Colombian Battalion

The Colombian Battalion was a Colombian Army Infantry battalion that served with the United Nations Command during the Korean War. The first Colombian military unit to serve in Asia, the Colombian Battalion was attached to the US 7th Infantry Division and 25th Infantry Divisions during the war. The Battalion was deployed from 1951 to 1954.

Background
The election of President Laureano Gómez in 1950 sparked renewed interest in building up Colombian-American relations. In contrast to his predecessor, Gómez wanted greater U.S. economic support in exchange for direct involvement as an ally, and a means to erase any lingering impressions caused among U.S. policy makers of his previous attitude of anti-U.S. sentiment during the World Wars. Gómez emphasised the United Nations security charter and the concept of a collective security system as the reasons for the deployment. The overall strength of the battalion was 5100 infantry soldiers and 300 Navy sailors on board the frigates ARC Almirante Padilla, ARC Capitán Tono, and ARC Almirante Brión.

Korean War
Following the outbreak of the Korean War, the Colombian Battalion was deployed to Busan on 15 June 1951 under the command of Colonel Jaime Polanía Puyo. The battalion participated in Operation Thunderbolt, the battle of Old Baldy, and the recapture of Geumseong.

Casualties
The Colombian Battalion suffered men 163 killed in action, 448 wounded, 60 missing, and 30 captured over the course of the conflict.