Aug2009
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Upcoming Events
Aug 5 Weds Chapter 265 Board Meeting 9:00 AM at Tryon House, 130 Eastway Dr, Chapter Members are invited to attend.
Aug 12 Weds KWVA Chapter 265 monthly meeting at 10:00 AM at Indian Trail VFW Post 2423. Coffee at 9:30 AM.
Aug 30 – Sept 2 Reunion of C Company 72nd Tank Battalion at Apple Valley Comfort Inn 1850 Parkway in Sevierville TN. Tel 1-800-233-3443 Patty. Dixie Stampede show Tues 9/1 at 6PM. Info Call Billy Linker 704-857-5115
Sept 24 at 5:00 PM Chapter Dinner – Captains Galley 11032 E.Independence Blvd, Matthews NC
Black Mountain Memorial June 25 2009
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 when the North Korean army invaded South Korea across the 38th parallel.
Each year, our Chapter commemorates this event with a Memorial Ceremony at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.
Again, Thanks to Jim and Donna Hughes, the Chapter had a good turnout at the cemetery chapel and an inspiring ceremony.
Commander Bill Stegall introduced Rev. Melba Banks for the invocation and Kimberly Hughes sang our National Anthem. Mayor Carl Bartlett welcomed the Chapter to Black Mountain followed by a thoughtful address by the Rev. In-Yong Lee, St Paul UMC, Asheville NC.
(Above) Jim and Donna Hughes with the Rev. In-Yong Lee, our keynote speaker, at the Black Mountain Memorial June 25, 2009.
Our Chapter Honor Guard under the direction of Roland Belletete presented the colors to open the ceremony and provided the rifle volley and Taps at the close.
(Above) Commander Bill Stegall salutes the flag.
(L-R) Past Commanders Jim Hughes, Bill Williams and Commander Bill Stegall.
Joseph Brandon and Billy Linker present the colors.
(Above) Honor Guard Captain Roland Belletete folds the flag.
The Honor Guard also included James Humphries, Joseph Featherstone, Don Putnam, Carl Johnson, Bill Reid, Bill Williams and Bill Stegall.
(Above) Past Commander Bill Williams presents the wreath.
(Photos by Bill Sanders, Asheville Citizen-Times)
South Koreans remember soldiers, civilians killed during Korean War on June 25th
SEOUL, June 25 (Yonhap) — War veterans, bereaved and separated families, and many others gathered in small and large numbers throughout South Korea Thursday to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, the three-year conflict sparked by ideological differences that left the country divided.
The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, together with the Korea Veterans Association. held a memorial ceremony in central Seoul with some 5,000 people attending, including Korean War veterans, politicians and students who came to remember the soldiers and civilians who were lost during the 1950-1953 war.
The war ended with a cease-fire, not a peace treaty, on July 27, 1953. North Korea and China signed an armistice agreement with the United Nations, which represented South Korea.
There is no official record on how many lives were lost during the war, but historians suggest about 970,000 South Koreans, 1.7 million North Koreans, 150,000 U.N. forces, mostly Americans, and 900,000 Chinese died.
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, who delivered a keynote speech at the event, conveyed his thanks to those who sacrificed their lives in the conflict.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/
Our President and 35 Medal of Honor recipients honor the Unknowns
Rudy Hernandez, a member of Chapter 265, and 34 other Medal of Honor recipients joined President Barack Obama on March 25, Medal of Honor Day, to honor the Unknown Soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Va. — A cadre of heroes joined with the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation to honor and celebrate the American spirit of selfless service on March 25
Medal of Honor Day.
Thirty-five of the surviving 98 Medal of Honor recipients met at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery to pay tribute to their fallen comrades-in-arms.
President Barack Obama (center of line above) joined four of the medal recipients in a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate National Medal of Honor Day.
(Below) The president also personally thanked each recipient attending and shared a few words with them.
Rudy Hernandez (far left in line) at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Washington with other Medal of Honor recipients. President Barrack Obama is just right of center in the dark suit.
(Above) The president climbs the steps to the tomb as the 35 medal recipients observe. Rudy is in the back row just above the president’s right shoulder.
‘It’s an honor’, the president said, ‘to meet with our nation’s war heroes and share this day with them’.
