S3: What warfighting functions contributed most to Americans’ continual defeat and withdrawal to the Pusan Perimeter in the summer of 1950? Answer generally or focus mainly on Task Force Smith for examples to support your analysis.

The primary warfighting functions that contributed most to Americans’ continual defeat and withdrawal to the Pusan Perimeter in the summer of 1950 were sustainment and movement and maneuver. Americans lacked armor defeating ammunition as well as maneuver elements to counter armor and the onslaught of mechanized infantry and better trained infantry elements. Soldiers abandoned weapons and gear as they retreated and they were not trained sufficiently to conduct orderly withdrawals. Commanders such as LTC Smith, unprepared for high-intensity conflict, became casualties of battle fatigue. Seoul’s garrison abandoned vehicles, class III, and class v to the Imun Gun rather than destroying supply depots to deny the enemy’s use of material.

Some may argue that Americans lacked combat concentration to be effective at the outset of hostilities, but being that they were fighting under aggressive air cover and in the defense, their performance was lackluster. Task Force Smith lacked anti armor rounds, sufficient indirect fire assets, and small unit leadership capable of maneuver. Time and time again. Only when the Perimeter grew small enough and leadership stern (General Walker’s “Stand or Die” order) did Americans begin to inflict sufficient casualties to deny north Korean forces further ground.

General officers led by example with limited communication capabilities and lackluster field grade leadership. General Dean’s example with the 4th IN in Taejon earned him the Medal of Honor as well as gained sufficient time for 8th Army forces to reinforce and regroup in sufficient numbers in the Pusan Perimeter to stem the tide and secure the United Nations’ initiative before all was lost.

Americans learned lessons through bloodshed and horror. Leaders grew accountable as they were forced against the ocean wall. They were not going to be bullied further when initiative returned to them.