Korean War Veterans Remembered - war memorials around the country

As the Memorial Day weekend nears, many of us begin to shift into summertime mode and thoughts of vacations or weekend mini-trips. What better way to ease into the season than to pour a cool lemonade, find a comfortable indoor chair or front-porch swing, and take a few minutes to join in The Officer's textual trip to 13 of the nation's Korean War Memorials.

In its May 2000 issue, The Officer presented readers with a travelogue that featured 23 Korean War Memorials that were a mix of state, regional and local projects. At that time, readers were promised a follow-up story about additional memorials. Just as we suggested then, we advise again: Keep a copy of the travelogue on hand to use during your summer trips. It is our hope that the memorials, as described and when visited, will strengthen within your hearts and within your family that love of country and respect for duty symbolized by each memorial.

The majority of the following, listed alpha betically by state, are state Korean War memorials. The exceptions are identified as such, as either multiwar or local, immediately after the state name. Where specifics were provided for holiday ceremonies in 2001, that information appears at the end of the memorial's write-up.

ARIZONA--In Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, 17th Ave. and Washington St., Phoenix. The Arizona Memorial Bell of the Korean War rings clear and true the state's dedication "to those Arizonans who gave their lives in the Korean War, June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953," as the bell's engraving proclaims. An estimated 40,000 from Arizona served during the Korean War; 280 paid the ultimate price.

A temple-quality bell of copper with tin, "suitable for ringing on solemn occasions," the Memorial Bell features traditional ornamental engravings, plus the seal of the state of Arizona. It was produced by the Korean Bell Study Group of Seoul National University, which was responsible for art and constructional design, sound system, and administration. It was cast by Sung-Jong-Sa Co. of Seoul and Suwon.

The Memorial Bell is enshrined within an open-sided pagoda, set on a landscaped mound, and approached via a pagoda-style entryway. It was dedicated 25 June 1991.

ARIZONA--Pima County memorial at Kino Veterans Memorial Plaza, 2805 E. Ajo Way, Tucson. A three-sided obelisk of black polished granite honors Pima County veterans. Two sides of the obelisk list the names of men from Pima County who lost their lives during the war; the third side contains information about the war. It was dedicated 24 June 2000.

CALIFORNIA--At the state's vertical midpoint, in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, off I-5 near Santa Nella, approximately 80 miles east of San Jose. Sited on a gentle slope near the cemetery offices, surrounded by shrubs, roses and trees, the Remembrance Memorial consists of a circle of 16 panels--5 feet high, 30 inches wide, 8 inches thick--of white California granite, quarried in Raymond, Calif. The panels are engraved on both sides with the names of the 2,495 Californians who died from wounds, are missing in action, or were killed in action during the Korean War. One panel lists the names of major contributors, the Golden Gate Chosin Few, and members of the 1st Marine Division of California. A flagpole in the center of the circle displays the American and POW flags.

Architect was Edwin Bruce of San Jose with assistance from memorial founder Ron Jabaut. Paid entirely by private funding from 1,300 contributors. Dedicated 1 August 1998.

Ceremony on 11 November at 1100 hours will feature Consul General of Korea as speaker and members of Korean Community Senior Centers of Northern California as invited guests.

GEORGIA--Across from the Capitol, at entrance plaza of James H. Floyd Veterans Memorial Bldg., Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. and Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. A tablet of sunset-pink Georgia granite, faced with a bronze plaque 5 feet 8 inches tall, is engraved with the names of the 740 Georgians who died in Korea. Designed by Southco Graphics. Paid for and dedicated by the Korean Community of Georgia. The Korean memorial is situated left of Georgia's Vietnam Memorial, a three-figure grouping by Atlanta sculptor Jo Fassnacht. The Korean memorial was dedicated 11 November 1993.

INDIANA--At 700 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis. The Indiana Korean War Memorial is a semi-cylinder, 25 feet tall, constructed of Indiana limestone and gray granite. The concave side lists all Indiana casualties; the convex side presents a history of the war, plus actual letters that had been sent home by some of the casualties. Designed by Patrick Brunner. Located in the same area are WWII and Vietnam memorials, which are similar in design. Dedicated 24 May 1996.

