KDVA’s: “I Know A Korean War Veteran Campaign”

KDVA would like to honor those who served in the war and those who supported them from home.  We would like to hear and share the life stories of Korean War veterans, their families, and the lives they have touched.

Through written stories, photos, and short videos, we hope that people will find new appreciation for our Korean War veterans and the importance of the ROK-U.S. Alliance.  We also hope that veterans and their families will draw closer together as they discover new meaning and appreciation for the veterans’ experiences.

These stories will be living reminders of the immeasurable contributions of our Korean War veterans to the security and prosperity of the enduring ROK-U.S. Alliance.

Starting now, we ask anyone who is a Korean War veteran or knows a Korean War veteran to write short stories and share pictures or videos.

We will select some of these stories to highlight them below, at KDVA events, in the monthly KDVA “Unsung Heroes” Newsletter, and quarterly KDVA “ROK-U.S. Alliance Journal.”

Share Your Stories & Photos –

We ask anyone who is a Korean War veteran or knows a Korean War veteran to write short stories and share them along with pictures or videos with us. Please email your stories and photos to 70KWstories.kdva@gmail.com.

Our Veterans Stories –

  • Gordon Durkee

    My father, Gordon Durkee, My father, Gordon Durkee, served in Korea from 1053-54, stationed at Camp Casey and Uijonbu as a 11B radio man. I am honored for his service…

  • SERGEANT ROBERT F. GRANDFIELD, U.S. Army, Korea – 1950 to 1951

    By James L. Grandfield On November 17, 1950, Private Bob Grandfield debarked the troop transport in Wonsan. The son of a Cape Cod physician, the 20-year old medic was serving…

  • COLD WARRIORS: American Father and Son Serving the Korean People

    By: Brian Edward Malnes Harry The Korean War was the first major salvo of the Cold War, which lasted from 1947 to 1991. During the entirety of the Cold War,…

  • MY KOREA EXPERIENCE – Ray Huecker

      By Ray Huecker Shortly after North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950, General Douglas MacArthur called for a Division of Marines to mount an invasion at Inchon Harbor. When…

  • MY GRANDFATHER AND ME IN KOREA: OUR TIME IN KOREA WAS WORTH IT

    By Jared B. Law, Captain, U.S. Army Retired The story is somewhat short, as we only have a few details. My grandfather, PFC David U. Law, was a mortarman with…

  • General Shin, Hyun-joon, ROK Commander and Commandant

    By Lieutenant Colonel James F. Durand, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.)       At 06:10 on September 27, 1950, Republic of Korea (ROK) Marines raised the flag in front of…

  • The Story of CWO George V. Lampman, USMC, Ret.

    On Duty with the Marine Security Detachment at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on June 25, 1950 By Fred Lash, from an interview with George V. Lampman In June of…

  • I Don’t Hate Nobody Because Life Is So Short

    The Remarkable Story of the Only Holocaust Survivor to be Awarded the Medal of Honor By: Mr. Ned Forney, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, career educator, and grandson of a Korean…

  • The Sharp Family Story

    By Ms. Nicole Ruiz, KDVA Research Intern Photo Caption: Gen. (Ret.) Walter Sharp is holding a picture of his father, then-Lieutenant Earl “Bill” Sharp (who is on the right), with…

  • The Champoux Family Story

    By Ms. Nicole Ruiz, KDVA Research Intern Growing up, Korea was an important part of the Champoux family. It came in the form of traditional Korean masks hanging on the…

  • General Paek Sun Yup

    Submitted By: James Pierce  My favorite Korean War veteran is General Paek Sun Yup, perhaps Korea’s greatest modern military leader. I initially met General Paek probably in the 1970s, when…

  • Captain Sung Gon Kim

    Submitted By: MinShik Kim  Freedom is not free. April 19, 2020 is the 11th anniversary of my grandfather’s death. He was laid to rest at Daejeon National Cemetery. My grandfather,…

  • BROTHERS IN ARMS: A STORY OF SACRIFICE AND SURVIVAL

    By: Ned Forney U.S. Marine Corps veteran, career educator, and grandson of a Korean War veteran For 19-year-old Pat Finn, a Minnesota Marine with Item Co, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines,…

  • MY STORY OF SERVICE IN SOUTH KOREA

    By: Matt Segal, Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired), Cary, NC I was commissioned in 1971 through Temple University’s ROTC program and went on active duty in 1972 as a 2nd Lieutenant…

  • The Cashman Family

    Submitted by Guy Cashman My father (Cletus Cashman) fought in Korea with the 1st Marine Division, 1st Battalion. He received a Purple Heart for being wounded at Bunker Hill. We…

  • Capt. Raymond Murphy

    Marine Corps Capt. Raymond Murphy, a Medal of Honor recipient who honorably served his fellow Marines during war, then spent the rest of his life serving them, as well. Murphy…

  • THE EXTROM FAMILY AT HOME DURING AND AFTER THE KOREAN WAR

    Submitted by Janice Extrom Sheridan We (his four children) were not born yet while he was in Korea. In fact, he met our mother after his service ended in 1952.…

  • Robert Extrom

    Excerpt from Robert Extrom’s Biography as a radio operator, 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion, H Company to be published on the Korean War Educator Website.  Submitted by Janice Extrom Sheridan “There…

  • The Langone Family

    Submitted by Cathy Langone Burgholzer My uncle Sergeant Anthony L. Langone (pictured left) was a member of Company L, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division. He enlisted in the United…