My Grandpa was in that war for 4 years and he has a ring for winning the battle and bunch of metals from the General. I'm happy for my grandpa for living for the war. His name is Mike Durglo.
Thank you,
Kyle Trahan
The Korean War Memorial gave me a chance to reflect back on our nation's history. Seeing the memorial was the highlight of my 8th grade class trip to Washington D.C.
I knew next to nothing about the Korean War when I went on my eighth grade trip to DC but I loved the memorial so much, it made me want to learn as much as I could about it.
My grandfather was in the Korean War as a mechanic and my great-uncle was there as a POW. I am so proud of both of them and I'm glad the memorial is here to let others learn about the war as well.
When I went to the Korean War Memorial during my spring break trip with my family, I was so amazed by all the sculptures. You could really see what it was like to be in the war. Thank you.
Baily Lohr
Lee Bennett (ATPM Staff) · May 7, 2003 - 01:15 EST#8
It's too bad an anonymous person didn't leave a contact. I'd like the person to know that I sincerely doubt his/her great-uncle went into the Korean War as a POW. I'm sure he went there with some sort of respectable military position, but became a POW while there. There's a difference, right?
My Father's only sibling, Elroy R. Sapia, died in the Korean War 10 years before I was born and, therefore, I unfortunately never had the pleasure of knowing him. But the wall is in Metairie right now and was on the front page of today's newspaper. The whole family was so thrilled that we got to see his name on the wall.
This week, we are going to the wall to take pictures. We have all the letters from his time of service. I can't even imagine what the veterans of this war went through after having read these letters. He wrote such things as standing in a hole the size of his body to sleep and having the worst toothache. That was the last letter my grandma received. We cry every time we read these letters.
To all of the survivors of this who remember him (his nickname was Whitey because of his snow white hair), please e-mail me. I and the rest of my family would love to hear any and all stories that someone can tell, no matter how good or bad.
Thanks so much.
Donna Sapia Beard
Jireh Dawn Thomas · December 2, 2003 - 12:02 EST#10
I'm doing some reserch on the Korean war because a late relative of mine was in it. If you could e-mail me back and answer some of these questions, I would appriciate it very much.
Why did the Korean war start?
What were some of the weapons used at that time?
How did America get involved?
What was the outcome of the war?
What were some famous commanders?
Thanks.
Lee Bennett (ATPM Staff) · December 2, 2003 - 12:21 EST#11
Jireh - I (nor any of the ATPM staff that I'm aware of) am not so intimately knowledgeable with Korean War facts. Keep in mind that ATPM's wallpaper image series are just images, not a history lesson.
However, there is an official Army web site that covers the Korean War. I'd recommend starting there. Additionally, may I suggest simply searching Google with keywords like "korean war history" and you'll get lots of sources for information.
Telly Borgstrom · December 10, 2003 - 14:02 EST#12
How can you people be proud of the war? You are so blind. The United States did nothing there except kill millions of Asians, and they did it all for money. I hate living in this country which has the most blood on its hands.
My Grandpa served in the war and fought for what he believed. I'v always been so proud of him. He passed away in January 2003 and I miss him so much, but I'm thankful to him and every other vet out there.
No one holds a gun to your head to make you live here. We wouldn't want to make you live in a country you hate. We are sure that any communist country would love to have you--wherever you can still find that form of government in operation, as it is dying a lasting death in many parts of the world. There you will be able to speak your mind as freely as you have here, without fear of reprisal or fear of your safety. Always, always remember that the freedom you have to espouse your views was WON for you by FREE Americans.
my grandfather was in Korean war as a support ship in Sasebo Japan. That's why I came here. Its amazing to think how many people died and were scarred for life by the war, and yet almost no one recognises it. Its always about WWII or Vietnam, not that I'm hating those wars. yet theres a fictional bright-side of M*A*S*H. Personally, I've made MASH and the korean war known around my school!
My grandpa was in the Korean War. He fought for what he believed was right. He is now 72 years of age. I would like to thank all of the soldiers whom also served and took a risk so everyone would be happy.
My granfather served as a Private in the Korean War, through the whole battle. He recieved a Purple Heart during conflict. He recieved for being shot by is own men ("friendly fire").Paralyzing his right hand. I have both his purple heart and the certificate issued to him. He recently passed away after September 11th. He will be missed greatly and forever remembered as a hero. His name was Joseph Fernandez.
I used to not think of the korean war, not until i served in the country for a year. I'm in the us army, and I have marched and did manuvers on those same mountains that they fought in. I was stationed in seoul and I have seen first hand the ever twising streets and alleys. So to all those that had severed in the korean war. I give you a great big salute, while I'm saying thank you, for if it wasn't for you no one knows what the world would be like today. thanks
Hi,my name is Amber.I am 11yrs.My grandfather was in the korien war. still today he is alive.And I am proud of him and I love him.He's my hero.DRIGO HERNANDEZ
Isn't it sad that all these kids see war as a good thing. They should find out about there 'great' nations history but from a non biased source as I gather is how schools are taught.
My step dad Charles, served in Korea for about 2 years that I know of... I salute any and every vertran of our country, and out allies countries...THANK YOU!!!
My family and I have been to the memorial twice and we love it. It's my favorite place to visit. I love to see the expression on the statues faces. This is my boys favorite place to visit. My boys both want to join the military. I am so proud of them. p.s. As for Telly you can always move to another country. Good men have died for the freedom WE all have.
the war started when the North Koreans claimed that south korea had made some fallacious statements about North Korea, and also claimed that South Korea started the war, making it look like North Korea was trying to defend themselves. (One of the reasons). South Korea, unaware of such thing, was not even prepared for the war. Another reason why the war started was that the former North Korean leader, Kim-il-Sung, wanted to reunite the whole country by force. There are other important factors and reasons to the beginning of this war. might as well look on the net for more info =)
My grandfather was in this war. He faught untill he was put in the hostpitil. He was put in there because he was in a fox hole with 7 other people when it blew up. My grandfather was one out of there who servied. His name was Louis Wolff.
