Operation Paul Bunyan: The Ax Murder Incident That Almost Led to War

In August 1976, a routine tree-trimming operation in the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) turned deadly when North Korean soldiers attacked and killed two U.S. Army officers with axes. The incident, known as the Ax Murder Incident, escalated tensions between North and South Korea. In response, the U.S. launched Operation Paul Bunyan, a massive show of force involving troops, aircraft, and naval vessels to remove the offending tree.

Despite the tense standoff, the operation proceeded without further violence. The event highlighted the fragility of peace in the DMZ and the potential for small incidents to spark significant conflicts.