Battle of Sangju (1950)

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36°26′23″N 128°10′11″E / 36.43972°N 128.16972°E / 36.43972; 128.16972

Battle of Sangju
Part of Korean War
Artillery in support of the US 24th Infantry fire from Yongdok, July 22.
Date July 20–31, 1950 Location Sangju, South Korea Result North Korean victory
Belligerents
United Nations  United States  South Korea	North Korea
Commanders and leaders
William B. Kean Paik Sun Yup	Pak Song-chol
Units involved
25th Infantry Division 1st Infantry Division	15th Infantry Division
Strength
US: 13,059 South Korea: 5,727[1]	7,500[2]
Casualties and losses
27 killed, 293 wounded, 3 missing ~2,500 killed, wounded and missing	~2,500 casualties 17 T-34 tanks

The Battle of Sangju (Korean: 상주 전투) was an engagement between the United Nations and North Korean forces, occurring on July 20–31, 1950, in the village of Sangju in southern South Korea, early in the Korean War. It ended in a victory for the North Korean forces after they were able to push troops of the United States and South Korea out of the area.

Republic of Korea Army (ROK) units had been unsuccessfully resisting advances by the North Korean Korean People's Army (KPA) in the region when they were reinforced by the United States Army's 25th Infantry Division, newly arrived in the country. In the subsequent fight, the 25th Infantry Division was able to inflict substantial casualties on the advancing KPA 15th Infantry Division but was not able to hold its positions. In 11 days of fighting, the UN forces performed poorly and were forced to withdraw from Yechon County, the city of Sangju, and the surrounding areas.

The 24th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Division was ineffective in its first showing. The regiment, composed mostly of African-American troops, was criticized by the Army for being quick to panic and retreat. Some historians have described the Army's statements as biased, downplaying the regiment's successes and overstating its failures.