MARYLAND--At Canton Waterfront Park, Boston St., Baltimore. Maryland's Korean War Memorial is a broken circle of two semicircular walls. The left wall is topped with yew, symbol of eternal life. This area "represents the incomplete, the unbroken circle of a war that never ended" and creates a contemplative area of "the living and the dead facing inward for a memorial function." The right-hand curve of wall contains information about the war, participants, and casualty listings, the carved names of 525 Marylanders killed in the Korean War or still listed as missing in action. The center of the circle, formed by the curved walls, is a paved area, embedded with the map of Korea. A wedge-shaped area, formed by trees and facing the water, symbolizes the Chinese offensive wedge down the Korean peninsula. Dedicated 27 May 1990.

NEW JERSEY--On the Boardwalk, at Park Place, Atlantic City. The two-level memorial features 11 statues representing many ethnic backgrounds. The upper level adjoins the Boardwalk, faces the ocean, and is accessible from both ends of the walk. The wall facing the Boardwalk identifies the area as the New Jersey Korean War Memorial. On the inner side of the wall is a large bronze relief depicting the four New Jersey Medal of Honor recipients--Edward C. Benfold, Nelson V. Brittin, Hector A. Cafferata Jr., and Samuel S. Coursen--and details of the action that earned them honors.

A 12-foot bronze statue of a soldier, with helmet in one hand and dog tags in the other, stands at one entrance. Behind him is a wall of stone with water cascading into a pool, representing the harsh weather in Korea. Affixed to the wall are bronze figures of a six-man patrol; one member carries a wounded comrade. To the right of this wall is the black granite Wall of Honor, listing the names of the 822 from New Jersey who were killed or are missing in action. An eternal flame sits atop this wall.

The rear of the Wall of Honor forms the backdrop for the memorial's lower level, which faces the street and the park. Water also flows from the top of this wall to a pool below, providing background for The Sentry, a bronze statue in raincoat and with rifle. In front of him is a three-figure group depicting a nurse and soldier aiding a wounded soldier.

Future plans call for a computerized printing station where visitors will obtain information about the war and those who served. Designed by Sculpture Mountains & Plains of Denver, Colo. Dedicated 13 November 2000.

NEW YORK--On Madison Ave., west of the State Museum in Empire State Plaza, Albany. Set in a tranquil grove of pine and deciduous trees is the New York State Korean War Veterans Memorial. It consists of a ribbed concrete, semicircular wall that partially surrounds a fountain. Five bronze plaques, 3 feet by 4 feet, are attached to the wall and are bracketed by two smaller plaques at each end featuring logos of four branches of service. Of the larger plaques, from left to right, the first memorializes all who served and gave their lives. The second honors New York veterans: 325,000 who served, 2,248 who died, and 60 Medal of Honor recipients. The third plaque provides a short history of the Korean War; the fourth, a chronological record of major battles; and the fifth, a map of Korea, history leading up to the war, and U.S. casualty figures.

Sixteen bronze plaques--the national seals of nations that provided personnel, ships, and medical assistance--are ensconced in the circle of concrete around the fountain. The U.S. flag with KIA/MIA flag on the same standard flies behind the memorial. To the right of Old Glory fly the flags of New York state and the United Nations. Benches for visitors line the walkway in front of the memorial. Designed and constructed by New York State Office of General Services, which has jurisdiction. Dedicated 25 June 1990.

A ceremony is scheduled at the monument 25 June; it will be followed by a banquet.