My father was in the Korean War, he served his time but never recieved any of his metals.We have contacted several people regarding this and have had no luck. The response he recieved was to be patient and they would eventually get to him. Well, personally, I think he has been more than patient after 52 years plus.They also told him if he didnt want to wait, to just go buy them. There is no reason in this world why he should have to go buy them. I would love to see my father Raymond Bouquenoy get his metals b4 his time is up on this earth. thanks for reading G. Avery
There is a Korean movie that came out recently about Korean brothers who fought in the Korean War... filmed in a simialar style to Saving Private Ryan.. It's called Taegukgi... the literal term means Flag. However it was only open in one theater around this area in Palisades, NJ. But the movie was aired there longer due to constant sold out seats... check it out if you can http://californiansojourn.blogs.com/california/2003/12/a_korean_war_mo.html
Telly has all the right to be here. I tought in USA everyone had the right to express their opinnion, and I agree. Nobody should be proud for being in a war and for killing so many people. I'd be even ashamed of it. Oh, I took away so many lives and destroyed so many famillies. I just don't see the glory of it..
Hello to all of you who are against war and feel the need to get on sites such as these and express your very closed-minded view points. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but we must not confuse politics with honoring those who have and are serving our country. You may not agree with war, but please do not forget that it's those people who fought in a war to give you the freedom to dishonor them by the things you say. It's those men and women who are serving YOU, so you can sit here at a computer and say such things, as they are out risking their lives for YOU... I would like to say to all of you who find it a need to post about you "anti-war rants"--if you feel so strongly about this, maybe you should join the military to serve our country and see how it feels to have someone dishonor you. ~All of this has been strongly voiced by a proud fiance of a U.S. Army soldier who is currently serving in Korea.~
I come from Australia annd we salute everyone who fought in any war and i belive that if someone has somthing to say about that they don't support the war they should make there own site.
Australian commemorate there fallen and they still celebrate ANZAC (Australian New Zeland Army core) in France and Turky, also i would also join the Army because it has been in my family for 6 generations.
hello, great respect to all who fought to make the world a better place for us. I m half American half Turkish, My American grand father had fought in Korea, and in Turky in the village i lived, there vere a lot other people who had served in this war!as u all know (or not!) Turkish Peace keeping comndoes served in this war... and i just learned that the Turkish actions or any other hiroic thing they did in this war was allmost never talked about! spectialy in the western countries!which makes me angry. Turkish front line hed never broken through in 1950 and other times, but the british and American forces vere retreating while the brave Turks vere fighting with their bayonets in hand to hand combat... What i m saying is, that super powered countries got technology and the bast of eqipment, but we got the ron cahst Turks... Isa.
My Grandfather always told me if he could change the monument he would take the plastic coats off, because he said "if you wore one and you were picked to be a scout, you were as good as dead."
I recently wrote a paper on the Korean War, and found the topic to be extremely interesting. I believe that the war was a joint international effort, and all the countries who participated should be proud of their contributions towards democracy and freedom. Those who say that the soldiers should be ashamed for killing over a million of my countrymen, I disagree. I believe that they were simply fighting for survival. War is not glorious, and should not be. It's about serving your country.
I just want to say thank you to all the veterans that fought for our country's value's and beliefs. Thank you for answering the call to duty. I am truly thankful.
As an english teacher living among "the heroes of heroes" of turkey I can say it is an honour to be writing to this distinguished assembly. Yet I have only one regret: is "the forgotten war" so forgotten that we all tend to forget the fierce turkish brigade. Let's do some justice to them....
I will be in Washington DC this weekend, and I'm very excited about visiting the Korean war Memorial in Honer of my Step father, (Alan G O'Brien US ARMY 25TH DIVISION) who never had a chance to visit it. He passed away in November of 03. I'm sure I will be thinking of all the stories he told me over the years when I'm Standing In front of the memorial. Heres to you Al.
My grandfather,that just passed away, was in the Korean War. I loved him very much. He was actually a hostage of the war and he never told anyone about it. The day of his funeral a friend shot a gun in the backround and then they came over and told us about his captivity and that he did not want us to know because he felt weak. Well I wish he were here right now because I would tell him I love him and that is not true!
The Korean War is interesting. Just remember on June 25 at 4:00 a.m. on a rainy Sunday morning the North Korean artillery barrage pounded the South Koreans beyond the Demilitarized zone. If you really want to know about the Korean War, read a history book, not comments from a web site on opinions. You have to read beyond the war, for example, the surrender of the Japanese on the Korean peninsula in 1945 and the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910 - 1945. You have to ask yourself, "What was the political climate like in the United States in 1950?" The Korean War was a multinational force; in fact it was our first United Nations effort to keeps peace in the world. Yes, you will hear about the United States efforts in the ware, and in the United States we have a memorial for OUR military people who fought in the war. We are not ignorant that other countries participated in the war, too. Those countries memorialize there veterans, too. Ask yourself this question, "Did South Korea sign the peace treaty?" After your field trip to Washington, D.C., fly to South Korea and visit the DMZ, Camp Kitty Hawk, now renamed Camp Bonifas, after Captain Bonifas was slain during the tree cutting incident in 1976, the Korean War Memorial in Yongsan, Seoul, and numerous other areas of South Korea. You will never know what the ground is like until you relive it and walk the dirt your love ones did.
