View source for United Nations Command

{{Short description|Multinational military force supporting South Korea}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}

{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = United Nations Command
| native_name                   = {{lang|ko|유엔군사령부}}
| image                         = United Nations Command logo.svg
| caption                       = 
| dates                         = 24 July 1950 – present<br />({{Age in years and months|1950|7|7}})
| allegiance                    = {{flag|United Nations}}
| battles                       = [[Korean War]] (1950–1953)
| website                       = {{URL|https://www.unc.mil/}}
| commander1                    = [[General (United States)|Gen.]] [[Paul J. LaCamera]] ([[United States Army|US Army]])
| commander1_label              = Commander UNC/[[ROK/US Combined Forces Command|CFC]]/[[United States Forces Korea|USFK]]
| commander2                    = [[Lieutenant-general (Canada)|Lt. Gen.]] [[Derek A. Macaulay]] ([[Canadian Army]])
| commander2_label              = Deputy Commander
| notable_commanders            = {{plainlist|
*[[General of the Army (United States)|General of the Army]] [[Douglas MacArthur]] ([[United States Army|US Army]])
*[[General (United States)|Gen.]] [[Matthew Ridgway]] ([[United States Army|US Army]])
}}
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = [[File:Flag of the United Nations.svg|border|150px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Flag
}}

{{North Korea and the United Nations|expanded=all}}

[[File:Secretary of State visits CFC’s White House.jpg|thumb|250px|Headquarters of the United Nations Command and [[ROK/US Combined Forces Command|ROK-US Combined Forces Command]] in 2009.]]

'''United Nations Command''' ('''UNC''' or '''UN Command''')<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=United Nations Command > History > 1950–1953: Korean War (Active Conflict)|url=https://www.unc.mil/History/1950-1953-Korean-War-Active-Conflict/|access-date=2020-11-05|website=www.unc.mil}}</ref> is the multinational military force established to support the [[South Korea|Republic of Korea]] (South Korea) during and after the [[Korean War]]. It was the first international unified command in history, and the first attempt at [[collective security]] pursuant to the [[Charter of the United Nations]].<ref name=":0" />

The UNC was established on 24 July 1950 following the [[United Nations Security Council]]'s recognition, on 7 July, of [[North Korea]]n aggression against South Korea. The motion passed because the [[Soviet Union]], a close ally of North Korea and a member of the UN Security Council, was boycotting the UN at the time over its recognition of the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] (Taiwan) rather than the [[China|People's Republic of China]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=29 October 2024 |title=United Nations Security Council - History |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/United-Nations-Security-Council/History |url-status=live |access-date=29 October 2024 |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> [[Member states of the United Nations|UN member states]] were called to provide assistance in repelling the North's invasion, with the UNC providing a cohesive command structure under which the disparate forces would operate.<ref>{{Cite web|title=United Nations Command > History > 1950–1953: Korean War (Active Conflict)|url=https://www.unc.mil/History/1950-1953-Korean-War-Active-Conflict/|access-date=2020-11-05|website=www.unc.mil}}</ref> During the course of the war, 22 nations contributed military or medical personnel to UN Command;<ref name=":0" /> although the United States led the UNC and provided the bulk of its troops and funding, all participants formally fought under the [[Flag of the United Nations|auspices of the UN]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=United Nations Command > Resources > FAQs|url=https://www.unc.mil/Resources/FAQs/|access-date=2020-11-06|website=www.unc.mil}}</ref> with the operation classified as a "UN-led police action".<ref>{{Cite web|title=The United Nations in Korea {{!}} Harry S. Truman|url=https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/education/presidential-inquiries/united-nations-korea|access-date=2020-11-06|website=www.trumanlibrary.gov}}</ref>

On 27 July 1953, United Nations Command, the [[Korean People's Army]], and the [[People's Volunteer Army|Chinese People's Volunteers]] signed the [[Korean Armistice Agreement]], ending open hostilities. The agreement established the [[Military Armistice Commission]] (MAC), consisting of representatives of the signatories, to supervise the implementation of the armistice terms, and the [[Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission]] (NNSC), composed of nations that did not participate in the conflict, to monitor the armistice's restrictions on the parties' reinforcing or rearming themselves.<ref group="Note">The North Korean-Chinese MAC was replaced by the "Panmunjom Mission" under exclusive North Korean administration.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/news/dprk/1995/950313-dprk-usia.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000831081603/http://www.fas.org/news/dprk/1995/950313-dprk-usia.htm|title=State Department message to DPRK|access-date=2006-11-29|archive-date=2000-08-31}}</ref> In 1975, the [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]] adopted resolution 3390 (XXX), which called upon the parties to the Armistice Agreement to replace it with a peace agreement, and expressed the hope that UNC would be dissolved on 1 January 1976.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Question of Korea |url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/639969 |website=United Nations Digital Library |year=1976 |access-date=2021-02-27}}</ref> But the UNC continues to function after that.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Salmon|first=Andrew|date=2019-05-08|title=In South Korea, a UN Command that isn't|work=Asia Times|url=https://asiatimes.com/2019/05/in-south-korea-a-un-command-that-isnt/|access-date=2021-04-10}}</ref>

Since 1953, UNC's primary duties have been to maintain the armistice and facilitate diplomacy between North and South Korea.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Let the UN Command Remain a Tool for Korean Peace|url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/let-un-command-remain-tool-korean-peace|access-date=2020-11-06|website=Council on Foreign Relations|language=en}}</ref> Although "MAC" meetings have not occurred since 1994, UN Command representatives routinely engage members of the Korean People's Army in formal and informal meetings. The most recent formal negotiations on the terms of Armistice occurred between October and November 2018. Duty officers from both sides of the [[Joint Security Area]] (commonly known as the Truce Village of [[Panmunjom]]) conduct daily communications checks and have the ability to engage face-to-face when the situation demands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/jsa.htm|title=Joint Security Area / Panmunjom|access-date=2006-04-09}}</ref>

