Camp Pendleton honors legacy of Korean War's Inchon landing 75 years later

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Service members, Veterans and community leaders gathered Friday at Camp Pendleton to mark the 75th anniversary of the Inchon Landing, a pivotal operation during the Korean War.

The ceremony at the Pacific Views Event Center brought together Marines, veterans and families to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the 1st Marine Division, which played a central role in the surprise assault.

The Inchon Landing, launched in September 1950 under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur, was a turning point in the war. U.S. and United Nations forces stormed the South Korean coast, broke through enemy lines and eventually recaptured Seoul.

According to the U.S. Marine Corps Museum, about 224 Americans were killed in action during Inchon.

Albert Devito, a Marine Corps veteran who enlisted in 1949, recalled his experience during the operation.

“I thought the war was over, but then MacArthur decided we were going to go up to North Korea,” Devito said. “There were so many mines in the field that we couldn’t get in.”

The anniversary offered a chance for veterans to share stories across generations.

Lt. Col. Alex Lim of the U.S. Marine Corps reflected on the combat conditions Marines faced during the landing.

“Indirect fire weapons that were shooting overhead. This is the kind of the environment that our Marines of those days engaged in,” Lim said. “They broke into enemy lines and recaptured South Korea.”

The event featured speeches, tributes and time for reflection. Veterans of the Korean War stood alongside active-duty Marines, highlighting the enduring connection between past and present service members.

Lim emphasized South Korea’s continued recognition of the operation’s impact.

“The Republic of Korea should recognize, and I think they clearly do, that their very existence, their very being, the way it stands right now would not have happened had it not been for the Inchon Landing,” he said.

For veterans like Devito, the commemoration was deeply meaningful.

“I'm very pleased with what they've done today. I appreciate it very much,” Devito said.

The ceremony was not only a remembrance of history but also a reminder of the resilience and dedication that continues to define the Marine Corps.