Monday, July 01, 2013
 
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Illinois and the Korean War, July 1953

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[July 01, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- The state of Illinois has commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Korean War by supplying information each month about the state's involvement in the conflict. This is the final installment in the series.

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, Illinois Korean Memorial Association, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, along with media partners the Illinois Press Association and the Illinois Broadcasters Association, are sponsoring "Illinois Remembers the Forgotten War." For more information, visit www.illinois-history.gov or www.veterans.illinois.gov.

Illinoisans killed in action in Korea, July 1953
By county of residence
(Source: U.S. Department of Defense records)

Adams:

  • Pfc. James B. Upschulte, Marines, July 9.

Alexander:

  • Pfc. Lacy L. Sullivan, Army, July 28.

Carroll:

  • Pfc. Robert L. Bucher, Army, July 23.

Christian:

  • Capt. John K. Rhoads, Air Force, July 27.

Cook:

  • Cpl. Edward C. Anderson, Marines, July 25.

  • Cpl. Howard Beard Jr., Army, July 17.

  • 2nd Lt. Robert Braithwaite, Army, July 14.

  • Pfc. Thomas P. Darcy, Army, July 18.

  • Pfc. Francis C. Doogan, Army, July 10.

  • Pvt. John A. Esposito, Army, July 18.

  • Pfc. Robert J. Fitzgerald, Marines, July 25.

  • Pvt. Robert E. Hill, Army, July 8.

  • Sgt. Major A. Johnson, Army, July 8.

  • Pfc. Albert Kirk Jr., Army, July 8.

  • Pfc. John R. Lang, Marines, July 25.

  • Pfc. Thomas Lowe, Army, July 18.

  • Cpl. Donald Mayerhofer, Army, July 11.

  • Pfc. James F. Morrison, Marines, July 12.

  • Pfc. William J. Notter, Army, July 7.

  • Pfc. Jerry O. Novak, Army, July 13.

  • Pfc. Louis J. Panacek, Army, July 8.

  • 1st Lt. Richard C. Pappin, Army, July 24.

  • Pfc. John C. Pavlak, Marines, July 24.

  • Pvt. Lowell E. Richards, Army, July 15.

  • Pfc. James Schillicutt, Army, July 9.

  • Pfc. Donald Therkelsen, Army, July 17.

  • Pfc. Oliver Wynne, Army, July 11.

DuPage:

  • Pfc. Claude C. Timmons Jr., Army, July 18.

Effingham:

  • Pvt. Louis G. Nuxoll, Army, July 19.

Kane:

  • Pvt. Willard F. Schuldt, Army, July 11.

  • Pfc. Truman D. Trowbridge, Marines, July 25.

Knox:

  • Cpl. Robert P. Heflin, Army, July 14.

Lake:

  • Pfc. Emmett McAlister, Army, July 8.

LaSalle:

  • Pvt. Willard V. Norwick, Army, July 8.

Lee:

  • Sgt. Robert A. Missman, Marines, July 26.

Macon:

  • Pfc. Victor J. Rosetto, Marines, July 19.

  • Pfc. Roger L. Uhll, Marines, July 24.

Macoupin:

  • Pvt. Robert Conder, Army, July 9.

Madison:

  • 2nd Lt. Paul O. Parkhurst, Army, July 14.

  • Pvt. James Terrell Jr., Army, July 7.

McHenry:

  • 2nd Lt. Frank V. Aston, Army, July 24.

Ogle:

  • Pfc. Harold B. Smith, Marines, July 28.

  • Pvt. Robert L. Kappenman, Army, July 17.

Peoria:

  • Pvt. Donald D. Fislar, Army, July 19.

  • Cpl. Leonard G. Lee, Army, July 10.

Pike:

  • Pfc. Howard W. Niemeyer, Army, July 27.

Pulaski:

  • 1st Lt. William J. Allison, Army, July 7.

  • Pfc. Robert S. Rodgers, Army, July 7.

Randolph:

  • Pvt. Fred G. Voss, Army, July 9.

St. Clair:

  • Cpl. Wilbur T. Barbeau, Marines, July 24.

Stephenson:

  • Pvt. John L. Hellman, Marines, July 20.

Tazewell:

  • 1st Lt. Wilson A. Frease, Marines, July 18.

Union:

  • Pfc. Omar F. Wooldridge, Marines, July 20.

Vermilion:

  • Pfc. John F. Grovier, Army, July 27.

Will:

  • Pfc. Richard G. Kreml, Army, July 14.

