Operation Little Switch in which released POW are taken from Panmunjom, Korea to Tachikawa, Tokyo, and then on to the United States during repatriation of former prisoners late in the Korean War. The released POW (Prisoners Of War) eating food that will probably be the last meal there before leaving Korea. Food items kept in a shelf and on a table. A cook severs food in bowls to U.S. soldiers. Injured or former POW seated on a bed eating a bite of chicken is A/2C Robert L. Weinbrandt of El Cajon, California, a B-29 Super Fortress tail gunner captured after his plane was shot down the night of January 28-29, 1953. A wounded POW drinks soup and eats food kept on his bed. Liberated former prisoners drinking. Another former prisoner eating food. (Alarger Operation Big Switch followed in August.)
Operation Little Switch (first phase of Operation Big Switch) in which released U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force POW (Prisoners Of War) are taken from Panmunjom, Korea to Tachikawa, Tokyo as part of repatriation effort late in the Korean War. Medical staff carry a number of sick or injured US military personnel (former prisoners) on stretcher. The first one seen is A/2C Robert L. Weinbrandt of El Cajon, California, a B-29 "Super Fortress tail gunner captured after his plane was shot down the night of January 28-29, 1953. He is seen being transported with his luggage out of annex ward. Several views of the released, former POW including several taken on stretchers out of the ward, and others that walk out on foot, smiling. Soldiers grab packs of Lucky Strike cigarettes from a basket. A car parked in the background. Officers and nurses in the hospital. General Shambora shakes hands with a released U.S. Army soldier.
Operation Little Switch effort underway for repatriation of former prisoners of war near end of the Korean War. Released POW (Prisoners Of War) had been taken from Panmunjom, Korea to Tokyo, Japan. A number of injured former POW U.S. Army soldiers are seen receiving Purple Heart awards from U.S. Army Colonel Kirkpatrick. Several views of Colonel awarding Purple Hearts to six soldiers, including two African American soldiers. The medals pinned on the robes of the hospital patients. (A larger Operation Big Switch followed, in August 1953).
The Korean Armistice Agreement signed by Communist delegates and United Nations delegates in Panmunjom, Korea ending the Korean War. UN (United Nations) honor guard lined up outside the building where armistice is to be signed. U.S. Army Lieutenant General William K. Harrison, Jr. arrives with other officials at the building. Delegate Harrison and Communist delegates sign the peace agreement. Harrison leaves the building. Far East Commander U.S. Army General Mark W. Clark signs the Korean Armistice Agreement at a base camp. Army cameramen take pictures.
The Korean War ends with the signing of an armistice by the United Nations and Communist negotiators in Panmunjom, Korea. Neutral observers arrive to oversee the armistice. U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower announces the truce to the Americans in Washington DC. He counsels against over-optimism in the face of the major problems that remain.
Operation Little Switch ((first phase of Operation Big Switch) in which released United States prisoners of war from the Korean War are taken from Panmunjom, Korea to Tachikawa, Tokyo. The wife of Captain Dean of the Air Force, a returnee, chats with U.S. Air Force General Otto P. Weyland. A U.S. aircraft in the background at Tachikawa Airbase. Captain Dean walks down the ramp of an aircraft with his wife. He kisses his wife. General and other officers stand in the background. Both of them sit in a car. The released POW walking at the air base. Women take pictures.