6·25전쟁에 대해 설명하는 아담 엘리아 역사가.

◇이승만 대통령도 인정한 마산방어전투= 이번 하와이 현지 취재를 통해 이승만 대통령이 마산방어전투 승리를 치하하는 표창장이 최초로 발견됐다. 해당 표창장은 1950년 9월 29일 이승만 대통령이 마산방어전투 승리에 대한 공로를 치하해 25사단에 수여한 것이다. 이승만 대통령이 친필로 서명한 표창장에는 25사단의 신속한 마산 이동과 전투 승전 등에 대한 활약이 자세히 명시돼 있다. 표창장에는 “대한민국 대통령은 1950년 8월 1일부터 8월 11일까지 미 제25보병사단의 전투 중 탁월하고 영웅적인 임무 수행을 높이 평가한다”며 “8월 1일부터 2일 밤까지 육군의 전례 없는 이동과 마산지역에 신속한 방어 체계 구축, 진주 지역의 북한 3개 사단에 대한 반격으로 적들의 진격이 흐트러졌다. 이 반격으로 부산항을 진격하고 함락하기 위한 (인민군의) 맹렬한 공격은 성공할 수 없게 된다. 25사단 각 구성원의 이러한 뚜렷하고 눈부신 임무 수행은 군 복무의 최고 전통에 부합한다”고 적혀 있다.

1950년 8월 1일 인민군은 남침 36일 만에 진주를 점령한 데 이어 마산 현동 검문소에 집결했다. 당시 이 일대에 주둔하고 있던 국군은 1000여명에 불과했다. 이 사실을 보고받은 미 8군 사령관인 워커 중장은 급히 경북 상주에 주둔 중인 미 25보병사단을 250㎞ 넘는 마산으로 단 2일 만에 이동시켰다. 미군은 이를 ‘기적의 대이동’이라고 부를 정도로 성사 가능성이 낮은 작전이었다.

본지가 최초 공개한 이승만 대통령이 미 육군 25보병사단의 마산방어전투 공로를 치하하는 표창장. 오른쪽 아래에 이 대통령의 영문 서명과 함께 ‘대통령인’ 관인이 찍혀 있다.

배대균 마산방어전투기념사업회 회장은 “그간 이 대통령이 해병대 김성은 부대를 1계급 특진시켰다는 이야기만 알려졌었다”며 “표창장은 이 대통령이 25사단의 기적의 대이동과 마산방어전투 중요성을 인정했다는 것을 뜻한다”고 평가했다. 이어 “표창장이 9월 29일 수여된 거로 봐서는 앞서 26일 진주가 수복되고 제작됐을 가능성이 크다”며 “이 대통령은 당시 임시 수도인 부산에 있었기에 최후 보루였던 마산을 걱정스럽게 지켜봤을 것이다”고 했다.

학계에서도 표창장 가치를 높게 평가했다. 허남성 국방대 명예교수는 “이 문서는 우리 대통령이 준 ‘대통령 부대 표창’이다. 대통령이 주는 부대 표창은 군대가 받을 수 있는 최고 영예”라며 “이 표창장은 마산방어전투 중요성을 뒷받침해줄 수 있는 충분한 사료”라고 했다. 이어 “아마 한국은 전시 상황이었기에 이 같은 표창장이 제대로 보관돼 있지 않았을 것이다. 나 또한 이 표창장을 처음 봤다”며 “경남신문이 굉장히 중요한 사료를 발굴했다”고 말했다.

◇최후의 보루 ‘마산’을 지키다= 25사단이 기록한 마산방어전투 일지를 보면 치열했던 전투 현장을 느낄 수 있다. 1950년 8월 12일자 일지에서는 “적군의 공격은 계속되고 격렬했다. 적들이 무력화될 때까지 자동화기, 박격포, 자주포, 소형화기, 수류탄, 대전차포를 퍼부었다. 한편 적의 포탄으로 아군의 야전포병대가 피해를 당하고 포대 진지를 한때 포기했다”고 기록돼 있다.

특히 ‘킨 특수임무대’ 활약은 마산방어전투는 물론이고 전쟁 흐름을 바꿨다고 평가된다. 윌리엄 킨 25사단장은 마산에 도착한 후 워커 미8군 사령관의 명령에 따라 킨 특수임무대로 편성됐다. 킨 특수임무대는 25사단 휘하 35·27·24연대 등과 한국 해병대·전투경찰로 구성됐다. 킨 특수임무대는 진주 동쪽 고원 지대를 확보했고, 정예부대인 인민군 6사단의 공격을 막아냈다.