== Origin and legal status ==
{{Refimprove section|date=February 2024}}
United Nations Command operates under the mandates of [[United Nations Security Council]] (UNSC) [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 82|Resolutions 82]], [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 83|83]], [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 84|84]], and [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 85|85]]. These passed while the Soviet Union was boycotting the UN for awarding China's seat in the Security Council to the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]].<ref name=":1" /> While the UN had some military authority through [[Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter]], early [[Cold War]] tensions meant that the forces envisaged in those articles had yet to become reality. Thus the UN had little practical ability to raise a military force in response to the North Korean invasion of the South. Consequently, the UNSC designated the United States as the executive agent for leading a "unified command" under the UN flag. As it was a designated body, the UN exercised little control over the combat forces. This represented the first attempt at collective security under the UN system.

When the warring parties signed the [[Korean Armistice Agreement]] on 27 July 1953, the commander delivered the Agreement to the UN. In August 1953, the [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]] passed a resolution “noting with approval” the Armistice Agreement, a step that was critical for the UN to take the next step of organizing the [[1954 Geneva Conference]] meant to negotiate a diplomatic peace between North and South Korea. The adoption of the Korean Armistice Agreement in the UN General Assembly underwrites UN Command's current role of maintaining and enforcing the Armistice Agreement.

The role of the United States as the executive agent for the unified command has led to questions over its continued validity. Most notably, in 1994, UN Secretary General [[Boutros Boutros-Ghali]] wrote in a letter to the North Korean Foreign Minister that:
{{quote|the Security Council did not establish the unified command as a subsidiary organ under its control, but merely recommended the creation of such a command, specifying that it be under the authority of the United States. Therefore, the dissolution of the unified command does not fall within the responsibility of any United Nations organ but is a matter within the competence of the Government of the United States.<ref name=pak-1997>{{cite web |url=http://oldsite.nautilus.org/fora/security/4a_DPRKonKA.html#sect3 |title=Replacement of the Korean Armistice Agreement: Prerequisite to a lasting peace in the Korean Peninsula |author=Pak Chol Gu |publisher=Nautilus Institute |date=1997-05-07 |access-date=2013-05-02 |quote=UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali noted in his letter to the Foreign Minister of the DPRK, dated 24 June 1994: I do not believe, though, that any principal organ of the United Nations, including the Secretary General, can be the proper instance to decide on the continued existence or the dissolution of the United Nations Command. However, allow me to recall that the Security Council, in operative paragraph 3 of resolution 84 (1950) of 7 July 1950, limited itself to recommending that all members providing military forces and other assistance to the Republic of Korea 'make such forces and other assistance available to a unified command under the United States of America'. It follows, accordingly, that the Security Council did not establish the unified command as a subsidiary organ under its control, but merely recommended the creation of such a command, specifying that it be under the authority of the United States. Therefore, the dissolution of the unified command does not fall within the responsibility of any United Nations organ but is a matter within the competence of the Government of the United States.}}</ref>}}

The UN's official position is that the Korean War-era Security Council and General Assembly resolutions remain in force. This was evidenced in 2013 when North Korea announced unilateral abrogation of the Armistice Agreement: UN spokesman [[Martin Nesirky]] asserted that since the Armistice Agreement had been adopted by the General Assembly, no single party could dissolve it unilaterally. The UNC continues to serve as the signatory and party of the Armistice opposite the Korean People's Army.

In JENNINGS v. MARKLEY, WARDEN, a determination was made by the Court of Appeals [[Seventh Circuit]] that American soldiers of the UNC were still liable to the [[Uniform Code of Military Justice]] although they fought under the UN blue flag.<ref name="ilr1">{{cite journal |doi=10.1017/CBO9781316151594.110 |title=Jennings ''v'' . Markley, Warden |journal=International Law Reports |date=1966 |volume=32 |pages=367–368 |s2cid=248997335 }}</ref>

== Establishment in 1950 ==
After troops of [[North Korea]] invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950, the [[United Nations Security Council]] adopted [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 82|Resolution 82]] calling on North Korea to cease hostilities and withdraw to the [[38th parallel north|38th parallel]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://undocs.org/S/RES/82(1950)|title=United Nations Security Council Resolution 82|format=PDF|date=1950-06-25|access-date=2016-03-04}}</ref>

Two days later, the UNSC adopted [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 83|Resolution 83]], recommending that members of the [[United Nations]] provide assistance to the Republic of Korea "to repel the armed attack and to restore international peace and security to the area".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://undocs.org/S/RES/83(1950)|title=United Nations Security Council Resolution 83|format=PDF|date=1950-06-27|access-date=2016-03-04}}</ref>

The first non-Korean and non-U.S. unit to see combat was the [[No. 77 Squadron RAAF|No. 77 Squadron]] of the [[Royal Australian Air Force]], which began escort, patrol and ground attack sorties from [[Iwakuni Royal Australian Air Base]], Japan on 2&nbsp;July 1950. On 29 June 1950, New Zealand made preparations to dispatch two [[Loch class frigate|''Loch'' class]] frigates, {{Ship|HMNZS|Tutira|F420|2}} and {{Ship|HMNZS|Pukaki|F424|2}}, to Korean waters;<ref name="KOR">''Korean Scholarships'' – ''Navy Today'', Defence Public Relations Unit, Issue 133, 8 June, Page 14-15</ref> on 3 July, the ships left [[Devonport Naval Base]], [[Auckland]] and joined other [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] forces at [[Sasebo, Nagasaki|Sasebo]], Japan on 2 August. For the duration of the war, at least two NZ vessels would be on station in the theater.