Photos from
Chaplain’s Column
Pray for those reported ill:
George Barringer
Stephen Barringer
Joseph McGinnis
Edward H Macleod
Henry Oder
Roland Henry
Steve Gravier
Hector Gutierrez
Ken Waldo
Assisted living:
Eunice Barrow
Denzil Hernandez
Please let me know if you know a Korean War Veteran or his family that is in distress and needs assistance.
Please remember those in need.
May God bless you and yours.
Billy J Reid, Chaplain
704-365-1044
Cell 704-819-7361
Good night Col. Ed McMahon, Marine Corps pilot and war vet
Stars & Stripes June 23, 2009
Ed McMahon, the legendary sidekick on the Tonight Show who made famous the phrase, “Heeere’s Johnny!” has died in southern California.
Col. McMahon, USMC (Ret.), like many Hollywood celebrities of his era, was a military veteran. He volunteered for service during World War II. He went through flight training at various bases, but the end of the war came before he was deployed overseas.
In the 1950s, McMahon was recalled by the Marines to serve in Korea. There, he was an F-9 Panther pilot and flew 85 combat missions as an artillery spotter, according to an Army website.
Richard’s Coffee Shop is open for business
Pat’s Coffee Shop is no more – but Richard’s coffee shop is open. I visited on Thursday July 16 and it was a good feeling to be home again. Cheryl Ann was busy busy greeting each veteran as they arrived. The shop is in a good location with parking just around the corner. See you at Richards Coffee Shop and Welcome Home, Brother.
The information below is from their website:
www.welcomehomeveteran.org/
The Coffee Shop has moved…
We are one block down, across the street from the old railroad station at 128 S. Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28115.
– Days and Hours –
July/Mid-August
Thursday-Friday-Saturday
9am-3pm
After the passing of Richard “Mustang53” Warren on May 3rd of this year, and the closing of Pat’s Coffee Shop, we have re-opened in his honor as Richard’s Coffee Shop. Richard ran the Coffee Shop for 14 years to welcome Veterans, Active Military, Police, Fire and Emergency Personnel home. His dream was to see it set up as a non-profit military museum. That dream has become a reality!
Our Thanks go to the Bob Evans Restaurant in Mooresville for donating meeting space in memory of Richard Warren during our transition to the new Coffee Shop. The Veterans in Mooresville had a place to meet and enjoy a cup of coffee at:
Bob Evans, 130 Consumers Square Dr, Mooresville, NC 28117, 704-799-8080. (by Wal-Mart)
Please show your thanks and enjoy their menu!
Let them know why you stopped in to eat!
NEW MEMBERS
49 new members since 1/1/08.
HOORAH!
Michael D Rollins
Shawn O Downs – Assoc.
Welcome to the Chapter !!
Please join us in making our Chapter the best.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
Albert L Carter 8/15
Eugene E Denmark 8/15
Charles R Henry 8/30
Claude M Hildreth 8/7
Donald G Jackson 8/26
Robert F Keehan 8/13
Irvin C Mattivi 8/25
Kenneth W Miller 8/28
Robert E Miller 8/8
Clarence S Nagel 8/14
John H Ring 8/27
Roy W Simpson 8/19
Richard J Stilwell Sr 8/8
James L Williams 8/20
Happy Birthday to everyone!!
45th Infantry Division in the Korean War
At the start of the Korean War in June 1950, undermanned active divisions moved into the war suffering from lack of reinforcements and high casualties and the Army National Guard was needed to provide additional troops to the war.
On September 1, the 45th Infantry Division was activated as the first National Guard division to be deployed. The 40th Infantry Division of the California Army National Guard would follow in April 1951.
In Korea in December of 1951, the 45th Division replaced the 1st Cavalry Division on the front line. The 1st had suffered over 16,000 casualties in less than 18 months of fighting.
By the time the division was in place, the battle lines on both sides had largely solidified, leaving the 45th Infantry Division in a stationary position as it conducted attacks and counterattacks for the same ground. The division was put under the command of I Corps, Eighth Army for most of the conflict. During its first few months of service in combat, the division did not fare well, though it improved quickly. In its first few months on the line, Chinese forces conducted three raids in the division’s sector. In retaliation, the 245th Tank Battalion sent nine tanks to raid Agok. Two companies of Chinese forces ambushed and devastated a patrol from the 179th Infantry a short time later.