  • Pfc. Glenn R. Mackley, Army, July 7.

  • Pfc. James E. Molton, Army, July 5.

Winnebago:

  • Pvt. Harold H. Thorne, Army, July 15.

Key events during the Korean War,
July 1953

The brutal war in Korean was nearing its end in July 1953. Two great armies were deadlocked along a line of rugged mountains that stretched across the waist of the Korean peninsula. The armistice talks at Panmunjom resumed in July after U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower guaranteed a mutual defense pact with South Korea and assured the country of long-term U.S. economic and military aid. This caused a reluctant South Korean President Syngman Rhee, a major opponent of an armistice, to write to Eisenhower on July 12 that he "would not obstruct in any way the implementation of the terms of the armistice." Talks resumed, and shortly thereafter both sides agreed to an armistice that would begin with a ceasefire at 11:01 p.m. local time on July 27.

With an end in sight, the war intensified with a new fury as Communist forces sought to gain as much ground as possible before a cease-fire, with United Nations forces determined to deny them. On July 6 the Chinese once again attacked the U.S. 7th Infantry Division on Pork Chop Hill. Unlike the previous battles for this bloody piece of real estate, the Americans were unable to dislodge the Chinese once they had seized the hill. Eighth U.S. Army Cmdr. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor felt the casualties American forces had suffered were not worth the tactical value of Pork Chop Hill, and on July 11 the hill was abandoned to the enemy. Two weeks later it became part of the demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea.

The last Communist offensive of the war occurred July 13-20 near the Kumsong River when six divisions were launched at the U.S. IX Corps, comprising the 3rd, 40th and 45th Infantry divisions. Additional American units were sent in to help blunt the Communist attack. Heavy fighting and casualties ensued with no significant gains made by either side.

The final U.S. ground combat of the war started July 24 when 3,000 Communist soldiers attacked the "Boulder City" area held by the 7th and 1st Marine regiments. The last Marine ground actions of the war were fought on July 27 at Hills 111 and 119. An F-86 pilot downed an enemy transport near the Manchurian border on July 27 in the last air action of the war.

An eerie calm descended on Korea the evening of July 27 when the armistice took effect. It provided for an armed truce, a prisoner of war exchange and a demilitarized zone separating North and South Korea. The last, poignant act of the war was the prisoner exchange at Panmunjom in August, with 12,773 U.N. prisoners (including 3,597 Americans) crossing the DMZ to freedom, and 75,823 Communist prisoners heading north to an uncertain future. More than 3,000 Americans, nearly 43 percent of those captured, never returned from captivity. Most had died of starvation and exposure during their first hellish winter in captivity.

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This armed truce has continued now for 60 years, and the DMZ, as the demilitarized zone is called, remains one of the world's most heavily fortified and defended areas. Korea remains a divided country to this day, with a vibrant and modern democracy south of the DMZ, and perhaps the most repressive society in the world on the north side. The contrast between the two Koreas could not be more extreme. And after 60 years of a fragile peace, the focus of the world is once again on North Korea, and especially on its insecure and unpredictable young premier, Kim Jong Un. Indeed, on March 11 Premier Kim announced that the armistice agreement was invalid. After 60 years, we are left to wonder if the last chapter of the Korean War has even been written.

A total of 628,833 United Nations soldiers were killed during the Korean War; Communist losses are estimated at as much as twice that number, although accurate figures have never been given. There were an estimated 1.4 million civilian casualties, and approximately 2.4 million Koreans became refugees as a result of the fighting. The United States had 54,246 soldiers killed, 8,177 missing and 103,284 wounded. A total of 1,754 Illinois residents were killed during the war in Korea.

60th anniversary Korean War National Museum events in Springfield

Illinois veterans have been providing their accounts and histories of the Korean War through the speaker series of the Korean War National Museum in Springfield.

Events are planned to honor the July 27, 1953, armistice and the brave men and women who served in the conflict. Speakers currently scheduled to talk at the Korean War National Museum are Edmund Wehrle, Ph.D., on Aug. 31 and Floyd Cooper, a retired Marine, on Sept. 14, both at 2 p.m.

Dr. Wehrle, associate professor of history at Eastern Illinois University, specializes in American international relations history and serves as the department's graduate coordinator. He will discuss diplomacy during the war, including the state of affairs before the war and the diplomatic climate among the nations involved.