[[United Nations Security Council Resolution 84|Resolution 84]], adopted on 7 July 1950, recommended that members providing military forces and other assistance to South Korea "make such forces and other assistance available to a unified command under the United States of America".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://undocs.org/S/RES/84(1950)|title=United Nations Security Council Resolution 84|format=PDF|pages=1–2|date=1950-07-07|access-date=2016-03-04}}</ref>

President [[Syngman Rhee]] of the Republic of Korea assigned operational command of ROK ground, sea, and air forces to General MacArthur as Commander-in-Chief UN Command (CINCUNC) on 15 July 1950:
{{quote|In view of the common military effort of the United Nations on behalf of the Republic of Korea, in which all military forces, land, sea and air, of all the United Nations fighting in or near Korea have been placed under your operational command, and in which you have been designated Supreme Commander United Nations Forces, I am happy to assign to you command authority over all land, sea, and air forces of the Republic of Korea during the period of the continuation of the present state of hostilities, such command to be exercised either by you personally or by such military commander or commanders to whom you may delegate the exercise of this authority within Korea or in adjacent seas.<ref>{{cite thesis
| author = Kyung Y. Chung
| degree = master
| title = Analysis of ROK-US Military Command Relationship from the Korean War to the Present
| url = https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a211800.pdf
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211017001104/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a211800.pdf
| url-status = live
| archive-date = 2021-10-17
| location = Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
| publisher = [[United States Army Command and General Staff College]]
| year = 1989
| page = 7
| oclc = 939481483
| isbn = 978-1249403975}} citing {{cite book
| title = The US military experience in Korea, 1871-1982 : in the vanguard of ROK-US relations
| author = James P Finley
| location = San Francisco
| publisher = Command Historian's Office, Secretary Joint Staff, Hqs., USFK/EUSA
| year = 1983
| oclc = 10467350
| page = 59}}
</ref>}}

On 29 August 1950, the British Commonwealth's [[27th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|27th Infantry Brigade]] arrived at [[Busan]] to join UNC ground forces, which until then included only ROK and U.S. forces. The 27th Brigade moved into the Naktong River line west of Daegu.

Units from other countries of the UN followed: the [[Belgian United Nations Command]], the [[25th Canadian Infantry Brigade]], the Colombian Battalion,<ref name="Coleman">{{cite journal |last=Coleman |first=Bradley Lynn |title=The Colombian Army in Korea, 1950–1954 |journal=[[The Journal of Military History]] |date=October 2005 |volume=69 |issue=4 |pages=1137–1177 |publisher=Project Muse ([[Society for Military History]]) |issn=0899-3718 |url= http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/journal_of_military_history/v069/69.4coleman.pdf |doi=10.1353/jmh.2005.0215 |s2cid=159487629 }}</ref> the Ethiopian [[Kagnew Battalion]], the [[French Battalion (Korean War)|French Battalion]], the Greek [[15th Infantry Regiment (Greece)|15th Infantry Regiment]], New Zealand's [[16th Field Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery|16th Field Regiment and Royal New Zealand Artillery]], the [[Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea]], the South African [[No. 2 Squadron SAAF]], the [[Turkish Brigade]], and forces from Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Additionally, Denmark, India, Iran, Norway and Sweden provided medical units; Italy provided a hospital, even though it was not a UN member at the time.

By 1 September 1950, less than two months before the formation of United Nations Command, these combined forces numbered 180,000, of which 92,000 were South Koreans, with most of the remainder being Americans, followed by the 1,600-man British 27th Infantry Brigade.

Rockoff writes that "[[President Truman]] responded quickly to the June invasion by authorizing the use of U.S. troops and ordering air strikes and a [[naval blockade]]. He did not, however, seek a declaration of war, or call for full mobilization, in part because such actions might have been misinterpreted by Russia and China. Instead, on July 19 he called for partial mobilization and asked Congress for an appropriation of $10 billion for the war."<ref name="rockoff09">{{cite book |doi=10.1017/CBO9780511600999.008 |chapter=The Korean War |title=Drastic Measures |date=1984 |pages=177–199 |isbn=978-0-521-24496-1 }}</ref> Cohen writes that: "All of Truman's advisers saw the events in Korea as a test of American will to resist Soviet attempts to expand their power, and their system. The United States ordered warships to the [[Taiwan Strait]] to prevent Mao's forces from invading [[Taiwan]] and mopping up the remnants of [[Chiang Kai-shek]]'s army there."<ref name="cohen13">{{cite book |doi=10.1017/CHO9781139032513.006 |chapter=The Korean War and Its Consequences |title=The New Cambridge History of American Foreign Relations |date=2013 |pages=58–78 |isbn=978-1-139-03251-3 }}</ref>

As of 1 July 1957 the commander of the United Nations Command was "triple hatted" being given command the [[United States Forces Korea]] and [[Eighth United States Army]] in addition to the UN command. The first commander to be "triple hatted" in this way was General [[George Decker]], who would later serve as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

