The Black Eagles, the Republic of Korea Aerobatic team, perform an airshow during the 75th Task Force Memorial Ceremony at the Jukmiryeong War Memorial in Osan, South Korea, July 3, 2025.

Col. Rosann Clemente, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade commander, and Col. James Peay, Eighth Army G3, participate in the 75th Task Force Memorial Ceremony at the Jukmiryeong War Memorial in Osan, South Korea, July 3, 2025.

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division based out of Hawaii pose with Lee, Kwon Jae, mayor of Osan city, and distinguish visitors during the 75th Task Force Memorial Ceremony at the Jukmiryeong War Memorial in Osan, South Korea, July 3, 2025.

U.S. Army and Republic of Korea Army soldiers carry their respective colors during the 75th anniversary of Task Force Smith memorial ceremony at Jukiryeong War Monument Park in Osan, South Korea, July 3, 2025. Families and service members gathered to commemorate the Battle of Osan, honoring the fallen by paying tribute to their legacy and reaffirming the enduring alliance between U.S. and Republic of Korea. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough)

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. William Wilkerson, Eighth Army deputy commanding general – sustainment, delivers remarks during the 75th anniversary ceremony of Task Force Smith at Jukiryeong War Monument Park in Osan, South Korea, July 3, 2025. Families and service members gathered to commemorate the Battle of Osan, honoring the fallen by paying tribute to their legacy and reaffirming the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Republic of Korea. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough)

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sean Stroh, commander of 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, delivers remarks during the 75th anniversary ceremony honoring Task Force Smith at Jukiryeong War Monument Park in Osan, South Korea, July 3, 2025. Families and service members gathered to commemorate the Battle of Osan by honoring the fallen and paying tribute to their legacy and reaffirming the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Republic of Korea. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough)

The Far East Broadcasting System Children's Choir performs during the 75th Task Force Smith Memorial Ceremony at Jukiryeong War Monument Park in Osan, South Korea, July 3, 2025. Families and service members gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Osan, honoring the fallen by paying tribute to their legacy and reaffirming the enduring alliance between the U.S. and Republic of Korea. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough)

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Antonio Golden, senior enlisted leader of the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, holds a white flower to lay at the Task Force Smith memorial at Jukiryeong War Monument Park, Osan City, South Korea, July 3, 2025. Families and service members gathered on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Osan to honor the fallen, pay tribute to their legacy, and reaffirm the enduring alliance between U.S. and Republic of Korea forces. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Justin Yarborough)

It's been 75 years since the beginning of the Korean War. Each year, the city of Osan, South Korea, holds its annual Task Force Smith ceremony at its Jukmiryeong War Memorial commemorating the Battle of Osan, the first ground combat involving U.S. forces during the Korean War, which took place July 5, 1950.

Brig. Gen. William Wilkerson, Eighth Army deputy commanding general - sustainment, led Eighth Army's participation and provided remarks during the ceremony, which was held July 3.

This year's ceremony was even more special than in the past as it featured an aerial performance by The Black Eagles, Republic of Korea's aerobatic team, and also participation from Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, from Hawaii. The unit is the same unit that Task Force Smith belonged to in 1950. Lt. Col. Sean Stroh, commander, provided remarks. He and a contingent of 25th ID Soldiers who were invited this year by Lee, Kwon Jae, Osan mayor.

Task Force Smith, led by Lt. Col. Charles B. Smith, engaged North Korean forces near Osan, South Korea, June 27, 1950. President Harry Truman ordered American air and naval forces to give cover and support to Republic of Korea troops, initiating the United Nations Defensive Campaign. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur alerted the 24th Infantry Division to deploy to Korea from Japan, with an advanced element consisting of an infantry battalion task force becoming the first U.S. ground combat unit to arrive.

Smith, commander of the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry, of the 24th Infantry Division, led the 500-man delaying force, dubbed Task Force Smith, who were airlifted from Japan on July 2, 1950. On July 5, Smith established a defensive position three miles north of Osan where they took on two regiments of the North Korean 4th Division and 33 Soviet-made T34 tanks.

Badly outnumbered and without armor, effective antitank weapons, or air support, the task force was overrun. The next day, Smith assembled only 250 men, half his original force. U.S. and South Korean forces were continuously forced back in the ensuing weeks to the extreme southwestern end of the Korean Peninsula, where they established a secure foothold at the Pusan (now Busan) Perimeter.

The battle highlighted the need for better preparation and equipment, teaching the U.S. Army lessons that have shaped military training and strategy ever since. Some 150 Soldiers were killed, wounded or went missing in action, but their efforts delayed the enemy advance, which was a critical part of the initial phase of the war.