마산 방어를 위한 아군 피해도 적지 않았다. 마산 진전면 봉암리 일대는 미군 사이에서 ‘포병의 무덤’이라고 불릴 정도로 아군 피해가 컸다. 인민군은 미군 진지에 대전차포와 자주포 등을 총동원해 공격해 미군은 6문의 곡사포를 잃기도 했다. 당시 전투 일지에는 “적군의 공격은 계속되고 격렬했다. 적들이 무력화될 때까지 자동화기, 박격포 등을 퍼부었다”고 기록돼 있다.

※ 참고문헌= 배대균(2020) ‘마산방어전투’, 배대균(2021) ‘창녕 방어전투 실화’, 하순복(2022) ‘낙동강 방어선 중 마산 서부지역 전투의 재조명’

아담 엘리아 25사단 역사가 /박준혁 기자/

아담 엘리아 25사단 역사가 인터뷰

“25사단 기억해 줘 감사… 마산방어전투기념관 건립되면 방문”

-25사단은 마산방어전투를 어떻게 평가하는가.

△마산방어전투는 굉장히 중요했고, 영예로운 전투로 평가한다. 마산은 지리적으로 굉장히 중요했다. 이곳을 방어해야 부산을 지킬 수 있었고 인천상륙작전을 성공시킬 수 있었다. 마산방어전투 당시 기온이 40℃가 넘었을 정도로 무덥고 치열했다. 특히 서북산 전투는 미 육군 전사에서도 자세히 나왔을 정도로 아군 피해도 컸다. 이승만 대통령도 25사단에 표창장을 수여했을 정도로 중요한 전투였다. 단 2일 만에 사단급 병력이 이동한 것은 정말 대단한 일이다.

-중요성에도 불구하고 마산방어전투는 국내에 잘 알려지지 않았다. 국내에서는 미군 주도 전투가 원인이었다고 보는데 어떻게 생각하는가.

△마산방어전투는 미군이 지휘했기에 한국이 관련 자료를 가지고 있을 수 없었다. 대부분 전투 정보도 미군이 가지고 있었다. 그래서 자연스럽게 한국에서 잊힌 것 같다. 미국의 경우 전쟁이 발발하면 사단의 역사가도 참전해 기록한다. 나 또한 이라크전에 참전해 전쟁을 기록했다. 한국과 미국에서 만든 6·25전쟁사는 조금 차이가 있다. 미국에서 만든 전쟁사 일부는 한국의 전쟁사에서 언급이 적은 부분이 있다.

-한국에서 잊힌 이 전투를 재조명하기 위한 기념사업이 활발히 이뤄지고 있다. 어떻게 생각하는가.

△정말 대단한 일이다. 배대균 마산방어전투기념사업회장이 쓴 마산방어전투 번역집과 활동사진을 보고 굉장히 놀랐다. 한국에서 25사단의 전투를 기억하고 기념해 줘 정말 감사하다. 마산방어전투기념관이 창원에 건립되면 꼭 찾아갈 생각이다.

글·사진= 박준혁 기자

※ 이 기사는 경상남도 지역신문발전지원사업 보조금을 지원받았습니다.

박준혁 기자 pjhnh@knnews.co.kr

〈아래는 위 기사를 '챗GPT'로 번역한 영문 기사입니다. 영문 번역에 오류가 있을 수 있을 수도 있습니다.〉

Below is an English article that translates the above article into 'ChatGPT'. There may be errors in the English translation.

[Forgotten War, Battle of Masan] Part 4: The US 25th Division was also recognized by President Syngman Rhee.

"American warriors who defended Masan through rapid movement and fierce battles"

-The 25th Division was established in Hawaii, USA, on October 1, 1941.

-When the Korean War broke out, it was deployed to the Nakdong River defense line in Busan.

-The "Miracle Great Migration" from Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do to Masan in just two days.

-The "Kin Special Task Force" played a significant role in defending against the attack of the North Korean 6th Division

-At the Hawaii Schofield Barracks Memorial Hall of the US 25th Division.

-The victory achievements in the battles from August 1 to 11, 1950 are specified.

-The discovery of the first ever Presidential citation signed by President Syngman Rhee.