In the spring, the division launched Operation Counter, an effort to establish 11 patrol bases around Old Baldy Hill. The division defended the hill against a series of Chinese assaults from the Chinese 38th Army.
The 45th Infantry Division, along with the 7th Infantry Division, fought repeated Chinese attacks all along the front line through 1952, and Chinese forces frequently attacked Old Baldy Hill into the fall of that year. Around that time, the 45th Infantry Division relinquished command of Old Baldy Hill to the 2nd Infantry Division. Almost immediately the Chinese launched a concentrated attack on the hill, overrunning the US forces. Heavy rainstorms prevented the divisions from retaking the hill for around a month, and when it was finally retaken it was heavily fortified to prevent further attacks.
The 245th Tank Battalion was sent to assault Chinese positions through late 1952, but most of the Division remained stationary that year as it attempted to hold a defensive line against the Chinese.
In early 1953, North Korean forces launched a large attack against Hill 812, under control of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 179th Infantry. The ensuing Battle of Hill Eerie was one of a series of larger attacks by Chinese and North Korean forces, which produced heavier fighting than the previous year. Chinese forces continued concentrated attacks on the lines of the UN forces, including the 45th Infantry Division, but the division managed to hold most of its ground, remaining stationary until the end of the war in the summer of 1953.
During the Korean War, the 45th Infantry Division suffered 4,004 casualties; 834 KIA and 3,170 WIA. The division was awarded four campaign streamers and one Presidential Unit Citation.
The Division returned home after the end of the Korean War to National Guard status on April 30, 1954. Reorganized in 1963 with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd Brigade these brigades were deactivated five years later in 1968. That same year the 45th Infantry Division was deactivated and in its place, the independent 45th Infantry Brigade was established. The 45th Infantry Brigade received all of the 45th Division’s lineage and heraldry, including its shoulder sleeve insignia.
Several Chapter members served in the 45th Infantry Division during the Korean War: Jarrett E Dickens in the 45th ID HQ (12/51-7/52); Cedric L Early (6/52-4/53); John W Hill (12/51-6/52); George F Siegrist (4/52-7/53).
(Veterans of the 45th Div: Send us your stories; I am sure that you have some good ones.)
President Lee Myung-bak Visits Osan AFB
The president of South Korea Lee Myung-bak poses in front of aircraft for a group photo at Osan Air Base on June 6. During his visit he received a tour of the base and briefings from Air Force and Republic of Korea service members. This is the first time that President Lee has visited Osan Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Korea, US Prepare for 60th Anniversary of Korean War
June 24, 2009
In preparation for the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War in June 2010, South Korea and the United States have officially begun arrangements to mark the historical occasion.
Both governments are determined to use it to renew their commitment to their common goal of freedom and peace, and to inform the next generation of the historical lessons from the Korean War.
Additionally, Korea and the United States will remind people in both countries to remember those who gave their lives to defend Korea and safeguard the region’s peace.
Korea established an ad-hoc committee headed by Prime Minister Han Seung-soo last month to initiate commemorative projects. Officials from the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Public Administration and the Seoul City Administration will be seconded to the committee. One of the projects will include organizing sessions about veterans’ experiences in the war for young students.
In addition, the Ministry of National Defense is also operating a secretariat to make arrangements to commemorate the outbreak of the war next year.
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/
South Korea to invite 3,000 veterans for war anniversary
SEOUL — South Korea will invite about 3,000 veterans from 21 nations that took part in the Korean War to mark the 60th anniversary next year of the start of the conflict.
The veterans will visit battlefields to mark the occasion according to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.
During the three-year war, which erupted in 1950 with a North Korean invasion, troops from 16 countries including Britain, Canada, France and the United States fought for South Korea under the United Nations flag.
Five countries sent medical teams to support the UN.
The conflict ended with an armistice and not a full peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still in a state of war. The heavily-fortified border between the communist North and capitalist South is often described as the world’s last Cold War frontier.
About 25,000 veterans have visited South Korea since 1975.
The ministry said it would send invitations next year to “those who have not been able to visit South Korea for economic and health reasons.” The average age of the veterans is currently 79.4.
Copyright © 2009 AFP.
THIS MONTH IN THE KOREAN WAR
1950
August 2, 1950
The 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, hastily organized from 1st Marine Division units on the West Coast, landed in Korea.
