American Military History, Volume 2 by Richard W. Stewart

After back-channel coordination through George W. Kennan, a prominent American diplomat on leave from the State Department, Ja- cob Malik, the Soviet delegate to the United Nations, on June 23, 1951, announced in New York during a broadcast of a UN radio program that the USSR believed the war in Korea could be settled by negotiations. "Discussions," he said, "should be started between the belligerents for a cease-fire and an armistice." When the PRC endorsed Malik's proposal over Beijing radio, President Truman authorized General Ridgway to ar- range armistice talks with his enemy counterpart. Through an exchange of radio messages, both sides agreed to open negotiations on July 10 at the town of Kaesong, in territory the Communists controlled.

PORK CHOP HILL A company-size position established in 1952 as part of the UN outpost line, this outpost's nickname came from its shape on the map. Pork Chop became emblematic of the combat actions fought during the war's final eighteen months. The Chinese launched three major attacks in 1953 to take the outpost; and the third attack, starting on July 6, was the heaviest. The 7th Infantry Division rotated five infantry battalions in five days through the position to hold it with the assistance of tremendous amounts of artillery fire. With the Chinese apparently determined to take the outpost at whatever cost and an armistice imminent, General Taylor ordered Pork Chop Hill abandoned. Through a clever ruse, the 7th Infantry Division removed its troops during the day on July 1 without any casualties.