WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Oct. 15, 2014) — In a solemn tribute to enduring military partnerships, U.S. Army generals and representatives from the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army convened at the Korean War Memorial today to lay wreaths in honor of those who served during the Korean War. This poignant ceremony, held concurrently with the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition, served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made and the unbreakable bond between the two nations, particularly evident in the shared history and even the Korean Army Uniform worn by some serving alongside US soldiers.
Lt. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux, commander of the 8th Army, and Maj. Gen. Shin Kyoung Soo, the Republic of Korea defense attaché to the United States, jointly placed a wreath, symbolizing the deep respect and alliance between their armed forces. “It’s critically important to recognize the service and sacrifice of so many,” Champoux stated, emphasizing the significance of the Korean War, often referred to as the “forgotten war.” His presence at the memorial, amidst the AUSA event, underscored the enduring importance of remembering the conflict and the unwavering alliance forged in its aftermath. “Oftentimes you hear the Korean War is the forgotten war. It isn’t. Today is witness to that. The service and sacrifices of those both from the United States and the Republic of Korea are not forgotten.”
U.S. and South Korean army officers lay wreaths at the Korean War Memorial
The Korean War, a brutal three-year conflict from June 25, 1950, to the armistice on July 27, 1953, claimed the lives of over 33,000 American soldiers and wounded nearly 100,000. The global impact was even more devastating, with over 4.4 million military personnel and civilians wounded, killed, or missing in action across all sides of the conflict. This wreath-laying ceremony served not only as a remembrance of these staggering losses but also as a celebration of the resilient partnership that emerged from the war.
Champoux highlighted the symbolic importance of a U.S. Soldier and a South Korean Soldier participating together in the wreath-laying. This act, he explained, is a powerful testament to the enduring alliance that has flourished between the United States and the Republic of Korea for over six decades. “We’ve stood shoulder-to-shoulder with them for over 64 years,” Champoux remarked. “To do the ceremony together demonstrates how very strong the alliance is. It’s an honor to be part of it.”
A key embodiment of this strong alliance is the Korean Augmentee to the U.S. Army program, widely known as KATUSA. Command Sgt. Maj. Ray Devens of the 8th Army, present at the ceremony, described KATUSA as a cornerstone of the U.S. Army’s mission in Korea. “These are Korean citizens that are put into U.S. Army formations,” Devens explained. “They are Korean citizens that are now Korean Soldiers, but they are not part of the Republic of Korea Army — they wear the U.S. Army uniform.”
U.S. and South Korean army officers stand at attention during the wreath-laying ceremony
The KATUSA program is unique; no other country contributes its citizens to serve directly within the U.S. Army while wearing the U.S. Army uniform. This integration speaks volumes about the trust and cooperation between the two nations. KATUSA soldiers fill diverse roles within the U.S. Army, serving as medics, cooks, infantrymen, tankers, and in almost every military occupational specialty. “They have responsibilities like any Soldier. So here you have a Republic of Korea citizen that comes into the U.S. Army — and that’s why the alliance is so strong. No other country does that. We don’t do it with any other country in the world. That’s why we say it is the strongest alliance in the world,” Devens stated. Currently, approximately 3,000 KATUSA soldiers are actively serving, further solidifying this unprecedented military partnership.
Before the wreath from Champoux and Shin, bearing the inscription “Remembrance of Sacrifice and Goodwill — Eighth Army,” another wreath was placed by Maj. Gen. Thomas Vandal, commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division, and Rocky Park, president of the Korea Corporate Members of AUSA. Park, a regular attendee of the annual AUSA conference, emphasized his personal commitment to honoring the sacrifices made by American soldiers in the Korean War.
Wreaths laid at the Korean War Memorial in Washington D.C.
Park recounted his experiences during the Korean War as a young student and his later service in the Korean Army in Vietnam. “I come to pay my respect for the priceless devotion and sacrifices” of American Soldiers who fought in the Korean War,” Park stated. His personal history and continued participation in memorial events underscore the deep personal and national gratitude felt by many Koreans towards the U.S. military.
“We show them power — a strong attitude,” Park asserted, emphasizing the crucial role of the U.S.-ROK alliance in deterring potential adversaries. The ceremony, though brief, took place in a public space on the National Mall, allowing onlookers, including students, veterans, and Korean-American citizens, to witness this symbolic gesture of international solidarity.
A close up of a wreath laid at the Korean War Memorial
The Korean War Memorial ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the Korean War and the enduring strength of the U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance. The presence of high-ranking military officials, the participation of Korean representatives, and the emphasis on the KATUSA program, where Korean soldiers serve in the U.S. Army and wear the Korean army uniform (in a unique context), all contributed to a message of unwavering partnership and mutual respect. This alliance, forged in the crucible of war, continues to stand as a bulwark of stability and a testament to the power of international cooperation.
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