The Colombian Battalion in The Korea War

4,314 Colombian soldiers fought in the Korean War as part of the infantry battalion. Colombia was the only Latin American country to participate with troops and ships under the United Nations Command from 1951 to 1954. The main achievement of the Colombian Battalion was in Old Baldy Hills north of Seoul. Although this lasted ten months, it was during the fifth battle in March 1953 that Colombia's contribution was essential to the UN forces. There, the Colombians prevented the advance of Chinese troops to what would have been direct access to Seoul. Some veterans suggest that much of its success was due to the similarities of that terrain with the mountains of Boyacá and Antioquia. US and Colombian forces were under relentless enemy attacks. Colonel Ruiz proposed using US reserves, but they had already been redeployed; the Colombian Battalion was on its own.  The Battalion fought with courage and machetes until reinforcements arrived, preventing the Chinese Army from entering Seoul.