43,000 KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL WALL NAMES ADDED IN NEW INSTALLATION
A new feature was added to the Korean War Memorial. On July 27, 2022, a Wall of Remembrance was incorporated to include more than 43,000 names of U.S. service members and Korean augmentees. The presentation of the new Korean War Memorial wall names, including both U.S. service members and Korean augmentees side-by-side, alludes to the real-life unity amongst the troops during the war. Names etched into the granite panels commemorate the lives lost and the sacrifices made in this “Forgotten War.” Keep reading to learn more about this powerful exhibit. Suggested read:Veteran’s Guide to the Korean War Memorial
The New Korean War Memorial Wall Names
The new memorial features a lot of symbolism and a unique design. The wall features 84 granite panels. The names on the wall are arranged by rank and service branch and are listed alphabetically. Privates and privates first class take up the first 44 panels. So, the youngest Soldiers are listed first. The names of both U.S. service members and Korean augmentees (KATUSAs) were symbolically included together in the new feature. The KATUSA, Korean Augmentation To the United States Army, was developed in 1950 during the Korean War and is still implemented today. The designer didn’t want to separate them because they fought hard together and should be remembered together. The wall stretches around the Pool of Remembrance to compliment the original design of the memorial. Renovations to the already existing memorial also took place.
The Forgotten War
The Korean War took place in 1950 and lasted until 1953. South Korea, the United States, and their allies fought against North Korea and China. The war, which was the first military action in the Cold War, saw around 5 million Soldier and civilian casualties. The Korean War is often referred to as the “Forgotten War” because it didn’t receive as much attention as other conflicts (such as World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War). This is why there’s a lot of significance and importance surrounding the Korean War Memorial. D.C. is home to a resting place for fallen and missing soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the safety of others. The Gold Star families were able to sit and remember their lost loved ones at the Korean War Memorial after the updates and renovations were made.
The Korean War Veterans Memorial
The new Korean War Memorial feature was a $22 million project. This funding was also distributed to other areas of the memorial for renovation and was predominantly funded by the South Korean government. The memory wall keeps the Soldiers’ sacrifices alive. This feature is the last completed project of the Korean War Memorial, as, up until now, the memorial was technically unfinished. The new feature built near the Washington National Mall is a powerful attribute to the memorial as a whole that stands as a reminder to always remember those who paved the way for our modern freedoms. The new Korean War Memorial wall names commemorate all of the lost soldiers and their sacrifices. Families of the soldiers and anyone who wishes to remember the Forgotten War can visit it now at the Korean War Memorial. Read next:5 Asian-American War Heroes We Should’ve Learned About in School
Image: Paper City