By Kang Seung-woo
Thirty-six former KATUSA soldiers who died during the Korean War were honored by their old unit on the occasion of Memorial Day, Thursday.
KATUSA stands for Korean Augmentation to the United States Army.
The delegation of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), including its chief of staff, Col. Marshall Dougherty, along with members of the KATUSA Veterans Association, visited the U.N. Memorial Cemetery (UNMC) in Busan and commemorated its former soldiers.
On the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, 2ID was the first unit to reach Korea directly from the United States and fought North Korean soldiers along the Nakdong River.
In recognition of their service, the United Nations Command (UNC) assigned them to the symbolic area of the cemetery.
“It is our duty to honor these heroes who bravely stood their ground, and gave their lives so that others might live free from tyranny and oppression,” Dougherty said.
“The KATUSA Veterans Association visits the U.N. Memorial Cemetery on Memorial Day every year to honor fallen KATUSAs and we always thank them for allowing us to enjoy freedom and peace,” said Kim Jong-wook, the association’s chairman.
The division and the KATUSA Veterans Association are in talks about holding a joint memorial event incorporating the former’s commander from next year’s Memorial Day.