==Commander==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! colspan=2| Commander
! colspan=3| Term
! rowspan=2| Service branch
|-
! Portrait
! Name
! Took office
! Left office
! Term length
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| military_rank     = [[General of the Army (United States)|General of the Army]]
| image             = Douglas MacArthur 58-61.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Douglas MacArthur]]
| officeholder_sort = MacArthur, Douglas
| born_year         = 1880
| died_year         = 1964
| term_start        = 7 July 1950
| term_end          = 11 April 1951
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|7 July 1950|11 April 1951}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Matthew B. Ridgway.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Matthew Ridgway]]
| officeholder_sort = Ridgway, Matthew
| born_year         = 1895
| died_year         = 1993
| term_start        = 11 April 1951
| term_end          = 12 May 1952
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|11 April 1951|12 May 1952}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Mark Wayne Clark 1943.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Mark W. Clark]]
| officeholder_sort = Clark, Mark
| born_year         = 1896
| died_year         = 1984
| term_start        = 12 May 1952
| term_end          = 7 October 1953
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|12 May 1952|7 October 1953}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = John E. Hull (GEN) (cropped).jpg
| officeholder      = [[John E. Hull]]
| officeholder_sort = Hull, John
| born_year         = 1895
| died_year         = 1975
| term_start        = 7 October 1953
| term_end          = 1 April 1955
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|7 October 1953|1 April 1955}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Maxwell D Taylor official portrait.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Maxwell D. Taylor]]
| officeholder_sort = Taylor, Maxwell
| born_year         = 1901
| died_year         = 1987
| term_start        = 1 April 1955
| term_end          = 5 June 1955
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 April 1955|5 June 1955}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Lyman L. Lemnitzer.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Lyman Lemnitzer]]
| officeholder_sort = Lemnitzer, Lyman
| born_year         = 1899
| died_year         = 1988
| term_start        = 5 June 1955
| term_end          = 1 July 1957
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|5 June 1955|1 July 1957}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Decker.jpg
| officeholder      = [[George Decker]]
| officeholder_sort = Decker, George
| born_year         = 1902
| died_year         = 1980
| term_start        = 1 July 1957
| term_end          = 30 June 1959
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1957|30 June 1959}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = GEN Carter A. Magruder, USA.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Carter B. Magruder]]
| officeholder_sort = Magruder, Carter B.
| born_year         = 1900
| died_year         = 1988
| term_start        = 1 July 1959
| term_end          = 30 June 1961
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1959|30 June 1961}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Guy S Meloy Jr.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Guy S. Meloy]]
| officeholder_sort = Meloy, Guy S.
| born_year         = 1903
| died_year         = 1968
| term_start        = 1 July 1961
| term_end          = 31 July 1963
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1961|31 July 1963}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Hamilton Howze.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Hamilton H. Howze]]
| officeholder_sort = Howze, Hamilton H.
| born_year         = 1908
| died_year         = 1998
| term_start        = 1 August 1963
| term_end          = 15 June 1965
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 August 1963|15 June 1965}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Dwight E Beach.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Dwight E. Beach]]
| officeholder_sort = Beach, Dwight E.
| born_year         = 1908
| died_year         = 2000
| term_start        = 16 June 1965
| term_end          = 31 August 1966
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|16 June 1965|31 August 1966}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = GEN Bonesteel, Charles H III.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Charles H. Bonesteel III]]
| officeholder_sort = Bonesteel, Charles H. III
| born_year         = 1909
| died_year         = 1977
| term_start        = 1 September 1966
| term_end          = 30 September 1969
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 September 1966|30 September 1969}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 13
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = GEN John H. Michaelis (cropped).jpg
| officeholder      = [[John H. Michaelis]]
| officeholder_sort = Michaelis, John H.
| born_year         = 1912
| died_year         = 1985
| term_start        = 1 October 1969
| term_end          = 31 August 1972
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 October 1969|31 August 1972}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 14
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Donald Vivian Bennett.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Donald V. Bennett]]
| officeholder_sort = Bennett, Donald V.
| born_year         = 1915
| died_year         = 2005
| term_start        = 1 September 1972
| term_end          = 31 July 1973
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 September 1972|31 July 1973}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 15
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = GEN Stilwell Richard G.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Richard G. Stilwell]]
| officeholder_sort = Stilwell, Richard G.
| born_year         = 1917
| died_year         = 1991
| term_start        = 1 August 1973
| term_end          = 8 October 1976
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 August 1973|8 October 1976}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 16
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Gen John Vessey Jr.JPG
| officeholder      = [[John W. Vessey|John W. Vessey Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = Vessey, John W. Jr.
| born_year         = 1922
| died_year         = 2016
| term_start        = 8 October 1976
| term_end          = 10 July 1979
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|8 October 1976|10 July 1979}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 17
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = John A. Wickham, Jr. (USFK).png
| officeholder      =  [[John A. Wickham|John A. Wickham Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = Wickham, John A. Jr.
| born_year         = 1928
| died_year         = 2024
| term_start        = 10 July 1979
| term_end          = 4 June 1982
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|10 July 1979|4 June 1982}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 18
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = GEN Sennewald, Robert William.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Robert W. Sennewald]]
| officeholder_sort = Sennewald, Robert W.
| born_year         = 1929
| died_year         = 2023
| term_start        = 4 June 1982
| term_end          = 1 June 1984
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|4 June 1982|1 June 1984}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 19
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = William J Livsey.jpg
| officeholder      = [[William J. Livsey]]
| officeholder_sort = Livsey, William J.
| born_year         = 1931
| died_year         = 2016
| term_start        = 1 June 1984
| term_end          = 25 June 1987
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 June 1984|25 June 1987}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 20
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Louis C. Menetrey (US Army general).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Louis C. Menetrey|Louis C. Menetrey Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = Menetrey, Louis C. Jr.
| born_year         = 1929
| died_year         = 2009
| term_start        = 25 June 1987
| term_end          = 26 June 1990
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|25 June 1987|26 June 1990}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 21
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Robert RisCassi 4 Star Photo.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Robert W. RisCassi]]
| officeholder_sort = RisCassi, Robert W.
| born_year         = 1936
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 26 June 1990
| term_end          = 15 June 1993
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|26 June 1990|15 June 1993}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 22
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = General Gary Edward Luck.JPEG
| officeholder      = [[Gary E. Luck]]
| officeholder_sort = Luck, Gary E.
| born_year         = 1937
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 15 June 1993
| term_end          = 9 July 1996
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|15 June 1993|9 July 1996}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 23
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = John H. Tilelli (USFK).jpg
| officeholder      = [[John H. Tilelli|John H. Tilelli Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = Tilelli, John H. Jr.
| born_year         = 1941
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 9 July 1996
| term_end          = 9 December 1999
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|9 July 1996|9 December 1999}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 24
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Gen. Thomas A. Schwartz USFK.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Thomas A. Schwartz]]
| officeholder_sort = Schwartz, Thomas A.
| born_year         = 1945
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 9 December 1999
| term_end          = 1 May 2002
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|9 December 1999|1 May 2002}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 25
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Gen. Leon J. LaPorte (USFK).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Leon J. LaPorte]]
| officeholder_sort = LaPorte, Leon J.
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 1 May 2002
| term_end          = 3 February 2006
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 May 2002|3 February 2006}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 26
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Bell Final Mil Pic.JPG
| officeholder      = [[B.B. Bell]]
| officeholder_sort = Bell, B.B.
| born_year         = 1947
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 3 February 2006
| term_end          = 3 June 2008
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|3 February 2006|3 June 2008}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 27
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Walter L Sharp Official Portrait.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Walter L. Sharp]]
| officeholder_sort = Sharp, Walter L.
| born_year         = 1952
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 3 June 2008
| term_end          = 14 July 2011
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|3 June 2008|14 July 2011}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 28
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Cmd genthurmand official.jpg
| officeholder      = [[James D. Thurman]]
| officeholder_sort = Thurman, James D.
| born_year         = 1953
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 14 July 2011
| term_end          = 12 October 2013
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|14 July 2011|2 October 2013}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 29
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Scaparrotti 2014 2.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Curtis Scaparrotti|Curtis M. Scaparrotti]]
| officeholder_sort = Scaparrotti, Curtis M.
| born_year         = 1956
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 2 October 2013
| term_end          = 30 April 2016
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2 October 2013|30 April 2016}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 30
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Brooks 2016.jpeg
| officeholder      = [[Vincent K. Brooks]]
| officeholder_sort = Brooks, Vincent K.
| born_year         = 1958
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 30 April 2016
| term_end          = 8 November 2018
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|30 April 2016|8 November 2018}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 31
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = Gen. Robert B. Abrams.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Robert B. Abrams]]
| officeholder_sort = Abrams, Robert B.
| born_year         = 1960
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 8 November 2018
| term_end          = 2 July 2021
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|8 November 2018|2 July 2021}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 32
| military_rank     = [[General (United States)|General]]
| image             = GEN Paul J. LaCamera USFK.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Paul LaCamera]]
| officeholder_sort = LaCamera, Paul J.
| born_year         = 1963
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 2 July 2021
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2 July 2021}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
|}