I'd just like to say thank you to all Americans who have signed up and fought wars in other countries with the U.S army for the rights of others and for freedom everywhere. You have fought many wars in your states short history and almost all of them have been over seas. Thank you all for caring about those who need it.... yours Adam Meaney, Irish Defence Forces.
I made a trip to Washington, D.C. and all the historic places around there in September of 2005 with my sister-in-law and husband, who is a Korean vet and with their friend who is also a Korean vet. The most moving thing for me was this Korean Memorial. I tear up thinking on it. Thanks to all of those men who have fought for us and for our freedom and the freedom of others.
Thank you to the Irish soldier above who took his time to thank our heros for what they done for the world. Its nice to know that even though half the world has a bad view of us here in America we have the Irish on our side
I never met my uncle "Bobby" William G. Hardesty. That's what his nickname was ,my mom gave it to him, she was trying to say baby. I believe he was a great guy and would have made a great uncle. He died Oct. 15, 1955 in a tragic car accident in Quantico Va.
P.S. Is there a registry for Korean War Veterans to see if he is in the memorial? Any Help would be appreciated. Ron Kleber
The Korean War was an example of the United States failure. Not the men. Just the country.We didnt fully win the war just somewhat. What was our purpose of being there? I dont see much of anything. I salute to those who faught in the war. They did something that they shouldnt have done. I think we had learned a valueable lesson that we cant fix everyones problems. That wasnt the place for our country. North Korea most likely didnt have any intentions on attacking the United States so why did we still go after them. Because they wanted to take over South Korea. So let it be. When it comes to the point that we need to get into a war then we should. But it wasnt the time at all. The U.S.S.R were playing games with us. We went to war countries that they helped. We were weaking our selves to the U.S.S.R's puppets.Vietnam is the probably the gruesome one of all. President Johnson got us into a conflict that was hard to get out of. He quit. Then came in Nixon. By 73 the treaty was signed the war was over. Troops were pulled out.But that didnt stop the NVA they kept pushing, nothing was going to stop them. We scambled to get everybody out.The whole "war" was a failure over 50,000 troops died. For what I am not so sure. There was nothing anybody could do to cover up what happened.Were we considered the bad guys? The masacare at ma li(sorry for spelling) was a demonstration of unhuman acts. Americans looked like slaughtering machines.But put yourself in the postition of a citizen of the US. Hawk or Dove? Todays war is still another example of the United States trying to fix everyones problem? As I learned in history class back during the early twenetieth century our country tried to stay in a state of isolation. We tried to stay out of the WW's but we were forced in. Isolation seems to me to be the best idea for our growning country. Unfortunatley, after WWII I think the whole victory thing got in our heads. We had thought we were invincible.We are not.Even today. Sept.11 shows how a small group can destroy so much.That is all i have to say.
My Grandpa would have loved to see this memorial. Its so pretty. He fought in the Korean War at the front lines and made it through and ended up being not a general but the one under that I think.. he got a purple heart for it. He was always so proud too :) He just passed away Nov'03 I was so sad..he was such a happy person. Oh and I would like to say thank you to all the veterans out there... you all have helped the world become a much better place.
I agree with the fact that the veterans of wars should be recognised and honoured, i've been to Normandy 3 times to do so! However after Americas participation in WW2, there was no "glory" or "honor" in the Wars that followed! Korea, Vietnam, and now Iraq, these are all examples of America sticking their nose into other countries affairs and trying to fix other peoples problems! no im not a communist, im Irish and know what its like for fallen heroes not to b recognised, 155,000 Irish men died under the English flag during WW1 and are never acknowledged, so yes honor your dead but recognise that they died for their countries stupidity and greed and not for the values of freedom!! WW2 saw the last noble battles by American soldiers!!
Lee Bennett (ATPM Staff) · May 14, 2006 - 20:58 EST#52
The following that I have to say comes from my role as an ATPM staff member, as well as the person who took this photograph.
ATPM is happy to entertain comments with people's thoughts about war, the memorial, and what it all means to them. We won't, however, retain comments from people who feel the must throw insults and derogatory directives to other readers.
So, no one is an idiot. No one will be told to shut up. No one will be called a traitor to their country. Such comments are not welcome and will be removed.
Brendan/Tim If you don't know why we were in the Vietnam, Korean, or Iraq wars you should read a text book before commenting on such topics. Don't dishonor them by saying the wars were useless.
To all who say the war's were usless keep it to your self and lets recognize that this site is to recognize heros, not say the wars were usless so you should be posting anything, cause no one else wants to here it. God Bless America and all the men who were in these wars!!! May god be with them.
My gradfather was in the Korean War. He died in 1992. His name was Richard Strawder. I don't know anything about his rank or what regiment, division, company or battalion he was in. I just found this site and think it's great. If anyone can give me some advise on how to find specific info on my grandfather I would greatly appreciate it. Also if by chance anyone out there knew my grandfather I would love to hear your stories. Thanks for keeping the memory of such brave men alive.
I would love to say thanks to everyone who has served in the war and is serving in the war. I think we should help out the brides of people in the war, if we don't already, but it's not like any of us could actually do something like that.I would hate to be someones wife that is in the war, although I would be very proud, I think it would be so hard to live without a husband for a long time. I just would like to say sorry to any of the wives out there that have lost a husband, or anyone who has lost someone, it must be difficult. I have no idea what it is like. I would also like to say that whoever took that picture, it is beautiful, I used it for an art picture and aced it. My teacher loved the scenery and enjoyed the fact that I would be interested in something like that. But to tell you the truth I had no idea what it was. Again, thanks to all warriors.
