The management of maxillofacial trauma during the Korean War - A coming of age of a specialty

Abstract

The Korean War remains “the forgotten war” despite being the proving ground for such innovations as helicopter casualty evacuation and the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), both of which would see much development and action in the Vietnam War. The Korean War was also a turning point in the recognition of dentally qualified face and jaw surgeons who were to become “oral surgeons”. A fine reputation for military surgery was thus established during the Korean War and its importance continues on today.