==Deputy Commander==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! colspan=2| Deputy Commander
! colspan=3| Term
! rowspan=2| Service branch
|-
! Portrait
! Name
! Took office
! Left office
! Term length
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = John B Coulter.jpg
| officeholder      = [[John B. Coulter]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1891
| died_year         = 1983
| term_start        = 7 July 1950
| term_end          = 1952
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = William Kelly Harrison Jr.jpg
| officeholder      = [[William Kelly Harrison Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1895
| died_year         = 1987
| term_start        = 1952
| term_end          = 1954
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Bruce C Clarke.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Bruce C. Clarke]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1901
| died_year         = 1988
| term_start        = 1954
| term_end          = 1954
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Claude B. Ferenbaugh.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Claude Birkett Ferenbaugh]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1899
| died_year         = 1975
| term_start        = 10 December 1954
| term_end          = 27 June 1955
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt. Gen. John H. Collier.jpg
| officeholder      = [[John Howell Collier]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1898
| died_year         = 1980
| term_start        = 27 June 1955
| term_end          = September 1955
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt Gen Charles Day Palmer.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Charles D. Palmer]]
| officeholder_sort =
| born_year         = 1902
| died_year         = 1999
| term_start        = September 1955
| term_end          = 1958
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt. Gen. Emerson L. Cummings (2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Emerson LeRoy Cummings]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1902
| died_year         = 1986
| term_start        = December 1958
| term_end          = January 1961
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Portrait gray.png
| officeholder      = Andrew T. McNamara
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1905
| died_year         = 2002
| term_start        = January 1961
| term_end          = 1 October 1961
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Portrait gray.png
| officeholder      = Samuel L. Myers
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1905
| died_year         = 1987
| term_start        = 1 October 1961
| term_end          = 31 March 1963
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Charles W. G. Rich (US Army general).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Charles W. G. Rich]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1909
| died_year         = 1993
| term_start        = 1964
| term_end          = 1966
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Portrait gray.png
| officeholder      = Vernon P. Mock
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1912
| died_year         = 1983
| term_start        = 1966
| term_end          = February 1969
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = John H Michaelis.jpg
| officeholder      = [[John H. Michaelis]]
| officeholder_sort = Michaelis, John H.
| born_year         = 1912
| died_year         = 1985
| term_start        = February 1969
| term_end          = 1 October 1969
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 13
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = John A Heintges at Fort Benning.jpg
| officeholder      = [[John A. Heintges]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1912
| died_year         = 1994
| term_start        = 1969
| term_end          = 22 May 1970
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 14
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Portrait gray.png
| officeholder      = [[Patrick F. Cassidy]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1915
| died_year         = 1990
| term_start        = June 1970
| term_end          = 14 September 1971
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 15
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = General William R. Peers (ca. 1967).jpg
| officeholder      = [[William R. Peers]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1914
| died_year         = 1984
| term_start        = 14 September 1971
| term_end          = 1973
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 16
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Richard T. Knowles (US Army general).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Richard T. Knowles]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1916
| died_year         = 2013
| term_start        = 1973
| term_end          = July 1974
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 17
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Portrait gray.png
| officeholder      = Edward M. Flanagan, Jr.
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1921
| died_year         = 2019
| term_start        = July 1974
| term_end          = May 1975
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Military service mark of the United States Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Army|U.S. Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 18
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Portrait gray.png
| officeholder      = John J. Burns
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1924
| died_year         = 2000
| term_start        = August 1975
| term_end          = June 1977
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 19
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Charles A. Gabriel.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Charles A. Gabriel]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1928
| died_year         = 2003
| term_start        = June 1977
| term_end          = 1 April 1979
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 20
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Portrait gray.png
| officeholder      = Evan W. Rosencrans
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1926
| died_year         = 2007
| term_start        = 1 April 1979
| term_end          = 1 May 1981
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 April 1979|1 May 1981}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 21
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Winfield W Scott Jr.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Winfield W. Scott Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1927
| died_year         = 2022
| term_start        = 1 May 1981
| term_end          = May 1983
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 22
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = John L. Pickitt.jpeg
| officeholder      = [[John L. Pickitt]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1933
| died_year         = 2020
| term_start        = May 1983
| term_end          = 20 April 1985
| timeinoffice      = –
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 23
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Jack I Gregory.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Jack I. Gregory]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1931
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 20 April 1985
| term_end          = 9 December 1986
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|20 April 1985|9 December 1986}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 24
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = CravenRogers.JPG
| officeholder      = [[Craven C. Rogers Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1934
| died_year         = 2016
| term_start        = 9 December 1986
| term_end          = 31 October 1988
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|9 December 1986|31 October 1988}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 25
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt. Gen. Thomas A. Baker.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Thomas Baker (general)|Thomas A. Baker]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1935
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 31 October 1988
| term_end          = 7 July 1990
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|31 October 1988|7 July 1990}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 26
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Ronald R. Fogleman.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Ronald Fogleman]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1942
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 7 July 1990
| term_end          = 17 August 1992
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|7 July 1990|17 August 1992}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 27
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Howell M Estes III.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Howell M. Estes III]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1941
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 17 August 1992
| term_end          = 30 September 1994
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|17 August 1992|30 September 1994}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 28
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Ronald W. Iverson.jpg
| officeholder      = Ronald W. Iverson
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 30 September 1994
| term_end          = 7 April 1997
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|30 September 1994|7 April 1997}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 29
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Joseph E. Hurd.jpg
| officeholder      = Joseph E. Hurd
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 7 April 1997
| term_end          = 14 September 1999
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|7 April 1997|14 September 1999}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 30
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Charles R. Heflebower.jpg
| officeholder      = Charles R. Heflebower
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 14 September 1999
| term_end          = 19 November 2001
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|14 September 1999|19 November 2001}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 31
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lance L Smith.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Lance L. Smith]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 19 November 2001
| term_end          = 19 November 2003
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|19 November 2001|19 November 2003}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 32
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt Gen Garry R. Trexler.jpg
| officeholder      = Garry R. Trexler
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1947
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 19 November 2003
| term_end          = 6 November 2006
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|19 November 2003|6 November 2006}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 33
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt Gen Stephen G. Wood.jpg
| officeholder      = Stephen G. Wood
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1949
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 6 November 2006
| term_end          = 24 November 2008
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|6 November 2006|24 November 2008}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 34
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt Gen Jeffrey A. Remington.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Jeffrey A. Remington]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 1955
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 24 November 2008
| term_end          = 6 January 2012
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|24 November 2008|6 January 2012}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 35
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = LIEUTENANT GENERAL JAN-MARC JOUAS USAF.JPG
| officeholder      = [[Jan-Marc Jouas]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 6 January 2012
| term_end          = 19 December 2014
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|6 January 2012|19 December 2014}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 36
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = LIEUTENANT GENERAL TERRENCE J. O'SHAUGHNESSY.JPG
| officeholder      = [[Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy]]
| officeholder_sort = O'Shaughnessy, Terrence
| born_year         = 1962
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 19 December 2014
| term_end          = 8 July 2016
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|19 December 2014|8 July 2016}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 37
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Bergeson.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Thomas W. Bergeson]]
| officeholder_sort = Bergeson, Thomas
| born_year         = 1962
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 8 July 2016
| term_end          = 30 July 2018
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|8 July 2016|30 July 2018}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Mark of the United States Air Force.svg|75px]]<br>[[United States Air Force|U.S. Air Force]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 38
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant-general (Canada)|Lieutenant-general]]
| image             = General Wayne D. Eyre, Canada Chief of the Defence Staff on 5 February 2024 (cropped).jpg