If you think communist countries, like North Korea and the People's Republic of China, espouse freedom of speech and human rights the way they do in democratic countries, you're in for a big surprise. Yes, the U.S. may not be perfect, but at least the government does not freely promote the torture, organ harvesting, and killing of its own citizens. Not to mention, the lovely Chinese government has just passed a law which bans all Chinese media outlets from reporting on natural disasters, public unrest, and disease, before "getting approval from the government"..all things which could threaten their paranoid grip on power.
The Chinese Communist Party has been wrongfully killing innocent Falun Gong practitioners since 1999, and has been subjugating and killing Tibetan and Christian dissidents ever since they took power in 1949.
If you think America has blood on its hands, then you know nothing about your beloved Communist countries.
I could go on... Stalin's guglags where he murded millions of Russian Jews, Mao's muderer of 80 Chinese citizens during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, Pol Pot's genocide of Cambodian citizens...but i'll stop here. I think i've stated my point well enough.
Firstly I would like to acknowledge the terrible experience that Korean War Veterans must have experienced. The unimaginable experience of having your friends dieing in front of you or the impending haunting thoughts of having a bullet rip through your body cannot be fathomed by the non combatant
But really America with blood on its hands? Why has Washington supplied $290 million of arms to Turkey, a country responsible for horrendous war crimes to its Kurdish population. If you look at the truth in this world without the political rhetoric there a numerous justifications for the slaughter. But why justify it? Why make it heroic? Why do you have to justify something which is supposed to be right.
No person or country is absolved of responsibility from the killing in the name of 'freedom' including America. Most countries and political leaders have contributed and we could spend all day lodging comments on who has done worse!
How on earth is killing someone in a war heroic? Did your parents tell you to not hit your siblings in arguments? How is it any different in political disagreements?
Imagine your brother or worst, your family all killed by 'collateral damage' in a bomb blast from another country trying to force 'freedom' upon you.
Wars in the past need to be acknowledged as a tragic way to solve political disagreements but not glorified as heroic.
Start to question where your beliefs come from and who told you to think that way and you will be closer to truth.
Visit these memorials and look at all the graves and feel the tragedy. Feel the impact of people's loss and the embedded hatred which war perpetuates.
One day, we as a species may learn...or we may not...its up to us to decide.
A few weeks ago, I started going to a Korean church here in Norcross, GA. The preacher introduced me to one of the members, a Korean war veteran named Richard. The preacher let me know he had the highest respect for these soldiers who sacrificed to save the lives, freedoms, and ways of life of the South Korean people. Trust me, they don't hate us like the arabs do. Quite the opposite.
i have no known relatives or friends who fought during the korean war.. but would like to take this opportunity to thank and salute those brave soldiers who risked their lives. if not by u... maybe i wouldnt have this freedom. thanks a lot and God bless.
Well i never had any family member in Korea...but all i can say is that yall went to do what u had to do...even tho i am a devoted communist this war does nothing to my political ways....but i always honor men who fight for whatever country they need to fight for
Well, the Korean War wasn't a neccessary war, BUT we did fight for one this, and that is Democracy....I am pretty sure no body gave a hoot about the Koreans and what was happening to them, but the thing America did care about was the spread of Democracy in Korea, not the people's well being; I am behind Democracy all the way. Well actually,American guys did care about the Korean females for we do tend to date and marry them more than any other East Asian race...this of course is the reason why Korean females have the highest interacial marriage percentage in all of the continent of Asia; this is one good reason to pity the Korean men of the world. Anyways, I salute the brave soldiers who fought in Korea to preserve that Democracy I hold so dear.
My Grandpa fought in this war, im glad he made it out alive!!
Brendan Milligan · January 31, 2007 - 19:05 EST#64
Hey Eric Hrinz or whatever. Like I said before I dont dishonor the soldiers. They did what they were told. I have seen and read plenty to know that United States of America is one country that can't fix there problems by going into other countries and calling themselves "Liberators." There are plenty of other places in the world that have the same exact problems as Iraq. You dont see the US going in and taking care of them. Its pretty much Bush and his people driving for the oil and he wanting to take out Saddam because he made threats to Bush Sr.
As you all might know back in 1991 we went and kick sime butt in Kuwait/Iraq. But many may not know that we had the chance to attack Saddam Hussein in Iraq after they ran home. So we very well could have had our "Operation Iraqi Freedom" back in 1991. But we didn't we pulled out and soon enough we found ourselves in Somolia.
