Matfield Green in Chase County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

38th Parallel

Photographed by Thomas Onions, July 3, 2010

1. 38th Parallel Marker

Inscription. Located south of the Matfield Green service area is mile marker 88, which is 38 degrees North latitude. This latitude became better known as the 38th Parallel at the beginning of the Korean Conflict. Korea was temporarily divided along the 38th Parallel in 1945 after the Japanese occupation during World War II. Because of political differences and mutual distrust between the United States, who supported South Korea, and the Soviet Union, who supported North Korea, the two halves were never united. On June 25, 1950 North Korea, a Communist industrial region, crossed the 38th Parallel and launched a military attack on South Korea, an agricultural region dependent on aid from the United States. The United Nations intervened with military force and the war that followed resulted in more than 3 million Koreans dead, millions of refugees homeless, about 1 million Chinese dead and 54,246 American casualties. The war ended July 27, 1953 with an armistice that established the 38th Parallel as the permanent border between the separate countries of North and South Korea.

During the Korean Conflict, 415 Kansans died or were listed

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as missing. Four Kansas Army National Guard united mobilized during the Conflict. These were the 130th Field Artillery Group, the 174th Military Police Battalion, the 195th Field Artillery Battalion and the 127th Fighter Squadron.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Korean. A significant historical date for this entry is June 25, 1950.

Location. 38° 5.665′ N, 96° 34.802′ W. Marker is in Matfield Green, Kansas, in Chase County. It is on Interstate 35 at milepost 96, on the left when traveling south. This marker is south of the gas station in the Matfield Green Rest Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Matfield Green KS 66862, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kansas’ Flint Hills.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: The Bluestem Pasture Region of Kansas

Photographed by Thomas Onions, July 3, 2010

2. 38th Parallel Marker

Area photo of Marker

(here, next to this marker).

Also see . . . The Korean War. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on July 9, 2011, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2011, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas. This page has been viewed 2,698 times since then and 170 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2011, by Thomas Onions of Olathe, Kansas.