Truman originally asked MacArthur to do a force assessment and contingency plan. He had no idea that MacArthur would take this to mean he would assume operational command of the entire theater of Korean operations. But Truman let MacArthur have his head. Luckily for him, the Inchon landing, a perilous and complicated expedition, was a success. Still, it was far from the only option. Air interdiction of the North Korean tank corps would have done a great deal to drive the entire army out of the south, as it was their main artillery force.

Later, despite numerous warnings from the Chinese through the Indian embassy in Washington that crossing the 38th parallel would force them to enter the conflict, MacArthur ignored the directives from Washington. Still, the Chinese did not respond until MacArthur advanced on the Yalu River, defying repeated instructions to halt the advance. Overnight, the Chinese poured a quarter million troops across the Yalu. The rest, as they say, is history.

The situation now is barely comparable. MacArthur followed the chain of command, to defy orders; McChrystal is simply illegitimately taking his case to the public. He's not a flack, a PIO.

He's a general beholden to the Chiefs of Staff and the President. He ought to act like one.

Truman originally asked MacArthur to do a force assessment and contingency plan. He had no idea that MacArthur would take this to mean he would assume operational command of the entire theater of Korean operations. But Truman let MacArthur have his head. Luckily for him, the Inchon landing, a perilous and complicated expedition, was a success. Still, it was far from the only option. Air interdiction of the North Korean tank corps would have done a great deal to drive the entire army out of the south, as it was their main artillery force.

Criticize my analysis if you like, but I will not brook calumnies against my command of the English language.

Used in this way, insubordinating is a gerundive construction. Look it up.

Truman originally asked MacArthur to do a force assessment and contingency plan. He had no idea that MacArthur would take this to mean he would assume operational command of the entire theater of Korean operations. But Truman let MacArthur have his head. Luckily for him, the Inchon landing, a perilous and complicated expedition, was a success. Still, it was far from the only option. Air interdiction of the North Korean tank corps would have done a great deal to drive the entire army out of the south, as it was their main artillery force.

Aerial interdiction of armored forces absent total air dominance (which we were nowhere close to having until after the Inchon landings) is difficult with modern precision guided munitions, and basically impossible with the kind of weaponry available in 1950. Hitting hardened point targets like armored vehicles - especially if they're on the move...and shooting back - is a total crapshoot with "dumb" bombs. Even consistently interdicting routes of resupply without a degree of air superiority not possessed by the international force until later in the war isn't all that feasible. Given American sea dominance and ability to attain local air supremacy for a set piece operation, the Inchon operation was by far the best option available to McArthur for relieving the pressure on the Pusan Perimeter. That it also allowed him to trap and destroy most of offensive striking power of the Korean People's army was just gravy. The operation itself was far less risky than has typically been portrayed in popular legend.

MIDAMER:

Again, Good God. Inchon came AFTER the North Koreans were broken outside of Pusan.

The Inchon landings commenced on Sept. 15 and the Pusan counteroffensive didn't kick off until Sept. 16.

Your ignorance is laughable, really. What is your source, Wikipedia?

The Pusan perimeter held against more and more desperate North Korean attacks. The counter-offensive was possible due to the defenders having broken the attackers and the inability of the North Koreans to resupply as the LOCs were too long and vulnerable. The Inchon landings cane after the Pusan perimeter was reinforced with mobile formations capable of offensive operations. A pursuit folowed.

Read a real history, please.

I cannot be any more in agreement.

The Chiefs of Staff should demote him no matter what Obama's final decision.

Leo