OKLAHOMA---A multiwar memorial, across from the Oklahoma City Capitol. A semicircular, segmented wall, 80 feet long and 60 feet deep, with each segment featuring bas-relief panels dedicated to the nation's four major wars: World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Backing the four reliefs are bronze panels listing Oklahoma's KIA of the four wars. The memorial was designed and created by Jay O'Meilia, assisted by Bill Sowell. Central to the area is an 8-foot, bronze statue of a battle-weary Vietnam veteran that stands atop a 3.5-foot pedestal. Completing the complex are the five service flags, the eternal flame, and a courtyard with benches. Dedicated in stages, with the re-lighting of the eternal flame on Veterans Day 1986; placing of the WWI and WWII panels Memorial Day 1987; and placing of the Korean and Vietnam War panels on Veterans Day 1987.

OREGON--At Wilsonville Town Center Park, one-half mile off I-5 at Wilsonville Exit 283, approximately 20 miles south of Portland. The state Korean War Memorial is situated in a serene five-acre park. It features a 94-foot long Wall of Honor constructed of carnelian granite, inscribed with historic and statistical data, and the names of 298 Oregon service men killed in the war. Running the length of the wall is a 14-foot-wide terrace of about 700 brick pavers inscribed with the names of memorial donors. Within the brick terrace are four 30-foot flagpoles that fly the flags of the United States, Republic of Korea, United Nations and the state of Oregon.

Parallel to the Wall of Honor, at 30-foot intervals, are three segments of concrete containing battle markers. Each depicts a major battleline defended at a turning point in the war. Eight donor benches are positioned near the sidewalk. Memorial through combined efforts of Oregon Trail Chapter, Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), the Korean-American community, Hyundai Semiconductor America, and the government of the Republic of Korea. Dedicated 30 September 2000.

OREGON--Iron Triangle Chapter memorial of KWVA, at northwest corner of Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs building, Salem. Situated amidst trees and other memorials, on grounds with a stream running through, is a black granite monument, about 6 feet high and 5 feet wide, in the shape of a Tae Moon Gate. Upon it is engraved the map outline of Korea and dedication information. Flanking the monument are two meditation benches, bearing the names of countries that fought for the United Nations. Designed by the memorial committee of KWVA Iron Triangle Chapter. Dedicated 16 July 1999.

WASHINGTON--On East Campus Plaza, next to Capitol Way skybridge, Olympia. The memorial is the work of Montana artist Deborah Copenhaver Fellows. It features three bronze statues of GIs, in helmets and ponchos, huddled around a pile of sticks; one is depicted attempting to light a fire. Behind them are the flags of the 22 nations that provided support in the war. Flanking the trio are informational plaques about the war. Fronting the statues are stone tablets with the names of the 532 Washingtonians killed in action.

The memorial was built through fundraising efforts of veterans' organizations, including the Chosin Few, private donors, and state funds. It was dedicated 24 July 1993 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the end of the war.

WISCONSIN--In Central Wisconsin, at U.S.Hwy. 51 (Korean War Veterans Memorial Hwy.) and Hwy. B in Plover. On a two-acre island in Lake Pacawa surrounded by Worzella Pines Park, Wisconsin honors its veterans of the Korean War. Paramount to the memorial are five larger-than-life bronze figures, linked together forever in statuary, as they were in life. A memorial founder, Chauncey J. Dunday, explained: "A nurse leads the group because without the dedication, compassion and bravery of the medics, many would not have returned. Following the nurse are Army and Marine infantrymen, because the infantry bears the brunt of battle. Then come an Air Force pilot and a sailor, without whose support the battle would have soon been lost. The statues face east, because Korea is in the Far East, and in memory of all who lost their lives and are still missing in action. All five figures are touching, touching in a brotherhood that comes of battle."

A granite wall is engraved with the numbers that tell Wisconsin's Korean War story: 801 killed in action; 4,286 wounded; 111 prisoners of war; 84 still missing in action; and four Medal of Honor recipients, Stanley R. Christianson, Melvin O. Handrich, Mitchell Red Cloud Jr., and Jerome A. Sudut. Flags of the United Nations, the United States, South Korea and Wisconsin fly daily on site. The memorial, the work of Joseph Mendla Designer, is illuminated 24 hours a day, year round. Dedicated 19 June 1994.

A Homecoming Memorial Service is scheduled for 3 June 2001.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Reserve Officers Association of the United States
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