Cooper served in the Korean War as a heavy machine gunner in the weapons company of the 3rd Battalion of the 5th Regiment of the 1st Marine Division. While in Korea he was stationed between Seoul and the 38th Parallel in 1952. Cooper is a current member of the Korean War Veterans Association.

Additionally, the movie "Chosin" will be shown at the Illinois State Museum's Thorne Deuel Auditorium on July 27 at 7 p.m. The Brian Iglesias documentary is about the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, a decisive battle in the Korean War, a brutal 17-day encounter in subzero weather in the winter of 1950 in which United Nations troops nicknamed the "The Chosin Few," including U.S. soldiers and Marines, were encircled and outnumbered by Chinese troops.

Both the physical and virtual museums aim to bring to life the stories of individuals who served and partnered with nations around the world, providing insight to the challenges and accomplishments of the allied nations that fought against communist aggression. The Korean War National Museum further strives to recognize how the United Nations, United States, Republic of Korea, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and China negotiated the armistice.

Since that negotiation, much has changed. Communism has been deterred, the Republic of Korea has become a strong ally and example of democracy, American men and women of all races and backgrounds proudly serve side by side, and jet fighter aircraft technology pioneered back then advanced our military strength. South Korea has become a beacon of freedom and democracy in Southeast Asia and a world economic power with companies like Hyundai, Samsung, LG and Daewoo impacting technology and daily lives.

The Korean War National Museum is a is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization with a mission to help people better understand and appreciate the service, sacrifices and success of the American, South Korean and Allied personnel during the Korean War.

The KWNM operates the Denis J. Healy Freedom Center, located on the historic Old State Capitol Plaza in Springfield. This 10,000-square-foot facility has an interactive and professionally developed exhibit of items, artifacts, weapons, art, photographs and materials intended to help visitors gain an understanding of and appreciation for the services, sacrifices and successes of the American, South Korean and Allied forces who served in the Korean War. The Freedom Center is open with published hours and free admission. School groups, youth groups and civic groups are welcome. Call 217-523-7230.

The Korean War National Museum continues to plan and prepare for the construction of permanent museum space and welcomes donors, sponsors or interested individuals to contact them or support the fundraising activities. The KWNM is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All contributions are deductible to the extent allowable by law.

For more information, visit the Korean War National Museum at 9 Old State Capitol Plaza in Springfield or visit http://www.kwnm.org/.

Korean War history booklet available

The Illinois Korean Memorial Association, an all-volunteer organization, has published a booklet, "A Brief History of the Korean War," copies of which have been provided free of charge to public libraries, high schools and junior high schools in Illinois. Individuals may obtain a copy by sending a $10 check or money order to: Illinois Korean Memorial Association, P.O. Box 8554, Springfield, IL 62791.

Tax-deductible donations are welcome. All donations go to the book project and to the upkeep of the Illinois Korean War Memorial.

Illinois Korean War Memorial

The Illinois Korean War Memorial is located in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery, the same cemetery that contains the Lincoln Tomb. Oak Ridge is the nation's second-most visited burial ground, behind only Arlington National Cemetery.

Dedicated on June 16, 1996, the memorial consists of a 12-foot-tall bronze bell mounted on a granite base. At the circumference of the base are four niches, each with a larger-than-life figure representing a branch of the armed services. Inscribed on the base are the 1,754 names of Illinoisans killed in Korea.

The Illinois Korean War Memorial is administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and may be visited daily free of charge.

Korean War veterans oral history project
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

The oral history program at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum offers "Veterans Remember," a collection of interviews with Illinois residents about their wartime experiences, at the library's website, http://www2.illinois.gov/alplm/
library/Pages/default.aspx
. The interviews concern the experiences of Illinois veterans who fought in several conflicts, including the Korean War, as well as the experiences of those on the home front. Visitors to the website can listen to or watch the interviews in their entirety. Several of the interviews have transcripts, and most have still images as well.

Website visitors will need a computer capable of playing MP3 audio files or MPG compressed video files in order to listen to the interviews. The transcripts and still images are also accessible. Volunteers conducted and edited many of the interviews and developed the transcripts that accompany them.

Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs

The mission of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is to empower veterans and their families to thrive. The department does this by assisting them in navigating the system of federal state and local resources and benefits; by providing long-term health care for eligible veterans in the state's Veterans' Homes; and by partnering with other agencies and nonprofits to help veterans address education, mental health, housing, employment and other challenges. For more information, visit http://www2.illinois.gov/veterans/. Follow them at http://twitter.com/ILVetsAffairs or  http://www.facebook.com/illinois.veterans.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]

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