| officeholder      = [[Wayne Eyre]]
| officeholder_sort = Eyre, Wayne
| born_year         = 1968
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 30 July 2018
| term_end          = 26 July 2019
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|30 July 2018|26 July 2019}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Lesser badge of the Canadian Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[Canadian Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 39
| military_rank     = [[Vice admiral (Australia)|Vice admiral]]
| image             = Vice Admiral Stuart Mayer.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Stuart Mayer]]
| officeholder_sort = Mayer, Stuart
| born_year         = 1964
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 26 July 2019
| term_end          = 15 December 2021
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|26 July 2019|15 December 2021}}
| defence_branch    =[[File:Badge of the Royal Australian Navy.svg|75px]]<br>[[Royal Australian Navy]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 40
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant-general (United Kingdom)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison, UNC official portrait.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Andrew Harrison (British army officer)|Andrew Harrison]]
| officeholder_sort = Harrison, Andrew
| born_year         = 1967
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 15 December 2021<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63576|date=4 January 2021|page=23984|supp=y}}</ref>
| term_end          = 14 December 2023
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|15 December 2021|14 December 2023}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:British Army crest.svg|75px]]<br>[[British Army]]
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 41
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant-general (Canada)|Lieutenant-general]]
| image             = Lieutenant General Derek Macaulay.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Derek A. Macaulay]]
| officeholder_sort = Macaulay, Derek
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 14 December 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/05/113_365141.html|title=Canadian 3-star general takes office as new deputy UNC chief|date=2023-12-14|access-date=2024-01-01|website=United Nations Command}}</ref>
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|14 December 2023}}
| defence_branch    = [[File:Lesser badge of the Canadian Army.svg|75px]]<br>[[Canadian Army]]
}}
|}