wow.. there's been some pretty heated discussion here but i just want to say: all these soldiers, these men, that had the guts to risk their lives for something they did or didnt believe in are amazing. so okay brendan M., we're not saving EVERYBODY, but at least we make a difference. and if you can't recognize that and appreciate it, then i really feel sorry for you because that feeling of greatness and honor feels so good and YOU are missing out. --- A TEEN WHO CARES
Well excuse me "Kim." When you say we make a "difference you werent specific. Yes we do make a difference but not a good one. People in the Middle East and Africa burn our flags because of who we are. I dont salute our cause. There is no "feeling." You have no room to say that because your not a soldier. Your not out there taking bullets. Your in your safe little home in the USA. You act as thoug everyone in the world loves us. THEY DONT. Many countries despies us. But the truth is "Kim" there are plenty of terrorists out there that want to kill, me and any American. That just dosent happen. Obviously we did something to provoke them to be this way. When I say this I do not mean everyone just some of us. Us Americans are VERY selfish. We whine and complain about everything when alot of other countries dont have what we have. We make fun of ourselves and everyone else in anyway possible via Media. Honestly "Kim" there is no "Good feeling." Like I said before if we would just isolate ourselves then MAYBE we wouldn't have so many problems. But I want to honor those Men AND Women who have served, faught, and died for whatever cause there may be. Because THEY have what it takes to be a real American. The soldiers I have the most respect for are those of the Korean and Vietnam War. There really was no pride behind those Wars. It was just to try to back the communists out and try to avoid the "Domino effect." In Vietnam our boys were fresh out of high school just starting college and they were drafted into Vietnam. For What? We will truely never know. Those did something they shouldn't have. But they did it anyways. But into today's war. We fight for one thing and one thing only. Oil. You may all agree with me but you hate Bush. I dont hate Bush but I dont like the way he's handling it. The oil isnt for him. Its for all of us. You know why? Because we always complain about the prices being too high. The Oil companies used Katrina as a huge excuse. I pray for those who lost there lives in that. The companies exaggerated it so they could get more money. But with the USA getting the oil from Kuwait/Iraq then the companies shouldnt have such a big excuse. In today's USA its the Big Corparations we should thank for some of our problems.
i dont completely disagree with you brendan. no, i dont hate bush but i know that our government is not perfect. we try. we fail. and thats the way it is. i respect your opinion and i see where you are coming from.
This war was considered 'forgotten', and it even seems that way. My grandfather(John Oliver) was in this war, and not until one day i called him and asked him about the war for a school priject, did he mention it. I have had a very close relationship with my grandfather and not once had he made a reference, or commented about a friend he knew in the war.
I think it is strange that there arn't many korean people posting mabe because they think they know enough and dont feel like posting but I want to say that all soldiers are to be praised even those who aren't our allies i salute all those who fight for what they think is right
Very nece site, Thanks, I just want to say, I joined the Navy at the age of 17and served on a Ammo. ship did 3 tours in Korea, USS Vesuvius AE-15. we sailed from Inchon on the west coast as far as Sonjin and Chonjin on the east coast. In Oct 1995 I did a Vets revisit to South Korea. to Soul, not knowing how bad it had been damaged , after reading more about the war. and seeing photos.
I was very impressed with the build-up of Soul, there were 48 of us Vets on that trip. I visited the War Museums in Soul and Inchon , while in Inchon 2 old South Korean men in there 80's saw me and asked if " You fight Korea" I said yes but I was on a ship all the time, they were very warm and really appreciated what we did for their country. they came and gave a big HUGG and thanked me for my sacrifice to fight for their freedom and to save many Korean people. and they had tears in their eyes. and to me that made my 3 tours worth every minute I served there. BMC Retired USN. It made me proud that I had been there even if only at sea.
For those interrested in film, Taegukgi is a great film as many here have noted. A few more I can suggest are all Korean: "JSA: Joint Security Area", "Welcome to Dongmakgol", and "Nambugun". All of these are available on DVD in the states with subtitles and all are worth seeing if only to get another persepctive on this forgotten war.
my grandad fought in ww2 in france and lived but when the korean war broke out he went there. by this time he was a lieut.-col.he was major in suez i dont now if that was before or after tho.he stayed in the army and got to the second highest rank ever to get in the army, but he couldnt go on because of a stroke this lead him unable to move his left side so he retired from the army. he died just before i was born and there for i am named after him jack robert walker. you can see a little bit of my grandads history of what he did in korea in the. CINQUE PORTS BATTALION the story of the 5th battalion the royal sussex regiment (this is a book)page 163 the year of 1965 (after the war)
I really don't understand what's goin' on but I know that its not right at all. Why would people do that to others? If our world was a little bit better then our life today would not be like this. Can someone please help us, this isn't the way people live thire lives. Someone need to put out sometimes insted of giving in all the times. HELP OUR PLACE TODAY.
The below given were spoken at the United States Congress, in Washington, on June 27, 2000 by Rep. John Murtha of the 12th District, Pennsylvania:
"Mr. Speaker, as someone who joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War, I've always felt strongly about our allies in Turkey. As we mark the 50-year anniversary of the start of the Korean War on June 25th, the Turkish military's bravery deserves great praise. The Turkish Brigade demonstrated superior combat capability and courage from the moment it entered the battlefield in October 1950 through the cease-fire agreement of July 1953.
Turkey provided the fifth largest contingent among United Nations forces--5,453 soldiers at the peak of the war. The Turkish Brigade is credited with saving the U.S. 8th Army and the IX Army Corps from encirclement by communist enemies, and the 2nd Division from total destruction during critical battles in November 1950.
The United Nations' Forces Commander in Chief General Douglas MacArthur said: "Turks are the heroes of heroes. There is no 'impossibility' for the Turkish Brigade."
No enemy attack succeeded in penetrating the Turkish Brigade, while British and American forces were forced to withdraw from defensive lines.
Even though out of ammunition, the Turks affixed their bayonets and attacked the enemy, eventually in hand-to-hand combat. The Turks succeeded in withdrawing in continuous combat and carrying their injured comrades from the battlefield on their backs.
Among the twenty U.N. members contributing military forces in Korea, Time Magazine praised the Turkish Brigade for its courageous battles and for 'creating a favorable effect on the whole United Nations Forces.' A US radio commentary in December 1950 thanked the Turkish Brigade's heroism for giving hope for a demoralized American nation.
Although the Korean War is often called 'the Forgotten War,' partly because it ended inconclusively with no real winner, the fierce combat ability of the Turkish Brigade should never be forgotten. The 717 Turkish soldiers killed in action, and the 2,413 wounded in action, represent the highest casualty rate of any U.N. element engaged in the fighting. The simple white grave markers in a green field in Pusan will eternally remind us of the heroic soldiers of a heroic nation."