-Professor Heo Nam-seong evaluates it as "a historical material that supports the importance of the battle".

August 1950. There are American warriors who fought in Masan to protect a small country with an unfamiliar name in a heat wave exceeding 40℃. This is the U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division. This paper visited the Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, USA, where the 25th Division, the main unit of the Masan Defense Battle, was stationed, and found traces of the battle. Through local reporting, we also achieved the first discovery of President Rhee Syngman's commendation commending the victory in the Masan Defense Battle.

In August 1950, US troops are climbing a nearby mountain top to defend Masan. /25th Infantry Division, US Army/

◇Hawaiian warriors who protected Masan= The U.S. 25th Division Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii, visited on the 14th. Inside the division memorial hall is ‘KOREAN WAR. There was a large framed sign with the words ‘FREEDOM IS NOT FREE’ written on it. Inside the memorial hall, a separate exhibition space was set up for the Korean War, where records of the battle at the time were displayed. Even though it was a weekday, many US soldiers were visiting the memorial.

The 25th Division was established in Hawaii, USA, on October 1, 1941. Two months after its establishment, the 25th Division was attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, troops were dispatched to the Solomon Islands and New Guinea, which were occupied by Japan. During World War II, he was deployed to the Pacific front and defeated the Japanese army, earning him the nickname “the shining warrior of the tropics.” The 25th Division, which was stationed in Osaka, Japan until July 1950, landed in Busan and was deployed to the Nakdong River defense line to defend Korea when the Korean War broke out. The 25th Division plays an important role in the Korean War, including the Masan Defense Battle. It completed the Incheon Landing Operation together with the U.S. Marine Corps' 1st Division, and was deployed in high altitude warfare near the 38th Parallel to secure strategically important locations. The 25th Division fought 10 major battles during the Korean War, and President Syngman Rhee awarded the highest military service medal to 14 soldiers. The 25th Division returned to its hometown of Hawaii in October 1954 after the armistice. It’s been 12 years.

Adam Elia, 25th Division historian, said, “The 25th Division is a U.S. military unit with a deep relationship with Korea.” He added, “It is currently being deployed in the ROK-U.S. joint training, Team Spirit Training and Ulchi Premium Guardian Training. “It is one of the troops that will be deployed in case of emergency on the Korean Peninsula,” he explained.

Historian Adam Elijah explains the Korean War.

◇Masan Defense Battle recognized by President Syngman Rhee= Through this local reporting in Hawaii, a commendation from President Syngman Rhee praising the victory in the Masan Defense Battle was discovered for the first time. This commendation was awarded to the 25th Division on September 29, 1950 by President Syngman Rhee in recognition of its contribution to the victory in the Masan Defense Battle. The citation signed by President Syngman Rhee details the 25th Division's rapid movement to Masan and victory in the battle. The citation said, “The President of the Republic of Korea highly appreciates the outstanding and heroic performance of missions by the U.S. 25th Infantry Division during the battle from August 1 to August 11, 1950,” and “The Army’s The enemy's advance was disrupted by unprecedented movements, rapid construction of a defense system in the Masan area, and counterattacks against three North Korean divisions in the Jinju area. With this counterattack, the fierce attack (by the North Korean People's Army) to advance and capture Busan Port would not be successful. “This distinct and brilliant performance of duties by each member of the 25th Division is consistent with the highest traditions of military service,” it said.

On August 1, 1950, the North Korean People's Army occupied Jinju 36 days after invading the South and gathered at the Masan Hyeon-dong checkpoint. At the time, there were only about 1,000 South Korean troops stationed in the area. After receiving this report, Lieutenant General Walker, commander of the U.S. 8th Army, quickly moved the U.S. 25th Infantry Division stationed in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do to Masan, over 250km away, in just two days. It was an operation with a low probability of success, to the extent that the U.S. military called it the ‘Miracle Migration.’

Bae Dae-gyun, chairman of the Masan Defense Battle Memorial Association, said, “Until now, the only known story was that President Rhee promoted the Marine Corps' Kim Seong-eun unit to the first rank.” He added, “The commendation means that President Rhee acknowledged the miraculous movement of the 25th Division and the importance of the Masan Defense Battle. “He evaluated. He continued, “Considering that the commendation was awarded on September 29, it is highly likely that Jinju was restored and produced on the 26th. President Rhee was in Busan, the temporary capital at the time, so he would have watched Masan, which was the last bastion, with concern.” .

