USS Iowa (BB-61) 1948, as part of the post World War II drawdown of the armed forces, "Iowa" was deactivated at San Francisco, and then formally decommissioned into the United States Navy reserve fleets on 24 March 1949. In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, prompting the United Nations to authorize military intervention. President Harry S. Truman ordered US forces stationed in Japan to transfer to South Korea. Truman also sent US based troops, tanks, fighter and bomber aircraft, and a strong naval force to the area to support South Korea. As part of the naval mobilization, "Iowa" was reactivated on 14 July
North Korean occupation of South Korea, June to September, 1950 against the advancing forces. The Communists removed about 20,000 of their prisoners of war on a "death march" northward and killed many other South Korean political and military prisoners. However, after the re-occupation of Seoul by the UN and South Korean forces, many of those who had joined Committees or supported the Northern regime would again be purged, this time by the South Koreans. North Korean occupation of South Korea, June to September, 1950 The North Korean occupation of South Korea from June to September, 1950 constituted the first phase of the Korean War. In June 25, 1950, The Korean