== Current membership ==
* 18 countries, as of August 2024<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSK24VvZAUM |title=[단독] 文정부, '6·25지원국' 덴마크에 '유엔사 제외' 일방통보 |date=2023-07-06 |last=뉴스TVCHOSUN |access-date=2024-10-29 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>[https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/448/0000418130?sid=1004 국방부 "6·25 기여 형태와 무관하게 회원국의 유엔사 참여 가능"]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=[ 단독 ] 美, 유엔사 재활성화 ‘동아시아판 나토’ 만든다 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/262/0000012548?sid=004 |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=n.news.naver.com |language=ko}}</ref>
* Of the [[United Nations Forces in the Korean War|original 16 countries that provided combat troops during the Korean War]], currently [[Ethiopia]] and [[Luxembourg]] are not members.
** {{Flag|United States|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|United Kingdom}}
** {{Flag|Australia|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Netherlands|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Canada|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|France|name=France|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|New Zealand|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Philippines|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Turkey|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Thailand|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|South Africa|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Greece|state|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Belgium|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Colombia|size=23px}}
* Of the [[Medical support in the Korean War|original 5 countries that provided medical support during the Korean War]], currently [[Sweden]] and [[India]] are not members.
** {{Flag|Denmark|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Norway|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Italy|size=23px}}
** {{Flag|Germany|size=23px}}<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-02 |title=Germany joins US-led UN Command in South Korea policing armistice border |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/germany-joins-us-led-un-command-in-south-korea-policing-armistice-border/articleshow/112221967.cms |access-date=2024-10-29 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== Contributing forces: 1950–1953 ==
During the three years of the [[Korean War]], the following nations were members of the UNC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.usfk.mil/usfk/content.united.nations.command.68|title=United Nations Command|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312233107/http://www.usfk.mil/usfk/content.united.nations.command.68|archive-date=2013-03-12|access-date=2011-06-27}}</ref> By 27 July 1953, the day the Armistice Agreement was signed, UNC had reached a peak strength of 932,964:
* [[South Korea in the Korean War|South Korea]]
* [[United Nations Forces in the Korean War|16 countries provided combat troops]]:
** [[United States in the Korean War|United States]]
** [[United Kingdom in the Korean War|United Kingdom]]
** [[Australia in the Korean War|Australia]]
** [[Regiment van Heutsz#Korean War|Netherlands]]
** [[Canada in the Korean War|Canada]]
** [[French Battalion|France]]
** [[New Zealand in the Korean War|New Zealand]]
** [[Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea|Philippines]]
** [[Turkish Brigade|Turkey]]
** [[Thailand in the Korean War|Thailand]]
** [[2 Squadron SAAF#Korean War|South Africa]]
** [[Greek Expeditionary Force (Korea)|Greece]]
** [[Belgian Volunteer Corps for Korea|Belgium]]
** [[Belgian Volunteer Corps for Korea|Luxembourg]]
** [[Kagnew Battalion|Ethiopia]]
** [[Colombian Battalion|Colombia]]
* [[Medical support in the Korean War|5 countries provided medical support and humanitarian aid]]:
** [[Sweden in the Korean War|Sweden]]
** [[India in the Korean War|India]]
** [[MS Jutlandia#Korean War|Denmark]]
** [[NORMASH|Norway]]
** [[Italian Red Cross Hospital 68|Italy]]

During the course of the war, UNC was led by [[Douglas MacArthur]], [[Matthew B. Ridgway]], and [[Mark Wayne Clark]]. After the armistice was signed, [[John E. Hull]] was named UNC commander to carry out the ceasefire (including the voluntary repatriation of prisoners of war).<ref name="Edwards2010">{{cite book|author=Paul M. Edwards|title=Historical Dictionary of the Korean War|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=scZN59DXeOwC&pg=PA129|date=2010-06-10|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=978-0-8108-7461-9|page=129}}</ref>

== Post Korean War (1953–present) ==
Following the signing of the Armistice Agreement, UNC remained in Korea to fulfill the functions of providing security and stability on the Peninsula, as well as supporting UN efforts to rebuild the war-torn Republic of Korea. Much of the fifties was marked by continuous negotiations in Military Armistice Commission meetings while the international community worked to bolster South Korea's economy and infrastructure. During this period, North Korea maintained economic and military superiority over its southern neighbor owing to Chinese and Soviet support.

The sixties proved a tenuous decade on the Korean Peninsula, punctuated by a [[Korean DMZ Conflict|period of hostilities]] between 1966 and 1969 that saw a heightened level of skirmishes in the DMZ as well as major incidents including North Korea's attempted assassination of South Korean leader Park Chung-hee and seizure of the {{USS|Pueblo|AGER-2|6}}.

The seventies saw a brief period of rapprochement that later contributed to structural changes to UNC. In 1972, the North and South Korean governments signed a Joint Communique calling for more peaceful ties between the two Koreas. Concurrently, consecutive U.S. administrations (Nixon, Ford, and Carter) sought to decrease the South Korean reliance upon U.S. forces for maintaining deterrent capabilities on the Korean Peninsula. On 7 November 1978, a combined headquarters, the [[ROK/US Combined Forces Command|Republic of Korea – United States Combined Forces Command (CFC)]], was created, and the South Korean military units with front-line missions were transferred from the UN Command to the CFC's operational control. The commander-in-chief of the CFC, a United States military officer, answered ultimately to the national command authorities of the United States and that of South Korea.

From 1978, UNC maintained its primary functions of maintaining and enforcing the Korean Armistice Agreement, facilitating diplomacy that could support a lasting peace on the Peninsula, and providing a command that could facilitate multinational contributions should the armistice fail. UNC decreased in size, and over time, many of the billets assigned to UNC became multi-hatted with U.S. Forces Korea and Combined Forces Command.