Academic circles also highly evaluated the value of the commendation. Heo Nam-seong, professor emeritus at the National Defense University, said, “This document is the ‘Presidential Unit Citation’ given by our president. “The unit commendation given by the president is the highest honor the military can receive,” he said. “This commendation is sufficient material to support the importance of the Masan defense battle.” He continued, “Probably because Korea was in a wartime situation, these commendations were not properly stored. “I also saw this commendation for the first time,” he said. “The Gyeongnam Newspaper unearthed very important historical information.”

The citation commending the achievements of the US Army 25th Infantry Division in the Battle of Masan, signed by President Syngman Rhee and stamped with his official seal.

◇Protecting the final bastion ‘Masan’= If you look at the log of the Masan defense battle recorded by the 25th Division, you can feel the intensity of the battle. In the log dated August 12, 1950, “The enemy’s attacks continued and were fierce. They fired automatic weapons, mortars, self-propelled guns, small arms, grenades, and anti-tank guns until the enemies were neutralized. Meanwhile, it is recorded that our field artillery was damaged by enemy artillery shells and the battery position was abandoned at one point.”

In particular, the activities of the ‘Kin Special Mission Team’ are evaluated as having changed not only the Masan defensive battle but also the flow of the war. After 25th Division Commander William Keane arrived in Masan, he was organized into the Keane Special Mission Unit under the orders of Commander Walker of the 8th US Army. The Keane Special Task Force consisted of the 35th, 27th, and 24th Regiments under the 25th Division, the Korean Marine Corps, and combat police. The Kin Special Task Force secured the highlands east of Jinju and prevented an attack by the elite 6th Division of the North Korean People's Army.

There was considerable damage to our troops defending Masan. The area of ​​Bongam-ri, Jinjin-myeon, Masan, suffered so much damage to our forces that it was called the ‘graveyard of artillery’ among US troops. The North Korean People's Army attacked the U.S. military positions with anti-tank guns and self-propelled artillery, resulting in the U.S. Army losing six howitzers. The battle log at the time states, “The enemy’s attacks continued and were fierce. It is recorded that “we fired automatic weapons and mortars until the enemies were neutralized.”

※ References = Bae Dae-gyun (2020) ‘Masan Defense Battle’, Bae Dae-gyun (2021) ‘True Story of Changnyeong Defense Battle’, Ha Sun-bok (2022) ‘Reexamination of the Battle of the Western Masan Area of ​​the Nakdong River Defense Line’

※This article received support from the Gyeongsangnam-do Local Newspaper Development Support Project Grant.

Adam Elijah, historian of the 25th Division./Reporter Park Joon-hyuk/

Interview with Adam Elia, 25th Division historian

“Thank you for remembering the 25th Division… “I will visit the Masan Defense Battle Memorial when it is built.”

-How does the 25th Division evaluate the Masan Defense Battle?

△The Masan defense battle was very important and is considered an honorable battle. Masan was very important geographically. Only by defending this place could Busan be defended and the Incheon landing operation could be successful. During the Masan defense battle, it was hot and fierce, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. In particular, the Battle of Seobuksan Mountain caused significant damage to our troops, so much so that it was detailed in the U.S. Army transcript. It was such an important battle that even President Syngman Rhee awarded a commendation to the 25th Division. It is truly amazing that division-level troops were moved in just two days.

-Despite its importance, the Masan Defense Battle is not well known in Korea. Domestically, it is believed that the US military-led battle was the cause. What do you think?

△Because the Masan Defense Battle was commanded by the U.S. military, Korea could not have related data. Most of the combat information was also held by the US military. So, naturally, it seems to have been forgotten in Korea. In the case of the United States, when a war breaks out, the division's historian also participates in the war and records it. I also participated in the Iraq War and recorded the war. The history of the Korean War created in Korea and the United States is slightly different. Some war histories made in the United States have little mention in Korean war histories.

-Commemorative projects are being actively carried out in Korea to shed new light on this forgotten battle. What do you think.

△This is truly amazing. I was very surprised to see the translation book and action photos of the Masan Defense Battle written by Bae Dae-gyun, Chairman of the Masan Defense Battle Memorial Foundation. I am truly grateful that we remember and commemorate the 25th Division's battles in Korea. I definitely plan to visit the Masan Defense Battle Memorial when it is built in Changwon. 

Text/Photo = Reporter Park Joon-hyuk