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(Saturday, July 1, 1950, 11:00 a.m. KDT; during the Korean War, part of the Cold War) — The first United States ground troops flew in to South Korea today in an attempt to stem a Communist armored drive threatening to overrun all resistance before the refugee capital of Taejon.
Two companies of the U.S. Army First Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division departed early this morning from the U.S. base in Japan at Kyushu under the name “Task Force Smith,” arriving near Pusan.
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23 American soldiers became the first to die in the Korean War when their C-54 transport plane crashed into a 2,000 foot high hill, forty miles northwest of Pusan, upon arrival from Japan.
U.S. Marines and North Korean troops would engage in combat for the first time on July 5, 1950, at the Battle of Osan, 20 miles south of Seoul.
In the meantime, the 8055th MASH became the first Mobile Army Surgical Hospital to be activated in South Korea today. On July 6, 1950, its physicians, nurses and support staff would be sent from Sasebo to Pusan, initially to be set up at Taejon.
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It was followed by the 8063rd MASH (often referenced in the television show M*A*S*H, which featured the fictional 4077th MASH unit, loosely based on the 8055th), which was activated July 17 and sent on July 18 to Pohang to support the U.S. 1st Cavalry, and the 8076th M.A.S.H. (activated July 19, and sent to Taejon on July 25, 1950).
