Penciled into History: The U.S. Army's Occupation of Korea and Lessons for the Operational Artist.

摘要

Operation BLACKLIST directed the occupation of Korea by U.S. forces following the surrender of the Japanese in World War II. The XXIV Corps was notified, with just two weeks notice, that they would lead the occupation and prepare the Korean people for independence. LTG John R. Hodge, the commander of the XXIV Corps transitioned his staff from preparing for an amphibious assault on Japan to an occupation mission in Korea. The staff's job was made more difficult due to the amount of planning time available, the lack of civil affair assets dedicated for Korea and the conflicting strategic political messages concerning the occupation. By leading his staff through the process, Hodge was able to overcome these obstacles and occupy Korea for three years until governance could be transferred to a legitimate Korean authority. The present day operational artist can learn much from the experience of the U.S. Army and its occupation of the Korean peninsula. The preparation and the organization for occupation duty after hostilities end cannot be ad hoc in nature. Authoritarian regimes that typify nations belligerent to the United States extend their control throughout civil society. Once they are deposed through military action, a legitimate military power must replace them immediately and decisively. The U.S. Army can incorporate doctrinal changes that will allow for rapid transition to stability operations and avoid the power vacuum and confusion that is characteristic after the defeat of a regime.