August 4, 1950
Eighth Army established a defensive line along the Naktong River just 50 miles short of the sea. Journalists labeled this line as the Pusan Perimeter.
August 8, 1950
As part of Task Force Kean in the first American counterattack of the war, the leading 35th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division had advanced to its initial objective, the high ground just north of Munchon-ni. The regiment was then ordered to hold until the 5th Regimental Combat Team could come up on the left.
August 10, 1950
The Air Force Reserve’s 452nd Light Bombardment Wing and 437th Troop Carrier Wing was recalled to active duty.
August 10, 1950
The first Marine Corps helicopter rescue of a downed pilot was successfully made by VMO-6.
August 17, 1950
The bodies of 20 mortar men of the 5th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division were recovered near Hill 303 in the vicinity of Waegwan. North Korean soldiers murdered the soldiers after they had surrendered.
August 24, 1950
The U.S. 2nd Infantry Division relieved the 24th Infantry Division on line along the Pusan Perimeter after weeks of continuous combat.
August 30, 1950
The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division relieved the ROK 1st Division on the Naktong River front.
1951
August 17, 1950
The bodies of 20 mortar men of the 5th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st recovered near Hill 303 in the vicinity of Waegwan. North Korean soldiers murdered the soldiers after they had surrendered.
August 18, 1951
U.N. aircraft began Operation STRANGLE to interdict North Korean rail and supply lines.
Chaplain Kenny Lynch conducts services north of Hwachon, Korea, for men of 31st Regt. August 28, 1951. Pvt. Jack D. Johnson.
1952
August 9, 1952
The 1st Marine Division defended against a Chinese attack in the vicinity of Bunker Hill. This was the first significant U.S. Marine ground action in western Korea since the Inchon-Seoul campaign. The Marine position on Hill 58 changed hands five times during the next two days. Eventually the Chinese managed to gain control of this outpost.
August 28, 1952
Guided Missile Unit 90, aboard the USS Boxer, launched a remote control explosive laden F6F-5K drone against the railroad bridge at Hungnam. This marked the first use in combat of a guided missile fired from the deck of a carrier.
August 29, 1952
The largest air raid of the war occurred when 1,403 United Nations aircraft participated in an around-the-clock bombing of Pyongyang.
Korean Immigrants join the US Army
The new enlistment program was authorized without fanfare late last year by Defense Secretary Robert Gates to attract temporary immigrants who speak strategically important languages such as Arabic, Farsi and Korean. The bait: The soldiers could immediately apply for U.S. citizenship, skipping the sometimes decade long process of securing a green card first.
So many Koreans have applied, however, that the Army doesn’t need them all.
US Army recruiting centers are becoming swamped with Korean applicants.
The increase in applications can be traced to James Hwang, a Korean national who learned of the program in its earliest stages. He decided to share all the finer points he learned during his enlistment for a four year active duty (and four years reserve) contract that may take him to duty stations in Iraq or Afghanistan (or heaven forbid, Korea).
“Mr. Hwang started leading free study sessions live online to prepare applicants for the standardized military entrance exam. “He would give us a lot of homework,” says Mr. Lee, a Korean living in the US, about the prep classes held three nights a week.
Mr. Lee served two years as a conscript in Korea. He says joining the U.S. Army doesn’t daunt him.
Neither did the math he needed for the exam. Leafing through pages of algebra, geometry and trigonometry in Mr. Hwang’s study guide, Mr. Lee says, “We learned this stuff in junior high in Korea.”
But the English vocabulary was tough. Mr. Hwang advised his students to make flash cards. He then quizzed them on the meaning of words such as lament, hasten and mangle.”
Koreans form the largest group among the 8,000 applicants for the program, launched on Feb. 23. Many have excellent credentials, including degrees in medicine and engineering. Almost all are veterans of South Korea’s own compulsory military service.
“The quality of these applicants has been phenomenal,” says Lt. Col. Peter Badoian, the project officer for the pilot program.
“But we didn’t anticipate one immigrant community would respond so strongly.”
[Wall Street Journal]
http://ratemyhagwon.com
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE
Approximately 4, 000 American soldiers died in combat in the Revolutionary War.
215,000 died in the Civil War.
53,000 died in World War I.
291,557 died in World War II.
33,741 died in the Korean War.
47,424 died in the Vietnam War.
Over 4,000 have died in the wars we’re currently in.