Also please note the following: "The 5,453-strong Turkish brigade served under the command of late Brg. Gen. Tahsin Yazici as a part of the U.N. force fighting the communist expansion on the Korean peninsula. The "Anatolian Lions" were later awarded the highest honorable citation of the U.S. Army for saving the U.S. Eighth Army and the IX Army Corps from encirclement and the U.S. 2nd Division from total annihilation. In this legendary effort, the Turks lost 717 men and suffered 2,413 wounded representing the highest combat casualty rate of any U.N. unit engaged in Korea."
Many people served and died in the Korean War. Later, even more people served and died in the Vietnam War. Why did these people die? Because there was war. What causes war? War causes War. The vietnam war was caused by hostilities between America and Communist nations. The hostilities were caused by WW2 when America and the Soviet Union emerged as Superpowers. What caused WW2? The Germans were outraged by the unfair Treaty of Versailles when Germans were forced to accept all the blame for WW1 and had to pay billions of dollars to the Allied forces. Eventually Hitler came along with "Solutions" to their problems and started WW2. So WW2 was indirectly caused by WW1.
During WW1 the Russian's revolted against the Czars and turned into a communist nation. They also signed a Peace Treaty with Germany and thereby exiting the war. The Allies (America, England, and Italy) supported the Czars in hope of re-entering Russia into the War, creating a deep distrust from the newly founded Soviet Union that will aid the increasing hostilities in the Cold War. WW1 was caused by advancments in military forces in Europe.
As you can see war causes more war causing even more war. Wars are to be condemned, even for noble causes. WW2 was called the Last Good War because the Allies were fighting against and evil person and for a good reason. It was never a "good" war. Millions of people died just because Hitler was able to arouse Germany into a frenzy by taking advantage of their poorness caused by the treaty in WW1. There were no noble wars. All wars existed to contain the backlash of a previous war.
Hey guys right now im researching about Korea and stuff and yeah my mom's and dad's fathers fought in the Korean war too, thank god they made it alive too. But it just upsets me when i see wars, young people using cursing and fighting, using drugs and all that bad stuff.Maybe America's economy should focuse on young people's dreams and not producing drugs and alhcohal,
My grandpa was in the Korean war. I have a medal and a piece of shrapnel he gave to me from the war. He survived. We lost him in 1999 to emphysema. He was one of the greatest people I know and I love him very much!
Quite a few things have been said here. I don't intend on focusing on anything specific, but I do intend to comment. I served in the USAFR during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I did my job, not fighting anyone or even being dispatched out of the country. I did my job as I was trained here in support of our troops who were given directions from our Commander in Chief. That is the purpose of the entire US Military, every branch, follow the orders of the Commander in Chief. This position, this kind of power is what we in the USA have created and continued to keep alive in our 200+ years of existence through a simple(HA)little notion called Democracy. It is a very picky and complicated concept to get your head around, but it is what has made our country what it is today. If you want to bash war and killing, well, you better break out a bible and see all the killing in that tome. God killed, God had his people kill, God told his followers to kill. Is there a reason??? We can all ask Him when we get there. Before I get a religious uprising here, let me also point out another FREEDOM we can all experience here in the USA, and that is of religious freedom. We can have them all, because we let them all live here without fear of religious persecution. The country started out of a group fleeing religious persecution in another world/another country/another war. Bottom line...War KILLS...people,things(war on drugs),ideas, the list could go on, but it KILLS. I had a relative in the Korean War, his name 1ST LT Earl M Seay KIA 07/24/1950, do I think he died in vain? No. Do I appreciate his efforts to follow his country's orders. YOU BET. Do I wish I had known him? Yes. Did it stop my father and other relatives from joining other military branches to defend and honor and serve this country we so lazily live in these days? NO. Do I ask my Dad what he did in Vietnam as a USMC? Not much anymore as I don't think that is a part of his life that bears much repeating, nor is it something he is not proud of doing. We can all let this world rotate around at 1000 MPH and sit around and do nothing and whine and find fault and complain all we want, but what does that get us? Nothing, we need to all learn to love each other no matter what color they are and no matter what language they speak because God created them for a reason and who are we to challenge God and his creation. BTW if you believe in another higher deity, that is your right and you are entitled to it, just as I am entitled to mine. It makes you wonder what this world would be in the absence of greed, hate, violence, fill in the blank of all that is bad to you. I am just happy to be here and longing to make my life purposeful and I pray that God guides me the rest of the way in my life because He is the one in control of it. Lastly God Bless the USA.
For those grandfathers who brought their guns to kill our people in Korean War, we felt so unlucky that we had so many young men got killed when you felt lucky that your grandpas became heroes to kill all of us in the war. It is easy to find a good reason to kill whoever a communist, a chicken, a cow, or a pig. You could justify the killing for whatever reason, but remember that Jesus never asks you to kill.
