Fascinating images of the Korean War that document American troops heading into battle have been brought to life in vibrant color as tensions between North Korea and the United States continue to rise.
The photographs show the brutal realities of the Korean War, which ravaged the Korean peninsula for more than three years.
The Korean War lasted from 1950 until 1953 and involved UN troops and South Koreans fighting against North Korea and their Soviet and Chinese allies.
The horrors of the Korean War have been brought back to life in a series of colorized images from the conflict, which lasted from 1950 to 1953. Pictured above, a US Marine raised an American Flag at the the American consulate in Seoul, South Korea, during the war
In total America lost 33,686 soldiers during the conflict, with Secretary of Defense Louis A Johnson heavily criticized for sending troops into battle under-equipped, under-supplied and unprepared. Pictured above, Cpl Robert L Sutton of Lawton, Oklahoma tank commander, listens and watches for enemy planes, somewhere in Korea
The Korean War marked the first wide-scale deployment of helicopters by the American military, especially for medical evacuations due to the rough terrain. Gunships were also used for close support of infantry for the first time – a tactic which would be repeated in Vietnam
The images are made all the more poignant as tensions on the Korean peninsula continue to rise between Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump. The United States first engaged with North Korean forces during the Korean War’s Battle of Osan on July 5, 1950k
American troops made up 88 per cent of the ground forces used, though 21 nations contributed to the UN effort. Pictured above, Sergeant J M Bragg, Gunner D J Humphries and Gunner D J Kelly operating a 25 pounder during the first major offensive of the 1st British Commonwealth Division
American troops made up 88 per cent of the ground forces used, though 21 nations contributed to the UN effort. In total, more than 33,000 American soldiers lost their lives.
The fighting ended on 27 July 1953, when an armistice was signed. The agreement created the Korean Demilitarized Zone to separate North and South Korea, and allowed the return of prisoners.
However, no peace treaty has been signed, and the two Koreas are technically still at war.
In creating the colorized images, Leonard digitally painted over the black and white original image and mixes his colours on screen.
‘War is hell, no one really wins at the ground level of the battlefield,’ he said. ‘The message is already there for all to see in the pictures themselves but I do feel it helps the younger generation to understand that what happened was real.
In total, more than 33,000 American soldiers lost their lives during the three-year Korean War. Pictured above, a military member shares his dinner with a small puppy found on the military base during the conflict
The fighting ended on 27 July 1953, when an armistice was signed. The agreement created the Korean Demilitarized Zone to separate North and South Korea, and allowed the return of prisoners. Pictured above, a military member tends to his comrade’s shoulder next to a large tanker
UN forces, largely compromised of American soldiers, suffered early losses in the war and within two months were on the verge of defeat. A reversal of fortunes took place after a counter-attack at Incheon, but UN troops were forced back again after China entered the fray. Eventually an armistice was agreed, but the two countries are technically still at war. Pictured above, three men look into the distance while prepping a gun for battle
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. This prompted the United Nations, with the United States as the principal force, to come to South Korea’s aid. North Korea were aided by China while the USSR gave some assistance
Korea was split into two regions with separate governments in 1948 as a product of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States, who operated in North Korea and South Korea respectively. The war became one of attrition and the frontline was close to the 38th parallel, the dividing line between the two countries. Pictured above, right, a Marine tends to a small kitten found during battle
‘I love giving more life to the pictures and I think that colour improves the story the photographs tell.’
The images are made all the more poignant as tensions on the Korean peninsula continue to rise.
North Korea fired several rockets into the sea over the weekend in a continuation of its rapid nuclear and missile expansion, prompting South Korea to press ahead with military drills involving US troops that have angered Pyongyang.
The US Pacific Command revised its initial assessment that the first and third short-range missiles failed on Saturday during flight, to say they flew about 155 miles.
It said that the second missile appears to have blown up immediately and that none posed a threat to the US territory of Guam, towards which the North had previously warned it would fire missiles.
South Korea’s presidential office and military said North Korea fired ‘several’ projectiles in what was presumed to be a test of its 300-millimetre rocket artillery system.
One image shows explosive shots being fired from the USS New Jersey, which went on to be the only US battleship providing gunfire support during the Vietnam War. During the Korean War, the ship was involved in raids up and down the North Korean coast
In the build-up to the Korean War, the North and South Korea had their own regions, both with their own governments, and both claimed to be the true government of the entire peninsula
South Korea estimated that the number of civilian deaths in the three-year conflict topped 373,599, and said nearly 138,000 of its troops died in the war. Pictured above, a military member examines the damage in a region of Korea following a battle
More than 5.7million US troops were sent to war in Korea during the three year conflict, and 36,574 were killed, according to official figures. A further 103,000 were wounded during the brutal campaign, which followed the invasion by North Korea of its southern neighbor
It is estimated that 103,284 servicemen were wounded during the three-year conflict, and more than 7,800 US troops remain unaccounted for. Pictured above, planes drop bombs on Korea during the war