The 1990s again saw notable change in UNC. In October 1991, UNC transferred responsibility of all DMZ sectors except for the Joint Security Area to the ROK military. In 1992, UNC appointed a South Korean General officer to serve as the Senior Member to the Military Armistice Commission. This led to the Korean People's Army and Chinese People's Volunteers boycotting MAC meetings. The collapse of the Soviet Union also led North Korea to question the alignment of their choices for the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. They no longer recognized Czech or Slovak representatives of Czechoslovakia when the nation split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 1994, North Korea expelled the Polish delegation and also dismissed the Chinese People's Volunteers from the Panmunjom mission, owing in part to a protest over China's warming ties with South Korea.

Since 1998, UNC has seen a gradual increase of permanent international staff within the command. In between 1998 and 2003, several of the original contributors to the Korean War began deploying personnel to Korea to support UNC's armistice maintenance functions. This internationalization has continued over the next decades. In May 2018,<ref name="may2018">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-canadian-lt-gen-wayne-eyre-appointed-deputy-commander-at-un-command/|date=2018-05-13|publisher=The Globe and Mail|title=UN Command names Canadian to key post in South Korea for the first time|access-date=2019-07-18}}</ref> Canadian Lt. General [[Wayne Eyre]] became the first non-American to serve as deputy commander of the UNC.<ref name="may2018" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Pinkerton |first=Charlie |url=https://ipolitics.ca/2018/11/05/canadians-at-centre-of-potentially-historic-turning-point-in-korea/ |title=Canadians at centre of 'potentially historic turning point' in Korea – iPolitics |publisher=Ipolitics.ca |date=2018-11-05 |access-date=2019-07-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usfk.mil/Leadership/Article-View/Article/1582206/deputy-commander-unc/ |title=Deputy Commander UNC > United States Forces Korea > Article View |publisher=Usfk.mil |date=2015-05-01 |access-date=2019-07-18 |archive-date=6 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106004853/http://www.usfk.mil/Leadership/Article-View/Article/1582206/deputy-commander-unc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/can-united-nations-command-become-catalyst-change-korean-peninsula-34857|title=Can United Nations Command become catalyst for change in the Korean peninsula?|date=November 2018|publisher=National Interest|access-date=2019-07-18}}</ref> Succeeding him was Australian Vice Admiral Stuart Mayer, and the Lieutenant General Andrew Harrison of the British Army, continuing the trend of non-American leadership in UNC.

===UNC–Rear===
[[United Nations Command–Rear]] is located at [[Yokota Air Base]], Japan and is commanded by a [[Royal Australian Air Force]] group captain with a deputy commander from the [[Canadian Forces]]. Its task is to maintain the [[Status of forces agreement|SOFA]] that permits the UNC to retain a logistics rear and staging link on Japanese soil.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fact Sheet |access-date=2018-03-27 |url=http://www.yokota.af.mil/Portals/44/Documents/Units/AFD-150924-004.pdf |date=2015-12-22}}</ref>

==Future of the Joint Security Area==
To further the September 2018 inter-Korean Comprehensive Military Agreement, UN Command, [[Republic of Korea Armed Forces]], and North [[Korean People's Army]] officials met in a series of negotiations to deliberate the demilitarization of the Joint Security Area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UNC, ROK, DPRK Conduct Historic Trilateral Meeting 유엔사 및 남북한은 역사적인 3자회의 개최 |url=https://www.usfk.mil/Media/Press-Products/Press-Releases/Article/1664148/unc-rok-dprk-conduct-historic-trilateral-meeting-3/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usfk.mil%2FMedia%2FPress-Products%2FPress-Releases%2FArticle%2F1664148%2Func-rok-dprk-conduct-historic-trilateral-meeting-3%2F |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=United States Forces Korea |language=en-US}}</ref> The first two meetings in October led to Demining activities within the JSA, de-arming of personnel, and sealing off of Guard Posts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jun-suk |first=Yeo |date=2018-10-16 |title=Two Koreas, UNC hold first trilateral talks to disarm JSA |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181016000129 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}}</ref> On 6 November 2018, UNC conducted a third round of negotiations with the South Korean military and North Korean People's Army on "Rules of Interaction" which would underwrite a Joint Security Area where both sides of the Military Demarcation Line—the de facto border—would be open to personnel. For undisclosed reasons, the North Korean side refused to meet to finalize these rules and the next step for realizing a demilitarized [[Joint Security Area]]. Regardless of past compromises, North Korea began to arm their soldiers in the JSA with pistols around the end of November 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eun-jung |first=Kim |date=2023-11-28 |title=(LEAD) N. Korean soldiers in truce village armed with pistols: sources |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20231128005451315 |access-date=2024-03-26 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[United Nations Forces in the Korean War]]
* [[Medical support in the Korean War]]
* [[United Nations Memorial Cemetery]] in Busan, where 2,300 casualties from various nations are buried
* [[Far East Command (United_States)|U.S. Far East Command]]
* [[Free World Military Assistance Forces]]

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=Note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Grey, Jeffrey. ''The Commonwealth Armies and the Korean War: An Alliance Study''. Manchester University Press, 1990.

== External links ==
{{commonscat|United Nations Command}}
* [https://www.unc.mil/History/1950-1953-Korean-War-Active-Conflict/ History of the Korean War -United Nations Command]
* [https://www.unpm.or.kr/un2022/main.php United Nations Peace Memorial Hall]

{{Korean War|state=collapsed}}
{{United Nations |state=collapsed}}
{{UN Security Council}}
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[[Category:History of Korea]]
[[Category:Korean War]]
[[Category:United Nations operations in Asia]]
[[Category:United Nations Forces in the Korean War]]
[[Category:United Nations Security Council subsidiary organs]]
[[Category:Multinational units and formations]]
[[Category:Non-combat military operations involving India]]
[[Category:United States and the United Nations]]
[[Category:1950 establishments in Korea]]