It's a shame this war had become known as the forgotten war. I grew up around people who had served in every war from WWII to today and I'm serving now. I've been to korea as well as Iraq and im proud of what I've both places. I wish people would learn more about korea. The majority of people dont know how it started or even the outcom. Its hasnt ended yet.
shane from australia · April 8, 2010 - 20:08 EST#84
Is a ceasefire an end to hostilities? why must wars be fought at the wishes of despotic leaders? stalin and Mao killed more of their own people than hitler and he started a war. 'kapyong', 'maryang san', 'the hook' just some of the battles the australian soldiers endured, with the 3rd Royal Australian Regt recieving a unit citation from the american president for the battle of maryang san (excuse the poor spelling). i too had a great uncle in korea. he was wounded by chinese shelling whilst using the latrines (a tactic used by the chinese at the time), do i think the UN should have defended a poorly armed country against an well armed aggressor? yes and i would hope that if the event happened again that the UN would 'step up' as for memorials being for the glorification of war is wrong thinking. in australia after WW1 with 1 in 4 soldiers not returning, town memorials sprung up all over the country, you can't visit graves across the other side of the world. memorials are contextual, (different meanings depending on the person, be they veteran, widow or family member) for me a memorial is remembering the peoples whose lives were changed by korea and the unfortunate events that lead to that war. "wars are like mistakes if you don't learn from them you will repeat them"- ANON. Private J.P Easton 1/400473 3RAR i'll have a tallie for ya jimbo
I just want to say thank you to all of those who fought for us and are STILL fighting. For those of you who area against war, please dont put down the people who's family members fought bravely for us! They may have killed many people but only to protect the un-protected! God bless! :)
Reader Comments (85)
Kyle Trahan
Baily Lohr
This week, we are going to the wall to take pictures. We have all the letters from his time of service. I can't even imagine what the veterans of this war went through after having read these letters. He wrote such things as standing in a hole the size of his body to sleep and having the worst toothache. That was the last letter my grandma received. We cry every time we read these letters.
To all of the survivors of this who remember him (his nickname was Whitey because of his snow white hair), please e-mail me. I and the rest of my family would love to hear any and all stories that someone can tell, no matter how good or bad.
Thanks so much.
Donna Sapia Beard
- Why did the Korean war start?
- What were some of the weapons used at that time?
- How did America get involved?
- What was the outcome of the war?
- What were some famous commanders?
Thanks.However, there is an official Army web site that covers the Korean War. I'd recommend starting there. Additionally, may I suggest simply searching Google with keywords like "korean war history" and you'll get lots of sources for information.
A Communist
Thank You So Much
Cami D. Rorick
No one holds a gun to your head to make you live here. We wouldn't want to make you live in a country you hate. We are sure that any communist country would love to have you--wherever you can still find that form of government in operation, as it is dying a lasting death in many parts of the world. There you will be able to speak your mind as freely as you have here, without fear of reprisal or fear of your safety. Always, always remember that the freedom you have to espouse your views was WON for you by FREE Americans.
Goodbye, enjoy your new represive life style
p.s. As for Telly you can always move to another country. Good men have died for the freedom WE all have.
not a communist, just against war
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but we must not confuse politics with honoring those who have and are serving our country. You may not agree with war, but please do not forget that it's those people who fought in a war to give you the freedom to dishonor them by the things you say. It's those men and women who are serving YOU, so you can sit here at a computer and say such things, as they are out risking their lives for YOU...
I would like to say to all of you who find it a need to post about you "anti-war rants"--if you feel so strongly about this, maybe you should join the military to serve our country and see how it feels to have someone dishonor you.
~All of this has been strongly voiced by a proud fiance of a U.S. Army soldier who is currently serving in Korea.~
Australian commemorate there fallen and they still celebrate ANZAC (Australian New Zeland Army core) in France and Turky, also i would also join the Army because it has been in my family for 6 generations.
Bruce
Heres to you Al.
P.S. Is there a registry for Korean War Veterans to see if he is in the memorial?
Any Help would be appreciated. Ron Kleber
Oh and I would like to say thank you to all the veterans out there... you all have helped the world become a much better place.
ATPM is happy to entertain comments with people's thoughts about war, the memorial, and what it all means to them. We won't, however, retain comments from people who feel the must throw insults and derogatory directives to other readers.
So, no one is an idiot. No one will be told to shut up. No one will be called a traitor to their country. Such comments are not welcome and will be removed.
If you don't know why we were in the Vietnam, Korean, or Iraq wars you should read a text book before commenting on such topics. Don't dishonor them by saying the wars were useless.
If you think communist countries, like North Korea and the People's Republic of China, espouse freedom of speech and human rights the way they do in democratic countries, you're in for a big surprise. Yes, the U.S. may not be perfect, but at least the government does not freely promote the torture, organ harvesting, and killing of its own citizens. Not to mention, the lovely Chinese government has just passed a law which bans all Chinese media outlets from reporting on natural disasters, public unrest, and disease, before "getting approval from the government"..all things which could threaten their paranoid grip on power.
The Chinese Communist Party has been wrongfully killing innocent Falun Gong practitioners since 1999, and has been subjugating and killing Tibetan and Christian dissidents ever since they took power in 1949.
If you think America has blood on its hands, then you know nothing about your beloved Communist countries.
I could go on... Stalin's guglags where he murded millions of Russian Jews, Mao's muderer of 80 Chinese citizens during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, Pol Pot's genocide of Cambodian citizens...but i'll stop here. I think i've stated my point well enough.
But really America with blood on its hands? Why has Washington supplied $290 million of arms to Turkey, a country responsible for horrendous war crimes to its Kurdish population. If you look at the truth in this world without the political rhetoric there a numerous justifications for the slaughter. But why justify it? Why make it heroic? Why do you have to justify something which is supposed to be right.
No person or country is absolved of responsibility from the killing in the name of 'freedom' including America. Most countries and political leaders have contributed and we could spend all day lodging comments on who has done worse!
How on earth is killing someone in a war heroic? Did your parents tell you to not hit your siblings in arguments? How is it any different in political disagreements?
Imagine your brother or worst, your family all killed by 'collateral damage' in a bomb blast from another country trying to force 'freedom' upon you.
