for transportation to Korea, July 1950.
    Badoeng Strait carried planes and aircrew of Marine Air Group 33 as part of the trans-Pacific movement of the First Provisional Marine Brigade, the initial Marine Corps deployment of the Korean War. She left San Diego in mid-July and arrived at Kobe, Japan on 31 July, flying her planes off the following day.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 99KB; 605 x 765 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104662

    USNS General M. C. Meigs
    (T-AP-116)

    Conducting an abandon ship drill while pierside at Seattle, Washington, on 1 November 1950.
    Note the metal life boat in the foreground.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Military Sealift Command collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 615 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 104631

    USNS General M. C. Meigs
    (T-AP-116)

    Photographed on 21 November 1950, probably at Seattle, Washington. She is being assisted by three Army harbor tugs.
    Except for the removal of armament, her appearance is little changed from World War II. She retains her wartime outfit of lifeboats served by Welin davits.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the Military Sealift Command collection at the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     

    For photographs of life and work on board a Navy transport ship en route from the United States to the Korean War Zone in late 1950, see: USNS Fred C. Ainsworth -- Views On Board during a Late-1950 Trans-Pacific Voyage.

    For other views of the Korean War trans-Pacific logistics effort, see: Korean War -- Trans-Pacific Logistics.

    For links to more pictures of the first months of the Korean War, see:

  • The North Korean Offensive, 25 June -- 15 September 1950.
  • The United Nations' Offensive, 15 September -- 25 November 1950.
  • The Chinese Offensive, 25 November 1950 -- 25 January 1951.

    For links to more pictures of Korean War logistic efforts, see:

  • Korean War Logistics & Support, 1950-1953.

    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage of other aspects of that conflict, see:

  • The Korean War, June 1950 - July 1953 -- Introductory Overview and Special Image Selection.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Text & links revised 14 August 2000
    New images added 28 February 2007