(Dept of Veterans Affairs)
REMINDER
Our August 12 Chapter meeting will be at the Indian Trail VFW Post 2423 at 10:00 AM.
Our Chapter Meetings are normally held on the second Wednesday of every month. Starting time is 10:00 AM with coffee/cake at 9:30 AM. Spouses are welcome. All members are encouraged to bring guests.
Second Memorial Advisory Committee Meeting Held
Don Putnam, Memorial Chairman, held a second meeting at Jonathans on Monday June 15.
The committee members are:
Mint Hill Mayor – Ted Biggers
Mayor Pro Tem – Mickey Ellington
MH Times Editor – Tim Long
Architect – Kent Goolsby
USAF Ex-POW – Colonel Quincy Collins
USO Director – Shelia Crump-Waskow
Meet our Memorial Advisory Committee – Mickey Ellington
Mint Hill Mayor Pro-Tem Mickey Ellington has served the citizens of Mint Hill in a variety of capacities. He was a member of the Planning Board for 11 years with six of those as chairman. In May 1999, he was appointed to the Town’s Board of Commissioners to fill an unexpired term.
That same year he ran for a seat on the Board and was elected, taking the oath of office in December 1999 at which time he was also voted Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Ellington is a life-long resident of the Town and is a licensed funeral director with McEwen Funeral Home.
Thank you, Mayor Ellington, for serving on our Memorial Advisory Committee.
History of Chapter 265 – The Beginning
KWVA Chapter 265 was organized by Bill Stegall on June 5, 2002 with 12 members listed on the application to the KWVA National Organization.
The 12 Charter Members are:
William S Stegall
Jack H Talley
Stephen C Gravier
James W (Bill) Williams
James F Hughes
Charles Roland Henry
Joseph B Brandon
Jay M Moser
Charles (Harry) Newman
Jack A Poindexter
Donald G Adair
Arnold Reeder
The first Chapter officers were:
President – William S Stegall
1st Vice Pres – James Hughes
2nd Vice Pres – Steve Gravier
Secretary – Bill Williams
Treasurer – James Humphries
Chaplain – Jack Talley
Judge Adjutant – Roland Henry
Historian – Charles Newman
Membership – Jay Moser
POW/MIA – Joseph Brandon
Thank you, Charter Members, for getting us started and also for keeping us going for seven years.
Did you Know?
Native Americans fought on both sides during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. During the Civil War, all-Indian brigades fought for both the Confederates and the Union — some were colonels and generals. The 10,000 Indians who fought in WWI resulted in the 1924 U.S. Congress granting them citizenship as a reward for volunteering. And over 44,000 Native Americans fought in WWII, the most famous of them Ira Hayes, who was one of six soldiers photographed while raising the American flag after the Battle of Iwo Jima.
The Korean War saw 10,000 to 15,000 Native Americans serving the U.S., and more than 42,000 served in Vietnam. In the 1990s, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that there were 160,000 living Indian veterans, a figure that becomes more impressive when it is noted that the number represented 10 percent of all living Indians — triple that of non-Indian populations.
There were 6 Native American Medal of Honor recipients in WWII and 3 during the Korean War (including Charles George of North Carolina).
USS Laffey
The Patriots Point staff is now making repairs to the USS Laffey. Due to this maintenance work, the ship is closed indefinitely to the public. Laffey, the only surviving Sumner-class destroyer, was added to the Patriots Point fleet in 1981.
July 27 Jerry Kirt Crump Memorial
Our gravesite observance was embraced by the Town of Cornelius and by Mt. Zion Church members. Over 100 people attended to hear Mayor Jeff Tarte welcome us followed by the inspiring remarks of Rev. Mark Lee. Our honored guests were the daughters of Jerry Crump: Sheila Crump Waskow and Theresa Crump Schwab. Our KWVA Chapter Honor Guard was joined by the Cornelius American Legion Post 86 commanded by John Washam. Max Johnson and Boy Scout Troop 10 helped distribute flags and manage the parking. Raymer Funeral Home provided a tent and chairs. A true community effort to help our Chapter 265 honor a Korean War hero and mark the 56th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.
Also President Obama proclaimed July 27 “National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day” and flags will be flown at half mast.
Thanks to you for your help in making this a successful day for our Chapter.
KWVA NC Chapter 265
P.O. Box 125
Huntersville NC 28070
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