May - Korean War Veterans Association

gave $300 bonuses to Korean War vets, provided they were residents of
the state for at least one year before enlisting. But Tony was only in
America for 5 months before he was drafted – not even an American citizen
– and to this day he has never gotten the bonus.
http://www.ctheritage.org/encyclopedia/topicalsurveys/ctatwar.htm
http://www.cslib.org/archives/faindexes/stategovt.htm
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19590707&id=
dVIQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-4oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7052,419839
The above article lists 18 states that gave Korean War bonuses—
Connecticut among them. I have added a few of them to our list.
The Kentucky encyclopedia, by John E. Kleber, states that 73,854
Korean War bonuses were paid out. (see p. 526 of the book.)
INDIANA
I have an application for a Korean War Veterans Bonus for the State of
Indiana. It states that all applications for bonuses must be postmarked no
later than midnight, 30 June 1956.
I guess we’re a little late.
Ruben L. Carlson, 9171 W 1350 N, Elwood, IN 46036
MICHIGAN
I enlisted in my home State of Michigan in 1952 and the offer was $10
for non-overseas per month and $15 for each overseas service per
month. I believe it covered June 1950 to some ending date like December
1954.
Although I spent 39 months overseas, I did receive $275. I remember
that the application had to be made out by Naval Personnel office and
signed by the Executive Officer.
Dale L. Wood, 203 W. Stedhill Loop, The Woodlands, TX 77384-5077,
dalenmayra@consolidated.net
NEW JERSEY
I see by the latest issue (Mar/April 2010, p. 18) that New Jersey remains
“unknown” still! Here’s what I recall.
I served from December 1951 and was separated from active duty on
9 January 1954, having served with the 25ID in Korea from December
1952 through November 1953. After that, I began my trip back to
Paterson, NJ, USA.
There was NO State Bonus for vets at that time, nor has any been
awarded since then. I was told by reputable sources at that time (my
father being one of them) that a 3-cent tax had been levied on each pack
of cigarettes to fund a bonus for returning vets from the Korean War. That
tax was still existent at the time I returned. (I still smoked then).
However, shortly before my arrival home, politicians, being what they
are, redirected those funds to further finance the Garden State Parkway,
which was being constructed at the time and was to, and has, stretched
from the New York State border in the north to the tip of the Cape May
peninsula in the south.
They didn’t even name it the KWV Memorial Highway!
Anthony K. (“Tony”) Lalley, 41 Stone Row Lane, Jefferson, NJ 07438
A “Bonus” for all wars
I have received a $250.00 property tax deduction every year from the
Township in which I live. In checking, I’m told that this is a State-directed
deduction for all war veterans.
Apparently the practice began after WWII, and has continued for all
succeeding war veterans.
Bob Becker, rbecker@medleas.com
OREGON
Oregon is shown to have not given a Korean War bonus. I am a veteran
who did one tour of one year in the 4.2 Mortar Co., March 1951 –
March 1952, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. My discharge date is April
9, 1952.
The State of Oregon gave me a $300.00 bonus, which was the same
amount that was given to the WWII veterans.
Ellis G. Smith, 91680 Donna Rd., Springfield, OR
PENNSYLVANIA
EDITOR’S NOTE: There has been some controversy regarding whether
the State of Pennsylvania issued Korean War bonuses. We have received
a copy of the letter from the then Treasurer of the state, Robert Kent, sent
to one member, Louis Ross, Jr.
The Pennsylvania bonus recognition form
19
The Graybeards
May – June 2010