Wars in the past need to be acknowledged as a tragic way to solve political disagreements but not glorified as heroic.
Start to question where your beliefs come from and who told you to think that way and you will be closer to truth.
Visit these memorials and look at all the graves and feel the tragedy. Feel the impact of people's loss and the embedded hatred which war perpetuates.
One day, we as a species may learn...or we may not...its up to us to decide.
As you all might know back in 1991 we went and kick sime butt in Kuwait/Iraq. But many may not know that we had the chance to attack Saddam Hussein in Iraq after they ran home. So we very well could have had our "Operation Iraqi Freedom" back in 1991. But we didn't we pulled out and soon enough we found ourselves in Somolia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taegukgi_%28film%29
It's called "Taegukgi". Also known as "Brotherhood of War".
It's very good, check it out! Make sure it says "Language: Korean" on the back, because the overdubbed versions are bad.
all these soldiers, these men, that had the guts to risk their lives for something they did or didnt believe in are amazing. so okay brendan M., we're not saving EVERYBODY, but at least we make a difference. and if you can't recognize that and appreciate it, then i really feel sorry for you because that feeling of greatness and honor feels so good and YOU are missing out. --- A TEEN WHO CARES
Barack Obama '08
*kImBo*
c/0 '09
-A Korean
I just want to say, I joined the Navy at the age of 17and served on a Ammo. ship did 3 tours in Korea, USS Vesuvius AE-15. we sailed from Inchon on the west coast as far as Sonjin and Chonjin on the east coast.
In Oct 1995 I did a Vets revisit to South Korea. to Soul, not knowing how bad it had been damaged , after reading more about the war. and seeing photos.
I was very impressed with the build-up of Soul, there were 48 of us Vets on that trip. I visited the War Museums in Soul and Inchon , while in Inchon 2 old South Korean men in there 80's saw me and asked if " You fight Korea" I said yes but I was on a ship all the time, they were very warm and really appreciated what we did for their country. they came and gave a big HUGG and thanked me for my sacrifice to fight for their freedom and to save many Korean people. and they had tears in their eyes.
and to me that made my 3 tours worth every minute I served there.
BMC Retired USN. It made me proud that I had been there even if only at sea.
CINQUE PORTS BATTALION
the story of the 5th battalion
the royal sussex regiment
(this is a book)page 163 the year of 1965 (after the war)
"Mr. Speaker, as someone who joined the Marine Corps during the Korean War, I've always felt strongly about our allies in Turkey. As we mark the 50-year anniversary of the start of the Korean War on June 25th, the Turkish military's bravery deserves great praise. The Turkish Brigade demonstrated superior combat capability and courage from the moment it entered the battlefield in October 1950 through the cease-fire agreement of July 1953.
Turkey provided the fifth largest contingent among United Nations forces--5,453 soldiers at the peak of the war. The Turkish Brigade is credited with saving the U.S. 8th Army and the IX Army Corps from encirclement by communist enemies, and the 2nd Division from total destruction during critical battles in November 1950.
The United Nations' Forces Commander in Chief General Douglas MacArthur said: "Turks are the heroes of heroes. There is no 'impossibility' for the Turkish Brigade."
No enemy attack succeeded in penetrating the Turkish Brigade, while British and American forces were forced to withdraw from defensive lines.
Even though out of ammunition, the Turks affixed their bayonets and attacked the enemy, eventually in hand-to-hand combat. The Turks succeeded in withdrawing in continuous combat and carrying their injured comrades from the battlefield on their backs.
Among the twenty U.N. members contributing military forces in Korea, Time Magazine praised the Turkish Brigade for its courageous battles and for 'creating a favorable effect on the whole United Nations Forces.' A US radio commentary in December 1950 thanked the Turkish Brigade's heroism for giving hope for a demoralized American
nation.
Although the Korean War is often called 'the Forgotten War,' partly because it ended inconclusively with no real winner, the fierce combat ability of the Turkish Brigade should never be forgotten. The 717 Turkish soldiers killed in action, and the 2,413 wounded in action, represent the highest casualty rate of any U.N. element engaged in the fighting. The simple white grave markers in a green field in Pusan will eternally remind us of the heroic soldiers of a heroic nation."
Also please note the following: "The 5,453-strong Turkish brigade served under the command of late Brg. Gen. Tahsin Yazici as a part of the U.N. force fighting the communist expansion on the Korean peninsula. The "Anatolian Lions" were later awarded the highest honorable citation of the U.S. Army for saving the U.S. Eighth Army and the IX Army Corps from encirclement and the U.S. 2nd Division from total annihilation. In this legendary effort, the Turks lost 717 men and suffered 2,413 wounded representing the highest combat casualty rate of any U.N. unit engaged in Korea."
I just want people to remember...
During WW1 the Russian's revolted against the Czars and turned into a communist nation. They also signed a Peace Treaty with Germany and thereby exiting the war. The Allies (America, England, and Italy) supported the Czars in hope of re-entering Russia into the War, creating a deep distrust from the newly founded Soviet Union that will aid the increasing hostilities in the Cold War. WW1 was caused by advancments in military forces in Europe.
As you can see war causes more war causing even more war. Wars are to be condemned, even for noble causes. WW2 was called the Last Good War because the Allies were fighting against and evil person and for a good reason. It was never a "good" war. Millions of people died just because Hitler was able to arouse Germany into a frenzy by taking advantage of their poorness caused by the treaty in WW1. There were no noble wars. All wars existed to contain the backlash of a previous war.
Private J.P Easton 1/400473 3RAR i'll have a tallie for ya jimbo