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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

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

United Nations and Republic of Korea Forces --
Japanese Contributions

Japan, a nation under foreign military occupation for much of the Korean War, was never formally part of the United Nations' force in Korea. However, its contribution to the war effort was considerable, and the war brought it great benefits. A huge amount of money, overwhelmingly American, was spent purchasing Japanese labor and goods for use in Korea, or for use in support of other military and naval operations in the Asian region. To a great extent, this income "jump-started" a Japanese domestic economy that had been in the doldrums since 1945.

One Japanese contribution that was directly controlled by the United States Navy was ScaJap, or the Shipping Control Administration Japan. Operating under the orders of Commander Naval Forces Far East, ScaJap provided logistic support for the Occupation forces with its fleet of Japanese-crewed ships, most of which were former U.S. Navy Landing Ships Tank, or LSTs. From the first days of U.S. involvement in the conflict, ScaJap transported men, weapons and supplies to Korea. Its LSTs were absolutely invaluable to the prosecution of the War, representing as many as three-quarters of the LSTs available for the amphibious operations at Inchon, Wonsan, and Hungnam, as well as for the day-in and day-out work of routine logistics. In December 1950, Admiral C. Turner Joy, who commanded U.S. Naval Forces in the region, reported to the Chief of Naval Operations that ScaJap's thirty-eight LSTs had been essential to the Pusan perimeter defense, and that "the LST has possibly made the greatest single contribution to the success of the U.N. forces in Korea."

This page features images of Japanese contribuitions to the Korean War effort, particularly the operations of ScaJap LSTs.

For other views related to the Japan and the Korean War, see:

  • Logistics and Support Activities in Japan.

    For pictorial coverage of the Korean War activities of the combatant members of the United Nations, and of the Republic of Korea, see:

  • United Nations and Republic of Korea Forces -- Overview and Special Image Selection.


    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage 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 #: 80-G-653242

    Pohang Landing, July 1950


    Two "Scajap" (Shipping Control Administration Japan) LSTs unloading onto the breakwater at Pohang, South Korea. Taken 22 July 1950, four days after the initial landings of the First Cavalry Division at Pohang.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 620 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 97155

    Inchon Invasion, September 1950


    LSTs on "Yellow" Beach, on the Inchon waterfront, 16 September 1950.
    Second ship from the front is probably USS LST-914. Next beyond her is USS LSM-419. The other two LSTs present are Japanese-manned, and therefore unarmed.

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

    Online Image: 112KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 97158

    Inchon Invasion, September 1950


    Unloading operations on "Green" beach, Inchon, 20 September 1950.
    The beached ship is a Japanese-manned LST. USS Eldorado (AGC-11) is in the center distance. This view was taken by Bumpus, one of Eldorado's photographers.

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

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-424505

    Hungnam Evacuation, December 1950


    A truck convoy moves along a shore road to the evacuation beach at Hungnam, 18 December 1950.
    USS LSM-419 (at left) and two Japanese-manned LSTs are loading in the immediate background.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-425954

    Hungnam Evacuation, December 1950


    Amphibious shipping beached on the Hungnam waterfront during the evacuation, December 1950.
    Ships present are (from left to right): LSU-520; LSU-638; LSU-742; two unidentified LSUs; LSU-783; and two Japanese-manned LSTs.
    Note trucks and jeeps in the foreground.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 605 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
     

    For other views related to the Japan and the Korean War, see:

  • Logistics and Support Activities in Japan.

    For pictorial coverage of the Korean War activities of the combatant members of the United Nations, and of the Republic of Korea, see:

  • United Nations and Republic of Korea Forces -- Overview and Special Image Selection.


    For a precis of our Korean War images, and links to more comprehensive pictorial coverage 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.

    10 September 2000